Illustration: PFF
Thanksgiving has come and gone. You know what this means, it’s the best week of College Football, at least in the regular season. The Game, the Kentucky rivalry, the Oregon rivalry, The Iron Bowl, The Apple Cup, the Battle of Florida, and others. All of these games take place this week every year, and we’re fortunate this year in that many of these rivalry games featured at least one top-10 team. Let’s get into how everyone in the top 10 entering the week did, and where things shake out following all the action.
10. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville, I must extend you a heartfelt congratulations. Not only did you lose the most important game of the year in your rivalry game, you also did so against the redheaded stepchild of the SEC in the Kentucky Wildcats. It wasn’t even close, what happened to you guys was an utter atrocity. Any slim hope the Cards had of a playoff berth were completely shot down today, and their hopes for a New Year’s 6 Bowl game might be out of the window as well since they have to face Florida State for the ACC. Good luck, you’re going to need it.
9. Mizzou Tigers
A usually sloppy match between Missouri and Arkansas finds itself surprisingly relevant due to Mizzou coming in with a #9 ranking. This game perfectly summed up the Razorbacks’ disaster of a season, as they were completely steamrolled at home by a team with much greater ambitions than theirs. The only fight Arkansas showed all game were the fisticuffs they got into with Mizzou players when the game was long over. Even then, they still found a way to embarrass themselves. The Tigers, meanwhile, have nothing to do but hold their heads high. It was a great season for them, and although they couldn’t beat the big boys of the SEC, they got closer than in the last few years. A new year’s six bowl invitation might be in the works, especially if they get some help from the outcome of the Bama-Georgia game.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
It doesn’t matter about the circumstances, it doesn’t matter how good either team is. When Bama and Auburn lock horns in the Iron Bowl, it’s sure to be a good game. This year’s iteration lived up to the hype. Throughout the game, it was surprising that Auburn kept pace, jumped out to a lead, and kept it for most of the game. However, Bama won’t just go down quietly. They have much bigger ambitions than a mere Iron Bowl victory. A loss could jeopardize their bid for the College Football Playoff. However, they’re down to a 4th and 31 with goal-to-go. What do they do? They convert it. The defensive back drifts out of position allowing Jalen Milroe to toss a dime to the back of the end zone. Bama wins an instant classic, but Auburn? Tough luck. Their little brother complex continues with this loss, as they are back to a .500 record. They’re bowl eligible, but they’re a long way from a competitive game. You know what could have helped? Not losing to New Mexico State. I know this segment is supposed to be about the Tide, but I needed to say this. It has to be addressed. This iteration of Auburn football is a dismal failure.
7. Texas Longhorns
Remember when Texas’s rivalry game used to be competitive? This year, it took the form of a juggernaut Longhorns team beating the life out of a Red Raiders squad that just wants this season to be over. There was no resistance offered by Tech for most of the game as Texas cruised to victory, further cementing a Big 12 championship appearance and a potential College Football Playoff bid. I’d honestly rather see these guys than Bama or Ohio State. Get some new teams in the playoff for once rather than the same old teams.
6. Oregon Ducks
The Battle of Oregon. Usually, this game results in a blowout victory for the Ducks. This year was more of the same. Despite their adversary being ranked, this game meant little more than bragging rights, shoring up Bo Nix’s Heisman ambitions, and furthering their case for a College Football Playoff berth. Next week, they are gearing up for a rematch with Washington for the final Pac-12 Championship. It’s sure to be a great game and will have huge ramifications on the College Football Playoff seeding. Please win, Oregon. I want chaos.
5. Florida State Seminoles
With Jordan Travis out for the season due to having his leg bent over like Spaghetti last week against an FCS team, The ‘Noles must now turn to Tate Rodemaker for any hope of surviving. His first true test came in a rivalry game against Florida down in The Swamp. He passed. It was less him and more the defense, but FSU managed to stay above the water to try to sneak into the College Football Playoff. Next week is a hugely important game against Louisville, not just for ACC bragging rights, but for a College Football Playoff berth. Get it done.
