SWC75
Bored Historian
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 34,005
- Like
- 65,626
It’s October and so I will once again chart the future challenges of the undefeated in major college football. Once November comes I’ll include the one-loss teams. We now have a four team playoff, (maybe someday we’ll move to 8 with auto bids for the Power Five champions), so more of these teams will continue to have a chance until the very end of the regular season. I’ll limit my coverage to ranked teams. (For fun I’ll also keep track of the teams eligible for the Pesci Bowl, the top mid-majors in the country and the Tydee Bowl, which decides the worst team in the country, although I’ll not spend as much time on them. I think I’ll do a four team playoff for them, too.)
A note on rankings: the first is the ranking of the AP (writer’s) poll, then the USA Today (coach’s) poll the ESPN power ranking and finally College Football Playoff Committee, (which won’t start until November). The total is based on a 25 points for 1st, 24 for 2nd, etc. system. They are listed in order of that total. (Shortcut- if they are ranked in all the polls: add the rankings and subtract from 78 or 104 once the committee joins in.)
I’ll also include the team’s points “Against Ranked Teams” from my latest post of that title, their won-lost record and their points for and against. I’ll supply the same info in the same format for each future opponent.
OHIO STATE 5-0 (172-76) 0 points against ranked teams (ART) rank: 1-1-4 total: 72
Sat 10/10 Maryland 2-3 (118-159) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Penn State 4-1 (122-79) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/14 at Rutgers 2-2 (127-92) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 11/7 Minnesota 3-2 (77-101) 17 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Illinois 4-1 (151-89) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Michigan State 5-0 (157-104) 22 ART rank: 4-3-7 total: 64
Sat 11/28 at Michigan 4-1 (139-38) 35 ART rank: 18-21-17 total: 22
Comments: The Buckeyes may be in the post-championship doldrums and they may have made the wrong decision at quarterback but they don’t face a currently ranked team until they close with the Michigan schools in late November. I have a feeling Urban Meyer will have it figured out by then.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN 5-0 (254-120) 0 ART rank: 2-2-2 total: 72
Sat 10/10 at Kansas State 3-1 (137-72) 3 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Iowa State 2-2 (109-81) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Thu 10/29 West Virginia 3-1 (154-67) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Oklahoma State 5-0 (191-96) 0 ART rank: 21-19-21 total: 17
Sat 11/14 Kansas 0-4 (88-161) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma 4-0 (168-89) 33 ART rank: 10-9-8 total: 51
Fri 11/27 Baylor 4-0 (255-104) 0 ART rank: 3-4-3 total: 68
Comments: K-State can’t be looked past but I have a feeling the Frogs will be gulping down opponents at least until they play the Oklahoma schools, (both on the road), and that season ending battle with Baylor, a rematch of last year’s game of the year will be must-see viewing.
BAYLOR 4-0 (255-104) 0 ART rank: 3-4-3 total: 68
Sat 10/10 at Kansas 0-4 (88-161) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 West Virginia 3-1 (154-67) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 Iowa State 2-2 (109-81) 0 ART not ranked
Bye Week
Thu 11/5 at Kansas State 3-1 (137-72) 3 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Oklahoma 4-0 (168-89) 33 ART rank: 10-9-8 total: 51
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma State5-0 (191-96) 0 ART rank: 21-19-21 total: 17
Fri 11/27 at Texas Christian 5-0 (254-120) 0 ART rank: 2-2-2 total: 72
Comments: Basically the same thing here as in the TCU comment. They get one of the Oklahoma schools at home but have to travel to TCU.
UTAH 4-0 (155-75) 55 ART rank: 5-7-1 total: 65
Sat 10/10 California 5-0 ((217-117) 0 ART rank: 23-22-23 total: 10
Sat 10/17 Arizona State 3-2 (138-134) 34 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Southern California 3-1 (178-70) 0 ART rank: 17-17-18 total: 26
Sat 10/31 Oregon State 2-2 (92-105) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Washington 2-2 (117-63) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Arizona 3-2 (210-176) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 UCLA 4-1 (174-110) 44 ART rank: 20-20-18 total: 20
Sat 11/28 Colorado 3-2 (167-107) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: The Pac 10 is the best conference in country, top to bottom right now. Every team’s schedule is a minefield. Arizona State is a prime example. They were aweful against USC (14-42) and came back to whip UCLA, (38-23) the very next week. Every team is dangerous like that. They’ll all take a bit out of each other before it’s done. Anybody who emerges from this with just one wound will be in the playoff. Could that be Utah? Stay tuned.
