What an action-packed weekend of college football we just experienced. There were field stormings, upsets and utter domination from some of America’s top team teams. We saw the No. 1 team in the country, the Alabama Crimson Tide, lose shockingly to the Vanderbilt Commodores 40-35, where the students ripped down the goalposts and threw them in the river. Additionally, seven other ranked teams lost this past weekend. That being said, there has been a lot of movement in my College Football Playoff predictions this week.
1. Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns didn’t play this past week, so they’re one of the only SEC teams that didn't hurt themselves this week. This week is rivalry week for the Longhorns. The Longhorn's lone loss in the 2023 regular season came at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry. This week, the new No. 1 team in the nation gets its quarterback Quinn Ewers back after injury. Before his injury, Ewers had a dominant start to the year. Ewers and the rest of the Longhorn squad look to bounce back after last year's heartbreaking loss.
Key Matchup
Quinn Ewers vs Oklahoma DBs
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes had a dominant game on Saturday against Iowa. The box score might not look like it, but the Buckeyes controlled the game offensively, defensively, and on special teams. In the second half, the Buckeyes looked unbeatable on offense, combining Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, Will Howard, and, to top it all off, Jeremiah Smith, a dangerous offense to try and contain. The Buckeyes have their hardest test to date when they travel to Eugene, Oregon, to take on the No. 3 team in the nation, the Oregon Ducks.
Key Matchup
Jeremiah Smith vs Everyone
3. Clemson Tigers
Dabo Swinney has himself a football team. While the box score of that game might not show it similarly to the Ohio State game, the Tigers dominated almost every facet of their game against Florida State. Cade Klubnik is a man on a mission in his third year under center for Clemson and has completely revitalized this team since the week one stomping against Georgia. Clemson is my new favorite in the ACC due to the fact that I think they are more consistent then Miami. The Tigers travel to Wake Forest this Saturday in what should be a fun game for my new ACC favorite.
Key Matchup
Phil Mafah vs Wake Forest DL
4. Iowa State Cyclones
I am hopping on the Cyclone hype train. I have no idea where it’s going, and I have no idea what team from the Big 12 has set itself apart from the others. Matt Campbell has the Cyclones rolling and has had his best start since the Brock Purdy-led 2020 team. The Big 12 is still fully wide open; however, this week, I feel that my pick for the Big 12 champion will stay consistent moving into next week. On Saturday, the Cyclones will travel to Morgantown, West Virginia, to take on the mountaineers.
Key Matchup
Iowa State DL vs. CJ Donaldson Jr.
5. Oregon Ducks
Dillon Gabriel put himself in the Heisman conversation on Friday night when the Ducks picked up a big win at home against Michigan State. However, no game is as significant in the Big Ten as this week's matchup in Autzen Stadium when the Ohio State Buckeyes come into town. Recently, the ducks have started playing complete games. They need to play their most complete game on Saturday if they want to take control of the Big Ten conference. The Ducks offensively are going up against the nation's No. 1 defense, which has only given up, on average, 202 yards per game. A major key to this game for the Ducks will be forcing turnovers and causing chaos for the Buckeyes. It should be an exciting matchup as both teams Look to be playing their best football before this big conference game.
Key Matchup
Oregon DBs vs Jeremiah Smith
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
James Franklin’s Nittany Lions are playing great football at the moment. While the majority of the eyes are on Ohio State vs. Oregon for the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions have something special brewing in Happy Valley. Abdul Carter and Jaylen Reed lead the team defensively. While on offense, the Nittany Lions have found their groove with Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, and Drew Allar under center. The Nittany Lions travel to the Coliseum this week to take on the USC Trojans.
Key Matchup
Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton vs USC DL
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
This week was a week to forget for Alabama. For the Crimson Tide, the hangover was real, and so was the loss against Vanderbilt. Definitely stings. The state of the Alabama defense means that Jalen Milroe and the Offense have to put up 40+ points per game. This will be challenging as they move into the bulk of their conference play. This won’t be the first time Alabama is in a shootout in the SEC. The Tide needs to play like a complete team, and so does Milroe. The turnovers, penalties, and sacks killed the Tide this week, and more improvement is needed as the Tide host South Carolina this week.
