Image Courtesy: The New York Times
CFP Top 6
1.Georgia 11-0 (8-0) This week: Georgia Tech
2.Ohio State 11-0 (8-0) This week: 3.Michigan
3.Michigan 11-0 (8-0) This week: at.2.Ohio State
4.TCU 11-0 (8-0) This week: Iowa State
5.LSU 9-2 (6-1) This week: at.Texas A&M
6.USC 10-1 (8-1) This week: 15.Notre Dame
Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
Mississippi State at. 20.Ole Miss (Thursday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
Even if Ole Miss will be ultra-focused following their terrible loss to Arkansas last Saturday, they still play with Lane Kiffin, their head coach, potentially on the way out to Auburn. This game will be close but Mississippi State QB Will Rogers will lead the Bulldogs to a win and hand the Rebels a third consecutive loss and get their first win in the rivalry in a long time. Projected Score: Mississippi State 35, Ole Miss 28
South Carolina at. 8.Clemson (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
Clemson has “struggled” to a 10-1 record and will play in the ACC Championship next Saturday no matter what the game result is in “Death Valley” on Saturday. The tigers have to face a red hot South Carolina team who just eliminated Tennessee from the College Football Playoff picture by scoring 63 points on them, led by QB Spencer Rattler’s 6 TDs in the game. Clemson should have the want to get to the Playoff because if TCU loses and they win out, they could very well be in contention for that fourth spot, most likely taking on Georgia if they get there. Projected Score: Clemson 27, South Carolina 17
3.Michigan at. 2.Ohio State (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Ohio State’s players and coaches have been thinking about their game with Michigan last season the entirety of last year. They fell to their arch rival, the Wolverines, for the first time in sixteen years. Something tells me Ohio State will take some time to get going and then get a big lead and cruise in this game, claiming their spot in the Big Ten title game and putting themselves one step closer to another College Football Playoff bid. With the way Michigan played against Illinois last week (it was not very good) and needing a game-winning field goal to beat the Illini, the Buckeyes should win this game. Projected Score: Ohio State 45, Michigan 31
9.Oregon at. 21.Oregon State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Will Oregon State upset Oregon’s chances at another Pac-12 championship game appearance? The Beavers have had an incredible season but Bo Nix should lead the Ducks to a win and a chance at ending USC’s College Football Playoff chances. Projected Score: Oregon 31, Oregon State 17
Auburn at. 8.Alabama (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Auburn has looked better and more inspired as a team with “Cadillac” Williams as their interim coach. But Alabama has used wins over Ole Miss and Austin Peay to get back on their feet. Alabama needs Bryce Young to get them going and lead them to a win in the Iron Bowl. Projected Score: Alabama 38, Auburn 20
5.LSU at. Texas A&M (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
With a win, LSU will still have a shot at the College Football Playoff. Playing an Aggie team with not much to play for is dangerous as they will want to end LSU’s chances at the postseason. No matter what, LSU will be in Atlanta next weekend for the SEC Championship and they should be fine in College Station on Saturday. Projected Score: LSU 34, Texas A&M 17
15.Notre Dame at. 6.USC (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
With a Pac-12 Championship Game appearance already locked up, USC will need a win over Notre Dame to jump LSU in the rankings and help themselves before they face one of Oregon, Utah, or Washington in their conference championship game. Notre Dame has also played better since their terrible start to the season and will pose a great challenge for Caleb Williams and the Trojans. Projected Score: USC 38, Notre Dame 27