MICHIGAN STATE 5-0 (157-104) 22 ART rank: 4-3-7 total: 64
Sat 10/10 at Rutgers 2-2 (127-92) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Michigan 4-1 (139-38) 35 ART rank: 18-21-17 total: 22
Sat 10/24 Indiana 4-1 (180-162) 18 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 11/7 at Nebraska 2-3 (158-120) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Maryland 2-3 (118-159) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Ohio State 5-0 (172-76) 0 ART rank: 1-1-4 total: 72
Sat 11/28 Penn State 4-1 (122-79) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: The Spartans are highly ranked but did not look very good against Purdue and their signature win over Oregon doesn’t look so awesome any more. Jim Harbaugh is coaching Miracle-Gro and Michigan fans are sick of losing to the Spartans, (6 times in 7 years). That trip to Ohio State could be unpleasant, as well. The Spartans have to win one of those to make the playoff.
CLEMSON 4-0 (134-59) 22 ART rank: 6-6-5 total: 61
Sat 10/10 Georgia Tech 2-3 (207-118) 10 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Boston College 3-2 (124-40) 3 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Miami 3-1 (148-87) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 at North Carolina State 4-1 (198-68) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Florida State 4-0 (131-46) 0 ART rank: 12-8-13 total: 45
Sat 11/14 at Syracuse 3-1 (131-78) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest 2-3 (115-102) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at South Carolina 2-3 (100-129) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: Clemson plays only one currently ranked team on the rest of their schedule and that’s a rebuilding Florida State at home, where they all remember what happened two years ago and want revenge. They’ve got a real shot at the playoff if they seal the deal and if the reputation of the conference doesn’t hold them back.
LOUISIANA STATE 4-0 (144-86) 35 ART rank: 7-5-6 total: 60
Sat 10/10 at South Carolina 2-3 (100-129) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Florida 5-0 (172-83) 51 ART rank: 11-12-9 total: 46
Sat 10/24 Western Kentucky 4-1 (195-112) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 11/7 at Alabama 4-1 (181-80) 75 ART rank: 8-10-11 total: 49
Sat 11/14 Arkansas 2-3 (129-112) 5 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Mississippi 4-1 (229-115) 30 ART rank: 14-13-16 total: 35
Sat 11/28 Texas A&M 5-0 ((196-105) 50 ART rank: 9-11-9 total: 49
Comments: LSU is good but they seem like a one-dimensional team to me and the teams they have beaten aren’t all that impressive. They aren’t going to survive Florida-Alabama-Mississippi-Texas A&M with their undefeated record intact and I suspect they’ll get that second defeat that would make a playoff impossible somewhere along the way.
OKLAHOMA 4-0 (168-89) 33 ART rank: 10-9-8 total: 51
Sat 10/10 Texas 1-4 (123-191) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Kansas State 3-1 (137-72) 3 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 Texas Tech 3-2 (250-207) 20 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Kansas 0-4 (88-161) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Iowa State 2-2 (109-81) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Baylor 4-0 (255-104) 0 ART rank: 3-4-3 total: 68
Sat 11/21 Texas Christian 5-0 (254-120) 0 ART rank: 2-2-2 total: 72
Sat 11/28 at Oklahoma State 5-0 (191-96) 0 ART rank: 21-19-21 total: 17
Comments: All the Big 12 schedules seem back-loaded: we won’t know anything about these teams until they play each other at the end of the season. The Sooners seem to have the easiest road to 9-0 but then 2 of the 3 season ending games are on the road. Remember that the Big 12 has no title game so if they could win 2 of 3, they could wind up in the playoff.
TEXAS A&M 5-0 ((196-105) 50 ART rank: 9-11-9 total: 49
Bye week
Sat 10/17 Alabama 4-1 (181-80) 75 ART rank: 8-10-11 total: 49
Sat 10/24 at Mississippi 4-1 (229-115) 30 ART rank: 14-13-16 total: 35
Sat 10/31 South Carolina 2-3 (100-129) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Auburn 3-2 (123-127) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 West Carolina 2-2 (95-118) FCS
Sat 11/21 at Vanderbilt 2-3 (106-92) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at Louisiana State 4-0 (144-86) 35 ART rank: 7-5-6 total: 60
Comments: Alabama and Mississippi will tell us what we need to know about the Aggies. Then they have a fairly easy road until they play LSU. But the SEC does have a title game so if they do well, we know there will be one more big challenge ahead before they could make the field in the playoff.
