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| Deshaun Watson helped Clemson to a school-record sixth straight 500-yard offensive performance. (Photo courtesy AP) |
The Playoff field is gaining clarity, as there are now just four undefeated Power 5 conference teams remaining. Two of them reside in the Big Ten, meaning the season will conclude with a maximum of three. Now that the Pac-12 seems to be eliminated, the other four conferences plus Notre Dame are solidly in the debate. Two regular season weeks plus championship weekend are all that remains. Let the fun begin.
1) Clemson (10-0)
Previously: 1
Deshaun Watson is the real deal - Part 3. Another ho-hum performance from the sophomore signal caller. Watson racked up 465 yards of offense in leading Clemson to a 37-27 win over Syracuse. Clemson is now 10-0 for just the third time in school history.
Deshaun Watson is the real deal - Part 3. Another ho-hum performance from the sophomore signal caller. Watson racked up 465 yards of offense in leading Clemson to a 37-27 win over Syracuse. Clemson is now 10-0 for just the third time in school history.
2) Ohio State (10-0)
Previously: 2
As expected, the Buckeyes slowly but surely dominated Illinois. Ohio State and JT Barrett looked rusty early, but walked away from Champaign with a 25-point win. Now comes to toughest part of OSU's schedule - home vs. Michigan State, at Michigan, and a potential Big Ten Championship Game appearance.3) Oklahoma State (10-0)
Previously: 4
Oklahoma State survived Ames, Iowa, this time around, scoring a 35-31 win after trailing by 17 early on. Iowa State led 31-21 in the fourth quarter, but JW Walsh led the comeback. The Cowboys are the Big 12's last unbeaten team and face Baylor and Oklahoma to close out the season, both in the house that Boone built.
4) Iowa (10-0)
Previously: 6
Iowa has scored 31 points or more in four straight games, including the Hawkeyes' 40-35 win over Minnesota Saturday. Kirk Ferentz and Co. should move to 11-0 with Purdue coming to Kinnick Stadium. But looming large is a date with Nebraska among a sea of red.
Iowa has scored 31 points or more in four straight games, including the Hawkeyes' 40-35 win over Minnesota Saturday. Kirk Ferentz and Co. should move to 11-0 with Purdue coming to Kinnick Stadium. But looming large is a date with Nebraska among a sea of red.
Playoff projection: Clemson vs. Iowa in the Capital One Orange Bowl; Ohio State vs. Oklahoma State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
*NOTE: The CFB Playoff Committee factors in many variables and does its best to send the No. 1 overall seed to its closest destination. Clemson is geographically closer to Miami, Fla., than to Arlington, Texas.
*NOTE: The CFB Playoff Committee factors in many variables and does its best to send the No. 1 overall seed to its closest destination. Clemson is geographically closer to Miami, Fla., than to Arlington, Texas.
5) Notre Dame (9-1)
Previously: 5
The experts will tell you Notre Dame's résumé took a hit when Stanford fell to Oregon and Temple lost to South Florida. First off, Notre Dame and Stanford haven't met yet, so that shouldn't have any bearing for the Playoff Committee ... yet. Secondly, Notre Dame still owns the best loss of any one-loss team. The Irish "host" Boston College at Fenway Park this week before traveling to Palo Alto.
The experts will tell you Notre Dame's résumé took a hit when Stanford fell to Oregon and Temple lost to South Florida. First off, Notre Dame and Stanford haven't met yet, so that shouldn't have any bearing for the Playoff Committee ... yet. Secondly, Notre Dame still owns the best loss of any one-loss team. The Irish "host" Boston College at Fenway Park this week before traveling to Palo Alto.
6) Oklahoma (9-1)
Previously: NR
Biggest move of the week is Oklahoma, who scored one of the bigger wins of the season at Baylor. The Bears were previously unbeaten, had never lost at McLane Stadium, and were the favorite in the Big 12 this season. Oklahoma and Baker Mayfield keep distancing themselves from the Texas loss. Two more wins against TCU and at Oklahoma State to close the season would be a strong argument for the Top 4.
7) Alabama (9-1)
Previously: 8
Another team with a big win on the weekend was Alabama. The Tide rolled into Starkville and proceeded to keep rolling over Mississippi State, 31-6. Although, the Bulldogs won several key statistics. It will be hard to keep a one-loss SEC champion out of the Playoff, no doubt, but Alabama's loss at home to three-loss Ole Miss still doesn't sit well with me.
8) Florida (9-1)
Previously: 9
The Gators wrapped up conference play with a 24-14 win at South Carolina, sending the Gamecocks to non-bowl eligible status. Florida gets an easy week before hosting Florida State, then heading to Atlanta for the SEC title game. Can the Gators reel off a couple big wins over the Noles and presumably Alabama? If so, Jim McElwain will have Florida playoff bound in his first season in Gainesville.
