College football takes it to another level, doesn't it? Well, it will do so again this week. The College Football Playoff Committee releases its first rankings of the 2015 season Tuesday night. A plethora of intriguing games fill the slate this weekend. It certainly should be a November to remember. On to the Ben Ten rankings!
1) Ohio State (8-0)
1) Ohio State (8-0)
Previously: 1
Ohio State had a bye week, but it was hardly a week off. JT Barrett, newly cemented into his starting role, was given a citation for operation a vehicle while under the influence. First, what the heck is the difference between that an a DUI/DWI? Secondly, seriously dude? Cardale Jones will be back in the saddle this week against Minnesota.
Ohio State had a bye week, but it was hardly a week off. JT Barrett, newly cemented into his starting role, was given a citation for operation a vehicle while under the influence. First, what the heck is the difference between that an a DUI/DWI? Secondly, seriously dude? Cardale Jones will be back in the saddle this week against Minnesota.
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| Cardale Jones takes back over the starting role for the Buckeyes this week with JT Barrett suspended. (Photo courtesy USA Today Sports) |
2) Clemson (8-0)
Previously: 2
Deshaun Watson is the real deal. Clemson topped 600 yards of offense against NC State, the fourth straight week the Tigers had more than 500. Watson accounted for six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing). The defense left much to be desired, giving up 41 points. The big test now comes to Death Valley in the form of the Florida State Seminoles.
Deshaun Watson is the real deal. Clemson topped 600 yards of offense against NC State, the fourth straight week the Tigers had more than 500. Watson accounted for six touchdowns (five passing, one rushing). The defense left much to be desired, giving up 41 points. The big test now comes to Death Valley in the form of the Florida State Seminoles.
3) LSU (7-0)
Previously: 3
The SEC West showdown the college football world awaits each year has arrived: LSU versus Alabama. The Tigers head to Tuscaloosa for this one with a chance to knock the Tide out of Playoff contention.
The SEC West showdown the college football world awaits each year has arrived: LSU versus Alabama. The Tigers head to Tuscaloosa for this one with a chance to knock the Tide out of Playoff contention.
4) Baylor (7-0)
Previously: 4
Baylor hangs on to the final Playoff spot by virtue of what it has done so far. The Bears had a bye week to prep rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham for his first start. Baylor travels to the house Bill Snyder probably actually built with his own hands. Stidham is surrounded by weapons and was a blue chip recruit. Let's see how he handles taking the reigns eight games into his career.
Baylor hangs on to the final Playoff spot by virtue of what it has done so far. The Bears had a bye week to prep rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham for his first start. Baylor travels to the house Bill Snyder probably actually built with his own hands. Stidham is surrounded by weapons and was a blue chip recruit. Let's see how he handles taking the reigns eight games into his career.
Playoff projection: Ohio State vs. Baylor in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic; Clemson vs. LSU in the Capital One Orange Bowl
*Note: The CFB Playoff Committee sends the No. 1 overall seed to its closest destination. Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio) is geographically closer to Arlington, Texas, than to Miami, Fla.
*Note: The CFB Playoff Committee sends the No. 1 overall seed to its closest destination. Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio) is geographically closer to Arlington, Texas, than to Miami, Fla.
5) TCU (8-0)
Previously: 5
Trevone Boykin has steadily put together a strong Heisman résumé. His performance last Thursday in a 40-10 win over West Virginia was nothing short of amazing. He gets another chance to shine on the road at Oklahoma State. It's the first of three big November tests for the Horned Frogs. It will be interesting to see how the Playoff Committee views TCU and Baylor these first two weeks. Neither has had a tantalizing schedule, so I expect Baylor to be ranked ahead. However, a win on the road over the Top-15 Cowboys could vault TCU ahead of the Bears.
Trevone Boykin has steadily put together a strong Heisman résumé. His performance last Thursday in a 40-10 win over West Virginia was nothing short of amazing. He gets another chance to shine on the road at Oklahoma State. It's the first of three big November tests for the Horned Frogs. It will be interesting to see how the Playoff Committee views TCU and Baylor these first two weeks. Neither has had a tantalizing schedule, so I expect Baylor to be ranked ahead. However, a win on the road over the Top-15 Cowboys could vault TCU ahead of the Bears.