FLORIDA 5-0 (172-83) 51 ART rank: 11-12-9 total: 46
Sat 10/10 at Missouri 4-1 (107-60) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Louisiana State 4-0 (144-86) 35 ART rank: 7-5-6 total: 60
Bye week
Sat 10/31 Georgia 4-1 (192-92) 0 ART rank: 19-16-20 total: 23
Sat 11/7 Vanderbilt 2-3 (106-92) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at South Carolina 2-3 (100-129) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Florida Atlantic 1-3 (96-131) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 Florida State 4-0 (131-46) 0 ART rank: 12-8-13 total: 45
Comments: Are the Gators really back or did they just have a good day against Ole Miss? Is Jim mcElwain the next Steve Spurrier/Urban Meyer or is he more like Ron Zook or Wil Muschamp? The next trhee weeks (at Missouri, at LSU and Georgia), will give us some clues. If they survive that, they’ll be in pretty good shape.
FLORIDA STATE 4-0 (131-46) 0 ART rank: 12-8-13 total: 45
Sat 10/10 Miami 3-1 (148-87) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Louisville 2-3 (137-101) 25 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Georgia Tech 2-3 (207-118) 10 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Syracuse 3-1 (131-78) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Clemson 4-0 (134-59) 22 ART rank: 6-6-5 total: 61
Sat 11/14 North Carolina State 4-1 (198-68) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Chattanooga 3-1 (116-78) FCS
Sat 11/28 at Florida 5-0 (172-83) 51 ART rank: 11-12-9 total: 46
Comments: These are not Jameis Winston’s Noles. They’ll likely be underdogs at both Clemson and Florida. I like them in the rest of the games though and if they get to the ACC title game, I like them there, too. I just don’t think they will.
NORTHWESTERN 5-0 (127-35) 15 ART rank: 13-14-12 total: 39
Sat 10/10 at Michigan 4-1 (139-38) 35 ART rank: 18-21-17 total: 22
Sat 10/17 Iowa 5-0 (161-77) 11 ART rank: 22-23-22 total: 10
Sat 10/24 at Nebraska 2-3 (158-120) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 11/7 Penn State 4-1 (122-79) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Purdue 1-4 (142-164) 21 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Wisconsin 3-2 (137-48) 6 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at Illinois 4-1 (151-89) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: This is an interesting team. Their wins over Stanford and Duke are looking pretty good right now. They don’t’ play Ohio State or Michigan State, (in the regular season, anyway.) If they can survive the trip to Michigan, I’d actually favor them in the rest of their games. But Northwestern traditionally has had a tendency to fade down the stretch because of a lack of depth. And the Big Ten had a title game and Ohio State or the Michigan schools will be waiting for them there. Remember when we thought Wisconsin was pretty good last year?
OKLAHOMA STATE 5-0 (191-96) 0 ART rank: 21-19-21 total: 17
Sat 10/10 at West Virginia 3-1 (154-67) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 10/24 Kansas 0-4 (88-161) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 at Texas Tech 3-2 (250-207) 20 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Texas Christian 5-0 (254-120) 0 ART rank: 2-2-2 total: 72
Sat 11/14 at Iowa State 2-2 (109-81) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Baylor 4-0 (255-104) 0 ART rank: 3-4-3 total: 68
Sat 11/28 Oklahoma 4-0 (168-89) 33 ART rank: 10-9-8 total: 51
Comments: Okie State is another school where you never know if they are for real or not. West Virginia could be a land mine game. Texas Tech is always dangerous. Then comes the TCU-Baylor-Oklahoma gauntlet. I don’t see them in the playoff.
IOWA 5-0 (161-77) 11 ART rank: 22-23-22 total: 11
Sat 10/10 Illinois 4-1 (151-89) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Northwestern 5-0 (127-35) 15 ART rank: 13-14-12 total: 39
Bye week
Sat 10/31 Maryland 2-3 (118-159) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Indiana 4-1 (180-162) 18 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Minnesota 3-2 (77-101) 17 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Purdue 1-4 (142-164) 21 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 at Nebraska 2-3 (158-120) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: The Hawkeyes are kind of sneaking up on people. They don’t’ play Ohio State or either of the Michigan schools in the regular season. Their biggest challenges are trips to Northwestern and Indiana. But then comes the Big Ten title game if they make it that far. I just don’t see them as playoff material.
