USA TODAY
Most playoff contenders survived rivalry week, leaving a clear pecking order in the Amway Coaches Poll with conference championship weekend ahead.
Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame continue to hold down the top three spots. The Crimson Tide pulled away from Auburn after intermission and continue to receive all but one of the No. 1 votes. The second-ranked Tigers once again have the remaining first-place nod after a similar surge got them clear of South Carolina.
The No. 3 Fighting Irish are in the clubhouse at 12-0 after erasing an early 10-0 deficit to subdue Southern California.