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| JT Barrett has the Buckeye offense rolling into a bye week. (Photo courtesy ElevenWarriors.com) |
Previously: 6
The Buckeyes claim the top spot of the Ben Ten for the first time this season. They finally looked like the team that won the National Championship last season. JT Barrett is clearly the leader of that offense. Perhaps the only downfall is their bye week comes immediately following the offense finally finding its rhythm.
The Buckeyes claim the top spot of the Ben Ten for the first time this season. They finally looked like the team that won the National Championship last season. JT Barrett is clearly the leader of that offense. Perhaps the only downfall is their bye week comes immediately following the offense finally finding its rhythm.
2) Clemson (7-0)
Previously: 3
I'm not sure anyone would have been able to tame the Tigers this weekend. Clemson played its best game of the season. The Tigers have overwhelmed three straight opponents since knocking off Notre Dame, shunning any thought of having a let down. Dabo Swinney's club looks focused and is passing each test with flying colors.
I'm not sure anyone would have been able to tame the Tigers this weekend. Clemson played its best game of the season. The Tigers have overwhelmed three straight opponents since knocking off Notre Dame, shunning any thought of having a let down. Dabo Swinney's club looks focused and is passing each test with flying colors.
3) LSU (7-0)
Previously: 4
Leonard Fournette had another ho-hum outing against Western Kentucky and the Bayou Bengals pulled away in the second half. LSU is the last unbeaten in the SEC, but has a tough road ahead. The Tigers take the week off to prepare for the final stretch, which begins Nov. 7 at Alabama.
Leonard Fournette had another ho-hum outing against Western Kentucky and the Bayou Bengals pulled away in the second half. LSU is the last unbeaten in the SEC, but has a tough road ahead. The Tigers take the week off to prepare for the final stretch, which begins Nov. 7 at Alabama.
4) Baylor (7-0)
Previously: 1
Even a monsoon had trouble slowing down the Baylor offense. The Bears suffered a big blow, though, as quarterback Seth Russell went down with a neck injury. His status for the rest of the season remains uncertain. The Big 12 race could hinge on if/when he comes back, or how well freshman Jarrett Stidham can fill Russell's shoes. Regardless, the Bears have weapons all around and edge out TCU for the final Playoff spot.
Even a monsoon had trouble slowing down the Baylor offense. The Bears suffered a big blow, though, as quarterback Seth Russell went down with a neck injury. His status for the rest of the season remains uncertain. The Big 12 race could hinge on if/when he comes back, or how well freshman Jarrett Stidham can fill Russell's shoes. Regardless, the Bears have weapons all around and edge out TCU for the final Playoff spot.
Playoff projection: Ohio State vs. Baylor in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic; Clemson vs. LSU in the Capital One Orange Bowl
5) TCU (7-0)
Previously: 5
The Horned Frogs had the week off. TCU hosts West Virginia in a Thursday night affair this week. It will be a good chance for the rest of the country to see Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin. It will also be a good chance for TCU to put on a show and prove some of the close calls they had are a thing of the past.
The Horned Frogs had the week off. TCU hosts West Virginia in a Thursday night affair this week. It will be a good chance for the rest of the country to see Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin. It will also be a good chance for TCU to put on a show and prove some of the close calls they had are a thing of the past.
6) Michigan State (8-0)
Previously: 7
A close game turned into a blowout in the fourth quarter, when Michigan State scored 24 unanswered for a 52-26 win over overmatched Indiana. Sparty avoided the letdown after the miracle with at Michigan and heads into the bye week unscathed.
A close game turned into a blowout in the fourth quarter, when Michigan State scored 24 unanswered for a 52-26 win over overmatched Indiana. Sparty avoided the letdown after the miracle with at Michigan and heads into the bye week unscathed.
7) Notre Dame (6-1)
Previously: 9
It begins to get tricky here, trying to determine if a one-loss team with a better resume is "better than" an untested undefeated team. So far, the Irish have a two-point loss to Clemson on the road in a hurricane. Notre Dame's road ahead includes three trips to unbeaten Temple, and one-loss Pitt and Stanford. With all the calamity sure to close out the college football season, the Irish can find themselves right back in the playoff picture by running the table the rest of the way.
It begins to get tricky here, trying to determine if a one-loss team with a better resume is "better than" an untested undefeated team. So far, the Irish have a two-point loss to Clemson on the road in a hurricane. Notre Dame's road ahead includes three trips to unbeaten Temple, and one-loss Pitt and Stanford. With all the calamity sure to close out the college football season, the Irish can find themselves right back in the playoff picture by running the table the rest of the way.
8) Stanford (6-1)
Previously: 10
Stanford didn't score 40 for the first time in a Pac-12 game this season, but the Cardinal took care of business against Washington. It seems more and more that the loss to Northwestern to open the season was a fluke. Stanford has a big test on the road at Washington State this week.
Stanford didn't score 40 for the first time in a Pac-12 game this season, but the Cardinal took care of business against Washington. It seems more and more that the loss to Northwestern to open the season was a fluke. Stanford has a big test on the road at Washington State this week.
9) Iowa (7-0)
Previously: NR
The Hawkeyes enjoyed the week off and need to put on a show over the final five weeks of the season. Iowa's schedule doesn't give it much to boast about, but if it can get to the Big Ten title game undefeated and find a way to knock off the East champion, it would be hard to deny Iowa a Playoff berth.
The Hawkeyes enjoyed the week off and need to put on a show over the final five weeks of the season. Iowa's schedule doesn't give it much to boast about, but if it can get to the Big Ten title game undefeated and find a way to knock off the East champion, it would be hard to deny Iowa a Playoff berth.
10) Alabama (7-1)
Previously: NR
Apparently, Alabama celebrates wins with cigars now. Not sure why Nick Saban would enjoy a five-point win over Tennessee, but hey, times they are a changin'. Alabama still needs to win out and receive help from someone in the SEC to knock off Ole Miss. A loss to LSU in two weeks and the Tide won't be rolling to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, nor the College Football Playoff. They might riot in the streets of Tuscaloosa.
Apparently, Alabama celebrates wins with cigars now. Not sure why Nick Saban would enjoy a five-point win over Tennessee, but hey, times they are a changin'. Alabama still needs to win out and receive help from someone in the SEC to knock off Ole Miss. A loss to LSU in two weeks and the Tide won't be rolling to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, nor the College Football Playoff. They might riot in the streets of Tuscaloosa.
Next three up:
Oklahoma State (7-0)
Again, heartbreaking news out of Stillwater over the weekend. I commend the Oklahoma State athletic department for making an extremely tough decision to not postpone its game with Kansas. From head coach Mike Gundy down to the walk-ons, the Cowboys handled the situation as best they could. Four of the next five games present a challenge, starting with a trip to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech.
Utah (6-1)
Well, Vegas was right about Utah being the underdog at USC. I'm not sure anyone thought the Trojans would hammer the Utes like they did. It was an ugly showing for a team that had high aspirations after a tremendous start to the season. The Utes can't let this one linger if they want to continue to be a player in the Pac-12.
Florida (6-1)
The Gators likely spent their bye week thinking of all the what-ifs in their loss to LSU. Florida is still the team to beat in the SEC East and clinch at least a share of the division crown with a win over hated-rival Georgia in Jacksonville.
-BtW
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