CALIFORNIA 5-0 ((217-117) 0 ART rank: 23-22-23 total: 10
Sat 10/10 at Utah 5-0 ((217-117) 0 ART rank: 23-22-23 total: 10
Bye week
Thu 10/22 at UCLA 4-1 (174-110) 44 ART rank: 20-20-18 total: 20
Sat 10/31 Southern California 3-1 (178-70) 0 ART ranked: 17-17-18 ttoal: 26
Sat 11/7 at Oregon 3-2 (211-187) 18 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Oregon State 2-2 (92-105) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Stanford 4-1 (175-95) 30 ART rank: 16-18-15 total: 29
Sat 11/28 Arizona State 3-2 (138-134) 34 ART not ranked
Comments: Contenders or pretenders? The Golden Bears have played Grambling, San Diego State, Texas and the Washington schools. Last year they won 4 of their first 5 and then lost 6 of 7. Something similar could happen this year. It’s possible that every team they have yet to play is better than anyone they’ve played so far.
TOLEDO 4-0 (107-52) 12 ART ranked: 24-NR-NR total: 2
Sat 10/10 Kent State 2-3 (104-125) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Eastern Michigan 1-4 (157-197) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Massachusetts 1-3 (88-149) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Tue 11/3 Northern Iowa 2-2 (92-107) FCS not ranked
Tue 11/10 at Central Michigan 2-3 (110-113) 4 ART not ranked
Tue 11/17 at Bowling Green 3-2 (182-190) 0 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Western Michigan 1-3 (105-138) 8 ART not ranked
Comments: Now we come to the teams that are undefeated and ranked and could stay that way for a while but are obviously not going to be in a playoff, although they could be in contention for a new year’s day bowl if they can run the table. Toledo’s chances seem pretty strong. Bowling Green is the only team currently with a winning record on their remaining schedule.
TEMPLE 4-0 (123-62) 0 ART rank: NR-NR-25 total: 1
Sat 10/10 Tulane 2-2 (100-140) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Central Florida 0-5 (81-138) 0 ART not ranked
Thu 10/22 at East Carolina 3-2 (157-147) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Notre Dame 4-1 (186-103) 32 ART rank: 15-15-14 total: 34
Fri 11/6 at Southern Methodist 1-4 (157-222) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at South Florida 1-3 (99-96) ) ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Memphis 5-0 (239-134) 0 ART rank: NR-25-NR total: 1
Sat 11/28 Connecticut 2-3 (79-99) 1 ART not ranked
Comments: Did you know that temple’s win over Penn State is the only game the Nittanys have lost? This is a good team but with major hurdles in Notre Dame and later Memphis. Other than that, smooth sailing.
HOUSTON 4-0 (183-93) 0 ART rank: NR-NR-25 total: 1
Thu 11/ 8 Southern Methodist 1-4 (157-222) 4 ART not ranked
Fri 10/16 at Tulane 2-2 (100-140) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Central Michigan 2-3 (110-113) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Vanderbilt 2-3 (106-92) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Cincinnati 3-2 (195-153) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Memphis 5-0 (239-134) 0 ART rank: NR-25-NR total: 1
Sat 11/21 at Connecticut 2-3 (79-99) 1 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Navy 4-0 (154-60) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: Same deal here, only the hurdles are Memphis and Navy. If they get by them, They’ll like play Temple ion the conference title game.
MEMPHIS 5-0 (239-134) 0 ART rank: NR-25-NR total: 1
Bye week
Sat 10/17 Mississippi 4-1 (229-115) rank: 14-13-16 total: 35
Fri 10/23 at Tulsa 2-2 (149-155) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Tulane 2-2 (100-140) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Navy 4-0 (154-60) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Houston 4-0 (183-93) 0 ART rank: NR-NR-25 total: 1
Sat 11/21 at Temple 4-0 (123-62) 0 ART rank: NR-NR-25 total: 1
Sat 11/28 Southern Methodist 1-4 (157-222) 4 ART not ranked
Comments: The Tigers have a big challenge- and opportunity- when they host Ole Miss on 10/17. Then they play all three of their conference’s unbeaten teams. If they get though that unscathed, there’s the conference title game. If they still have the goose egg at the end of their record…they still won’t make the national championship playoff.
Undefeated but as yet unranked: Navy 4-0
Ranked one loss teams: Alabama 4-1, Mississippi 4-1, Notre Dame 4-1, Georgia 4-1, Stanford 4-1, Southern California 3-1, Michigan 4-1, UCLA 4-1, Boise State 4-1
Top non-power conference teams, (in contention for the Joe Pesci Bowl: we’re not big but don’t’ mess with us!), Memphis 5-0, Temple 5-0, Houston 4-0, Navy 4-0, Toledo 4-0, Boise State 4-1, Georgia Southern 4-1, Marshall 4-1, Ohio U. 4-1, Western Kentucky 4-1
Winless teams, (trying to avoid the Tydee Bowl): Central Florida 0-5, Kansas 0-4, North Texas 0-4, Wyoming 0-5, New Mexico State 0-4
A note on rankings: the first is the ranking of the AP (writer’s) poll, then the USA Today (coach’s) poll the ESPN power ranking and finally College Football Playoff Committee, (which won’t start until November). The total is based on a 25 points for 1st, 24 for 2nd, etc. system. They are listed in order of that total. (Shortcut- if they are ranked in all the polls: add the rankings and subtract from 78 or 104 once the committee joins in.)
