What a wacky week in College Football! We saw an undefeated team in The Ohio St., we saw Notre Dame squeak out a win against a three and eight Boston College and we saw several teams continue their dominance. So, with all that in mind where do the college football rankings line up? Will Notre Dame fall out of the four spot with a close win, how far will Ohio St. fall and where exactly does that leave Iowa and Oklahoma? Never fear, I have compiled a top 10 for next week's games and why each team is placed where they are.
1. Clemson
Why wouldn't Clemson be number one? They won their game against Wake Forest by 20 and Deshawn Watson looks to be eyeing a Trophy other than the National Championship. I'm talking about The Heisman. It's a long shot, but he is putting up great numbers this year. Every game that has been warranted a "Clemsoning" game they've rose to the occasion. It's time to put that term to bed.
2. Alabama
Alabama is playing with the best defensive front seven in the nation, and that's not a hyperbole. Derrick Henry looks ticked off when running the ball these past few weeks and has run his way to many people's leaderboards in Heisman voting.
This is where things get interesting...
3. Oklahoma
Yes, the Sooners have finally cracked into the top four after last Saturdays win over a weakening TCU team. They have the best defense in the Big 12, and with a high-powered offense led by quarterback Baker Mayfield they're also hard to stop. They should win against in state rival Oklahoma St. Then, they will have earned a place among the final four.
4. Iowa
The Hawkeyes are a great football team. they run a effective offense and have a stout defense. They have have an essentially play in game much like MLB's Wild Card during the Big 10 Championship game, but first they'll have to beat a tricky Nebraska team.
5. Michigan St.
The team Iowa will play in the Big 10 Championship game will be the Spartans. They will finish up the regular season next week against Penn St. and should win easily. Getting Connor Cook healthy is a big deal. Though, O'Connor, the backup QB, did an excellent job with a huge win over Ohio State.
6. Notre Dame
They fall to number six after a lack luster performance against Boston College. They will find a find a way to win next week against a Stanford team who is looking to wreck their party. ND's biggest obstacle is one of a dying breed, that is they are independent.
7. Baylor
The Bears redeemed themselves this past Saturday by beating Oklahoma St. You felt they were in control of this game from the get go. They have an exciting offense and a defense that looks pretty good as well. If they could possibly still win the Big 12 and be looking at a playoff birth, if they beat TCU and Oklahoma St. pulls the up set during the Bedlam Series.
8. North Carolina
This is probably the most surprising picks any where and you probably won't find the Tar Heels this close to the top on anyone's rankings. However, the Heels are only allowing 19 points per game right now and have one of the most underrated offenses in the nation, which is 19th among FBS schools. They also have a shot at winning the ACC and have a good shot jumping a few teams and landing in the playoffs.
9. Oklahoma St.
The Cowboys had their first loss of the season Saturday night in a shoot out against the Baylor Bears. They still have a high-powered offense, but their defense has been exploited these past few weeks. Their loss will cost them a playoff birth as well.
10. Ohio St.
The Buckeyes were smoke and mirrors, and once the fog cleared and the glass shattered The "real" Ohio St. showed its self. Saturday. It felt like Ohio St. didn't even wanna be anywhere near a stadium. Their offensive performance was the lowest by any Urban Meyer team, ever. After the game shots were fired by Ezekiel Elliot when he complained about not getting enough touches and vowing that this was his last home game. A sentiment that back up quarter back Cardale Jones seconded, as he took to twitter saying this was his last home game as well. Is it just me or does it feel the Buckeyes are cashing in their season before it's even over?
