RALPH D. RUSSO
Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson looks to pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Michigan hold steady in CFP

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 13, 2018 07:27 PM EST
The College Football Playoff rankings held steady at the top, with Alabama, Clemson,

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Temple running back Ryquell Armstead rushes for a first down in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, in College Park, Md. Against Houston last week, Armstead scored six touchdowns to lead the Owls to a victory that made them bowl eligible. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
AP All-America Watch: WVU's top tackler; UCLA's talented TE

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 13, 2018 01:06 PM EST
The Associated Press has been honoring college football's best with an All-America

Northwestern running back Isaiah Bowser runs up field during a 34-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. Northwestern won 14-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
AP Top 25 Heat Check: After top-tier, parity reigns in poll

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 12, 2018 02:56 AM EST
As No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson pummel almost everything sight, parity has swept

Northwestern defensive lineman Fred Wyatt celebrates after an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Iowa City, Iowa. Northwestern won 14-10. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
AP Top 25: No. 24 Northwestern ranked after winning division

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 11, 2018 02:03 PM EST
The day after earning a spot in the Big Ten championship game, Northwestern is ranked

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, right, hands off to running back Travis Etienne during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boston College, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
No. 2 Clemson knocks out No. 17 BC 27-7 to win division

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 10, 2018 11:26 PM EST
BOSTON (AP) — At the site of Dabo Swinney's first victory as the head coach of

Ohio State's Drue Chrisman punts during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Hold up on handing Tua that Heisman

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 10, 2018 08:23 PM EST
Hold up on handing Tua Tagovailoa the Heisman Trophy. The Alabama

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2016, file photo, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, left, and Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio shake hands after the Spartans won 17-16 in NCAA college football game in East Lansing, Mich. Ohio State visits Michigan State needing a win to stay on track for a Big Ten East showdown with Michigan in two weeks. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Week 11 Preview: Big Ten intrigue; RB 4 Heisman; UAB-elieve

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 09, 2018 03:16 AM EST
No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson are facing ranked foes this weekend, but the

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush looks to throw against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind. Two people familiar with the decision say No. 3 Notre Dame will start quarterback Brandon Wimbush against Florida State on Saturday for Ian Book, who is nursing an undisclosed injury. The people spoke Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to because no official announcement was forthcoming. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly had a scheduled news conference later Thursday. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
AP sources: Notre Dame QB Wimbush to start for ailing Book

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 08, 2018 11:18 AM EST
No. 3 Notre Dame is turning back to Brandon Wimbush to keep the Fighting Irish

AP Top 25 Podcast: Viewing college football through TV

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 07, 2018 02:46 PM EST
Multiple screens for viewing multiple games and Twitter handy for updates everywhere

FILE - In this Nov. 19, 2016, file photo, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, left, and Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio shake hands after the Spartans won 17-16 in NCAA college football game in East Lansing, Mich. Ohio State visits Michigan State needing a win to stay on track for a Big Ten East showdown with Michigan in two weeks. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
College Football Picks: Mich. St, Auburn try to play spoiler

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 07, 2018 02:00 PM EST
Spoiler season is here in college football, the time of year when being a party

Michigan defensive back Brandon Watson (28) celebrates with defensive lineman Kwity Paye, right, after returning an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Michigan won 42-7. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Michigan up to 4th in CFP behind Alabama, Clemson, ND

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 06, 2018 09:48 PM EST
Michigan moved into the fourth spot of the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday

Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien (4) looks to throw down field as BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki (16) puts pressure on in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 21-16 over BYU. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
AP All-America Watch: Sun Devils star WR; Alabama DT

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 06, 2018 12:35 PM EST
The Associated Press has been honoring college football's best with an All-America

Clemson's Austin Bryant reacts after a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
AP Top 25 Heat Check: Big gap between top and bottom half

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 05, 2018 02:38 AM EST
Over the last two weeks, the same 12 teams have occupied the top 12 spots in The

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) rushes on a 44 yard touchdown carry in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Alabama won 29-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
AP Top 25: West Virginia up to 7 after 10 ranked teams lose

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 04, 2018 02:05 PM EST
No. 7 West Virginia re-entered the top 10 of The Associated Press college football

West Virginia players, from left-right, Trevon Wesco, Reese Donahue and Michael Brown celebrate with fans after defeating Texas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Austin, Texas. West Virginia won 42-41. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Top 25 Takeaways: Tide-Bulldogs rematch; Michigan's CFP path

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 03, 2018 10:21 PM EDT
Showdown Saturday disposed of the SEC pretenders and set up a rematch that seemed

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2018 file photo Charley Green buffs the NCAA college football championship trophy before a coaches news conference in Atlanta. The College Football Playoff selection committee begins its fifth season Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018 of presenting weekly rankings and if form holds two schools in the first top four will go on to play in the semifinals. The usefulness of the committee’s work and the nationally televised reveal is debatable. But what if anything can be learned from the first four years of CFP rankings? Of the 16 teams the committee ranked in the top four of its initial rankings from 2014-17, half made the playoff. (AP Photo/David Goldman, file)
AP Top 25 Podcast: Playoff race hits full stride Saturday

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 31, 2018 12:10 PM EDT
The College Football Playoff rankings are out, heading into the biggest weekend of

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Tyler Johnson catches a pass against Miami (Ohio) in the second half of an NCAA football game, in Minneapolis. For the season, he leads the Big Ten with 100.9 yards receiving per game and is tied for the lead with eight TD catches. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
AP All-America Watch: TD-scoring d-tackle; Gophers star WR

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 30, 2018 01:13 PM EDT
The Associated Press has been honoring college football's best with an All-America

FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2018 file photo Charley Green buffs the NCAA college football championship trophy before a coaches news conference in Atlanta. The College Football Playoff selection committee begins its fifth season Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018 of presenting weekly rankings and if form holds two schools in the first top four will go on to play in the semifinals. The usefulness of the committee’s work and the nationally televised reveal is debatable. But what if anything can be learned from the first four years of CFP rankings? Of the 16 teams the committee ranked in the top four of its initial rankings from 2014-17, half made the playoff. (AP Photo/David Goldman, file)
Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Notre Dame top 1st CFP rankings

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 30, 2018 02:36 AM EDT
If you don't like the first College Football Playoff selection committee rankings,

Notre Dame running back Dexter Williams, above, is lifted by teammate long snapper Michael Vinson after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Heat Check: Comparing AP Top 25 with 1st CFP rankings

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 29, 2018 03:19 AM EDT
Something to keep in mind as the College Football Playoff selection committee

Virginia's wide receiver Joe Reed (2), wide receiver Hasise Dubois (8) and wide receiver Tavares Kelly (27) celebrate with fans after Virginia's win in an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Charlottesville, Va. Virginia beat North Carolina 31-21. (Zack Wajsgras /The Daily Progress via AP)
AP Top 25: Record changes in Top 25 after 11 ranked losses

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 28, 2018 02:04 PM EDT
No. 22 Syracuse and No. 23 Virginia broke long runs of being unranked and were among