UCLA running back Keegan Jones (22) celebrates his touchdown against Arizona State with offensive lineman Josh Carlin (54), offensive lineman Jon Gaines II (57) and quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) during the first half Saturday night in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
LOS ANGELES — UCLA was ranked 12th Tuesday by the College Football Playoff committee for a second straight week.
The Bruins (8-1 overall, 5-1 Pac-12) are coming off a 50-36 road victory over Arizona State, but it wasn’t enough to lift coach Chip Kelly’s team from 12th place.
LSU’s victory over rival Alabama and Notre Dame’s upset of Clemson last weekend had a result in a reshuffle of the committee’s top 10.
USC (8-1, 6-1 Pac-12) benefited from these results and was able to move up one spot to No. 8 this week.
The Bruins’ lack of movement not only raised eyebrows among fans and college football pundits on social media, but it was also a topic discussed during the CFP’s weekly media conference call.
A media member asked Boo Corrigan, chairman of the CFP selection committee, why USC was able to maintain a four-spot lead over UCLA, despite the fact that the two programs had a similar schedule.
One of the most notable differences between the two teams seems to be their results against Utah.
UCLA won 42-32 against quarterback Cameron Rising and Utah in the Rose Bowl on October 8. USC suffered a 43-42 defeat in Utah on October 15.
“I think USC’s one-point loss at Utah, to two, the emotion of that game is something that the committee certainly talked about…,” Corrigan said. “That being said, there is a lot of respect for UCLA in this game with their only loss being to Oregon by 15 at Oregon.”
No. 6 Oregon (8-1, 6-0) is the only Pac-12 team ranked ahead of the Trojans and Bruins.
No. 13 Utah (7-2, 5-1) and No. 25 Washington (7-2, 4-2) round out the five teams that represent the Pac-12 among the top 25. UCLA beat Utah and Washington earlier this season and those home victories are signature victories on the Bruins’ resume so far.
USC doesn’t get a win against a ranked team. The Trojans also have three victories decided by eight points or less: Oregon State by three points, Six point cal And Arizona by eight points.
“Again, we’re taking what we have to date and (we’re) going to continue to evaluate and make sure that what we’re doing and how we’re looking at this is in the best interest of college football and success .I’m sure we’ll get the top 15 right,” Corrigan said.
UCLA’s path to a playoff spot would require winning its remaining games against Arizona, rival USC and Cal, then winning the conference title game, where it would likely meet Oregon.
If Oregon beats UCLA again in the conference title game and reaches the CFP semifinals, the Bruins could still secure a berth in the Rose Bowl Game, which will be played on January 2.
