NFL
By: Brock Vierra
This recent week of college football was a wild one. Big-time battles, close calls for National Title contenders, and devastating losses for playoff hopefuls. It looks like USC, North Carolina, and Penn State have virtually eliminated themselves from playoff contention while Texas, Washington, and Oklahoma needed some luck and in the case of the Longhorns and Huskies, referee interference to keep their title hopes alive.
Last week, we believed we had a clear picture in terms of the title race. We were wrong. Many teams dropped out and some teams got into both the Top 10 and the Top 25. Texas dropped out of the Top 10 because Houston clearly got the first down in the last drive of the game and was bailed out by an awful spot. For teams to enter the top 10 from here on out, not only do they need to win but if they play an inferior opponent, they need to win without the help of the referees.
Just missing the cut this week are Louisville and Kentucky.
College Football Rankings Top 10:
- Georgia. The top-ranked Bulldogs received a much needed week off before heading to Jacksonville this week to play Florida. Despite dominating this series in recent memory and winning two straight over the Gators, it should be noted that Florida already has a top 10 win after their triumph at home over Tennessee.
- Michigan. Paul Bunyan stays in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines shut out rival Michigan State in Michigan’s biggest win over their in-state foe in the Jim Harbaugh era. College Football might have found it’s new Heisman frontrunner in J.J. McCarthy. The duel-threat QB had close to 300 total yards and 4 passing touchdowns.
- Oklahoma. Boomer Sooner was almost derailed in Norman via Big 12 newcomer UCF but Gus Malzahn pulled a Gus Malzahn as OU escapes with a victory. Major concerns about Oklahoma’s once iron wall defense has risen in the past three weeks.
- Florida State. Duke gave FSU problems early but the Seminoles took over in the second half.
- Ohio State. Many doubted the Buckeyes but J.T. Tuimoloau and Ohio State’s defense came up big to beat James Franklin once again. The world of College Football has yet to see Franklin be victorious at the Shoe as Penn State hasn’t won there since 2011.
- Washington. This game got away from the Huskies through a lethargic performance. The refs screwed both Washington and ASU with missed defensive pass interference penalties. Michael Penix Jr had one hand on the Heisman, that is not the case anymore.
- Alabama. Tennessee jumped out to a 13-0 start in Tuscaloosa and led 20-7 at halftime. Rocky Top seemed poised to down the Crimson Tide for a second straight year but Nick Saban made major halftime adjustments and outscored the Vols 27-0 in the second half to keep their title hopes alive.
- Oregon. They dealt with Washington State behind Bucky Irving’s and Jordan James’s combined 232 rushing yards and a bend but don’t break defense.
- Utah. A third straight win over Lincoln Riley has put Utah in prime position to not only win a third straight Pac-12 title but the programs first CFP appearance.
- Ole Miss. They met Oxford’s native son Hugh Freeze in Auburn and despite a below standard performance, they won by 7. A late Tiger touchdown closed the gap from 14. The Rebels have done enough to win out and make the CFP without playing in the SECCG.
College Football Rankings 11-25:
11. Texas
12. Oregon State
13. Air Force
14. Notre Dame
15. Penn State
16. James Madison
17. Missouri
18. Liberty
19. Tulane
20. Tennessee
21. UCLA
22. LSU
23. North Carolina
24. UNLV
25. USC
For more College Football content, check out Team NBS Media’s College Football Sunday morning recap show, The Last Word.