4. Washington Huskies
These guys’ rivalry game was the Apple Cup. While Washington State managed to keep it close, the Dawgs pulled out in the end thanks to Pennix turning in a decent performance and the defense doing the rest. I have severe doubts about this team’s viability, especially as they must beat Oregon for any hope of getting into the playoffs, but if there’s a will, there’s a way. They got a win earlier in the year, why can’t they in Vegas?
3. Michigan Wolverines and 2. Ohio State Buckeyes
For the sake of recapping both teams’ activity this week, I have rolled Michigan and the Buckeyes’ schedules into one, as the two teams played each other in The Game. This iteration was everything it was hyped to be and then some. Kyle McCord played great, but two costly interceptions were what did the Buckeyes in. As a result, the Buckeyes fell in the rankings dramatically. Michigan wins the Big 10 East for the 3rd year in a row. Congratulations, Ryan Day, you’ve just secured your pink-slipping and contract with Texas A&M for next year.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia’s final game of the season is always a trap game. Who do they face? The resident doormat of the ACC in Georgia Tech. With next week’s Alabama showdown looming, the Dawgs succumbed to the Trap but managed to do just enough to escape with a win. Next week is do-or-die, in Atlanta against the Tide for all of the SEC and CFP marbles. Get it done, Georgia. We’re all counting on you.
New Rankings
#10: Penn State Nittany Lions
They don’t have a chance at making the playoffs thanks to their losses in the only two games that mattered but let them have this. And a potential New Year’s Six bowl game if everything shakes out in their favor.
#9. Mizzou Tigers
These guys didn’t do anything to move up, but still dominated their opponent at a scale that kept them in Single Digits for the time being. Once again, no chance of them sneaking into the dance, but similar to Penn State, they can play in a New Year’s Six if the cards fall their way.
#8. Alabama Crimson Tide
This is the first team in the Top 10 that I feel has a legitimate shot of making the dance. Despite their loss coming early in the season to a quality opponent, and rounding into form as of late, any hope of them making it to the Playoff comes down to their date with Georgia in the SEC championship. If they win that game, I’m confident they’re in. If not, well… Bammer fans don’t want to talk about that.
#7. Texas Longhorns
A very interesting team going into the championship week. They’re playing for a Big 12 title, and while beating up on Oklahoma State wouldn’t exactly shock anyone, it would still help them potentially get into the playoffs with some help.
#6. Ohio State Buckeyes
I want to laugh at this team for falling out of the top 4 after being catered to by the Committee all year, but at the same time I’m livid they didn’t fall further. So, this team is somehow better than Texas? And Bama? And Mizzou? The only team in the top 10 I think they would comfortably beat is Penn State, because they already did. Regarding playoffs, they’ll be at home on their couches again watching Michigan win the Big 10 Title, but playoffs are still a potential outcome, especially if chaos rules supreme in the PAC-12.
#5. Oregon Ducks
This one surprises me a little. I figured Oregon would be a bit higher, what with their dominant win over their cross-state rival, but apparently the Committee wants to maintain storylines for next week and interest across all the power 5 conferences. Next week against Washington is huge for playoff seeding, but I’ll leave it at that as I’ve already talked about it enough in this piece.
#4. Florida State Seminoles
What? Florida State over Oregon? Without the ‘Noles having a starting quarterback? I get that they beat a quality program in Florida this week, but the Committee needs to do something about this. If they make it in over Oregon and Washington, I’m going to be upset.
#3. Washington Huskies
Whatever, Ohio State loses, take their place in the rankings. You already know what I’m going to say, this 3 spot is meaningless unless they can beat Oregon in the PAC-12 Championship.
#2. Michigan Wolverines
They beat the previous #2 at home as the #3, and the only other team ahead of them is a literal juggernaut. This one doesn’t surprise me. They’ll probably maintain this spot, assuming they and the Bulldogs take care of business in their respective championship games, but chaos isn’t out of the window, especially with how they played at Maryland 2 weeks ago.
#1. Georgia Bulldogs
What do I even need to say? They’ve won 29 games in a row and are taking no prisoners. No surprises here.
Note to editor: If you make spelling/Grammatical changes to either of the Ohio State segments, please be sure to block out any letter O’s in black, as shown here:
Ryan Day was born on 3rd base and hasn’t scored.