6) Michigan State (8-0)
Previously: 6
The fourth team in the Top 6 to have had a bye Saturday. Michigan State has two "gimmes" with three-win Nebraska and two-win Maryland before the clash in the Horseshoe with Ohio State. Nov. 21 can't come fast enough for Sparty.
The fourth team in the Top 6 to have had a bye Saturday. Michigan State has two "gimmes" with three-win Nebraska and two-win Maryland before the clash in the Horseshoe with Ohio State. Nov. 21 can't come fast enough for Sparty.
7) Notre Dame (7-1)
Previously: 7
The Irish needed another clutch performance from Deshone Kizer and they got it. Kizer led Notre Dame from behind once again to defeat upset-minded Temple on the road. Notre Dame has won three straight since its loss to Clemson. On deck is a trip to the other side of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and another NFL stadium, where the Irish visit the Pitt Panthers at Heinz Field.
The Irish needed another clutch performance from Deshone Kizer and they got it. Kizer led Notre Dame from behind once again to defeat upset-minded Temple on the road. Notre Dame has won three straight since its loss to Clemson. On deck is a trip to the other side of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and another NFL stadium, where the Irish visit the Pitt Panthers at Heinz Field.
8) Iowa (8-0)
Previously: 9
The Hawkeyes keep plugging along. They flew past Maryland in a game that wasn't as close as the score (31-15) indicated. It's been mentioned once or twice before, but Iowa just need to keep winning and get to the Big Ten Championship Game undefeated. There, it will have a chance to impress the committee.
The Hawkeyes keep plugging along. They flew past Maryland in a game that wasn't as close as the score (31-15) indicated. It's been mentioned once or twice before, but Iowa just need to keep winning and get to the Big Ten Championship Game undefeated. There, it will have a chance to impress the committee.
9) Stanford (7-1)
Previously: 8
Good thing Kevin Hogan doesn't show any signs of panicking. Stanford, struggling to get anything going against Washington State, found a way to overcome an extremely slow start to score 27 points in the second half in a sluggish win. Hogan did most of the damage with his legs. The same couldn't be said for the Cougars kicker, who missed a potential game-winning 43-yard attempt at the buzzer.
Good thing Kevin Hogan doesn't show any signs of panicking. Stanford, struggling to get anything going against Washington State, found a way to overcome an extremely slow start to score 27 points in the second half in a sluggish win. Hogan did most of the damage with his legs. The same couldn't be said for the Cougars kicker, who missed a potential game-winning 43-yard attempt at the buzzer.
10) Alabama (7-1)
Previously: 10
Alabama needs to beat LSU or the Tide will just be playing consolation games the rest of the season. Should the Tide win, things in the SEC West could get wild. Alabama hasn't had two conference losses since 2010. Can they slow down Leonard Fournette? Game on.
Alabama needs to beat LSU or the Tide will just be playing consolation games the rest of the season. Should the Tide win, things in the SEC West could get wild. Alabama hasn't had two conference losses since 2010. Can they slow down Leonard Fournette? Game on.
Next three up:
Oklahoma State (8-0)
Much like Iowa, the Cowboys need to just keep winning. After falling behind 17-0 and 24-7 early at Texas Tech, Oklahoma State stormed to 70 points in a big win over the Red Raiders in Lubbock. OSU gets all three Big 12 challengers (TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma) at home over the next four weeks. The Pokes can make a loud statement by knocking off TCU this week.
Florida (7-1)
The Gators seemed to have it easy against Georgia. The Dawgs couldn't muster anything on offense with a first-time starter taking the snaps. Florida can clinch a berth in the SEC Championship Game with a win over Vanderbilt this week. If they win out before Atlanta and get a rematch with LSU, discussion about SEC playoff berth could get lively.
Oklahoma (7-1)
The Sooners have climbed back from the depths of who knows where. Since the mind-boggling loss to Texas, Oklahoma has won three straight by an average score of 60-11. This Sooners team is who many though could make a run at the Playoff. After Iowa State this week, Oklahoma's three-week finale will tell us what we need to know about the Sooners.
Oklahoma (7-1)
The Sooners have climbed back from the depths of who knows where. Since the mind-boggling loss to Texas, Oklahoma has won three straight by an average score of 60-11. This Sooners team is who many though could make a run at the Playoff. After Iowa State this week, Oklahoma's three-week finale will tell us what we need to know about the Sooners.
-BtW
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