The first week of November was highlighted by a pair of highly touted Southeastern Conference showdowns and some big time upsets. There were three Top 10 teams that went down. Georgia was very impressive against Tennessee, while LSU and Mississippi State pulled out overtime thrillers. Then there was Notre Dame, which dominated Clemson.
1. Georgia – It was an epic atmosphere Between the Hedges, as Georgia topped Tennessee 27-13 in a No. 1 vs. No. 1 showdown. Now the 9-0 Bulldogs have a tough chore in Starkville against Mississippi State. A win would clinch the SEC East.
2. Ohio State – The Buckeyes got an early kickoff test at sleepy, windy Northwestern, but pulled out a 21-7 win over the Wildcats. Ohio State hosts Indiana Saturday, and Ryan Day’s team will try and crank that high-powered offense back up.
3. Michigan – The Wolverines weren’t sharp in the first half, but put it together and pulled away to beat Rutgers 52-17. Jim Harbaugh’s team has a good ground attack. Michigan hosts once-mighty Nebraska Saturday.
4. TCU – The Horned Frogs took down tough Texas Tech 34-24 to make it 9-0 and continue a dream season. Joe T. Garcia’s is selling a lot of tacos. Sonny Dykes has been a huge hit in year one in Fort Worth. Now it’s the Longhorns in Austin.
5. Tennessee – The Volunteers have an impressive hit list, highlighted by wins over Florida, LSU and Alabama. They were dominated in Athens, as Georgia posted a 27-13 win. Tennessee is still in the thick of the playoff picture. Mizzou comes to Knoxville Saturday.
6. Oregon – The Ducks have ripped off eight straight wins since falling to Georgia in the opener. Oregon dominated Colorado 49-10 and the Ducks remain unbeaten in PAC-12 play. Old rival Washington heads to Eugene Saturday.
7. Southern Cal – The Trojans held off a strong comeback charge from Cal and beat the Golden Bears 41-35. USC’s lone loss is by one point at Utah. USC has a Friday night day with struggling Colorado before the Bruins and the Fighting Irish.
8. Ole Miss – The Rebels had this past weekend off and it’s all-in for Alabama in one of the biggest games ever to be played in Oxford. The Rebels are off to their best start since going 10-0 in 1962, and dreaming big about beating Bama and beyond.
9. UCLA – Chip Kelly’s offense kept it cranked up this past Saturday in a 50-36 win at Arizona State. Now Arizona heads to Los Angeles as the Bruins try and stay in the thick of a terrific four horse race for the two spots in the PAC-12 Championship Game.
10. LSU – It was an incredible victory for the Bayou Bengals, who topped nemesis Alabama 32-31 on an overtime touchdown and two-point conversion. It’s off to Arkansas, which just lost to Liberty this past weekend for an early kickoff Saturday.
11. Alabama – The Crimson Tide have played in four knee-knockers. They’ve won two against Texas and the Aggies, and lost a pair to Tennessee and LSU. It will be tough Saturday at Ole Miss, and the Rebels are coming off an open date.
12. Clemson – It was a rough Saturday in South Bend for the Tigers, who got beaten down by Notre Dame 35-14. It’s the Tigers first loss of the season. Clemson hosts Louisville Saturday, trying to get back on track and stay in playoff contention.
13. Utah – The Running Utes are in the thick of the PAC-12 race. Utah dispatched Arizona 45-20 this past weekend and sit at 7-2 on the year. It will be physical Saturday in Salt Lake City with Stanford coming to town.
14. North Carolina – The Tar Heels have taken complete control of their division and are on track to play in the ACC Championship Game. They held off old rival Virginia 31-28. UNC is 8-1 and off to Wake Saturday.
15. Tulane – The school with one of the greatest logos in the history of sports is having an outstanding season. The Green Wave are 8-1, and now play a big one against Central Florida in New Orleans. They are hungry for a major bowl.