Key Matchup
Jalen Milroe vs Dylan Stewart
8. Georgia Bulldogs
Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs were in a one-score game in the third quarter for the third straight game. Ultimately, the Dawgs were too talented for the Auburn Tigers and pulled away in the fourth quarter. This season has been a little bit different for the Bulldogs. After losing to Alabama two weeks ago, I expected to see more urgency from the Dawgs in the first half. Regardless, this Georgia team is wildly talented and has the potential to be National Champions for the third time under Kirby Smart. Georgia hosts the Mississippi State Bulldogs in what could be a tune-up game before traveling to Austin to face Texas.
Key Matchup
Trevor Etienne vs Mississippi State DL
9. Tennessee Volunteers
What an ugly loss for the Volunteers. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava didn’t look good and didn’t add much for Josh Heupel’s squad. The one bright spot for the Volunteers was Dylan Sampson, who rushed for 136 yards and added two touchdowns. Other than that, this game was messy. The Arkansas Razorbacks controlled the time of possession by nearly 11 minutes. It is hard to win a football game when you don’t have the ball, and the Volunteers had no answer for the Razorbacks down the stretch. The Volunteers host the struggling Florida Gators in what should be a game to get the season back on track before hosting Alabama.
Key Matchup
Dylan Sampson vs Florida DL
10. Miami Hurricanes
When I look at this year's Miami Hurricanes, all I see is a carbon copy of the 2023 Florida State team. The one exception is Cam Ward, who is playing at a Heisman level. The past two weeks have been the narrowest of victories for the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes may be one of the best teams in the ACC. However, Clemson jumped them because they aren’t a consistent football team. If I were Mario Cristobal, I would need to see a complete game from my team in two weeks, or else I would be concerned about the latter half of the schedule.
Key Matchup
IDLE
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
It is do or die for Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish. They are favored in every single game they have left on their schedule. However, one loss completely knocks them out of contention for the College Football Playoff. The week one win against Texas A&M looks really good for Riley Leonard and the Irish. This week, the Irish host Stanford in a game that should be a win for the Irish.
Key Matchup
Ben Morrison vs Elic Ayomanor
12. Boise State Broncos
The Boise State Broncos have a STAR in Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty is on pace to break multiple Division One records, such as rushing yards and touchdowns in a season. The Broncos are catching the eye of the college football world all because of one man, Ashton Jeanty. The team as a whole has played outstanding and matches up better with the field than any other group of five team. The Broncos travel to the Aloha state where they will take on Hawaii.
Key Matchup
Ashton Jeanty vs Hawaii’s Defense
Bubble
Indiana Hoosiers
On Saturday, the Hoosiers defeated Northwestern to become the first team in Division I football to become bowl-eligible. Curt Cignetti has the hype train ready for the Hoosiers homecoming matchup with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Kurtis Rourke has been a man on a mission and catapulted himself and the Hoosiers to a whole new level offensively. The Hoosiers return to action next week when Nebraska comes to town.
Key Matchup
IDLE
Ole Miss Rebels
Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss Rebels had a big bounce-back win this past week when they went on the road and trounced the South Carolina Gamecocks. After a bad loss two weeks ago, the Rebel’s defense shut down the Gamecocks as they only allowed three points the entire game. The Rebels have a favorable schedule in the SEC but will travel to Death Valley this week for a must-win game against LSU.
Key Matchup
Jaxson Dart vs LSU DBs
Texas A&M Aggies
The Aggies had a statement win on Saturday when they shockingly demolished Mizzou. Conner Weigman made his return to the field after injury and boosted Mike Elko's squad. Even Le’Veon Moss added three touchdowns for the Aggie offense. They have this week off as they prepare for the rest of their season.
Key Matchup
IDLE
BYU Cougars
The Cougars are one of two undefeated teams left in the conference. This past week, the Cougars traveled to Waco, Texas, and narrowly beat the Baylor Bears. I am still unsure who the eventual champion will be out of the Big 12, but I think BYU can make a run for the conference title. They host Noah Fifita and the Arizona Wildcats this week in a game with large Big 12 implications.
Key Matchup
BYU DB’s vs Tetairoa McMillan
Liberty Flames
Jamey Chadwell has done an excellent job in his two seasons as Liberty’s head coach. The Flames are undefeated and have the potential to contend for the Group of Five bid for this years College Football Playoffs. With Kaidon Salter at the helm the Flames are in a good position to contend and win the Conference USA championship. They don't play this week but have a matchup with Kennesaw state on Oct. 23.
Key Matchup
IDLE
Elms' Essentials: Week 12
