The fifth edition of the College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night, and both TCU and Baylor remained on the outside looking in on the top four. The Horned Frogs and Bears stayed in the same positions as last week, at No. 5 and No. 7, respectively.
Here's a deeper look at what those rankings mean for the Big 12's remaining two playoff contenders:
Record: 9-1 (6-1 Big 12)
Playoff committee rank: No. 5
Next big obstacle: Thursday at Texas
Reason for optimism: The Horned Frogs stayed where they were despite having the week off. Minnesota also jumped seven spots all the way to No. 18, giving TCU one of the best nonconference wins in the country. The Horned Frogs now have three top-25 wins, which compares favorably against fourth-ranked Mississippi State, which has only one. TCU also kept its distance from Baylor, preventing the Bears' head-to-head advantage from coming into play.
Cause for concern: The Horned Frogs only have one last real chance to impress the selection committee, Thursday night at Texas. Will that be enough to vault them ahead of Mississippi State and stave off Ohio State and Baylor? TCU can't afford another lackluster performance like the one two weeks ago at Kansas.
Whom they'll be rooting for this week: Go, Gophers, go! Minnesota coach Jerry Kill is one of Gary Patterson's best friends off the field, and the Gophers are TCU's best friend on the field. If Minnesota can beat No. 14 Wisconsin this weekend, it will give TCU a victory over the Big Ten West champ. An Ole Miss win over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, an Auburn win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl and/or a Florida win over Florida State wouldn't hurt, either.
Record: 9-1 (6-1)
Playoff committee rank: No. 7
Next big obstacle: Dec. 6 vs. Kansas State
Reason for optimism: Committee chairman Jeff Long reiterated the difference between No. 4 Mississippi State and No. 7 Baylor was small. The Bears also remain one spot away from the head-to-head advantage with TCU likely kicking in. Baylor also has the chance to land a third top-25 win in a week when No. 12 Kansas State comes to Waco.
Cause for concern: The Bears are still behind Ohio State, even though the Buckeyes struggled at home vs. Indiana. Long curiously also said the committee didn't view Ohio State's early-season defeat to 5-6 Virginia Tech as a bad loss. If that's the case, Baylor might have a tough time jumping the Buckeyes, who still have the Big Ten championship game ahead.
Whom they'll be rooting for this week: Wisconsin to thump Minnesota. That would damage the profile of TCU and Ohio State, the two teams ranked immediately ahead of Baylor. The Bears will also be pulling for Auburn, Oregon State, Florida, Ole Miss, Texas and Michigan. If any of those six could pull an upset, it would push Baylor one step closer to playoff inclusion.