College Football Top 10 : Week 9
Start writing a post
Sports

College Football Top 10 : Week 9

4 of the 7 remaining undefeated teams lost...so how did the top 10 get shaken up?

2
College Football Top 10 : Week 9
Pexels

This week the Big 12 basically lost any hope for a playoff bid (to the surprise of no one) as both undefeated West Virginia and Baylor lost to unranked opponents. Besides that, Washington got a key road victory over Utah and Clemson looked like a playoff-caliber team in a big win over Florida State. The first official College Football Playoff rankings come out this week, so the pressure is on to finish the regular season strong.


1. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Crimson Tide got their annual bye week to prepare for the LSU Tigers, led by coach Ed Orgeron. This will be the first time Nick Saban has faced LSU without Les Miles since arriving in Tuscaloosa. This game should be a big test for true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts, playing in a hostile Baton Rouge environment.

2. Clemson Tigers

Florida State was Clemson's last true challenge as the Tigers finish with games against Syracuse, Pitt, Wake Forest, and South Carolina. Clemson has a clear path to the ACC Championship and College Football Playoff, and could likely secure a playoff spot even with a loss. DeShaun Watson and company have been looking more like championship contenders each week; so lets see if they can keep it up.

3. Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines avenged last season's heartbreaking loss to the Spartans and are now one game closer to their showdown against the Buckeyes in Columbus. While Lamar Jackson remains the clear cut Heisman favorite, Jabrill Peppers continues to put on a show on a weekly basis. This week's example, the Wolverines star played TEN different positions in the 32-23 win over Michigan State. Also he did this:


4. Washington Huskies

Jake Browning and the Huskies went on the road and beat a solid Utah team on the road on national television. This is a good confidence boosting win for a Washington team that should be in the playoff committee's top four come Tuesday. If the Huskies can stay undefeated and win the Pac 12 they will be an easy choice for the playoff. However, a loss likely puts them behind other one loss teams with stronger schedules, such as Texas A&M and Louisville.

5. Texas A&M Aggies

With Ohio State and Louisville struggling against underwhelming opponents this week, the Aggies look to be the best of the one loss teams right now. Unfortunately, A&M is going to need some help in order to get in the playoff. They either need Alabama to lose to both LSU and Auburn (which won't happen)or Washington/Clemson to play themselves out of playoff spot. Regardless, the Aggies need to win the rest of their games to have a legitimate case for a playoff spot.

6. Louisville Cardinals

Louisville didn't exactly play like a playoff-caliber team as it took an incredible pass and combo with thirteen seconds left to knock of a 2-5 Virginia team. Lamar Jackson's game winning touchdown pass may very well end up as his Heisman moment. The Cardinals need to win the rest of their games, and adding some style points wouldn't hurt, in order to have a shot at the playoff. And oh yeah, that throw was absolutely incredible.


7. Ohio State Buckeyes

Following a loss to Penn State, the Buckeyes looked to recover against Northwestern...and almost lost back-to-back regular season games for the first time under Urban Meyer. This week holds a game against #9 Nebraska, so Meyer needs to get his team back on track soon to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, Ohio State controls its own playoff destiny as a win against rival Michigan would put an 11-1 Buckeyes team in the Big 10 title game.

8. Auburn Tigers

Some people may not view beating a 3-4 team as an accomplishment, but Ole Miss is not an ordinary 3-4 team. The Tigers went into a hostile SEC stadium and came away with a double digit victory. Nobody would have expected that to happen earlier in the season. All signs point to Auburn rolling into Tuscaloosa at 9-2 for the Iron Bowl with the chance to play spoiler, and potentially save Gus Malzahn's job.

9. Wisconsin Badgers

By defeating an unbeaten Nebraska team, the Badgers have put themselves in a good position to earn a spot in the Big 10 title game. If a 10-2 Wisconsin team beats an 11-1 Michigan or Ohio State in the title game, would they be deserving of a spot in the playoff? I think so considering they would be a conference champion compared to an 11-1 Texas A&M or Louisville that got left out of the conference champion. Also, I'm with Clay Travis. Conference title games should be between the top two teams in a conference, regardless of division.

10. Nebraska/Florida/Blue Mountain State/East Mississippi Community College

I believe that there is a noticeable drop off in talent following the top nine teams in this ranking. A number of team could take this spot. Florida is 6-1, but has no real quality wins and the loss to Tennessee looks even worse following their embarassing loss to South Carolina this weekend. Nebraska isn't likely to finish better than 9-3 and their position as a potential top ten team is more of a statement regarding the quality of the rest of the field. Baylor and West Virginia both lost this weekend and the quality of teams in the Big 12 this year is abysmal. So go ahead and take your pick for number ten.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

45189
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28559
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953134
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

159727
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments