Tonight is the night that the NCAA names its first official college football rankings. So I said, why not me, too. Here are my Top 15 following Week 10 games last weekend.
1) L.S.U. 8-0 This could cement a Final Four spot for LSU if the take care of business in Tuscaloosa this Saturday, and then don’t stumble against a less than rugged remaining schedule.
2) OHIO STATE 8-0 I actually think the Buckeyes might be the best all-around team in college football this season. But based on a mediocre schedule I can’t put them ahead of two unbeaten SEC programs.
3) ALABAMA 8-0 Saint Nick and his program haven’t really done anything wrong to date, but the current injury to TUA could be deadly if he’s not 100% for this Saturday especially with LSU and Auburn left to play.
4) CLEMSON 9-0 The Tigers actually have the most wins, with a BYE still on their schedule but they clearly are missing all those players that left for the NFL after the 2018 season. The potential is here, but…
5) GEORGIA 7-1 With their big win over Florida I think their overall roster balance bodes well for their remaining games. Auburn will get another chance to play spoiler but they may run out of gas with that ball-busting schedule still to finish.
6) OKLAHOMA 7-1 The recent loss to K-State is a huge hiccup in their Final Four plans, but their remaining schedule is not overwhelming, although surprising Baylor will be another challenge.
7) UTAH 8-1 The Utes have a tough, well rounded team but they often don’t dominate their opponents. A whole lot of losing in the Big Ten and SEC will have to happen while they win out to give the PAC-12 any chance at a Final 4 slot.
8) BAYLOR 8-0 I just have to pay homage to a team that wasn’t supposed to have an undefeated record in November. So here they are, but they have to play Oklahoma and Texas back to back soon. Enjoy it while you can Bears fans.
9) PENN STATE 8-0 Another team that deserves credit for their current record. But their offense looks fragile to my eyes. Minnesota and Ohio State remain and both games are on the road… gulp.
10) MINNESOTA 8-0 Another surprisingly good team that keeps rowing the boat. Big showdown this weekend with Penn State, then games remaining with Iowa and Wisconsin. If they win all three of those someone please revive me.
11) OREGON 8-1 People are forgetting that the only loss on this team’s schedule was by 6-points, the first week of the season, on a cross country road trip, to play Auburn. They do have a nice mix of offense and defense and not many tough opponents left. They should borrow the old Al Davis mantra, ‘just win baby’!
12) FLORIDA 7-2 The GATORS always have talent, and despite getting out-coached by the UGA staff DAN MULLEN gets the most out of his roster most weekends. They should win their final 3 games unless they fall asleep at the switch.
13) MICHIGAN 7-2 After a lackadaisical start to their season the Wolverines are looking much better over the last month. As it almost always has been, the final game at home against Ohio State will tell the tale of their overall season.
14) AUBURN 7-2 A tip of the hat to the guys with a monster schedule that has been playing well all season. But they still must play Georgia and ‘Bama. Home field might help. They could end up as the best 3-loss team in the country.
15a) NOTRE DAME 6-2 It’s not a top flight team this year with a pretty questionable offense from week to week. Then again their only tough remaining game looks like the contest with a 1-loss NAVY team.
15b) CINCINNATI 7-1 The Bearcats have to rank just above Memphis for me right now. Son of a gun if those teams don’t meet on Nov. 29th in Memphis. That should be quite the showdown. That’s assuming one or the other does not stumble, which happens often in November around the NCAA.
Honorable mention:
MEMPHIS 8-1; WISCONSIN 6-2; TEXAS 5-3; SMU 8-1; NAVY 7-1; BOISE STATE 7-1; APPALACHIAN STATE 7-1; IOWA 6-2.
I will revisit these rankings in two weeks.
Pigskin