I’ll also include the team’s points “Against Ranked Teams” from my latest post of that title, their won-lost record and their points for and against. I’ll supply the same info in the same format for each future opponent.
OHIO STATE 5-0 (172-76) 0 points against ranked teams (ART) rank: 1-1-4 total: 72
Sat 10/10 Maryland 2-3 (118-159) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Penn State 4-1 (122-79) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/14 at Rutgers 2-2 (127-92) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 11/7 Minnesota 3-2 (77-101) 17 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Illinois 4-1 (151-89) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Michigan State 5-0 (157-104) 22 ART rank: 4-3-7 total: 64
Sat 11/28 at Michigan 4-1 (139-38) 35 ART rank: 18-21-17 total: 22
Comments: The Buckeyes may be in the post-championship doldrums and they may have made the wrong decision at quarterback but they don’t face a currently ranked team until they close with the Michigan schools in late November. I have a feeling Urban Meyer will have it figured out by then.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN 5-0 (254-120) 0 ART rank: 2-2-2 total: 72
Sat 10/10 at Kansas State 3-1 (137-72) 3 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Iowa State 2-2 (109-81) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Thu 10/29 West Virginia 3-1 (154-67) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Oklahoma State 5-0 (191-96) 0 ART rank: 21-19-21 total: 17
Sat 11/14 Kansas 0-4 (88-161) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma 4-0 (168-89) 33 ART rank: 10-9-8 total: 51
Fri 11/27 Baylor 4-0 (255-104) 0 ART rank: 3-4-3 total: 68
Comments: K-State can’t be looked past but I have a feeling the Frogs will be gulping down opponents at least until they play the Oklahoma schools, (both on the road), and that season ending battle with Baylor, a rematch of last year’s game of the year will be must-see viewing.
BAYLOR 4-0 (255-104) 0 ART rank: 3-4-3 total: 68
Sat 10/10 at Kansas 0-4 (88-161) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 West Virginia 3-1 (154-67) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 Iowa State 2-2 (109-81) 0 ART not ranked
Bye Week
Thu 11/5 at Kansas State 3-1 (137-72) 3 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Oklahoma 4-0 (168-89) 33 ART rank: 10-9-8 total: 51
Sat 11/21 at Oklahoma State5-0 (191-96) 0 ART rank: 21-19-21 total: 17
Fri 11/27 at Texas Christian 5-0 (254-120) 0 ART rank: 2-2-2 total: 72
Comments: Basically the same thing here as in the TCU comment. They get one of the Oklahoma schools at home but have to travel to TCU.
UTAH 4-0 (155-75) 55 ART rank: 5-7-1 total: 65
Sat 10/10 California 5-0 ((217-117) 0 ART rank: 23-22-23 total: 10
Sat 10/17 Arizona State 3-2 (138-134) 34 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Southern California 3-1 (178-70) 0 ART rank: 17-17-18 total: 26
Sat 10/31 Oregon State 2-2 (92-105) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Washington 2-2 (117-63) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Arizona 3-2 (210-176) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 UCLA 4-1 (174-110) 44 ART rank: 20-20-18 total: 20
Sat 11/28 Colorado 3-2 (167-107) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: The Pac 10 is the best conference in country, top to bottom right now. Every team’s schedule is a minefield. Arizona State is a prime example. They were aweful against USC (14-42) and came back to whip UCLA, (38-23) the very next week. Every team is dangerous like that. They’ll all take a bit out of each other before it’s done. Anybody who emerges from this with just one wound will be in the playoff. Could that be Utah? Stay tuned.
MICHIGAN STATE 5-0 (157-104) 22 ART rank: 4-3-7 total: 64
Sat 10/10 at Rutgers 2-2 (127-92) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Michigan 4-1 (139-38) 35 ART rank: 18-21-17 total: 22
Sat 10/24 Indiana 4-1 (180-162) 18 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 11/7 at Nebraska 2-3 (158-120) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Maryland 2-3 (118-159) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Ohio State 5-0 (172-76) 0 ART rank: 1-1-4 total: 72
Sat 11/28 Penn State 4-1 (122-79) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: The Spartans are highly ranked but did not look very good against Purdue and their signature win over Oregon doesn’t look so awesome any more. Jim Harbaugh is coaching Miracle-Gro and Michigan fans are sick of losing to the Spartans, (6 times in 7 years). That trip to Ohio State could be unpleasant, as well. The Spartans have to win one of those to make the playoff.
