Playoff Teams
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| Alabama has soared past its competition this season. The Tide take a break before heading to the Bayou in two weeks. (Photo courtesy AP) |
1) Alabama
Last week: No. 1
Record: 8-0
Key win(s): Tennessee, Texas A&M
This week: Bye
Another week, another non-offensive touchdown. Alabama's suffocating defense limited Texas A&M and Trevor Knight. The Tide roll into the bye week with their eye toward LSU Nov. 5.
2) Michigan
Last week: No. 3
Record: 7-0
Key win(s): Colorado, Wisconsin
This week: at Michigan State
Michigan isn't far behind Alabama on the defensive side of the ball. The Wolverines' rivalry with Michigan State lost some luster, but Sparty will be 100% geared up to stop Harbaugh's crew.
3) Clemson
Last week: No. 4
Record: 7-0
Key win(s): Auburn, Louisville
This week: at No. 12 Florida State
Clemson's wins over Auburn, Louisville and even Troy are looking better every week. Auburn is now 5-2 and ranked 15th. Louisville is No. 5 and beats down everybody - except Clemson. And Troy is 6-1. The Tigers are the only team to have beaten two teams currently ranked in the top 15. They need a win in Tallahassee this week to secure their place in the Top 3.
4) Washington
Last week: No. 5
Record: 7-0
Key win(s): Stanford
This week: at No. 17 Utah
Jake Browning might be the surprise of the season. The Huskies' QB has 26 TDs to just two interceptions and is completing nearly 70% of his passes. Oh, and he has Washington well on its way to a Pac-12 championship. In the way is a big trip to Salt Lake City this weekend.
Next in line
5) Louisville
Last week: No. 7
Record: 6-1
Key win(s): Florida State
This week: at Virginia
Just give Lamar Jackson the Heisman Trophy now. He's totaled 34 touchdowns. He's leading the nation's best offense. All that is great and all, but Louisville is just on the outside awaiting someone in the top four to falter.
6) West Virginia
Last Week: No. 10
Record: 6-0
Key win(s): Kansas State, TCU
This week: at Oklahoma State
West Virginia is showing the Big 12 exactly what defense is about. The Mountaineers have held Texas Tech and TCU to a total of 27 points the past two weeks combined. This week's game at Oklahoma State will be a true litmus test.
7) Boise State
Last week: No. 9
Record: 7-0
Key win(s): Washington State, Oregon State, BYU
This week: at Wyoming
It wasn't pretty, but Boise State found a way to win against hapless BYU. The Broncos remain the Group of 5's best shot at crashing the Playoff party, but they'll need a bunch of help. A few road tests lie ahead, starting this weekend in Laramie against an upstart Wyoming team led by former North Dakota State coaching legend Craig Bohl.
8) Ohio State
Last week: No. 2
Record: 6-1
Key win(s): Oklahoma, Wisconsin
This week: vs. Northwestern
The Buckeyes left Happy Valley extremely sad. A blocked field goal with 4:27 to go led to Penn State's final touchdown, sending Ohio State on its way to its first loss of the year. Many think the Buckeyes can find themselves right back in the Playoff hunt if they win out. BENched isn't buying that just yet.
9) Nebraska
Last week: No. 8
Record: 7-0
Key win(s): N/A
This week: at No. 11 Wisconsin
Nebraska's only "good" win has turned sour. Oregon? They're 2-5. The Cornhuskers have their shot with back-to-back road games at Wisconsin and Ohio State. Good luck with that. But hey, if they come out 2-0 or even 1-1, that's a big step in the right direction for the program.
10) Texas A&M
Last week: No. 6
Record: 6-1
Key win(s): UCLA, Auburn, Tennessee
This week: vs. New Mexico State
Trevor Knight couldn't repeat what he did in the Sugar Bowl in 2014 when he was with Oklahoma. Honestly, the Aggies held their own against Alabama. No moral victory, of course, but Bama struggled to score (27 offensive points) and A&M had a lead in the third quarter.
Dropped out: None
Four on the outside: Baylor, Wisconsin, Florida State, Florida
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