Four of the country top five teams sat out Week 10 , but the games that took place made for some interesting statements in the final action before the College Football Playoff rankings reveal.
Three games stood out that must be considered most by the voters. First, was Georgia’s 24 – 17 victory over Florida to take the lead in the SEC East. How will voters in the polls, and on the committee, rank this one-loss Georgia team?
Two one-loss Pac – 12 teams made their own arguments for playoff consideration. Utah and Oregon both took road victories at Washington and USC respectively. Could we see two 11 – 1 teams in the Pac – 12 title game?
As we wait for the official rankings, the coaches speak through their weekly poll. Updated to reflect Week 10 ‘s action,here is the new college football coaches poll.
The Crimson Tide are undefeated with plenty of momentum coming out of a bye week in Tuscaloosa. Of course, LSU is a new level of test in the first top – 10 opponent for Nick Saban since the loss to Clemson in the championship game. Injuries will be a storyline for both sides, highlighted by Tua Tagovailoa’s ankle, but Alabama appears locked in after the bye.
“LSU is a really, really good team,” Saban said. “I’m not really big on the rankings and all that kind of stuff, but I know that they’re a really, really good team and it’s going to take a great effort on our part and great preparation on our part to be able to play our best in the game so we have a chance to be successful. I guess I’m more focused on that part of it than all the other stuff. “
LSU is a touchdown underdog at Alabama in next week’s “Game of the Century Part II.” The bye week was about rest and a game plan after last year 29 – 0 loss against Alabama. Burrow completed half of his passes for 184 yards and an inter ception in that loss. Last year’s game, however, saw a different Joe Burrow and offensive game plan. How will Alabama’s defense handle the new-look LSU offense? We are about to find out.
Trevor Lawrence certainly looked like himself in this one. A 59 – 14 blowout of Wofford, Lawrence was 13 – for – 17 for 221 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for a fourth touchdown with zero turnovers before Dabo Swinney turned the reins over to Chase Brice. On the ground, Travis Etienne scored twice with 212 yards on nine rushing attempts. Clemson travels to struggling NC State next week before what could be an interesting end to the season against a ranked Wake Forest team and the South Carolina game.
Bye week for Ohio State as the Buckeyes prepare for upcoming battles with Maryland and Rutgers before the big ones. Ohio State finishes its season against Penn State and Michigan with goals of a return to the College Football Playoff.
“We expected to be in this situation, and now we have to act accordingly, and what that means is just staying locked in week in, week out on this game, preparing the same way, playing with the same energy, playing together, taking care of the football, tackling well, playing tough, ”coach Ryan Day said. “If we do that, then we’re going to have a chance week in and week out. If we don’t, then we’re going to put ourselves at risk. ”
Off week for Penn State as the program prepares for a tough road trip to Minnesota. The Nittany Lions have been stellar in terms of the defensive front seven, and first-year quarterback Sean Clifford makes bigger throws every week. Tasked with replacing the iconic Trace McSorley, Clifford has 1, 931 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions in his first eight games of real college action. Minnesota Ranks 10 th nationally in passing yards allowed, so something has to give.
6. Georgia (7-1)– The Bulldogs take the rivalry game in what was a must-win for both sidelines. Quarterback Jake Fromm was solid with 279 yards and two passing touchdowns while the Bulldogs defense held the Gators to just 1.1 yards per carry in a 24 – 17 Victory. Georgia’s toughest game left is now a road trip to Auburn, where the Bulldogs lost two seasons ago but still made the College Football Playoff.
7. Oregon (8-1)– The Ducks definitely looked like a team with postseason potential. On the road and against diversity with a 10 – point early deficit, Oregon exploded on the Trojans in what became a 56 – 24 blowout victory. Oregon scored all three ways in the second quarter, and Andy Avalos outcoaches Graham Harrell with four forced turnovers in the win. Oregon has not lost since Week 1 against Auburn.
8. Oklahoma (7-1)– It is time to find out how Oklahoma responds to a shocking loss against Kansas State. With a bye week in order to rebound, Lincoln Riley next leads the Sooners into action against third-place Iowa State and first-place Baylor in consecutive weeks. Can a one-loss Oklahoma team make the College Football Playoff? We will learn more this week with the first rankings reveal. Oklahoma, however, has to get through four tough opponents first just in order to reach the Big 12 title game.
9. Utah (8-1)– The Utes got a big victory, 33 – 28, against Washington on the road. The win keeps Utah in the hunt for the postseason and came thanks to big performances from both Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss. Huntley threw for 284 yards and a touchdown while Moss ran for 100 yards and a touchdown.