CLEMSON 4-0 (134-59) 22 ART rank: 6-6-5 total: 61
Sat 10/10 Georgia Tech 2-3 (207-118) 10 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Boston College 3-2 (124-40) 3 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Miami 3-1 (148-87) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 at North Carolina State 4-1 (198-68) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Florida State 4-0 (131-46) 0 ART rank: 12-8-13 total: 45
Sat 11/14 at Syracuse 3-1 (131-78) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest 2-3 (115-102) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at South Carolina 2-3 (100-129) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: Clemson plays only one currently ranked team on the rest of their schedule and that’s a rebuilding Florida State at home, where they all remember what happened two years ago and want revenge. They’ve got a real shot at the playoff if they seal the deal and if the reputation of the conference doesn’t hold them back.
LOUISIANA STATE 4-0 (144-86) 35 ART rank: 7-5-6 total: 60
Sat 10/10 at South Carolina 2-3 (100-129) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Florida 5-0 (172-83) 51 ART rank: 11-12-9 total: 46
Sat 10/24 Western Kentucky 4-1 (195-112) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 11/7 at Alabama 4-1 (181-80) 75 ART rank: 8-10-11 total: 49
Sat 11/14 Arkansas 2-3 (129-112) 5 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Mississippi 4-1 (229-115) 30 ART rank: 14-13-16 total: 35
Sat 11/28 Texas A&M 5-0 ((196-105) 50 ART rank: 9-11-9 total: 49
Comments: LSU is good but they seem like a one-dimensional team to me and the teams they have beaten aren’t all that impressive. They aren’t going to survive Florida-Alabama-Mississippi-Texas A&M with their undefeated record intact and I suspect they’ll get that second defeat that would make a playoff impossible somewhere along the way.
OKLAHOMA 4-0 (168-89) 33 ART rank: 10-9-8 total: 51
Sat 10/10 Texas 1-4 (123-191) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Kansas State 3-1 (137-72) 3 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 Texas Tech 3-2 (250-207) 20 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Kansas 0-4 (88-161) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Iowa State 2-2 (109-81) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Baylor 4-0 (255-104) 0 ART rank: 3-4-3 total: 68
Sat 11/21 Texas Christian 5-0 (254-120) 0 ART rank: 2-2-2 total: 72
Sat 11/28 at Oklahoma State 5-0 (191-96) 0 ART rank: 21-19-21 total: 17
Comments: All the Big 12 schedules seem back-loaded: we won’t know anything about these teams until they play each other at the end of the season. The Sooners seem to have the easiest road to 9-0 but then 2 of the 3 season ending games are on the road. Remember that the Big 12 has no title game so if they could win 2 of 3, they could wind up in the playoff.
TEXAS A&M 5-0 ((196-105) 50 ART rank: 9-11-9 total: 49
Bye week
Sat 10/17 Alabama 4-1 (181-80) 75 ART rank: 8-10-11 total: 49
Sat 10/24 at Mississippi 4-1 (229-115) 30 ART rank: 14-13-16 total: 35
Sat 10/31 South Carolina 2-3 (100-129) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Auburn 3-2 (123-127) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 West Carolina 2-2 (95-118) FCS
Sat 11/21 at Vanderbilt 2-3 (106-92) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at Louisiana State 4-0 (144-86) 35 ART rank: 7-5-6 total: 60
Comments: Alabama and Mississippi will tell us what we need to know about the Aggies. Then they have a fairly easy road until they play LSU. But the SEC does have a title game so if they do well, we know there will be one more big challenge ahead before they could make the field in the playoff.
FLORIDA 5-0 (172-83) 51 ART rank: 11-12-9 total: 46
Sat 10/10 at Missouri 4-1 (107-60) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Louisiana State 4-0 (144-86) 35 ART rank: 7-5-6 total: 60
Bye week
Sat 10/31 Georgia 4-1 (192-92) 0 ART rank: 19-16-20 total: 23
Sat 11/7 Vanderbilt 2-3 (106-92) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at South Carolina 2-3 (100-129) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Florida Atlantic 1-3 (96-131) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 Florida State 4-0 (131-46) 0 ART rank: 12-8-13 total: 45
Comments: Are the Gators really back or did they just have a good day against Ole Miss? Is Jim mcElwain the next Steve Spurrier/Urban Meyer or is he more like Ron Zook or Wil Muschamp? The next trhee weeks (at Missouri, at LSU and Georgia), will give us some clues. If they survive that, they’ll be in pretty good shape.
