Four top 10 teams lost in week seven, which will make a lot of changes in these rankings. With the first committee rankings coming out in just over two weeks, here is how they should rank the teams:
Playoff teams:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)
Alabama got another convincing win this week after routing the Arkansas Razorbacks 41-9. Arkansas is not a good football team and was without starting quarterback Austin Allen. This extends Alabama’s record to 7-0.
The Crimson Tide have beaten a lot of solid teams, but still haven’t beat an elite team, unless you count the game against Florida State to open the season. The Seminoles certainly aren’t elite anymore. They also have wins against Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Colorado State.
If they stay undefeated there is no doubt they will retain this ranking for weeks to come.
This week: vs. Tennessee Volunteers
2. Georgia Bulldogs (7-0)
This week Georgia’s offense came to life against Missouri. They put up 53 points on the Tigers, but unfortunately their defense didn’t play up to their ability level. Georgia allowed 28 points and will need to clean things up, but they got another win to move up in the rankings.
The Bulldogs have a few good wins, including the road game at Notre Dame. They have some other solid wins too and Georgia has been able to blow out every other team on their schedule. On top of beating some solid teams and being undefeated, Georgia is passing the eye test easily.
With a good start, Georgia just needs to finish decently well to make the SEC Championship Game.
This week: Bye
3. TCU Horned Frogs (6-0)
The Horned Frogs were able to stay undefeated in a comfortable 20 point win over Kansas State. Both the offense and defense are having great seasons for TCU, which makes them a real threat to make the playoff if they can win the Big 12 Championship Game.
TCU has good wins at Oklahoma State and against West Virginia, who will likely be jumping back into the top 25 this week. With two good wins and an undefeated record, TCU is right where they should be, in the top four.
Their schedule is back-loaded so the Horned Frogs will be tested more.
This week: vs. Kansas Jayhawks
4. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0)
Penn State was off this week as they prepare for the back half of their schedule. With other teams losing, the Nittany Lions were able to bump there way into the top four.
James Franklin has done a great job of leading this squad, but they don’t have too many great wins. Their win over Iowa is the best of the season, but they are still undefeated and have looked good while they win for the most part.
No one has as tough of a schedule in the next few weeks as Penn State, so they may get a chance to move up even further in the rankings.
This week: vs. 19 Michigan Wolverines
First four out:
5. Clemson Tigers (6-1)
The Tigers’ starting quarterback Kelly Bryant got knocked out of the game against Syracuse and Clemson couldn’t recover. They lost to Syracuse on the road 27-24. Syracuse is now 4-3 on the season and looks like they will make a bowl game.
With the loss, the Tigers have to move down from the top spot, but their resume is still so good that it couldn’t be too far. Their wins at Virginia Tech and Louisville are still good, even with Louisville losing to Boston College this weekend. They also have a win over Auburn, which is still a solid win that helps them have a better case to be in the CFP than even some undefeated teams.
Clemson doesn’t have too much more room for error, but if they can get through the rest of the season with just the one loss they will be fine.
This week: Bye
6. Oklahoma Sooners (5-1)
Oklahoma had a tough rivalry game against Texas, but was able to prevail 29-24. Texas only has one loss in the Big 12 now, so they could end up being a contender to make the Big 12 Championship Game, but it’s still a long shot. Even so it was still a solid win on a week when a lot of other teams lost.
The Sooners still have one of the best wins of the season with their win on the road at Ohio State. The loss to Iowa State hurts, but with a good win like that, it can carry their case for the time being. The rest of their case is rather weak, but their resume is still better than a lot of teams.
Last year Ohio State showed what a big road win could do to the committee and now Oklahoma will benefit from that same thing.
This week: at Kansas State Wildcats
7. Miami Hurricanes (5-0)
Miami was able to survive the upset bid from Georgia Tech this week and won 25-24 on a game-winning field goal. The Yellow Jackets have only two losses now and give Miami another good win on the season.
The Hurricanes are still hurt by not playing as many games as other teams due to Hurricane Irma. They do however, have good wins against Toledo, Florida State and Duke. With more time and wins they will move up this list even more.
Miami takes on the upset minded Syracuse team this week.
This week: vs. Syracuse Orange
8. Wisconsin Badgers (6-0)
The Badgers won a very Wisconsin game beating Purdue 17-9. While Purdue is better this year, this still won’t do much for their case to be in the CFP.
While they are undefeated, Wisconsin still has not beaten a team that is above .500. Their best win so far is likely over Northwestern or at Nebraska. They will play Michigan later in the season, but until then it will be an easy schedule.
Look for more easy wins as the Badgers slowly move up the rankings.
This week: vs. Maryland Terrapins
Next four out:
9. Washington State Cougars (6-1)
Washington State lost big time to Cal this week. They looked awful and Mike Leach even said that not one position group played well. They lucked out that a lot of other teams lost, but still have a few good wins.
They beat Boise State and USC, which are two really good wins. Boise State just upset San Diego State this week, making the win look better. USC barely beat Utah and is quietly moving their way back up in the rankings.
The loss hurts their case and made them look bad, but they will have a chance to bounce back with a tough Pac-12 North schedule.
This week: vs. Colorado Buffaloes
10. USC Trojans (6-1)
USC had a fourth quarter comeback to beat a very solid Utah team. They still don’t look like they have worked through all of their deficiencies, but they got the win.
Pairing their win this week and their win over Stanford and USC is deserving of being number ten on this list. They have been getting back on track recently and should be the favorites in the Pac-12 South.
There are some tricky games for the Trojans coming up, but with some wins they can find themselves right back in the top four.
This week: at 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
11. NC State Wolfpack (6-1)
The Wolfpack expanded their win total by one this week (Hangover joke intended). They beat a bad Pitt team on the road, but have some other good wins to warrant being this high on the list.
NC State lost to South Carolina to open the season, but they have won games over Louisville and Florida State. Those two wins are solid, but they need to do more in the coming weeks.
While they have a bye week this week, they have some tough games coming up after.
This week: Bye
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-1)
Notre Dame was off this week, but were another team benefiting from some teams getting upset. They needed the off week to get ready for a big game this week.
The Fighting Irish only have one good win this season, but Michigan State has had a good season and only has one loss so far. Other than that they have a win over Boston College, which looks better now that they beat Louisville.
The schedule is back-loaded, so don’t expect Notre Dame to stay on this list for long.
This week: vs. 11 USC Trojans
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