Alabama Tops Final Computer Rankings; Ohio State Drops To 4th

January 12, 2021 by Staff

Alabama is the definitive No. 1 team in the Congrove Computer Rankings after finishing the season 13-0 with a 52-24 win over Ohio State in the national championship game.

The blowout loss dropped the Buckeyes into 4th place, behind Clemson and Texas A&M.

Last season's final top four was LSU, Ohio State, Clemson and Alabama.

The championship match was set up when top-seed Alabama eliminated 4th-seed Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl semifinal, while 3rd-seed Ohio State upset 2nd-seed Clemson 49-28 in the Sugar Bowl semifinal.

The computer's preseason forecast had projected Clemson and Alabama as two of the final four teams, along with USC and Wisconsin.

Two teams from Group Of Five conferences finish in the top 10 as Cincinnati represents the American conference at No. 9 and Louisiana-Lafayette gives the Sun Belt a No. 10 team.

The Sun Belt places 3 teams in the top 21 as the conference also lands Coastal Carolina at No. 20 and Appalachian State at No. 21. Last year, t he Sun Belt placed two schools in the final top 25 with Appalachian State at 13 and Louisiana-Lafayette at 24.

View the full Final Rankings.