NFL
By: Brock Vierra
This recent week of college football served as an eliminator. North Carolina, Oregon State and Utah have essentially taken themselves out of contention while the top teams remain perfect. It looks like with Oklahoma’s loss to Kansas, the Big 12 might just eliminate themselves out of contention for a playoff spot. With USC, Utah, Washington and Oregon all set to play or have already played each other, the Pac-12 might eliminate itself as well.
Last week, we saw contenders lose tough games. This week was no different. As teams push towards conference titles and bowl births, the contenders are starting to separate themselves from the pretenders. The top four remains up for grabs as multiple top 10 matchups will be going down in the last four weeks of the season. As the weather starts to turn, the tide of championship dreams turns with it.
Just missing the cut this week are Oklahoma State, SMU, Iowa and USC.
College Football Rankings Top 10:
- Georgia. Florida looked to be up for today’s game in Jacksonville but the Bulldogs pulled away convincingly. They approach the end of the year with one foot in the CFP but a tough end to the season could end their bid for a back to back undefeated season.
- Michigan. The Wolverines were on a bye but got little rest with the sign stealing scandal plaguing the program. We’ll see if it will be a distraction moving forward.
- Florida State. With Oklahoma’s loss and North Carolina’s shocking defeat to Virginia, FSU has a clear and easy path to the CFP. With one of the most impressive offenses in college football, the Seminoles are unequivocally back.
- Ohio State. It was a physical game at Camp Randall but Marvin Harrison Jr and TreVeyon Henderson came up big. The defense stalled Braelon Allen as the Badgers offense continues to lack that physical edge they once had.
- Washington. Despite suffering flu like symptoms, Michael Penix Jr came up big against Stanford to avoid falling victim to an upset. He had 369 passing yards with 4 touchdowns as the Huskies escape Stanford with a win.
- Alabama. Nick Saban and Alabama enjoyed a week off, putting themselves in prime position for a coveted College Football spot with losses across the board in college football.
- Oregon. At Utah with college gameday in tow did not intimidate the Ducks at all. They boat raced the Utes in Salt Lake City, essentially ending Utah’s chances for a third straight Pac-12 championship. However the Ducks have some big games against USC and Oregon State to end the year. Fortunately those games are at home.
- Ole Miss. Another SEC home game, another SEC win. The Rebels CFP outlook is in a beautiful position with a trap game at home next week against Texas A&M being the only hurdle to a winner take all matchup against Georgia in Athens.
- Air Force. They remained undefeated with a trip to local Fort Collins. A snow filled ball game played right into the Falcons’ ground attack as the undefeated airmen defeated Colorado State 30-13.
- Oklahoma. A tough loss in Lawrence, Kansas has now made Oklahoma’s playoff outlook a lot more difficult. Fortunately for them, if they win out, they’re in. The problem is that unless Iowa State pulls out the most random winning streak in college football history, OU would most likely play Texas, Kansas who they just lost to, in-state rival Oklahoma State who just found their stride or perennial thorn in the side of the Sooners in Kansas State in the Big 12 title game. Not an easy path at all.
College Football Rankings 11-25:
11. Texas
12. Notre Dame
13. Penn State
14. James Madison
15. Kansas
16. Liberty
17. Missouri
18. Tennessee
19. Tulane
20. Utah
21. UCLA
22. LSU
23. Oregon State
24. Louisville
25. Fresno State
For more College Football content, check out Team NBS Media’s College Football Sunday morning recap show, The Last Word.
