Another week is in the books and man was it crazy. With all of the upsets, this year’s College Football Playoff selection committee will have their work cut out for them. Here is how they should rank the teams if the season ended today in College Football Playoff Bracketology 10/21/18.
Note: These rankings only take into account what has happened on the field and will not project what will happen in the future. Teams with weaker schedules, to this point, will not be ranked as highly until they get some better wins.
CFP Four
1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-0)
Notre Dame was on bye this week, but moves up as a result of Ohio State’s loss to Purdue. The Fighting Irish have decent wins over Stanford, Virginia Tech and what appears to be a great win over Michigan, as the Wolverines continue to win. They are going to win a lot of ugly games, but if they stay undefeated, they will be in the CFP.
This week: vs. Navy Midshipmen (in San Diego,CA)
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0)
The Crimson Tide sure look like they are the best team in the country, but they really haven’t played a lot of great teams yet this season. This is a similar case to last year when most of their key games are in November after their one big non-conference opponent (last year FSU, this year Louisville) turned out to be decent at best. Their best win is over Texas A&M, but with the way Alabama is playing, it may not matter, as they have the capability to run the table.
This week: BYE
3. Clemson Tigers (8-0)
In a matchup of two undefeated teams, Clemson destroyed NC State 41-7. That gives them two solid wins, one over the Wolfpack and another over Texas A&M. They look as though they may not be tested throughout the rest of a weak ACC this season. If they lose, they will be really vulnerable, but that may not be an issue given their remaining schedule.
This week: at Florida State Seminoles
4. LSU Tigers (7-1)
The LSU defense is dominating right now with only 19 points allowed in their last two games. Those two games were wins over Georgia and Mississippi State. The win over Georgia is the best thing they have going for them at the moment. They will get a week of rest before taking on Alabama.
This week: BYE
First four out
5. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
Georgia got a much needed week off after their loss to LSU. They are another team that benefits from Ohio State losing this week. Everything is still in front of the Bulldogs, as if they win the SEC East and the SEC Championship Game, while winning out, they will be in the CFP.
This week: vs. Florida Gators (in Jacksonville, FL)
6. Michigan Wolverines (6-1)
Last year, the committee showed that they care about who teams lose to when making their final rankings. With that being known, Michigan losing to Notre Dame on the road doesn’t hurt them as bad as some other team’s losses. Their wins over Michigan State and Wisconsin in back to back weeks has put them in position to make a run at the CFP.
This week: BYE
7. Texas Longhorns (6-1)
Texas was another idle team this week. Their win over Oklahoma propelled them up the rankings, but their loss against Maryland, a 4-3 team, holds them behind other one-loss teams. They still have a lot to prove, but can do so with tough games on the schedule for the next few weeks.
This week: at Oklahoma State Cowboys
8. Kentucky Wildcats (7-1)
The Wildcats won an ugly, windy game against Vanderbilt, with their quarterback Terry Wilson only completing three passes. Their wins over Florida and Mississippi State are the best they have to offer, but with Florida playing really well, that is good enough to take them into the top 10.
This week: at Missouri Tigers
Next four out
9. Florida Gators (7-1)
Florida got the week off before their big clash with Georgia this weekend. Beating LSU has definitely piqued the interest of college football fans. Losing to Kentucky at home holds them just behind the Wildcats, but with a win over Georgia this week, they could jump several teams on these rankings.
This week: vs. Georgia Bulldogs (in Jacksonville, FL)
10. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1)
Purdue got better as their game against Ohio State went on, which resulted in a 49-20 win for the Boilermakers. It was a lackluster performance from the Buckeyes, who set themselves back severely with the loss. Ohio State’s wins over Penn State and TCU don’t look as good as they once did either. They still have an opportunity to work their way back, but will be relying on other teams losing so that the committee won’t use this game as the reason they aren’t in the CFP, much like the Iowa loss last year.
This week: BYE
11. Washington State Cougars (7-1)
With Colorado losing and Washington State beating Oregon on Saturday, the Cougars hold the best chances for the Pac-12 to make the CFP. Unfortunately, it is still a long shot. Washington State has wins over Oregon and Utah that help their case, but at the end of the day need a ton of help to move up these rankings enough to be a serious contender.
This week: at Stanford Cardinal
12. Oklahoma Sooners (7-1)
Oklahoma’s case to be in the CFP is still pretty weak. Their best wins are over Iowa State, Baylor and TCU teams that are hovering around .500. They do however only have one loss and could make a run to close out the season.
This week: vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Make sure to check out our college football page for more updates and rankings.
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