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CFP Top 6
1.Ohio State 9-0 (6-0) Big Ten This week: Michigan State (3-6) (7:30 PM ET, NBC)
2.Georgia 9-0 (6-0) SEC This week: 9.Ole Miss (8-1) (7 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Michigan 9-0 (6-0) Big Ten This week: @ 10.Penn State (8-1) (12 PM ET, FOX)
4.Florida State 9-0 (7-0) ACC This week: Miami (6-3) (3:30 PM ET, ABC)
5.Washington 9-0 (6-0) Pac-12 This week: 18.Utah (7-2) (3:30 PM ET, FOX)
6.Oregon 8-1 (5-1) Pac-12 This week: USC (7-3) (10:30 PM ET, FOX)
Biggest risers and fallers in the CFP Top 25 this week:
Risers
12.Oregon State 7-2 (4-2) Pac-12 Week 10: #16 (Defeated Colorado, 26-19)
15.Oklahoma State 7-2 (5-1) Big 12 Week 10: #22 (Defeated 9.Oklahoma, 27-24)
16.Kansas 7-2 (4-2) Big 12 Week 10: #21 (Defeated Iowa State, 28-21)
Fallers
17.Oklahoma 7-2 (4-2) Big 12 Week 10: #9 (Lost to 22.Oklahoma State, 27-24)
19.LSU 6-3 (4-2) SEC Week 10: #14 (Lost to 8.Alabama, 42-28)
20.Notre Dame 7-3 (0-0) Independents Week 10: #15 (Lost to Clemson, 31-23)
25.Kansas State Week 10: #23 (Lost to 7.Texas, 33-30)
Dropped Out
UCLA 6-3 (3-3) Pac-12 Week 10: #19 (Lost to Arizona, 27-10)
USC 7-3 (5-2) Pac-12 Week 10: #20 (Lost to 5.Washington, 52-42)
Air Force Week 10: #25 (Lost to Army, 23-3)
New
21.Arizona 6-3 (4-2) Pac-12 Week 10: NR (Defeated 19.UCLA, 27-10)
22.Iowa 7-2 (4-2) Big Ten Week 10: NR (Defeated Northwestern, 10-7)
24.North Carolina 7-2 (3-2) ACC Week 10: NR (Defeated Campbell, 59-7)
Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
3.Michigan (9-0) @ 10.Penn State (8-1) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Will Michigan continue its dominant season with all of the rumblings about their sign stealing investigation? As I am writing, Jim Harbaugh and his team have not been penalized (Update: It is expected the NCAA will not allow Harbaugh to coach on the sideline the rest of the regular season, however, he can coach practice during the week) in any way by the Big Ten or the NCAA as they enter the toughest stretch of their season with the 10.Nittany Lions (8-1), Maryland (5-4) next Saturday, and 1.Ohio State (9-0) on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Michigan uses a dominant run game led by two of the nation’s best tailbacks, Blake Corum (649 yards and 16 TDs) and Donavan Edwards (232 yards and 2 TDs) to help power the passing game with quarterback JJ McCarthy (2,134 yards and 18 TDs). Due to the Wolverines not playing many top opponents nationally, McCarthy’s top targets Roman Wilson (589 yards and 10 TDs), Cornelius Johnson (422 yards and 1 TD), and Colston Loveland (419 yards and 4 TDs) have not gotten the recognition they deserve. Defensively, Michigan is powered by the linebacking trio of Junior Colson (49 tackles), Michael Barrett (33 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 sack), and Ernest Hausmann (30 tackles). If they are able to get through the Penn State offensive line easily, Drew Allar (1,895 yards and 20 TDs) and his offense will struggle like they did in their dismal performance against Ohio State’s offense. Similar to the Wolverines, Penn State’s run game with Kaytron Allen (573 yards and 4 TDs) and Nick Singleton (480 yards and 7 TDs) is very important to their offensive success against a talented defense from Ann Arbor. Allar’s must get the ball to his favorite receiver, KeAndre Lambert-Smith (645 yards and 4 TDs), if the Nittany Lions want to win this game. Defensively, linebackers Curtis Jacobs (36 tackles and 1 sacks) and Abdul Carter (35 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception). If Michigan avoids a loss in State College, they will be headed for a collision course with Ohio State for a third consecutive Big Ten title appearance. Projected Score: Michigan 38, Penn State 27
Miami (6-3) @ 4.Florida State (9-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Miami has simply not been the same team it was when it dominated Texas A&M in the second half back in September and lost in the final seconds against Georgia Tech after fumbling on a rushing play instead of taking a knee. Now, they have to travel to face arch rival Florida State in Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Hurricanes’ QB Tyler Van Dyke has a 16-11 touchdown to interception throw through the air. Van Dyke’s weapons have been solid still, with running back Henry Parrish Jr. rushing for nearly 500 yards and 4 TDs so far this season and receivers Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo catching a combined 9 touchdowns. On the other side, Florida State has struggled to wins late in ACC play. Even without top receivers Keon Coleman (538 yards and 9 TDs) and Johnny Wilson (415 yards and 2 TDs) in their win over Pittsburgh, Jordan Travis (2,469 yards and 19 TDs) continues to shine. Trey Benson continues to pace the running back room, rushing for 641 yards and 8 TDs so far this season. If Kalen DeLoach (49 tackles and 5 sacks) and Tatum Bethune (45 tackles) can sack Van Dyke with ease, the Florida State home crowd will overwhelm the Hurricanes. Projected Score: Florida State 34, Miami 20
