The rankings do not change much up top, but the middle and bottom started to shift. This is where those losses start to have meaning. A few teams may have a second loss, but how bad were those losses? Did you get crushed by an unranked team? Did you get blown out? Are your losses against high ranked teams?
- Ohio State (8-0)–#1–W 44-31 #12 Penn State–The Buckeyes had their first true test of the season. Looked like they might be in trouble, but then those 5-star recruits did what they are supposed to do: make plays. Offense and defense has superstars who can change a game.
- Georgia (8-0)–#2–W 42-20 Florida–The top four spots are kind of moot, since Georgia faces Tennessee next week. Whoever wins will move to the top spot.
- Tennessee (8-0)–#3–W 44-6 #19 Kentucky–Absolutely crushed their bitter rival.
- Michigan (8-0)–#4–W 29-7 Michigan State–They too beat a rival. They end the season with Ohio State, so again, however that game goes will determine that top four.
- Clemson (8-0)–#5–BYE
- TCU (8-0)–#6–W 41-31 West Virginia–The Horned Frogs continue to roll. They need to win the Big XII and finish undefeated to be in that top four conversation.
- Alabama (7-1)–#7–BYE
- Oregon (7-1)–#8–W 42-24 California–I wish the Ducks could play Georgia right now. I think it would be a different game.
- USC (7-1)–#–W 45-37 Arizona–Lincoln Riley is not a fan of defense.
- UCLA (7-1)–#13–W 38-13 Stanford–The Bruins are still in the hunt, they have three easy games and USC. If they win out, they can have that rematch against Oregon.
- UNC (7-1)–#16–W 42-24 Pitt–I am still not a believer in this team, but they keep winning, so they move up in the rankings.
- Ole Miss (8-1)–#15–W 31-28 Texas A&M–This game was close. They will need to work hard to finish with ten wins (they have Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi State left).
- Penn State (6-2)–#12–L 44-31 #1 Ohio State–If the Nittany Lions played like this against everyone, they would win 95% of the time. Watching them yesterday, I feel like they played well enough to beat a few of the teams ahead of them, plus many of the two loss teams.
- Kansas State (6-2)–#20–W 48-0 #10 Oklahoma State–Slaughtered the Cowboys, who were supposed to have a good defense.
- Illinois (7-1)–#18–W 26-9 Nebraska
- LSU (6-2)–#23–BYE
- Tulane (7-1)–#21–BYE
- Utah (6-2)–#22–W 21-17 Washington State
- Oklahoma State (6-2)–#10–L 48-0 #20 Kansas State
- Wake Forest (6-2)–#11–L 48-21 Louisville–Six turnovers in the third quarter. Yikes…
- Liberty (7-1)–#25–BYE
- Maryland (6-2)–HM–BYE
- Syracuse (6-2)–#14–L 41-24 Notre Dame–Well it was a good start for the Orange, they need to regroup because things do not get all that easy for them.
- NC State (6-2)–#24–W 22-21 Virginia Tech
- Washington (6-2)–HM–BYE
Honorable Mention
Coastal Carolina (7-1)–HM–W 24-13 Marshall
Oregon State (6-2)–HM–BYE
UTSA (6-2)–NR–BYE
Boise State (6-2)–NR–W 49-10 Colorado State
Baylor (5-3)–NR–W 45-17 Texas Tech–I still think the Bears are one of the best three loss teams in the country.
Watch List
Kentucky (5-3)–#19–L 44-6 #3 Tennessee–Curious to see how the Wildcats rebound.
Notre Dame (5-3)–NR–W 41-24 #14 Syracuse–They have Clemson next week, an upset would really shake things up.
Troy (6-2)–NR–BYE
Louisville (5-3)–NR–W 48-21 #11 Wake Forest–An intriguing team. They finish with James Madison, Clemson, NC State, and Kentucky. They could finish 5-7. Or they could ruin some seasons…
UCF (6-2)–NR–W 25-21 #17 Cincinnati
The game everyone should be talking about next week is #3 Tennessee traveling to #2 Georgia. As I said, this game has huge implications. Some other important games include: #7 Alabama takes on #16 LSU–both teams are coming off a bye, so it should be a good one, #5 Clemson heading to South Bend to take on Notre Dame, #20 Wake Forest at #24 NC State–one of these teams will drop from the rankings, and finally we have #21 Liberty going to Arkansas–if the Flames win this one, I will definitely jump them up a good bit. #14 Kansas State has Texas at home. And #23 Syracuse travels to Pitt.
This week is also one of my favorite weeks since we start getting the always fun MACtion games. Tuesday and Wednesday games? Then on Thursday we have Appalachian State heading to Coastal Carolina in what has become my favorite Sun Belt matchup.
