SEC upsets headline a crazy week of college football action, and there is one more chance to make a statement (and/or avoid defeat) in the regular season.
1. Oregon Ducks (11-0) | Last week: 1
Oregon comes off the bye and will face Washington in what is essentially a win-and-in game this weekend. If they take care of business, they’ll enter the Big Ten Championship Game at 12-0; but an upset to the Huskies could add to the add chaos.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1) | Last week: 2
Special teams and defense led the way for the Buckeyes in a 38-15 win over the Hoosiers, and star safety Caleb Downs’ 79-yard punt return touchdown opened things up in the second quarter. Now, they’ll need to snap a three-game losing streak to Michigan—and the Wolverines are suddenly rolling.
3. Texas Longhorns (10-1) | Last week: 3
Kentucky gave the Longhorns some trouble on Saturday night despite an eventual 31-14 win, but the continued emphasis on the running game paid off with Quintrevion Wisner (26 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown) and Jaydon Blue (15 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown) leading the victory. The regular season ends in a danger spot versus a Texas A&M squad coming off an upset loss.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions (10-1) | Last week: 5 (+1)
Minnesota made it far too close for comfort, but the strong playoff case for Penn State benefitted in a big way over the weekend with a win combined with a bunch of upsets behind them. If the Nittany Lions take care of business versus Maryland on Saturday, we’ll see them in the College Football Playoff.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) | Last week: 6 (+1)
The 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois in September obviously remains a blemish on the resume, but Notre Dame is in a similar spot to Penn State in that they just need to take care of business this weekend. However, the trip to take on USC at the Coliseum won’t be easy.
6. Georgia Bulldogs (9-2) | Last week: 9 (+3)
Quarterback Carson Beck carried the momentum of the win over Tennessee into an eventual 59-21 win over UMass—and freshman running back Nate Frazier also went off with 21 carries for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The string of SEC upsets allowed the Bulldogs to suddenly sneak into the conference title game, and they’ll face the winner of Texas-Texas A&M.
7. Tennessee Volunteers (9-2) | Last week: 10 (+3)
Tennessee was probably the winner of the weekend with the logjam in the SEC sorting itself out—but an upset-seeking Vanderbilt team will give them a fight to conclude the regular season. We’d expect a fresher Dylan Sampson for that matchup after just 11 carries versus UTEP.
8. Miami Hurricanes (10-1) | Last week: NR
Quarterback Cam Ward didn’t have his most prolific game in the 42-14 win over Wake Forest, but the outing showed Miami has a very well-rounded roster. Assuming the Hurricanes can take care of business versus Syracuse, a battle against SMU awaits in the ACC Championship Game.
9. Indiana Hoosiers (10-1) | Last week: 4 (-5)
The placement of Indiana by the committee will be very interesting to track over the next two weeks, but they are another team that benefitted from upsets on Saturday night. Unfortunately, pass protection couldn’t hold up in the loss to Ohio State, and the Hoosiers will need to figure that out.
10. Boise State Broncos (10-1) | Last week: NR
Boise State needed a late touchdown to defeat Wyoming, but superstar runner Ashton Jeanty stayed hot with 19 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown. Look for the Broncos to play through Jeanty for a Black Friday showdown against Oregon State.