By: David Ware (@davidware)
Only One Undefeated Remains
The Wareforce Power Index saw three of the top 10 teams lose this week but we only have one new team in the top 10. In a week full of close games with 10 of the 12 games being a one-score difference the biggest loss of the week was Ohio State losing their undefeated record by 38 points to conference rival Michigan State. We did see one team jump up eight spots this week and make their return to the top 10.
Remember the Wareforce Power Index is an UNOFFICIAL ranking and it is based on stats only. Make sure to tune into the Inside Blitz Podcast on Monday to see the CFSL’s official rankings.
10. Florida State (3-2)
The Seminoles are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Seminoles are still a very dangerous team and there is not one athletic director who will say they want to play this team in the playoffs. Florida State should get some retribution this week against Notre Dame before they battle North Carolina and Miami for some huge conference battles.
9. Ohio State (4-1)
Ohio State got a rude wakeup call this week as Michigan State was able to dominate the Buckeyes in a 38-point victory. Ohio State would like to hold on and win the conference which means they must win out and that will start with a very tough matchup against USC this week. I fully expect Ohio State to recover and prove to everyone how good they are.
8. Texas (4-1)
Do you know the feeling that you have been in this situation before, well we have when it comes to Texas and a rough week one loss and then simply finding ways to win. Their last three weeks have been one-score games, but they have found ways to win when it matters most. Can the Longhorns fight off a hungry LSU Tigers football team who would love to make a statement at the Longhorns’ expense?
7. Oklahoma (3-2)
The Sooners found a way to rebound after two straight losses. They handled Texas A&M with ease as they defeated them by 21 points. The offense looked dominant in the win against the Aggies and if they continue to perform like they did this week, they can be a very tough out for anyone they play. Their schedule is favorable if you look at the win/loss record but in the Big XII every game is a close game and anyone can pull off a win.
6. Miami (4-1)
Miami got their second straight win but their upcoming game against Virginia Tech will be a real test for the Hurricanes. I would assume that a win in week six and week eight will clinch the ACC title for the Hurricanes. They will be hoping for a UNC and Florida State loss to provide them a little margin of error when it comes to winning the conference.
5. North Carolina (4-1)
The Tar Heels bounced back with a huge win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish but they will need some help if they want to win the ACC title this year. Miami has the tiebreaker over them, so they need Miami to lose two games, Florida State with a loss to Virginia Tech already would also lose the tiebreaker to North Carolina should the Tar Heels win that game. Week eight against Virginia Tech will be large for North Carolina as they try to secure a playoff spot and possibly a conference title.
4. USC (4-1)
The defending champions did a great job holding on for a win against a hungry Michigan Wolverines team. It is wild to think that every game for USC has been a one-score game, meaning they are one drive away from being (5-0) and four drives away from being (0-5). The heart of a champion is how hard they fight when it matters most, so I would not count USC out as a possible three-time champion. This week, they face off against a very tough Ohio State team that would love to win another Big10 title. Let’s be honest though, it’s not like USC to win the conference, so even if they lose, I pity the team that draws them in the playoffs.
3. Michigan St (3-2)
This will cause a lot of questions because USC has a head-to-head win against the Spartans, but the overall body of work for Michigan State is stronger than USC’s. With the third-best net points, they are five spots above USC. Total offense is fifth-ranked compared to 18th-ranked, and the strength of schedule is second-ranked compared to 11th-ranked. The two losses for Michigan State are a total of eight points, although I would be willing to bet that people want to see a more consistent team on the field.
2. Virginia Tech (4-1)
Virginia Tech jumped up three spots to move to number two in the country! Four straight wins after just a three-point loss in week one to Oklahoma, has the Hokies firing on all cylinders Michigan State and Florida State are great resume wins for Virginia Tech, but the Florida win leaves a lot of questions, as Florida has been up and down on the season. Any questions people have about the Hokies will be answered in the next three weeks as they have Miami, Clemson, and North Carolina left on the schedule. Should they win out, They would be the ACC Season 22 champs.
1. Alabama (5-0)
The last team standing when it comes to being undefeated and Alabama found a way to win a close game against Kentucky this week. The three-point win was the smallest margin of victories for the Crimson Tide this season. Lots of questions have come up about why Alabama is number one, and the numbers do not lie. They have the top winning percentage, point differential, top offense, second-best defense, and third-best opponents’ strength of schedule. Having the second-worst strength of schedule continues to haunt the Crimson Tide and they will have three big games left with Georgia, Florida, and Auburn.
This week will show us a lot as we look to predict conference winners and the big question of will there be an undefeated win when the smoke clears.
