Rivalry week did not disappoint this year! If Notre Dame had pulled off the upset against USC, it would have caused complete chaos in the rankings. Needless to say with just the other upsets, it was difficult ranking some of these teams. I had to think about how teams were playing over the last few weeks. If you wonder how I do this, I usually group every team that I would consider by number of losses. Obviously the top few teams are fairly easy. Then, when I get to say #10, I look at all the teams left, and I ask myself which team I think is the best. Just a brief glimpse into my method.
- Georgia (12-0)–#1–W 37-14 Georgia Tech–The Bulldogs have not been as dominant as last year, but they are easily the best team in the country until someone knocks them off.
- Michigan (12-0)–#3–W 45-23 #2 Ohio State–Not only did the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes for the second year in a row, but they did it on the road. An impressive win for Harbaugh’s team, who in my opinion looks to be the only team who could give Georgia a rough game.
- TCU (12-0)–#4–W 62-14 Iowa State–What happens if TCU loses in the conference championship game?
- USC (11-1)–#5–W 38-27 #14 Notre Dame–Caleb Williams is such a wild card. He is the player that can win or lose a game against the other top three single-handedly. I love watching him play. Some of those plays where it looks like he is going to be sacked, and he slips a tackle, scrambles, then somehow finds someone open. Very impressive.
- Ohio State (11-1)–#2–L 45-23 #3 Michigan–I debated this one for the longest amount of time. Should the Buckeyes be ahead of a 2-loss Alabama team? Alabama lost two close games, the Buckeyes lost to Michigan, and it was not very close. If I was able to do this, I would probably put them at a tie for 5/6.
- Alabama (10-2)–#8–W 49-27 Auburn
- Penn State (10-2)–#9–W 35-16 Michigan State–I know, I am a total homer here, but hear me out. Penn State destroyed Auburn. Alabama did as well, but gave up 27 points to them. All we have to go by is the common opponent and to me, Penn State stacks up well against just about anyone. But, the slowness of their offensive starts would be tough for them against someone like Alabama.
- Washington (10-2)–#10–W 51-33 Washington State–How much does it suck to be Washington? You finish with ten wins, you beat Oregon and Oregon State, but you do not get to play in the conference championship because of tie-breakers, and instead Utah gets to go. At least Utah can make the argument that they are the only team to beat USC.
- Tennessee (10-2)–#12–W 56-0 Vanderbilt–If Hooker is healthy, I put them a little higher, but destroying Vandy just does not impress me that much.
- Kansas State (9-3)–#13–W 47-27 Kansas–The Wildcats have a chance to avenge that loss to TCU. I honestly think they may upset TCU, which will cause some major playoff chaos.
- LSU (9-3)–#6–L 38-23 Texas A&M–I felt certain this would happen. LSU just felt like a team that was being way overhyped after beating Alabama.
- Clemson (10-2)–#7–L 31-30 South Carolina–Clemson has to figure out a solution to QB. Will Dabo stick to his convictions OR will he dive into the transfer portal?
- Florida State (9-3)–#15–W 45-38 Florida–The Seminoles quietly had a very good season. Coach Norvell seems to have turned things around in Tallahassee, while picking up wins against LSU & Florida. They did lose to three teams that were ranked higher at the time, so he needs to find a way to win those games.
- Oregon (9-3)–#11–L 38-34 #21 Oregon State–Ahhhh, the dreaded PAC-12 conundrum. You know what, I solved it by just ranking them together.
- Utah (9-3)–#17–W 63-21 Colorado
- Oregon State (9-3)–#21–W 38-34 #11 Oregon–The Beavers beat the Ducks, but got destroyed by the Utes, who lost to the Ducks.
- South Carolina (8-4)–HM–W 31-30 #7 Clemson–Two wins against top ten teams in back-to-back weeks. This is the case of playing well at the moment. I hope they get a solid bowl game.
- UCLA (9-3)–#18–W 35-28 California–Include the Bruins in the PAC-12 conundrum as well.
- Texas (8-4)–NR–W 38-27 Baylor–Four losses for the Longhorns, but the total of points they lost by? 18. Not sure what that means, but it just feels important.
- Tulane (10-2)–#23–W 27-24 #24 Cincinnati–They beat Kansas State on their win to a ten win season. Losses to UCF and Southern Miss hurt. They can at least avenge the loss to UCF.
- Notre Dame (8-4)–#14–L 38-27 #5 USC
- Purdue (8-4)–NR–W 30-16 Indiana–Again, the Boilermakers bounced in and out of the rankings this year. But, they have a history of knocking off #2 ranked teams…Michigan better be ready for them.
- UTSA (10-2)–#22–W 34-31 UTEP–They went undefeated in conference play, that is impressive, but they got crushed by Texas, their only tough game. And they lost to Houston, who was not that good this year.
- Boise State (9-3)–#25–W 42-23 Utah State–It has been a weird season for the Broncos. They started off with a loss to Oregon State, then a few weeks later lost to UTEP. They seemed to turn things around, but then lost to BYU. If they win that UTEP game and beat either the Beavers or Cougars, then they are ranked much higher.
- Troy (10-2)–HM–W 48-19 Arkansas State–Sorry, but I have to give the Sun Belt some love.
Honorable Mention
South Alabama (10-2)–HM–W 27-20 Old Dominion–Sucks for them to not be playing in the conference championship.
Mississippi State (8-4)–NR–W 24-22 #20 Ole Miss
Ohio (9-3)–HM–W 38-14 Bowling Green–The Bobcats have won seven in a row since losing to Kent State.
James Madison (8-3)–NR–W 47-7 #16 Coastal Carolina–I did not expect that victory. JMU had a legit first season.
UCF (9-3)–NR–W 44-39 South Florida–They almost lost to a terrible team.
Watch List
Coastal Carolina (9-2)–#16–L 47-7 James Madison
Cincinnati (9-3)–#24–L 27-24 #23 Tulane
Ole Miss (8-4)–#20–L 24-22 Mississippi State
NC State (8-4)–NR–W 30-27 2OT #19 UNC
UNC (9-3)–#19–L 30-27 2OT NC State
Conference USA Championship–Friday at 7:30
North Texas vs. #23 UTSA
PAC-12 Championship–Friday at 8:00
#15 Utah vs. #4 USC–I think USC wins this rematch and solidifies their playoff position
MAC Championship–Saturday at 12:00
Toledo vs. Ohio–Go Bobcats! Does it look good for Penn State if they destroyed the MAC champ
Big XII Championship–Saturday at 12:00
#10 Kansas State vs. #3 TCU–This is the big one. I am excited to see how this game goes.
Sun Belt Championship–Saturday at 3:30
Coastal Carolina vs. #25 Troy
SEC Championship–Saturday at 4:00
#11 LSU vs. #1 Georgia–I do not think this will be all that close
Mountain West Championship–Saturday at 4:00
Fresno State vs. #24 Boise State
AAC Championship–Saturday at 4:00
UCF vs. #20 Tulane
ACC Championship–Saturday at 8:00
#12 Clemson vs. UNC
Big Ten Championship–Saturday at 8:00
#22 Purdue vs. #2 Michigan–I cannot believe I am going to be rooting for the Wolverines, I want them to win the National Championship
