Cancellations, especially the one in Athens, were again a disappointment. Alabama and Florida locked up berths in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama and Clemson once again flexed their muscles. Credit Brigham Young and Coastal Carolina for putting their undefeated, match-up together mid-week, in what was arguably the game of the year.
1. Alabama – The two-week revenge tour for the best team in the country was a complete success for the Crimson Tide to the tune of 42-13 over Auburn and 55-17 over LSU. Alabama heads to improved Arkansas Saturday.
2. Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish got off to a slow start then grabbed control late in the first half to stay perfect against Syracuse. The ACC sure wants to get two teams in the playoff. If Notre Dame loses to Clemson on the 19th, it will likely happen.
3. Clemson – It was a little nervy, but just for a little while for Clemson against Virginia Tech. The Tigers won big, 45-10. It’s all set up now with the off week and then Notre Dame for the conference championship.
4. Texas A&M – The Aggies had their best and most important quarter of the season, outscoring Auburn 17-0 in the fourth quarter in a 31-20 win over the Tigers. Ole Miss rolls in on Saturday for what should be a high scoring affair.
5. Florida – The Gators continued their dominance over Tennessee with a 31-19 win in Knoxville. LSU comes to town Saturday with Alabama looming in Atlanta. Kyle Trask is having a record-setting season.
6. Coastal Carolina – The dream season went to another level with a thrilling “one-yard win” over fellow unbeaten BYU. Coastal better not look ahead, as a trip to Troy looms. Then comes the rematch for the conference title against the Ragn’ Cajuns.
7. Cincinnati – The 8-0 Bearcats, like the general Cincinnatus, have stormed through the American to the tune of 8-0. Now they play for the title and a berth in one of the big games against Tulsa.
8. Ohio State – The Buckeyes are extremely talented. News flash. They just haven’t played many games. That’s on the Big Ten being late to the party. If they win out, do they get one of those berths? OSU figures to extend its dominance over Michigan Saturday.
9. Indiana – This has been one of the great stories of 2020, a Cinderella from one of the power conferences. The Hoosiers have beaten Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin. Now comes rival Purdue.
10. Georgia – The Bulldogs go to hot Missouri, which has won five of its last six, on Saturday. Georgia, disappointed not to play last Saturday, has gotten a jolt at quarterback in its last two games – wins over Mississippi State and South Carolina.
11. Brigham Young – What a heartbreaking loss for the Cougars, falling by five on the one-yard line at Coastal Carolina. It was shades of the Titans-Rams Super Bowl. Bravo to both schools for scheduling what turned out to be a great game.
12. Miami – The Hurricanes blew away Duke 48-0 to make it 8-1 on the season. Now comes a big game with North Carolina down on the Dade/Broward line. Manny Diaz has the ‘Cane rejuvenated.
13. Iowa State – This is one of the best seasons Iowa State has ever had. The losses are to the Ragin’ Cajuns and Oklahoma State. To beat Oklahoma and Texas in the same year is enormous. Now the Sooners await in a title tilt rematch.
14. Oklahoma – Boomer Sooner certainly got the offense clicking after a slow start to the season. Oklahoma has won six straight and now heads to West Virginia. Then the following week, it’s the Big XII Championship against Iowa State.
15. Louisiana-Lafayette – The Ragin’ Cajuns are having a tremendous season, and just rang up a highlight win over App State. Their only loss was a three-point thriller to Coastal Carolina. The rematch will come December 19 for the conference title.