What an exciting week of college football. If this weekend didn’t get you hooked on the sport, I don’t know what will. As college football fans, we are spoiled to have witnessed the theatrics of this season for four straight weeks. One point separated the top two teams in the Big Ten in Eugene, Oregon. This week, some new faces will join the list and could be poised to make some big runs as we cross over the halfway point of the season. I think we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg of this incredible college football season.
1. Texas Longhorns
This year’s Red River Rivalry was rather disappointing. It missed the flare and theatrics of past years. However, the Texas Longhorns took care of business and remained the number one team in this week's poll. Quinn Ewers had a rough start to the game, as he showed some rust after missing the Longhorn's previous two games. The Longhorns host the Georgia Bulldogs in one of this year’s most highly anticipated matchups.
Key Matchup
Texas LBs vs Carson Beck
2. Oregon Ducks
Dillon Gabriel catapulted himself fully into the Heisman race on Saturday night. The Ducks were more physical and strong on both sides of the ball than the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Ducks played a more complete game than the Buckeyes. While Ohio State controlled the time of possession in the game, the Ducks were still able to force two turnovers, which eventually became the difference maker in this game. This game leaves me no doubt that Oregon and Ohio State will see each other again at some point in the season. The Ducks make a cross-country trip to Purdue on Friday but don’t count out the Boilermakers, as Purdue has 17 wins all-time against top-five teams, which is the most in NCAA history.
Key Matchup
Oregon vs. Purdue against the top 2 teams
3. Clemson Tigers
To say I’m impressed with Clemson is an understatement. Cade Klubnik and the Tigers' offense have continued to shock the doubters, catapulting themselves into a top-10 scoring offense in recent weeks. Defensively, this team is hitting its strides, having not given up more than two touchdowns in the past three games. I still see Clemson as the favorite to win the ACC, as the Tigers have been consistently dominant in the conference since Dabo Swinney was hired in 2008. The Tigers will host the Virginia Cavaliers this Saturday.
Key Matchup
Cade Klubnik vs. Virginia D-Line
4. Iowa State Cyclones
Matt Campbell's team is playing its best football of the season. However, the Big 12 still has seen little to no separation between the top teams. I believe Iowa State is the favorite to win the conference right now simply due to the defense through six games this year. The Cyclones have yet to give up more than three touchdowns. This week is challenging for the Cyclones as the UCF Knights come to town in a Big 12 matchup.
Key Matchup
Iowa State LBs vs. RJ Harvey
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State’s season is not over. The Buckeyes made plenty of mistakes on Saturday night, but they still only lost by one point to a very good Oregon football team. However, Jim Knowles needs to get a handle on Ohio State's defense. Denzel Burke came into the game as one of the nation's top cornerbacks and left the game as an embarrassment for Ohio State. I expect the Buckeyes to rebound in two weeks' time and still think they have the talent to contend for a National Title.
Key Matchup
IDLE
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions showed no quit as they took down the USC Trojans this past Saturday. However, James Franklin’s team showed some glaring issues throughout the game. The Nittany Lions were playing catch-up the entire game and felt slow getting off of the line of scrimmage. James Franklin’s team has a necessary break as Drew Allar and the rest of the team will rest before the Nittany Lion's hectic back half of the season.
Key Matchup
IDLE
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama still has some serious problems. I am still giving Alabama the edge over Georgia for this position because I value the head-to-head matchup. Like other football fans, I figured that after the Vanderbilt upset, Alabama would look like a changed team. That was not the case on Saturday, as South Carolina had Alabama against the ropes. This week isn’t getting any easier as the Tide travels into Neyland Stadium to take on the struggling Tennessee Volunteers.
Key Matchup
Ryan Williams vs Tennesee’s DBs
8. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia has quite the task this week. The Bulldogs will travel to Austin, Texas, to take on the number-one team in the country. Over the past three years, it hasn’t been often where we don’t refer to Georgia as the best team in the nation, but this week’s game is a stand-out game on this week's college football slate. The Bulldogs have been on quite the slide over the past few weeks. They haven’t looked dominant since their Week 2 matchup against Tennessee Tech. For Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, this is a must-win game.
