If Ohio State is going to make the playoffs, it's going to need some help. A day after Ohio State drilled Michigan in Ann Arbor, the Coaches Poll elevated the Buckeyes to its No. 6.
The Big Ten leads the way with six appearances, ranging from Undefeated Iowa at No. 3 to Wisconsin at No. 25. The SEC and Big 12, by comparison, feature four teams a piece.
Stanford and North Carolina are the two threats to pass Ohio State if the likes of Alabama or Clemson should falter in their conference championships.
| Rank | Team | Points | 1st Votes | Change | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CLEMSON | 1558 | 52 | ACC | |
| 2 | ALABAMA | 1508 | 8 | SEC | |
| 3 | IOWA | 1412 | 1 | BIG TEN | |
| 4 | OKLAHOMA | 1408 | +1 | BIG 12 | |
| 5 | MICHIGAN STATE | 1350 | +1 | BIG TEN | |
| 6 | OHIO STATE | 1252 | +2 | BIG TEN | |
| 7 | STANFORD | 1155 | +5 | PAC-12 | |
| 8 | NORTH CAROLINA | 1107 | +3 | ACC | |
| 9 | FLORIDA STATE | 1054 | +5 | AC | |
| 10 | NOTRE DAME | 994 | -6 | INDEPENDENT | |
| 11 | TEXAS CHRISTIAN | 931 | +5 | BIG 12 | |
| 12 | BAYLOR | 836 | -5 | BIG 12 | |
| 13 | NORTHWESTERN | 768 | +4 | BIG TEN | |
| 14 | OKLAHOMA STATE | 688 | -4 | BIG 12 | |
| 15 | FLORIDA | 655 | -6 | SEC | |
| 16 | OREGON | 634 | +2 | PAC 12 | |
| 17 | MISSISSIPPI | 595 | +2 | SEC | |
| 18 | HOUSTON | 526 | +3 | AMERICAN | |
| 19 | MICHIGAN | 515 | -7 | BIG TEN | |
| 20 | UTAH | 287 | +5 | PAC-12 | |
| 21 | TEMPLE | 276 | +3 | AMERICAN | |
| 22 | NAVY | 223 | -7 | AMERICAN | |
| 23 | LOUISIANA STATE | 207 | +3 | SEC | |
| 24 | SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA | 164 | +8 | PAC-12 | |
| 25 | WISCONSIN | 148 | +3 | BIG TEN |
