CFP Reaction: Three clubs that have the potential to shock the current standings.
Not much has changed in the most recent College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, which are available here. The top eight teams from the previous week are the same eight this week, and they are the same from No. 3 through No. 7. Georgia and Ohio State have switched places at No. 1 and No. 2, however.
The new top-10 is as follows: Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, and Louisville. Ole Miss and Penn State have been formally removed from the running.
Nine of the ten teams are in the running for the CFP, but only eight have a real chance of winning it. I apologize to Louisville, but a three-point loss to Pittsburgh cannot be made up for, not even by winning the ACC Championship and going 13-1 against Florida State. Louisville, though, belongs to an intriguing group of clubs. Teams not among the real contenders but nonetheless able to influence and mold the postseason landscape.
We went over my evaluation of the nation’s best teams last week, and since the top teams’ rankings haven’t altered all that much, it’s time to take a closer look at those teams that have the potential to upset the status quo over the next three weeks.
Among the surprises of the college football season, the Beavers have the chance to leave this one in history. Oregon State is currently ranked third in the Pac-12, behind Washington and Oregon. Luckily for the Beavers, Oregon State will be hosting both teams for the upcoming two weekends.
First up, Washington visits Corvallis for a match that has Oregon State unexpectedly favored. The committee will probably prefer a one-loss Texas team, or perhaps a one-loss SEC or Big Ten squad, given multiple close calls this season. Nevertheless, if Oregon State wins, the Huskies will still have a chance to qualify for the postseason with some assistance.
After the Washington game, the Beavers will play their last game in the Civil War against Oregon before the Ducks head to the Big Ten. This is Oregon State’s chance to remove its most formidable opponent from the running for their last scheduled match.
No. 10 Louisville (9-1)
Louisville will play Florida State in the ACC Championship assuming the Cardinals can handle business against Miami and Kentucky. However, this is not a given. Louisville is still in the running, as we previously mentioned, but it would take extraordinary chaos to surpass it. But Louisville can further its own cause by bringing in a little chaos of its own.
Like Washington, Florida State has flown near to the sun multiple times this season without getting scorched. But for a Seminoles club that has trouble beating opponents with strong rushing games, the clock may finally run out against the Cardinals.
Despite being outgained 457โ350, Florida State managed to win by two points against Boston College earlier in the season. The Seminoles were exposed to the pass because they had to commit more resources to containing the Eagles’ running game. In that game, BC’s passing offense, which is ranked No. 103, threw for nearly 300 yards. To put that into perspective, Michigan State and Indiana are ranked Nos. 93 and No. 83 in passing offense, respectively.
This game is ideal against Louisville and head coach Jeff Brohm, who created the modern-day Purdue nickname “Spoilermaker.” Louisville is a powerful, well-balanced team that is just as skilled in the air as it is on the ground. The Cardinals are ranked No. 10 in the country for defense.
If it weren’t for a single mistake against Pitt, this team would be heavily debated. However, why would the Cardinals turn out the opportunity to play spoiler, especially if they have the longest odds of qualifying for the CFP?
This weekend, the Cyclones will welcome Texas to Ames in an attempt to cause some pandemonium on Senior Day. With one more loss, the Big 12 would be formally eliminated, leaving Texas as the only club in the conference with a playoff chance. In addition to possibly leaving five teams knotted at 6-2 in the league standings, a victory by Iowa State would terminate the Longhorns’ final season in the Big 12.
Of the three spoiler teams named, Iowa State is by far the worst, but the Cyclones have a history of conjuring some late November magic. The 5-4 Cyclones welcomed an unbeaten Oklahoma State squad to Ames twelve years ago. In double overtime, Iowa State pulled off the upset, knocking the Cowboys out of the running for the BCS National Championship.