17. Iowa State Cyclones (7-1)
One point is the difference in a single loss and unbeaten season thus far for Matt Campbell’s team. The Cyclones’ notable win came early on the road against Iowa, a team that looks like they’re going to go for a possible 9-3 finish.
18. Kansas State Wildcats (7-2)
The Wildcats might be inside the top 15 if not for Saturday’s upset loss to Houston given their body of work. Wins over Tulane and Colorado were impressive.
19. South Carolina Gamecocks (5-3)
Which three-loss team will be the highest-ranked on Tuesday night — South Carolina, Vanderbilt or Louisville? All have at least one win over a top-10 team and both the Gamecocks and Cardinals suffered all their losses to top-25 competition. Since South Carolina’s strength of schedule, game control and strength of record numbers (per ESPN’s FPI) all trump the two teams the Gamecocks will be compared to by the committee, there’s a good chance Shane Beamer’s squad will be out front.
20. Louisville Cardinals (6-3)
Louisville’s three losses all came by a single possession and Jeff Brohm’s Week 10 win at Clemson was one of the ACC’s most notable. In fact, it was the program’s first against the Tigers.
21. Vanderbilt Commodores (6-3)
The Commodores are a great story and played a competitive schedule with wins over Virginia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky. But that road loss to Georgia State in September really stings considering the Panthers are 2-6.