Key Matchup
Georgia OL vs Texas DL
9. Miami Hurricanes
Cam Ward has the Hurricanes rolling at an undefeated record and atop the ACC. Unlike most, I am not sold on the Hurricanes. Mario Cristobal’s squad has narrowly beaten Virginia Tech and California by one score. Those are teams that the conference leader should be able to handle with no questions asked. I think Louisville could be a force to be reckoned with this Saturday.
Key Matchup
Miami DBs vs Ja’Corey Brooks
10. LSU Tigers
Brian Kelly’s squad just won’t go away. The Oregon-Ohio State game overshadowed the scene on Saturday night in Death Valley. Garrett Nussmeier has been phenomenal for the Tigers under center. Even LSU’s defense, which struggled against USC in week one, showed up and played an excellent game against Ole Miss. The Tigers will travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to take on a very good Razorback team.
Key Matchup
LSU DL vs Taylen Green
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Fighting Irish finally have their first exciting matchup since Week 1 when they traveled to Texas A&M. This week, the Irish will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Irish are playing their best football recently and still control their own destiny if they win out. While the Northern Illinois loss still looks bad it’s in the rearview for this Irish team.
Key Matchup
Notre Dame DL vs Haynes King
12. Boise State Broncos
It’s the Ashton Jeanty show in Boise, Idaho. The displays that the Broncos have been having have been nothing short of incredible. Jeanty's currently on pace to etch his name in the record books. I don’t see a Group of 5 team right now that has as much momentum, star power or cohesiveness as the Boise State Broncos. They will return to action next Friday against UNLV.
Key Matchup
IDLE
Bubble
Indiana Hoosiers
Curt Cignetti’s team faces its first real Big Ten foe this Saturday. This is unfamiliar territory for Kurtis Rourke and the rest of the Indiana team. The college football media world has eyes on Bloomington this weekend when Nebraska comes to town. After the bye week, the Hoosiers will need to be on their game if they want to stay in contention in the Big Ten and make a run at the College Football Playoff.
Key Matchup
Kurtis Rourke vs Nebraska DBs
BYU Cougars
The Cougars look like a real contender in the Big 12. I debated on putting BYU in front of Iowa State to win the Big 12 but ultimately decided on Iowa State due to their outstanding defense. Jake Retzlaff has the Cougars fans roaring on every drive and has firmly put the entire state of Utah on notice. Watch out for the Cougars as they host the Oklahoma State Cowboys this week.
Key Matchup
Jake Retzlaff vs Oklahoma State DL
Tennesee Volunteers
Tennessee almost gave that game away to Florida this past Saturday. This past week made me believe that Tennessee actually doesn’t have any marquee win this season. The Volunteers host the Alabama Crimson Tide this week in a highly anticipated SEC matchup. The Volunteers desperately need this game to stay in contention for the College Football Playoff.
Key Matchup
Dylan Sampson vs Alabama DL
Kansas State Wildcats
Avery Johnson and the Kansas State Wildcats did a phenomenal job at closing out Colorado on Saturday. Kansas State is the team waiting in the Big 12 for something to go wrong for Iowa State or BYU. While Kansas State had an early loss to BYU, if they can find themselves in the Big 12 championship game, they can ultimately find a way into the College Football Playoff. Don’t count out the West Virginia Mountaineers this week as Kansas State travels to Morgantown, West Virginia.
Key Matchup
DJ Giddens vs West Virginia LBs
Texas A&M Aggies
Mike Elko’s squad has risen from the dead after its week one loss at home to Notre Dame. Since then, the Aggies have been undefeated, with a huge win over a conference foe Missouri. The Aggies finally have some momentum that could see them contending in the SEC. The Aggies have Conner Weigman back healthy and ready to go after the bye week when they travel to Starkville, Mississippi, and play the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Key Matchup
Le’Veon Moss vs Mississippi State DL
Elms' Essentials: Week 12
