College Football Playoff Rankings: Week 10
The committee released their first College Football Playoff Rankings on Tuesday night, and much controversy has surrounded it. The Big Ten is out of the top four when then rankings arrived this week, and Buckeye fans were outraged to see teams like Notre Dame, Clemson, and Oklahoma ahead of them. Georgia passed Alabama, which is more fuel for Nick Saban to keep his men focused throughout the regular season. Below are College Football Playoff Rankings:
- Alabama (Actual Ranking: 2)
The Crimson Tide have still not dropped a game yet this year, and it’s very likely they will run the table undefeated. The committee explained that Georgia has a win against a top five team, and Alabama does not. While that all may be fine and dandy, ‘Bama is ‘Bama. They will destroy anyone who is in their way without skipping a beat. We will most likely get a matchup in the SEC Championship game that I have been talking about for weeks, and that’s №1 vs №2.
2. Georgia (AR: 1)
Jake Fromm and company have the best win out of everyone this year, and that was against Notre Dame on the road. Georgia may be the most complete team on both sides of the ball. There backfield is the best in the nation and one could make an argument their defense is the best in the country. They have yet to be tested since week two, and it may be some cause for concern when they play Auburn on the road next week. But don’t expect Kirby Smart’s team to slow down anytime soon.
3. Ohio State (AR: 6)
I have the Buckeyes cracking my top four this week after an impressive come from behind victory against Penn State. Ohio State has not lost since Oklahoma in the second week of the season, and the Sooners continue to prove they are one of the best teams in the country. They are not out of the woods yet, as they still have to play Iowa, Michigan State, and rival Michigan. If J.T Barrett can keep the offense going like last week, they will continue to roll.
4. Notre Dame (AR: 3)
The Irish take the last spot in my top four this week after clobbering a very talented NC State team. They have the best offensive line in the country, and Josh Adams continues to make himself a Heisman candidate. I have them behind Ohio State because while Notre Dame has great quality wins, they have not beaten anyone up to the caliber like Penn State. Their schedule does not get any easier with two road games against ranked opponents await them. Miami and Stanford have proven to be tough in the trenches, but if the Irish can win those games, they are heading to the playoff.
5. Penn State (AR: 7)
While the loss to Ohio State hurts the Nittany Lions, they are not out of it yet. They are in the same position Ohio State was last season. They only had one loss without a trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship and still got in the playoff. It’s very unlikely Penn State will go to the Big Ten Championship game with the loss last week, but don’t lose hope. A road loss to Ohio State does not mean you are out of the playoff. They get a tough test this weekend as they travel to East Lansing to take on Sparty, but expect a very agitated team to prevail.
6. Oklahoma (AR: 5)
Their loss to Iowa State at home feels like forever ago. Since then, Iowa State was able to knock of TCU, which makes Oklahoma feel a little bit better about themselves. The Sooners have one of the best wins of the year (Ohio State) and one of the best quarterbacks in the nation in Baker Mayfield. They put their playoff hopes on the line this weekend when they face rival Oklahoma State. This game could be the breaking point for a Big 12 team to reach the final four.
7. Clemson (AR: 4)
Yes, I know Clemson did not have their quarterback when they lost to Syracuse. BUT, it is Syracuse. Even with a back up quarterback, you should be able to handle a team with a loss to Middle Tennessee State (yikes). Out of all the rankings I have looked at, No one has Clemson below the sixth spot except me. If they can beat NC State this weekend, they might be able to jump depending on teams in front of them. It’ll be a tough game for the Tigers this weekend, expect a close one.
8. Miami (AR: 10)
The biggest game of the ‘Canes season is primetime against Virginia Tech Saturday. Miami has struggled with teams like Georgia Tech and North Carolina, which leaves me to think they are not that special. Beating the Hokies would change my mind though, as they are always a powerhouse in the ACC, currently ranked 13th. If they squeeze by this week, Coral Gables will see their biggest game in years when Notre Dame comes to town in two weeks.
9. Wisconsin (AR: 9)
Even though the Badgers are undefeated in conference play, they do not have a top 25 team on their schedule. At all. Their schedule took a big flop this year, and the struggles by Michigan does not help their cause. The only way the Badgers get in the playoff is if they run the table and win the Big Ten Championship, and even that is a stretch. A lot has to happen for Wisconsin to make the playoff, but we are just starting November, anything can happen.
10. Oklahoma State (AR:11)
The Cowboys proved they could be for real after beating West Virginia on the road last week. It’ll be all hands on deck as the Sooners come to town for Bedlam, and the winner will remain in sights for the playoff. Their defense is the one big question for this team. Will they be able to contain the air raid of Baker Mayfield? We will soon find out.
Next In: TCU, Washington, Virginia Tech
Sleepers: Auburn, UCF, Michigan State