FLORIDA STATE 4-0 (131-46) 0 ART rank: 12-8-13 total: 45
Sat 10/10 Miami 3-1 (148-87) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Louisville 2-3 (137-101) 25 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Georgia Tech 2-3 (207-118) 10 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Syracuse 3-1 (131-78) 8 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Clemson 4-0 (134-59) 22 ART rank: 6-6-5 total: 61
Sat 11/14 North Carolina State 4-1 (198-68) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Chattanooga 3-1 (116-78) FCS
Sat 11/28 at Florida 5-0 (172-83) 51 ART rank: 11-12-9 total: 46
Comments: These are not Jameis Winston’s Noles. They’ll likely be underdogs at both Clemson and Florida. I like them in the rest of the games though and if they get to the ACC title game, I like them there, too. I just don’t think they will.
NORTHWESTERN 5-0 (127-35) 15 ART rank: 13-14-12 total: 39
Sat 10/10 at Michigan 4-1 (139-38) 35 ART rank: 18-21-17 total: 22
Sat 10/17 Iowa 5-0 (161-77) 11 ART rank: 22-23-22 total: 10
Sat 10/24 at Nebraska 2-3 (158-120) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 11/7 Penn State 4-1 (122-79) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Purdue 1-4 (142-164) 21 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Wisconsin 3-2 (137-48) 6 ART not ranked
Sat 11/28 at Illinois 4-1 (151-89) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: This is an interesting team. Their wins over Stanford and Duke are looking pretty good right now. They don’t’ play Ohio State or Michigan State, (in the regular season, anyway.) If they can survive the trip to Michigan, I’d actually favor them in the rest of their games. But Northwestern traditionally has had a tendency to fade down the stretch because of a lack of depth. And the Big Ten had a title game and Ohio State or the Michigan schools will be waiting for them there. Remember when we thought Wisconsin was pretty good last year?
OKLAHOMA STATE 5-0 (191-96) 0 ART rank: 21-19-21 total: 17
Sat 10/10 at West Virginia 3-1 (154-67) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Sat 10/24 Kansas 0-4 (88-161) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 at Texas Tech 3-2 (250-207) 20 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Texas Christian 5-0 (254-120) 0 ART rank: 2-2-2 total: 72
Sat 11/14 at Iowa State 2-2 (109-81) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Baylor 4-0 (255-104) 0 ART rank: 3-4-3 total: 68
Sat 11/28 Oklahoma 4-0 (168-89) 33 ART rank: 10-9-8 total: 51
Comments: Okie State is another school where you never know if they are for real or not. West Virginia could be a land mine game. Texas Tech is always dangerous. Then comes the TCU-Baylor-Oklahoma gauntlet. I don’t see them in the playoff.
IOWA 5-0 (161-77) 11 ART rank: 22-23-22 total: 11
Sat 10/10 Illinois 4-1 (151-89) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 at Northwestern 5-0 (127-35) 15 ART rank: 13-14-12 total: 39
Bye week
Sat 10/31 Maryland 2-3 (118-159) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 at Indiana 4-1 (180-162) 18 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Minnesota 3-2 (77-101) 17 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Purdue 1-4 (142-164) 21 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 at Nebraska 2-3 (158-120) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: The Hawkeyes are kind of sneaking up on people. They don’t’ play Ohio State or either of the Michigan schools in the regular season. Their biggest challenges are trips to Northwestern and Indiana. But then comes the Big Ten title game if they make it that far. I just don’t see them as playoff material.
CALIFORNIA 5-0 ((217-117) 0 ART rank: 23-22-23 total: 10
Sat 10/10 at Utah 5-0 ((217-117) 0 ART rank: 23-22-23 total: 10
Bye week
Thu 10/22 at UCLA 4-1 (174-110) 44 ART rank: 20-20-18 total: 20
Sat 10/31 Southern California 3-1 (178-70) 0 ART ranked: 17-17-18 ttoal: 26
Sat 11/7 at Oregon 3-2 (211-187) 18 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Oregon State 2-2 (92-105) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 at Stanford 4-1 (175-95) 30 ART rank: 16-18-15 total: 29
Sat 11/28 Arizona State 3-2 (138-134) 34 ART not ranked
Comments: Contenders or pretenders? The Golden Bears have played Grambling, San Diego State, Texas and the Washington schools. Last year they won 4 of their first 5 and then lost 6 of 7. Something similar could happen this year. It’s possible that every team they have yet to play is better than anyone they’ve played so far.