13.Tennessee (7-2) @ 14.Missouri (7-2) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Missouri competed with Georgia between the hedges from whistle to whistle but fell 30-21. Tennessee dominated UConn 59-3 a week ago. The Vols’ trio of running backs including Jaylen Wright (826 yards and 3 TDs), Jabari Small (415 yards and 2 TDs), and Dylan Sampson (405 yards and 7 TDs) look to set up quarterback Joe Milton (2,016 yards and 15 TDs). Tennessee’s defense will have to stop Mizzou signal-caller Brady Cook (2,471 yards and 16 TDs) and star receiver Luther Burden III (958 yards and 7 TDs) with tremendous linebackers Elijah Herring (58 tackles) and Aaron Beasley (51 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interceptions). Outside of Cook and Burden, look out for tailback Cody Schrader (919 yards and 10 TDs) and receiver Theo Wease Jr. (530 yards and 5 TDs) to perform well against an up and down Volunteer defense. Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (53 tackles) and defensive back Joseph Charleston (48 tackles) will lead Missouri’s unit on that side of the ball. If Tennessee wins this game, they will head to Athens to face Georgia and make things interesting in the SEC East. If not, Missouri will finish second in the division barring a collapse to finish the season from the Bulldogs. Projected Score: Missouri 35, Tennessee 28
18.Utah (7-2) @ 5.Washington (9-0) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
Can Utah put together a worthy offensive performance to take down Washington’s red hot offense on the road? While it seems unlikely, the Utes have won back to back Pac-12 titles but this season, they are without starting quarterback Cam Rising, who makes it all go for them. Instead, Utah has had to rely on a trio of running backs, Ja’Quinden Jackson (598 yards and 2 TDs), Jayden Glover (359 yards and 2 TDs), and Sione Vaki (243 yards and 2 TDs) who also plays safety and has 44 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 sack on the year. Backup quarterback Bryson Barnes (930 yards and 8 TDs) has settled in, leading a game winning drive against USC, but must turn the ball over less. Linebacker Levani Damuni (48 tackles) and safety Cole Bishop (46 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 sacks) must continue their great seasons if they want to stop Washington’s terrific offense from running up and down the field on them. Huskies’ signal-caller Michael Penix continues to have a Heisman-like season, throwing for over 3,200 yards and 26 TDs. His offense has struggled in close wins over Arizona State and Stanford but woke up in their win over USC in a shootout. Like his quarterback, receiver Rome Odunze (989 yards and 7 TDs), he is having a great season. Cornerback Dominique Hampton (64 tackles and 1 interception) must help keep Utah’s offense at bay. Washington’s defense is not great but against Barnes and the Utah offense, it will be important to get many stops to keep their undefeated season alive. Projected Score: Washington 31, Utah 17
9.Ole Miss (8-1) @ 2.Georgia (9-0) (7 PM ET ESPN)
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (567 yards and 4 TDs), one of the best players in college football, could return for the second ranked Bulldogs this weekend. Bowers is a game time decision with a sprained ankle injury that has kept him out two weeks so far. With him on the road to a return and Georgia’s quest for a third consecutive national title on the horizon, Georgia has a lot to play for with Tennessee and Georgia Tech still left to go as well. Bulldogs QB Carson Beck has improved throughout the season, throwing for nearly 2,800 yards and 16 TDs. Against what has been an under average defense for Ole Miss, Beck can get it to Bowers, former Missouri star Dominic Lovett (398 yards and 4 TDs), and the veteran Ladd McConkey (337 yards and 1 TD). The Ole Miss offensive line must protect Jaxson Dart (2,467 yards and 16 TDs) from linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (44 tackles and 3 sacks) and defensive back Tykee Smith (40 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 2 sacks). Dart must get the ball to receivers Tre Harris (749 yards and 7 TDs), Jordan Watkins (627 yards and 3 TDs), and Dayton Wade (602 yards and 3 TDs) with the Rebels’ defensive inconsistencies under first year coordinator Pete Goulding.
Projected Score: Georgia 42, Ole Miss 27
