We head into the best weekend of college football all season, Thanksgiving weekend, which is chock-full of classic rivalries and bitter feuds going back to the 1800s. The fight for conference championship games and those four precious playoff spots are perilously pressure packed. No doubt, Ohio State was the team of the week, courtesy of their pounding of Michigan State. The season just flies by.
1. Georgia – The Bulldogs rolled past Charleston Southern 56-7 to make it 11-0. Now it’s the quest for championships, starting with the state championship. The Dogs tangle with Tech, the in-state enemy, Saturday in Atlanta.
2. Alabama – It was a fantastic game against Arkansas. The Crimson Tide prevailed 42-35 over the Razorbacks to make it 10-1. Now it’s time for the Iron Bowl on the Plains, one of the all-time intense rivalries. Auburn won the last meeting at Jordan-Hare.
3. Ohio State – The Buckeyes look as impressive as any team in the country. In a mega showdown with Michigan State in The Horseshoe, Ohio State blew away the Spartans 56-7. Now comes the big one with Michigan in Ann Arbor.
4. Cincinnati – The undefeated Bearcats posted their most impressive victory since beating Notre Dame in South Bend, rolling past SMU 42-13. Cincinnati goes to East Carolina Friday, and then it’s off to the American Championship Game.
5. Michigan – The Wolverines play one of their biggest games of the 21st century, hosting Ohio State Saturday at the Big House. The winner of this one will play for the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes are hot and big favorites.
6. Notre Dame – It was an explosive performance for the Fighting Irish, who blew past Tech 55-0 in South Bend. At 10-1, Notre Dame heads to Stanford with playoff dreams still alive. Brian Kelly has put together a strong record these last five seasons.
7. Oklahoma State – The Cowboys improved to 10-1 with terrific triumph over Texas Tech. Mike Gundy’s ‘Pokes are ready for a monster showdown against Oklahoma. The Sooners are also 10-1 and Stillwater bound.
8. Ole Miss – Coming off an emotional victory over Texas A&M, the Rebels pulled things together and overmatched Vanderbilt. It was a ‘tweener game. Now comes the Thanksgiving showdown with fierce rival Mississippi State, which is hot.
9. Oklahoma – Following a disappointing loss to Baylor, the Sooners bounced back and handled tough Iowa State. Oklahoma is 10-1 and still alive in the big picture. But Oklahoma State, which is really good, awaits in Stillwater.
10. Oregon – The Ducks got pounded by physical Utah 38-7 in Salt Lake City, falling to 9-2 on the season. Now comes the in-state foe, Oregon State. The Ducks can still win the PAC-12 championship, but have to bounce back from a beat down.
11. Baylor – The Bears survived a dangerous trip to the little apple, and took care of Kansas State. The 9-2 Bears host Texas Tech on Saturday. A Baylor win could land the Bears in the Big XII Championship Game.
12. Brigham Young – It was an odd road trip, but Brigham Young handled a tough challenge from Georgia Southern. At 9-2 after the win in Statesboro, the Cougars take on reeling Southern Cal in the Coliseum.
13. Michigan State – It was a big stage for the Spartans. But The Horseshoe and a peaking and complete Buckeyes team was way too much. Can Sparty bounce back? Penn State comes to East Lansing Saturday.
14. Texas A&M – The Aggies put up big numbers against Prairie View A&M, winning 52-3. Now comes a big game against LSU in Baton Rouge. A win over the Bayou Bengals would strengthen their bowl slates.
15. UTSA – The Roadrunners avoided the anvils, giant rubber bands and UAB to pull out the win and make it 11-0 this season. UTSA heads to North Texas this week. This is one of the best stories in college football.