Explanation of my top five:
1. Ohio State
The Buckeyes clearly have the best offense in the country, and should be rewarded for that with a number one ranking. CJ Stroud has the highest QBR in the country with a 94. 8 after throwing for 1,737 yards and 24 touchdowns. The offense is averaging 8.07 yards per play, and this is with many of their top pass catchers being out for injury. The defense is also a top ten unit, holding opponents to an average of 253 yards per game. The Buckeyes have won every game with double digits, and likely won’t be facing their first test until they travel to Happy Valley on Halloween weekend.
2. Tennessee
I have Tennessee ranked significantly higher than the AP poll does, but I believe they have the stats and resume to back it up. The only offense with a higher ranking than Ohio State is the Volunteers. Hendon Hooker is a serious Heisman contender and has multiple reliable receivers and running backs to give the ball too. Tennessee has played a moderately tough schedule, and besides their overtime win at Pitt, has blown everybody out. Of course, it all comes down to how they play this weekend when Alabama comes to town.
3. Clemson
It’s taken some time for me to admit it, but Clemson is right back to being the best team in the ACC and a legit playoff contender. Despite the departure of longtime defensive coordinator Brent Venables, the defense has continued to be the strength of this team. The defense continues to get more players back each week from injuries, only making them stronger. DJ Uiagalelei is not the same guy we saw last season: his offseason improvements are easily seen on the field. His completion percentage has shot up and his interceptions have gone down. Running back Will Shipley has contributed to the offense as well. Clemson has made it through the first tough stretch of the schedule, but still needs to make it through some tough road atmospheres in South Bend and Tallahassee.
4. Georgia
Georgia has had a very easy schedule, but besides their close call in Columbia, the Bulldogs have shown a top ten offense and defense. Stetson Bennet is a reliable game manager and tight end Brock Bowers can always make a big time play. Georgia will be tested more in the coming weeks, but for now the reigning National Champions deserve a top five ranking.
5. Alabama
Alabama deserves to be a top five team because they have wins over Texas, Texas A&M, and Arkansas (which aren’t as good as the SEC media wants you to think) they deserve to be ranked for their schedule, which is a lot more difficult than other teams have played. They also were without their starting quarterback Bryce Young for two of these games, and losing the reigning Heisman winner hurts. The Tide’s O-line is not as strong as we expected it to be and the defense frequently gives up the long ball.
My Playoff Predictions:
Ohio State
Clemson
Georgia
Alabama
The Big-12 and Pac-12 will both beat up on one another and take themselves out of the playoff race. I think the fourth spot is going to come down to either a one loss Big-10 or SEC team.
My Predictions for this Week:
Last week: 5/7
(19)Kansas at Oklahoma: The Brent Venables era at Oklahoma is off to the worst start Sooner nation could have imaged, especially considering how well Lincoln Riley has the Trojans looking. They have lost three straight, and I am predicting that it will be four straight after this weekend. Kansas is coming off a disappointing loss to TCU and will be without their starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has a shoulder injury. However, Kansas’s backup look very capable when he had to come in last weekend, and the Kansas offensive coordinators know how to scheme up plays to trick defenses. The Oklahoma defense is not looking great, and I think Kansas will be able to figure out ways to put points up. Kansas defense should be able to contain Dillon Gabriel and the Sooners offense.
(10)Penn State at (5)Michigan: This is the first true test for either team, and we will learn quite a bit through it. Michigan started off the season strong, but they also played arguably three of the worst teams in college football. JJ McCarthy is a good quarterback, but relies heavily on running back Blake Corbin. In order for Penn State to win this game, they will need their line to stop Corbin and force McCarthy to make big plays. Neither one of these quarterbacks makes frequent mistakes, so I think whichever defense can force a turnover will have the edge. This game could really go either way, but because Michigan is the home team, they are going to be my pick.
(3)Alabama at (6)Tennessee: The third Saturday in October has not been this hyped up in a very, very long time. Tennessee is coming into this game absolutely rolling, while Alabama has looked more and more vulnerable as the weeks go on. It has not been announced yet whether Bryce Young will be playing or not, but all signs say he will not be missing this game. While the Tennessee offense will defiantly be able to put points up on the Tide, I am not sure how much the Vols defense will be able to make stops. Alabama’s line struggled against Texas A&M and Texas, but they have much stronger defensive lines than Tennessee does. Although nothing would make me happier than an Alabama loss, I think all the outside noise is going to get to Tennessee’s head and they won’t be able to finally beat the Tide.
(16)Mississippi State at (22)Kentucky: Kentucky is a fraudulent team and is only ranked due to SEC bias. Mississippi State has a high scoring offense because of the Mike Leach air raid system, but the defense often keeps their games close. Kentucky may be without quarterback Will Levis, who was out in their loss last weekend to South Carolina. If Levis is still out this week, the Wildcats will lean heavily on their run game. I am pretty high on Mississippi State and think they will pull of the win with or without Will Levis playing.
(7)USC at (20)Utah: Utah is off to a disappointing start, but the atmosphere in Salt Lake City is going to be great. USC is undefeated, but has looked vulnerable while playing on the road. Star receiver Jordan Addison is questionable for this game with injury, and without him, Williams could be in some trouble. He has only thrown one interception the entire season, but the Utah defense is among the best in the country in forcing turnovers, with ten so far this season, and I think they will force one out of Williams. While Utah hasn’t been what we expected, they are not a bad team and I think they will pull off the upset. USC has gotten away with too many close games, and the combination of the full stadium and high altitude will get the Trojans here.
Here’s to a great weekend of football!
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