10. Baylor (8-0)– It was not a convincing performance, but a 17 – 14 Thursday night win over West Virginia gets the Bears to 8-0 under coach Matt Rhule. Quarterback Charlie Brewer was 20 – for – 26 for 277 yards and both touchdowns in the victory. While many fans have eyes on the Oklahoma visit to Baylor in two weeks, a road trip to TCU is a tough game Nov. 9, and the Bears have to be ready.
11. Florida (7-2)– The Gators drop after a 24 – 17 loss to Georgia. Both 2019 losses for Dan Mullen have been against top – 10 teams. But with two conference losses and no ranked games left on the schedule, that likely spells the end of the College Football Playoff conversation in the Swamp.
. Auburn (7-2)– It was not a pretty performance for Auburn, but the Tigers win 20 – 14 heading into a bye week. It was not a convincing victory over Ole Miss, but it marks a bounceback for Gus Malzahn and Auburn after the loss to LSU. Now, Auburn has a bye week before decisive games against Georgia and Alabama.
. Minnesota (8-0)– If you picked the Gophers to be undefeated when the clocks turned to November, good for you. PJ Fleck has Minnesota as one of college football’s most talked about programs after eight in a row to start the year. After four-straight wins by at least 23 points, the Gophers are true underdogs for the first time this season when Penn State comes to town.
. Michigan (7-2)– Michigan set the pace immediately in a 38 – 7 victory over Maryland. The Wolverines got a 97 – yard kick return on the first play of the day in College Park. From there, quarterback Shea Patterson threw for a touchdown and Zach Charbonnet ran for two in the victory. Credit the Michigan defense for 2.8 rushing yards per attempt allowed against the Terps run game and star Anthony McFarland.
. Notre Dame (6-2)– The Fighting Irish barely escape with a 21 – 20 Victory. Ian Book’s seven-yard rushing touchdown with 29 seconds left tied it, and a clutch hold on the extra point gives Brian Kelly the victory. Book had some big moments, but receiver Chase Claypool was the star with eight catches and 118 yards, including 39 on the winning drive.
. Wisconsin (6-2)– Even after a blowout loss at Ohio State, the Badgers still had the No. 1 total defense in college football heading into yesterday’s slate. With a bye week, Wiscsonsin’s defense and star tailback Jonathan Taylor have revenge on their mind with big upcoming games against Iowa and Minnesota.
17. Cincinnati (7-1)– Luke Fickell stays undefeated in AAC play with a 46 – 43 victory at ECU. Sam Crosa kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired while Desmond Ridder and Michael Warren combined for 287 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
. Iowa (6-2)– The Hawkeyes have two wins in a row and a bye week in order to build momentum before the road trip to Wisconsin. Veterain quarterback Nate Stanley has 10 touchdown passes and five interceptions compared to 16 and eight at this point last year with a pair of NFL tight ends.
19. Memphis (8-1)– It was a huge win for Mike Norvell and the Tigers with a national audience watching. Most importantly in a 54 – 48 win over an undefeated SMU team, however, is what it means in the standings. Memphis now leads its division on a potential collision course with Cincinnati for the AAC Championship.
. Wake Forest (7-1)– A new NC State starting quarterback proved no match for the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest blows out the Wolfpack 44 – 10 behind five total touchdowns from quarterback Jamie Newman.
. Boise State (7-1)– It was ground and pound in a 52 – 42 victory over San Jose State. The Broncos ran for 253 yards and five touchdowns in the win, including four scores from George Holani. ********
. Kansas State (7-2)– The Wildcats killed Kansas in the ground game with 335 yards and five touchdowns in a 38 – 10 Victory. After K-State gets ranked with an upset of Oklahoma, they climb with an easy win over the Jayhawks.
23. SMU (8-1)– The Mustangs lose their undefeated season but not without a stellar showing from quarterback Shane Buechele, who threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns. How will SMU respond to the first loss of the year?
. San Diego State (7-1)– The Aztecs debut in the 2019 coaches poll coming off a Week 10 bye. San Diego State has four-straight wins, including three on the road, with a strong lead in its Mountain West division.
25. Navy (7-1)– The Midishipmen leapfrog Texas to claim the final spot in the coaches poll thanks to a 56 – 10 win over UConn.
Others Receiving Votes: (Texas) ; Indiana 44; Central Florida 24; Appalachian State 24; Texas A&M 22; Louisiana Tech 13; Oklahoma State 5; Air Force 4; Virginia 2; Wyoming 1; Pittsburgh 1.
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