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| Baylor QB Seth Russell has the Bears in serious Playoff contention. (Photo courtesy USA Today Sports) |
Previously: 2
This team has the look of one on a mission: Seek and destroy. The Bears haven't played the toughest schedule to date. However, Baylor has ripped apart anyone and everyone in its path to what could be a November to remember. Baylor became the first team since 2008 Oklahoma to score 60 or more points in five straight games and there are no signs of slowing down. Seth Russell can sling it and he has plenty of weapons in his arsenal, but it's his athleticism that makes Baylor dangerous.
2) Utah (6-0)
Previously: 1
I was high on Utah last week, and still am. The drop to No. 2 is mostly due to the dominance of Baylor thus far. The Utes have defeated five teams with winning records. They overcame a sluggish start to beat Arizona State in my pick for upset of the week. Utah pitched a 20-0 shutout in the final quarter after trailing the Sun Devils 18-14. Three remaining road trips at USC (this weekend), Washington and Arizona could trip up the Utes.
3) Clemson (6-0)
Previously: 3
When 532 yards of offense against the No. 1 defense in the land isn't pretty, that's a good thing, right? Deshaun Watson led Clemson to its best game through the air and had 452 yards of total offense against Boston College. The Eagles were allowing just a tick over 140 yards per game. Impressive, yes. But Watson looked rusty on throws downfield. The Tigers defense continue to climb and now sit in the Top 10 statistically. Not bad for a unit that lost eight players to the NFL.
4) LSU (6-0)
Previously: 4
Leonard Fournette grabbed some punishing yards (180 of them) against the Gators' stout defense. Les Miles pulled another trick out of "The Hat" with a fake field goal that proved the ultimate difference in a 35-28 win over Florida. Although LSU'd defense allowed 5.2 yards per play, the Tigers passed their first big test. Up next is Western Kentucky, a bye week, then a trip to Alabama.
Playoff projection: Baylor vs. LSU in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl; Utah vs. Clemson in the Capital One Orange Bowl
5) TCU (7-0)
Previously: 5
As predicted, Iowa State came out swinging. Good news for the Horned Frogs: that guy Trevone Boykin still plays for them. Boykin was his usual self again and helped TCU get the last haymaker in to knockout the Cyclones, 45-21. TCU gets a bye week at the right time before its final stretch which, like Baylor, will boost them into the Playoff or send them packing for a lesser bowl. It will also put Boykin in the spotlight for his Heisman campaign.
6) Ohio State (7-0)
Previously: T-6
The Buckeyes finally put together a complete, dominating effort. Albeit against mid-tier Penn State, it was what Ohio State needed. JT Barrett should lead this team from here on out. If he does so, look out. Remember, he's the reason the Buckeyes reached the pinnacle last season. This year, he seems to be a level above Cardale Jones. With playmakers Ezekiel Elliott and Braxton Miller on offense, and a really salty defense, perhaps the Buckeyes are ready to defend their title. A good chance OSU is undefeated when Michigan State comes to Columbus on Nov. 21.
7) Michigan State (7-0)
Previously: 8
Speaking of Sparty, can you believe what happened yesterday in the Big House? Unreal. Michigan was ready to hand its in-state rival its first loss. Timing, they say, is everything, and this time was not meant to be. Connor Cook has the look of a really good pro quarterback. The last big hurdle is the date with Ohio State in The Horsehoe.
8) Florida State (6-0)
Previously: 10
Dalvin Cook is the real deal, folks. Hampered hamstring and all, Cook made Louisville's defenders look silly. Surprisingly, the Noles have just one offensive turnover on the season (a fumble). Everett Golson hasn't been flashy, but he's been exactly what Jimbo Fisher was hoping for to start the year. The FSU train is rolling along and picking up steam. A tricky game Saturday Night at reeling Georgia Tech (five straight losses for the Jackets) could be a trap game. Of course, the Noles have their sights set on Nov. 7 in Death Valley.
9) Notre Dame (6-1)
Previously: NR
An up and down game against USC ended with the Irish on the up. Notre Dame led 24-10, allowed 21 straight points, then scored 17 unanswered to take down their cross-country rival, 41-31. The lone loss at Clemson stings still, but Notre Dame could find its way into the Playoff if it continues to win. To do so, it must win out. Four of its final five games are on the road - three of those to teams currently in the Top 25. Make or break time for Brian Kelly.
10) Stanford (6-1)
Previously: NR
Since their season-opening loss at Northwestern in which they scored six points, the Cardinal have been absolutely dominant winning six in a row. They've scored 40-plus points in four straight Pac-12 wins, the latter two of which they've scored 111 points. USC and UCLA are in the rearview mirror. Christian McCaffrey is a beast. He set the Stanford single-game record with 243 rushing yards and added 122 yards on kick returns against UCLA. Stanford is playing the best ball of any one-loss team, and may be playing better than any team in the country. In years past, however, that's exactly when the Cardinal have fallen. Keep an eye on this team, though.
Next three up:
Iowa (7-0) - The Hawkeyes are sneakily undefeated and now have a couple of resume boosting wins over Pittsburgh, Wisconsin and Northwestern. The problem for Iowa is Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan are all absent from the schedule. The remaining five games include two teams with winning records: Minnesota and Indiana, both 4-3. Iowa must go undefeated, make the Big Ten title game and have a good showing or win to command any respect among the Playoff Committee.
Alabama (6-1) - Alabama rolled into Aggieland and rolled out with three Pick-6s and an 18-point win over previously Top 10 Texas A&M. Unfortunately, the lone loss for Bama took a black eye, as Ole Miss looked mightily overmatched at Memphis. The Tide need to continue to do what they're doing and all will likely fall into place. The home date with LSU Nov. 7 is looming - but it will be the last and only chance for the Tide to make a statement.
Oklahoma State (6-0) - It hasn't been pretty for the Cowboys, but here they are undefeated halfway through the season. The second half of their schedule will allow them to put up or shut up. OSU has yet to play a ranked opponent, but will get a chance to do so. Three of the final four games are against TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma. All three are in the Top 15 and all three must go to Stillwater.
Dropped out:
Florida (T-6) and Texas A&M (9)
-BtW
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