It was another outstanding weekend on the gridiron. The top four teams were all impressive. Texas A&M fell hard. So did Nebraska. And the Gators. The team of the week would have to be the Buckeyes. There are three weeks left in the regular season and conference races are wide open across the country.
1. ALABAMA
It was a defensive Classic in Baton Rouge, with Jalen Hurts making the difference in Kama’s 10-0 win. The Crimson Tide hosts Mississippi State Saturday, and the Maroons win over the Aggies will help Nick Saban get his team extra focused.
2. CLEMSON
What a show it was in Clemson’s blowout of Syracuse. ‘The Tigers are back at Death Valley, as the Pitt Panthers come to town (awful memories for Georgia from the 1981 season). DeShaun Watson and the’ Tigers are having another tremendous year.
3. MICHIGAN
Once again the Wolverines went over “half a hundred” and had a superb defensive effort. Jim Harbaugh, in just his second year, has Michigan thinking playoffs and Big Ten title. The margins of victory are astounding. Iowa hosts Michigan Saturday.
4. WASHINGTON
The Huskies had gas at full throttle in an offensive showcase victory over Cal. The Huskies now sit at 9-0 and have a challenge with Southern Cal visiting Seattle Saturday. Jake Browning is a special quarterback.
5. LOUISVILLE
Lamar Jackson and the Cardinals were cooking on offense once again in an easy win at Boston College. ‘The improved and bowl bound Wake Forest Demon Deacons visit the ‘Ville Saturday.
6. OHIO STATE
The Buckeye’s put it all together in an absolute demolition of Nebraska. 62-3. Over Nebraska. Whew. Urban Meyer’s team turns its focus to Maryland. He is now 58-5 in Columbus.
7. WISCONSIN
On the heels of a physical, emotional victory at night in overtime against Nebraska, the Badgers got a nice win at Northwestern 21-7 to make it 7-2. Illinois comes to Camp Randall Saturday.
8. OKLAHOMA
A Thursday night win over Iowa State pushed the Sooners to 7-2 on the year, unbeaten in the Big XII. Baylor comes to town for a huge conference showdown, with the winner sniffing a major bowl game.
9. TEXAS A&M
It was a crushing loss for the Aggies, as they fell to Mississippi State in Starkville 35-28. There are peaks and valleys in a season, and the Aggies will try and climb back against Ole Miss in College Station.
10. AUBURN
The Tigers survived an upset scare, edging Vanderbilt 23-16 on the plains.
Auburn has been smoking hot. They now turn their attention to ancient rival Georgia at Sanford Stadium.
11. COLORADO
The Buffaloes edged out UCLA 20-10 Thursday night to improve to 7-2 on the season. Mike MacIntyre is one of the front-runners for national coach of the year. Colorado takes on Arizona in Tucson Saturday.
12. UTAH
After the heart-breaking loss to Washington, the Utes had this past week off. Now they head to Arizona State. Utah and Colorado are the two best teams in the PAC- 12 South.
13. WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Broncos rolled past Ball State 52-20 in Muncie to make it 9-0 on the campaign. Next up is some Tuesday night MAC-tion at Kent State. Western Michigan has a great shot at landing in one of the major bowls.
14. WEST VIRGINIA
A 48-21 win over Kansas pushed the Mountaineers to 7-1 on the campaign. Next up is a big showdown with Texas, as West Virginia is right in the thick of the Big XII race.
15. VIRGINIA TECH
The Hokies are playing well, sitting at 7-2 after a win over Duke. Next up is Tech, the Yellow Jackets falling to North Carolina this past weekend. Blacksburg will be rocking, as the Hokies try and make it 8-2.
16. WASHINGTON STATE
Mike Leach has the Cougars rocking and rolling. Washington State is on a collision course with the Huskies for a berth in the PAC-12 Championship Game. WSU has had one of the best turnarounds from early struggles in the country this year.
17. NORTH CAROLINA
Mitch Trubisky and the Tar Heels offense was strong all day in a pull away victory over Tech. It’s a quick turnaround and a Thursday night at Duke. The ACC Championship Game is within reach.
18. BAYLOR
It’s a huge showdown with Oklahoma Saturday with some major stakes in the race for the Big XII title. In the midst of a horrible scandal, Jim Grobe has done a nice job with this team.
19. LSU
No question, the Tigers have the toughest November 3C schedule in the land. Another excruciating, physical loss to Alabama stings. Now the Tigers hit the road for Fayetteville to take on tough Arkansas, which just routed Florida.
20. FLORIDA
Coming off an emotional win over Georgia, the Gators had to head to Fayetteville with Arkansas coming off an open date. Uh-oh. The Hogs absolutely pounded Florida 31-10. Next up is rejuvenated South Carolina in the swamp.
21. FLORIDA STATE
The Seminoles had a nice comeback win over N.C. State following the emotional loss to Clemson. Dalvin Cook is one of the best tailbacks in the country. Boston College comes to town Friday.
22. ARKANSAS
Yes the Razorbacks have three losses, but they are to Alabama, Texas A&M and Auburn (a big time blowout). Arkansas was extremely impressive in a 31-10 victory over Florida that was mighty sweet to the Hog faithful.
23. BOISE STATE
The Broncos are having yet another outstanding season. At 8-1, Boise State hits the road to Honolulu to battle the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Nice travel in the WAC.
24. NEBRASKA
Talk about absolute demolition. ‘The Cornhuskers, who lost an overtime heartbreaker at Wisconsin, had another monster showdown. Ohio State absolutely destroyed the Huskers in historic fashion. It will take some- work to bounce back for Big Red.
25. WYOMING
Coming off’ a 52-28 rout of Utah State, the Cowboys pushed the record to 7-2. Next up is a trip to UNLV. The highlight of the season for Wyoming is the upset victory over Boise State.
26. HOUSTON
The Cougars will try and right the ship this week against Tulane, as the Green Wave comes to town. ‘The next ‘Thursday, it’s the highly anticipated showdown with Louisville.