By: David Ware (@davidware)
Well, if you blinked, then you probably missed it. Somehow or another, we are three-quarters through the regular season already. Even in my 14th season in the league, I am still shocked every season by how quickly the season passes after all the buildup each off-season.
This week we had two teams drop out of the top 10 and welcome back two teams who have made an appearance in the top 10 previously. With just two weeks left in the regular season, we only have two undefeated teams remaining. Who knows, we may continue the trend of a new number one as well! Why keep the suspense any longer, lets dive into the top 10 this week.
10. Colorado
Staying at number 10 this week is Colorado after a dominant win against LSU this week. The Buffalos controlled the game and blew out LSU 56-26 for their second huge win in three weeks. Colorado may only be at .500 on the season, but their wins have been impressive. Their three losses are against Ohio State, Miami, and Texas who are all top 10 teams in the Wareforce Power Index and the CFSL official rankings. I would say they have had a very successful season so far and will have a huge test this week against Oklahoma.
Overall Colorado has a B- on the Season.
9. Oklahoma
The Sooners got their first loss of the season and still moved up in the rankings as they have their highest Wareforce Power Index rating of the season. This week their opponent’s strength of schedule helped some big games happen between some of their previous opponents. Oklahoma will have their hands full this week when they face number nine Colorado in a major division rivalry. The winner will have the head-to-head tiebreaker and either a tie for first place or second in the conference based on the results of some other games.
Overall Oklahoma has a B- on the Season
8. Florida State
Welcome back to the top 10 Florida State! The Seminoles had a huge comeback this week not only in the rankings with moving up six spots, but also on the field as they were down to North Carolina by 27 points before they stormed back with 42 unanswered points. Florida State has now won four straight games and is sitting in second place in the ACC due to tiebreakers. Week eight will probably be the ACC championship game. This week they will have a difficult game against Virginia Tech and will need to make sure they don’t overlook the Hokies.
Overall Florida State has a B+ on the Season
7. Michigan State
The Spartans move up two spots this week after they defeated their rival Michigan Wolverines 52-34 at home. I would say it is their second-best win of the season after they beat USC last week on the road and gave the Trojans their first loss of the season. This week the Spartans will host the Oregon Ducks who are due a win on the season and normally have one huge upset a year. The Spartans will have to be on their toes if they do not want to be that yearly upset. They will finish their regular season at home against Penn State in week eight. This season has been a huge improvement for Michigan State, and they are looking ready to make a playoff run. They currently are second in the Big 10 with the tiebreaker over USC and would need Ohio State to lose weeks seven and eight to have a shot at the conference championship.
Overall Michigan State has a B+ on the Season
6. Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes have continued to win games ever since their week one loss to Alabama. Since then, only two of their five games have been less than a one-score difference as they have performed well. This week was utter dominance as they easily handled Virginia Tech 56-14 and shut them out in the final three quarters. Miami will be favored this week against Notre Dame and then it will be a coin toss for who wins week eight. If anyone thought Miami would not be competing come playoff time after their week one loss, well they were dead wrong, to say the least.
Overall Miami has an A on the Season
5. USC
The Trojans responded well after their loss to Michigan State, as they had a convincing win against rival Penn State. I know there has been a lot of talk about USC all season as the defending champs, and while they are only ranked number five right now, do not and I repeat do not overlook them for a chance to repeat as champions. This week, they will have an opportunity to make a major statement with a home game against Ohio State. I may not be an expert at all the playoff tiebreakers, but a big win against Ohio State could help USC win the conference! If there are any doubters of what USC can do, they have the opportunity to silence them this week.
Overall USC has an A+ on the Season
4. Texas
The Longhorns won their fifth straight game this week by controlling West Virginia for the entire second half of the game. They were tied at halftime with 24 points each and then Texas dominated by scoring 35 points in the second half. After their week one loss, they have only had one game that was not 20 points or more in their margin of victory. It is fair to say that their offense did not skip a beat after Quarterback Bo Jones took over for them under center. The next two weeks will be an ultimate test for the Longhorns as they face the Texas A&M Aggies this week and the Oklahoma Sooners in Week 8. They will be battle-tested for the playoffs no doubt about it.
Overall Texas has an A+ on the Season
3. Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats have continued to roll as they remain undefeated in conference play. They beat the Florida Gators by 21 points this week and scored their second-most points in a game on the season with 55 points. Kentucky can still win the SEC Conference championship and with a win this week, would almost certainly lock that up. They face the undefeated Auburn Tigers at home and would make a major statement to the CFSL nation with this win. Kentucky has the talent and game-planning abilities to pull off the win this week. It will be one of the top games of the week if not the top game! In week eight the Wildcats will travel to Tennessee in a game they should be highly favored to win.
Overall Kentucky has an A+ on the Season
2. Auburn
The Auburn Tigers drop from the top spot again but are only 0.0004 behind the number one spot. The slimmest of margins that can be settled this week with a huge win against Kentucky possibly. The Tigers have continued their winning ways, and most wins have been pretty convincing since week one’s three-point win against Michigan. They have scored 52 or more points in three of the last four games with the one game being only 45 points. Needless to say, this offense is firing on all cylinders and will be hard for anyone to stop. Their strength of schedule may be ranked 22nd out of 24 teams, but the next two games will be sure to test this team as they face Kentucky as previously mentioned, and then Alabama in the CFSL Iron Bowl. Can the regular season win streak continue for the Tigers?
Overall Auburn has an A+ on the Season
1. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have slipped back into the top spot by a mere 0.0004 margin in their Wareforce Performance Index rating. Their strength of schedule is the difference between them and Auburn, as they battle for the top spot! This week will be a major test for Ohio State as they travel to the defending champions USC Trojans. A win this week would pretty much guarantee a Conference championship for Ohio State, but a loss opens up the Big 10 to pure chaos. During the offseason, I do not think many people would have Ohio State as the conference champion in their bingo cards, but the Buckeyes have done great this season, and their defense has only given up more than 24 points in two games. There is an adage that defense wins championships, can Ohio State prove that theory to be right?
Overall Ohio State has an A+ on the Season
Dropped Out
North Carolina Tar Heels and Florida Gators
Honorable Mentions
Alabama Crimson Tide has won back-to-back games to move back up to 11th and a mere 0.016 from passing Colorado for the 10th spot. North Carolina may have dropped out of the top 10 for the first time all season after their second-half collapse against Florida State, but they are only 0.019 from passing Colorado for the 10th spot. Texas A&M and Florida are a little further back but still within striking distance of the top 10 and each would more than likely make the top 10 next week with a win this week.
I hope everyone is enjoying the Wareforce Power Index this season and gives some light on the statistical side of things. I can’t wait to see how the final ranking of the regular season, compares to the CFSL official ranking. Good luck to all the teams as they look to wrap up season 21 on a high note. Until next time, keep your game face on and your spirits high!
