2014 College football rankings, week 9: SEC West continues to dominate

It's looking more and more like the two biggest games of the year will come down to a couple rivalry games in the SEC West: the Egg Bowl and the Iron Bowl. Mississippi State remains undefeated after a bye, and Ole Miss took care of business against a rising Kentucky program. Alabama absolutely destroyed Texas A&M and Auburn had a bye as well, keeping both rivals with one loss. If things continue on this path, the winners of each rivalry game will most certainly be given a berth to the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Which two conferences are next in line for playoff berths? Don't sleep on the Spartans. Michigan State defeated Indiana with ease, and they were rewarded with a top five ranking in the USA Today Coaches' Poll. The November 8 matchup with Ohio State is looking like a great opportunity to impress the Playoff committee, as the Buckeyes look like a New Year's Six worthy team right now.

Florida State defeated Notre Dame in a clash of top five teams last Saturday night, which gives the Seminoles a near-certain spot in the football final four. Oregon also has an outside shot at the Playoff if they remain undefeated for the rest of the schedule. At this point, the Big 12 could be on the outside looking in, with TCU as the highest-ranked team at #10 from that conference, followed by Kansas State at #11. Baylor's hopes were dashed in Morgantown as the West Virginia Mountaineers pulled off the upset, much to the chagrin of many a couch in the Mountain State.

The Big Ten now has four teams in the rankings, with the aforementioned Michigan State (AP #8/USA #5), Ohio State (#13/#12), Nebraska (#16/#16), and Minnesota entering at #24 in the Coaches' Poll. Congrats Gophers!

For a composite Top 25, visit SBNation.com