Ranking the Top 25 based on what we saw on the field Saturday with Week 14 rankings in mind, here’s how the AP Top 25 should’ve looked heading into the conference championship games.

HOW THE AP TOP 25 SHOULD HAVE LOOKED

  1. Clemson (12-0) — The Tigers rolled through the season. They’ve beaten Notre Dame and Florida State. They deserve to be No. 1 until they lose.
  2. Alabama (11-1) — The Crimson Tide is playing better than any other team down the stretch. They’ll probably be the Las Vegas favorites in the College Football Playoff. The Tide should roll past Florida in the SEC Championship Game.
  3. Oklahoma (11-1) — The Sooners had a great November, beating TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma State.
  4. Iowa (12-0) — The Hawkeyes get their chance to show they belong against Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game.
  5. Michigan State (11-1) — The Spartans should be able to squeeze into the Playoff with a victory over Iowa.
  6. Ohio State (11-1) — The Buckeyes need an upset in the championship games to get a chance to defend their national title.
  7. North Carolina (11-1) — The Tar Heels can make a strong case for a Playoff bid with a victory over No. 1 Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.
  8. Stanford (10-2)
  9. Notre Dame (10-2)
  10. Baylor (9-2)
  11. Florida State (10-2)
  12. Texas Christian (10-2)
  13. Ole Miss (9-3) — The Rebels are capable of beating anybody — they knocked off Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The blind lateral against Arkansas cost them a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
  14. Northwestern (10-2)
  15. Oklahoma State (10-2)
  16. Houston (11-1)
  17. Oregon (9-3)
  18. Michigan (9-3)
  19. Temple (10-2)
  20. Utah (9-3)
  21. Navy (9-2)
  22. LSU (8-3) — The Tigers finished on a high note, perhaps saving Les Miles job. They should be a tough opponent in a bowl game.
  23. Southern Cal (8-4)
  24. Wisconsin (9-3)
  25. Florida (10-2) — The Gators deserve credit for winning the SEC East. Still, they can’t beat many good teams with their struggling offense.