By: David Ware (@davidware)
Just Like That
Somehow the regular season is almost over as we are entering week seven already. So far just two teams have officially locked their spot in the playoffs and several more are looking to do so this week. USC can lock up the Big10 Conference title this week with a win over Penn State and Alabama can clinch the SEC with a win over Florida and an Auburn loss to Kentucky. Either way for Alabama, they control their destiny by winning the next two games they would also clinch the conference championship.
Only two teams in the top 10 lost this week with those being Virginia Tech in an epic 27-point comeback for Miami who won in overtime. North Carolina was upset with a fourth-quarter comeback and Clemon won 38-35 in one of the biggest upsets of the season. Overall the top 10 teams performed very well this week and will have to perform well again this week if they want to secure their playoff appearance.
Now remember, the Wareforce Power Index is an UNOFFICIAL ranking in the CFSL but for fun, I wanted to compare last week’s top 10 to the CFSL’s top 10 to see if there is any comparison. The order is a little different but four of the top five teams are the same as the CFSL’s rankings just in a different order with USC as number one compared to Alabama being the top team in the Wareforce Power Index. All together both rankings consist of the same 10 teams. Will that continue this week as we have two new teams making a return to the top 10 this week? Make sure to tune into the Inside Blitz Podcast on Monday at 5:30 PM CST to see the Official CFSL rankings this week and compare it to the Wareforce Power Index.
10. Michigan Wolverines (3-3) Grade: C
The Wolverines are coming off a big win against rival Penn State this week. Michigan has shown that they can be a really good team but have not found the consistency yet that they need for a deep playoff run. Two of their three losses are one-score games, but they do have the one lop-sided loss to Clemson in week three. This week the Wolverines will have an opportunity to make a statement to the league if they can take down in-state rival Michigan State in what is a must-win game for the Wolverines.
9. Auburn Tigers (4-2) Grade: C
Auburn got their second conference win of the season this week against rival Tennessee in a dominant 45-17 decision. This week is a big week for Auburn as they would like to keep their conference title hopes alive and they will be rooting for Alabama to beat Florida who beat the Tigers in week four. The Iron Bowl in week eight has some major implications for playoff seedings. Auburn has made it clear they are more focused on winning a championship than a regular season title.
8. Texas Longhorns (5-1) Grade: B
Texas has continued to roll out some close wins as the last four games have been almost identical scores. This week they fought off the LSU Tigers who are on the verge of taking the next step in their rebuild. Interestingly, they have not scored more than 32 points in the last four weeks, but they have continued to win. Texas has a huge matchup against Colorado this week, in which they can win the conference with a little help from the LSU Tigers. A Longhorn and Tiger win spells the Big XII championship for the Longhorns.
7. North Carolina Tar Heels (4-2) Grade: B
North Carolina is reeling after a heartbreaking loss to the Clemson Tigers. One of the biggest upsets of the year so far, North Carolina may have knocked themselves out of an ACC conference title. It is not mathematically impossible but it would take a three-way tie and lots of style points the next. Their schedule is going to be difficult, to say the least the next two weeks as they face Florida State and Virginia Tech
6. Oklahoma Sooners (4-2) Grade: A
Oklahoma has put together two straight wins to rebound from two straight losses and they will be favored to win their next two games as well. This week was a nail-biter against Colorado but they found a way to seal the win. They find themselves matched up against West Virginia this week in what feels like a trap game for Oklahoma. With a veteran athletic director like Dustin Hall, I don’t expect them to overlook West Virginia though. This Sooner team has had a great year and has shown a lot of improvement over last year when they relied on a vote for the playoffs.
5. Virginia Tech Hokies (4-2) Grade: A
I know the Hokies are frustrated after such a heartbreaking game, but they still have a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to this year. They dominated Miami in the first half of the game and eventually lost in overtime after one of the greatest comebacks in CFSL history by Miami. Virginia Tech will get to rebound against a very hungry Clemson Tigers who are coming off a huge upset against North Carolina and then they will face the Tar Heels themselves. I don’t see a situation where Virginia Tech is not in the playoffs and I would expect them to get an automatic spot, but at worst they would be top top-voted team.
4. Michigan State Spartans (4-2) Grade: A
Michigan State had a strong showing this week with a 51-39 win over Oregon and has a chance to make a bigger statement against Michigan this week. A win this week for the Spartans and they are locked in the playoffs with hopes of a conference title still at hand. Some strong wins and close losses make the Spartans a dangerous team come playoff time.
3. Miami Hurricanes (5-1) Grade: A
Miami is the favorite to win the ACC championship after a huge win this week against Virginia Tech in overtime. The Hurricanes were down 27 points at one point before they turned it up and won in overtime with a Bo Yost rushing touchdown. With wins against North Carolina and Virginia Tech, I would say they have a great shot at the conference title and they face off against Notre Dame this week. A win this week and a Florida State loss will give them the conference title.
2. USC Trojans (5-1) Grade: A
The Trojans have now won four straight games since their week two loss to Auburn. All six games for the Trojans this year have been a one-score game when the final whistle blew. They have shown how they were able to win back-to-back championships as this team has a ton of heart and no quit. This week they escaped Ohio State with the win and handed the Buckeyes their second straight loss. This week they have Penn State and finish up against Oregon. The difference between USC and the number one spot in the Wareforce Power Index is a small 0.027 gap and when you look at their offensive rating compared to Alabama that alone creates the gap. Some style points against Penn State and Oregon can help the Trojans overtake Alabama for the top spot!
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) Grade: A
The Crimson Tide continued their winning ways with a 28-point win over rival Georgia last week. Alabama maintains the top winning percentage, point differential, points scored per game, and points allowed per game. They also have the third-best opponents strength of schedule as well this season. While the strength of schedule for Alabama is the worst in the league, they have handled business against the teams they should and have had only two games that were a one-score differential. Alabama has clinched a playoff spot already and with a win this week and an Auburn loss, they will clinch the SEC title this week. Can the Tide hold on and make a deep run in the playoffs, we will see but this is the best season for athletic director David Ware. His single-season record for wins including playoffs is seven wins.
Playoff Chaos Has Begun
This week we will so so many games that will determine seeding in the playoffs and don’t forget seeding is everything thanks to the playoff draft. The top two from each conference will pick their round-one matchup. Don’t blink from here on out or you will miss something big. CFSL parity is as strong as ever so get ready for this chaos to continue.
Until Next Time, Keep Your Game Face On and Your Spirits High
