As always, the rankings below are strictly my opinion and based on my perception of how each team has performed. If I think a 7-2 team is better than a 8-1 team, the rankings will reflect that. We've finally approached the first official College Football Playoff rankings, so the postseason is just around the corner. However, the four playoff spots are far from clinched. Let's see how a big Texas A&M loss shook up the top 10.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
It may not have been pretty, but the Tide and freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts survived their toughest road test yet against LSU. The good news is that the Alabama defense looked dominant as ever against the Tigers as they held Leonard Fournette to under 40 rushing yards for the second straight year. The Iron Bowl matchup against Auburn should be the Crimson Tide's last obstacle before the SEC Championship.
2. Michigan Wolverines
Another week, another dismantling of an unranked opponent. Michigan continues to shut down opposing offenses in an impressive manner, regardless of how talented their opponents may be. This week the Wolverines offensive talent also showed out as quarterback Wilton Speight threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns. The Wolverines shouldn't stumble ahead of their showdown with Ohio State.
3. Clemson Tigers
Clemson certainly didn't hurt their playoff chances this weekend with a 54-0 shutout of Syracuse. However, there is a minor cause for concern as Heisman-hopeful QB DeShaun Watson left Saturday's game with a shoulder injury. Clemson is poised to play for another ACC Championship, but whether they will face Virginia Tech or North Carolina is up in the air. The Tigers are continuing to improve and are closing in on back-to-back trips to the playoff.
4. Washington Huskies
There was some shock in the college football world when a one-loss Texas A&M team was ranked No. 4 ahead of undefeated Washington in the initial College Football Playoff rankings. Well, that will no longer be a concern as A&M was upset by Mississippi State and the Huskies trampled Cal 66-27. I'm interested to see how Washington matches up with the high-powered offense of Washington State on the road in the regular season finale. But for now, the Huskies should have the final playoff spot secure.
5. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville seems to have gotten back on track after a 52-7 demolishing of Boston College. Even more impressive than that score is the fact that Lamar Jackson accounted for seven (!!) touchdowns in a game for the third time... this season. Seriously, we should just hand him the Heisman now. While the Texas A&M loss was big for Washington, it was even bigger for Louisville. Washington would have eventually jumped A&M if they continued to win, but now all Louisville needs is Washington to lose once in order to move into the final playoff spot.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes are the last team that I consider to be a real national championship contender. Barring major upsets, four of these top six teams will compete in the playoff. The Buckeyes put on a show against No. 10 Nebraska this week to the tune of a 62-3 victory. Yes, a top ten team just lost by 59 points. This is why I refused to name a team for the tenth spot last week; these teams just are not that good. Nonetheless, an impressive performance by the Buckeyes should have Urban Meyer optimistic as his team buckles in for the home stretch.
7. Auburn Tigers
Auburn did not look very intimidating against a resilient Vanderbilt team, but this doesn't mean the Tigers aren't dangerous. Coach Gus Malzahn should be happy to escape with the victory and continue his team's miraculous turnaround. At the beginning of the year, I would have been surprised to see Auburn finish any better than 7-5. Much of the team's success can be attributed to the SEC's leading rusher, Kamryn Pettway. He has helped put the Tigers in a position to play for the SEC West title against rival Alabama.
8. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers handled a Northwestern team that gave Ohio State fits last weekend. The one-possession losses to conference powers Michigan and Ohio State hurt, but Wisconsin has continued to impress this season. The Badgers started the season unranked and have maintained a top ten spot for the majority of the season. Wisconsin's Big Ten title hopes are nothing short of a long shot, but a New Years bowl seems secure with a 10-2 finish.
9. LSU Tigers
Okay, so this might be a little out there, but I would favor LSU to beat any team ranked lower than No. 9 right now. Especially if the game is in Baton Rouge. The Tigers held the top-ranked team in the country scoreless for three quarters, but the offense could not get anything going. But things are looking up, as the Tigers have looked like a new team under interim coach Ed Orgeron. I wouldn't be surprised if Orgeron was hired as the full-time head coach in the offseason; he seems like a natural fit.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Not as much of a toss up at No. 10 this week, not that I think the quality of teams has really improved. However, Oklahoma didn't lose to Ohio State by 56 points like last week's CFP no. 10 team did. The season-opening loss to Houston looks worse after the Cougars lost two games of their own and fell out of the Top 25. The Sooners are appearing to be the best team in a disappointing Big 12 that will miss the playoff entirely. A 10-2 finish would be impressive as the final three games come against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25 (Baylor, West Virginia, Oklahoma State).