10) North Carolina (9-1)
Previously: NR
Marquise Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels have been video game good in their last two wins. UNC has scored 125 points in destroying Duke and Miami. The Heels can wrap up the ACC Coastal Division title this week with a win, but it won't be as easy as the last two. North Carolina hits the road for the final two games. Up first is at Virginia Tech, where the Hokies will be sending off Frank Beamer in his final game at Lane Stadium. The following week, it's off to face in-state rival NC State.
Another team with a big win on the weekend was Alabama. The Tide rolled into Starkville and proceeded to keep rolling over Mississippi State, 31-6. Although, the Bulldogs won several key statistics. It will be hard to keep a one-loss SEC champion out of the Playoff, no doubt, but Alabama's loss at home to three-loss Ole Miss still doesn't sit well with me.
8) Florida (9-1)
Previously: 9
The Gators wrapped up conference play with a 24-14 win at South Carolina, sending the Gamecocks to non-bowl eligible status. Florida gets an easy week before hosting Florida State, then heading to Atlanta for the SEC title game. Can the Gators reel off a couple big wins over the Noles and presumably Alabama? If so, Jim McElwain will have Florida playoff bound in his first season in Gainesville.
9) Baylor (8-1)
Previously: 3
Simply put, Baylor got beat by a much better Sooner team, which felt like it owed the Bears one after being dominated the last two years. Jarrett Stidham got banged up in the loss and the road doesn't get any easier. In fact, it leads to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State this weekend, then to Ft. Worth to tackle TCU.
Simply put, Baylor got beat by a much better Sooner team, which felt like it owed the Bears one after being dominated the last two years. Jarrett Stidham got banged up in the loss and the road doesn't get any easier. In fact, it leads to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State this weekend, then to Ft. Worth to tackle TCU.
10) North Carolina (9-1)
Previously: NR
Marquise Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels have been video game good in their last two wins. UNC has scored 125 points in destroying Duke and Miami. The Heels can wrap up the ACC Coastal Division title this week with a win, but it won't be as easy as the last two. North Carolina hits the road for the final two games. Up first is at Virginia Tech, where the Hokies will be sending off Frank Beamer in his final game at Lane Stadium. The following week, it's off to face in-state rival NC State.
Next three up:
TCU (9-1)
Trevone Boykin went down with an ankle injury and his status is uncertain going forward. That leaves TCU with two question marks now, as Boykin joins leading receiver Josh Doctson on the bench with injuries. If the Horned Frogs can somehow escape Norman with a win this weekend, they'll be right back in the thick of things, but will need some help.
Michigan State (9-1)
Sparty bounced back with a 24-7 win over Maryland, but lost quarterback Connor Cook in the process. Or so it seems. Cook's status will be kept close to the vest this week as Michigan State prepares for a trip to the Horseshoe. Lose there, and the Buckeyes clinch the Big Ten East Division. Win and who knows what could happen.
Michigan (8-2)
We've reached the land of two-loss teams (sorry, Houston). There are several two-loss teams now - Stanford and Utah as well. It's hard not to put Utah here with the head-to-head advantage over the Wolverines. But Michigan gets the nod after surviving a double overtime win at Indiana. Utah can't say the same, as it lost in two OTs at Arizona. Michigan now hopes for a Buckeye win over Michigan State, and then hopes to upset Ohio State at the Big House to win the division. To get there, though, Big Blue has to knock off Penn State at Beaver Stadium first.
Dropped out:
Stanford (7) and LSU (10)
-BtW
Trevone Boykin went down with an ankle injury and his status is uncertain going forward. That leaves TCU with two question marks now, as Boykin joins leading receiver Josh Doctson on the bench with injuries. If the Horned Frogs can somehow escape Norman with a win this weekend, they'll be right back in the thick of things, but will need some help.
Michigan State (9-1)
Sparty bounced back with a 24-7 win over Maryland, but lost quarterback Connor Cook in the process. Or so it seems. Cook's status will be kept close to the vest this week as Michigan State prepares for a trip to the Horseshoe. Lose there, and the Buckeyes clinch the Big Ten East Division. Win and who knows what could happen.
Michigan (8-2)
We've reached the land of two-loss teams (sorry, Houston). There are several two-loss teams now - Stanford and Utah as well. It's hard not to put Utah here with the head-to-head advantage over the Wolverines. But Michigan gets the nod after surviving a double overtime win at Indiana. Utah can't say the same, as it lost in two OTs at Arizona. Michigan now hopes for a Buckeye win over Michigan State, and then hopes to upset Ohio State at the Big House to win the division. To get there, though, Big Blue has to knock off Penn State at Beaver Stadium first.
Dropped out:
Stanford (7) and LSU (10)
-BtW
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