Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1 SEC) enters Week 12 rested and ready to play the rest of the regular season. Three key games remain: hosting New Mexico State on Saturday night, traveling to Alabama to take on Auburn,

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko knows what's at stake over the next three games. The Aggies are currently the 15th-ranked team in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, sitting at 7-2 and 5-1 in SEC play.

A&M checked in at No. 15 in the second rankings released on Tuesday night concerning the 12-team CFP, down one spot from a week prior. The Aggies (7-2, 5-1 SEC) host New Mexico State (2-7, 1-5 C-USA) on Saturday night in a nonconference contest before closing league play Nov. 23 at Auburn and Nov. 30 at Kyle Field against No. 3 Texas.

The previous version incorrectly listed Georgia as the No. 2 seed in the quarterfinal bracket instead of Texas.) The College Football Playoff and its newfangled 12-team format is nearly here.

The second set of College Football Playoff rankings were released on Tuesday night in an abbreviated show — which was much appreciated. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish moved up two spots thanks to a loss from Georgia to Ole Miss and a loss from Miami to Georgia Tech.