TOLEDO 4-0 (107-52) 12 ART ranked: 24-NR-NR total: 2
Sat 10/10 Kent State 2-3 (104-125) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Eastern Michigan 1-4 (157-197) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Massachusetts 1-3 (88-149) 0 ART not ranked
Bye week
Tue 11/3 Northern Iowa 2-2 (92-107) FCS not ranked
Tue 11/10 at Central Michigan 2-3 (110-113) 4 ART not ranked
Tue 11/17 at Bowling Green 3-2 (182-190) 0 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Western Michigan 1-3 (105-138) 8 ART not ranked
Comments: Now we come to the teams that are undefeated and ranked and could stay that way for a while but are obviously not going to be in a playoff, although they could be in contention for a new year’s day bowl if they can run the table. Toledo’s chances seem pretty strong. Bowling Green is the only team currently with a winning record on their remaining schedule.
TEMPLE 4-0 (123-62) 0 ART rank: NR-NR-25 total: 1
Sat 10/10 Tulane 2-2 (100-140) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/17 Central Florida 0-5 (81-138) 0 ART not ranked
Thu 10/22 at East Carolina 3-2 (157-147) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Notre Dame 4-1 (186-103) 32 ART rank: 15-15-14 total: 34
Fri 11/6 at Southern Methodist 1-4 (157-222) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at South Florida 1-3 (99-96) ) ART not ranked
Sat 11/21 Memphis 5-0 (239-134) 0 ART rank: NR-25-NR total: 1
Sat 11/28 Connecticut 2-3 (79-99) 1 ART not ranked
Comments: Did you know that temple’s win over Penn State is the only game the Nittanys have lost? This is a good team but with major hurdles in Notre Dame and later Memphis. Other than that, smooth sailing.
HOUSTON 4-0 (183-93) 0 ART rank: NR-NR-25 total: 1
Thu 11/ 8 Southern Methodist 1-4 (157-222) 4 ART not ranked
Fri 10/16 at Tulane 2-2 (100-140) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/24 at Central Michigan 2-3 (110-113) 4 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Vanderbilt 2-3 (106-92) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Cincinnati 3-2 (195-153) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 Memphis 5-0 (239-134) 0 ART rank: NR-25-NR total: 1
Sat 11/21 at Connecticut 2-3 (79-99) 1 ART not ranked
Fri 11/27 Navy 4-0 (154-60) 0 ART not ranked
Comments: Same deal here, only the hurdles are Memphis and Navy. If they get by them, They’ll like play Temple ion the conference title game.
MEMPHIS 5-0 (239-134) 0 ART rank: NR-25-NR total: 1
Bye week
Sat 10/17 Mississippi 4-1 (229-115) rank: 14-13-16 total: 35
Fri 10/23 at Tulsa 2-2 (149-155) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 10/31 Tulane 2-2 (100-140) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/7 Navy 4-0 (154-60) 0 ART not ranked
Sat 11/14 at Houston 4-0 (183-93) 0 ART rank: NR-NR-25 total: 1
Sat 11/21 at Temple 4-0 (123-62) 0 ART rank: NR-NR-25 total: 1
Sat 11/28 Southern Methodist 1-4 (157-222) 4 ART not ranked
Comments: The Tigers have a big challenge- and opportunity- when they host Ole Miss on 10/17. Then they play all three of their conference’s unbeaten teams. If they get though that unscathed, there’s the conference title game. If they still have the goose egg at the end of their record…they still won’t make the national championship playoff.
Undefeated but as yet unranked: Navy 4-0
Ranked one loss teams: Alabama 4-1, Mississippi 4-1, Notre Dame 4-1, Georgia 4-1, Stanford 4-1, Southern California 3-1, Michigan 4-1, UCLA 4-1, Boise State 4-1
Top non-power conference teams, (in contention for the Joe Pesci Bowl: we’re not big but don’t’ mess with us!), Memphis 5-0, Temple 5-0, Houston 4-0, Navy 4-0, Toledo 4-0, Boise State 4-1, Georgia Southern 4-1, Marshall 4-1, Ohio U. 4-1, Western Kentucky 4-1
Winless teams, (trying to avoid the Tydee Bowl): Central Florida 0-5, Kansas 0-4, North Texas 0-4, Wyoming 0-5, New Mexico State 0-4