The final weekend of the regular season has arrived and there are enormous stakes and circumstances for a slew of classic rivalry games here on Thanksgiving Week. Three Big Ten teams seem locks for the playoff. The SEC and ACC races are tight and tough. How many will the SEC get in? Remember a Group of Five team and all the major leagues get a berth. This is it for the regular season. Enjoy the ride.
1. Ohio State – The Buckeyes were awesome once again, taking down Rutgers 42-9. Ohio State heads into the Michigan game with an 11-0 mark. The defense has been awesome all season long. The Scarlet and Gray have lost four in a row to the Wolverines.
2. Texas A&M – The Aggies took care of Samford 48-0 and are 11-0 on the season. Their offense is electric, and the defensive line is stout. A win over Texas in Austin would clinch A&M’s first ever berth in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
3. Indiana – The Hoosiers are in the midst of a dream season. Indiana is a perfect 11-0 and bound for the Big Ten Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. They were off this past Saturday, tuning up for the in-state battle against Purdue in West Lafayette.
4. Georgia – The Bulldogs took care of business against Charlotte Between the Hedges, downing the 49ers 35-7 to make it 10-1 on the season. Now comes the biggest game of them all for Georgia, as the Dogs battle the Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz.
5. Ole Miss – The Rebels have most likely punched their playoff ticket. Lane Kiffin’s high octane attack has led the way to a 10-1 campaign, the program’s best since the Johnny Vaught era. Now comes the Egg Bowl and Mississippi State Friday in Starkville.
6. Texas Tech – The Red Raiders are at their best since Mike Leach patrolled the sidelines in Lubbock. Texas Tech is 10-1, and putting up big numbers. They are hungry for a playoff berth. Next up though is West Virginia in Morgantown, which could be tricky.
7. Oregon – The Ducks picked up a massive 42-27 victory over Southern Cal, improving to 10-1, and most likely wrapping up a playoff berth. Dan Lanning has done an outstanding job in Eugene. The regular season comes to an end Saturday at Washington.
8. Oklahoma – The Sooners defense was outstanding in a 17-6 victory over Missouri, improving to 9-2. The schedule has been very tough for Oklahoma. There’s one more big test, as the LSU Tigers head to Norman with the Sooners aiming for 10-2.
9. Alabama – The Crimson Tide had no problems with Eastern Illinois, rolling to a 56-0 win over Eastern Illinois. Now comes the Iron Bowl, and you never know in this one. Auburn will give Bama a good shot. The Tide are 9-2 and still in the hunt for Atlanta.
10. Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish rolled past Syracuse 70-7, hitting that point total for the first time since 1932. Notre Dame has won nine in a row since an 0-2 start. Struggling Stanford is next up, as the Irish head to the farm hunting a 10-2 mark and CFP berth.
11. Tech – The Yellow Jackets fell behind Pittsburgh and rallied back to get within seven. The Panthers prevailed 42-28. A second half pick six proved costly. Tech has a shot to finish the regular season 10-2, as arch rival Georgia awaits Friday at Mercedes-Benz.
12. James Madison – The Dukes are a fantastic story, making the steady climb in Division 1-A (FBS). James Madison is 10-1, and 7-0 in the Sun Belt. The Dukes topped Washington State 24-20 this past weekend. They head to Coastal Carolina Saturday.