By: David Ware (@davidware)
Let The Games Begin
Week seven was tough for several teams hoping to sneak into the top 10 and several teams inside the top 10. We may only have one new team this week, but we do have some movement, and it will be fun to dissect. So many playoff implications are a result of this week and several teams either won their conference or locked their automatic playoff spot up. The Big 10 conference champ has been decided already as well as the SEC conference champ. In the ACC, we will have the defacto ACC championship game in week eight with Miami and Florida State battling it out for the conference crown. In the Big 12, we have a three-way tie that is sure to be a mess in deciding who the champion is. Well what are we waiting for, let us see who is ranked where this week and heading into Week 8, which will be the final Wareforce Power Index Rating of the season.
10. Colorado
The Buffalos stay in the top 10 with a huge win against conference rival Oklahoma. They escaped with a four-point win and oh what a game it was. The game is up for the game of the week on the awards and has a great shot at winning. Colorado has shocked some people by going (3-1) in conference play and has far exceeded my predictions of (2-3) in conference play from the beginning of the season. I did have Colorado making the playoffs, but I did not expect them to be this good. They have the second-best strength of schedule in the CFSL and a top-10 point differential. Colorado plays West Virginia this week and with a win will secure their playoff spot. If Texas loses this week to Oklahoma and Colorado wins, they are in the driver’s seat for the conference title barring Texas A&M out-scoring Colorado by 49 points. I feel that they have the clearest path to the Big 12 Conference Title, but Texas and Texas A&M still have their shot at it.
Overall Colorado has a B+ on the season.
9. North Carolina
The Tar Heels have got back into the top 10 after a win against Clemson this week. North Carolina needed the win after two very tough losses to Miami and Florida State. The Tar Heels control their destiny and can lock up a playoff spot with a win against Notre Dame during week eight, on paper, they will be the favorites, but we do play the games for a reason so don’t forget that. Third is the best that the defending ACC Conference champs can finish this year, but with their powerful offense, they will be a hard out for any team in the playoffs.
Overall North Carolina has a B+ on the season.
8. Florida State
The Seminoles have now reeled off five straight wins after the week two loss to Florida. This week, as I previously mentioned, they can win the ACC conference championship with a win over Miami. This game will sure to bring lots of fireworks and it’s already a major rivalry, but with the conference title on the line, they will be out for blood. Their strength of schedule is one of the weakest in the leagues, but their opponent’s strength of schedule is the toughest in the CFSL this season. This will be one game you do not want to miss this week, no doubt about it.
Overall Florida State has a B+ on the season
7. Michigan State
The trap was set for the Spartans, but they did not take the bait this week against Oregon. They walked away with a 14-point win and extended their conference record to (3-1) on the season. The conference title is locked up, but they can lock up the number two seed in the conference with a win against Penn State. If they lose that game and USC wins this week, we will have a three-way tie for the second seed and one of the teams will be left praying for a vote in spot. The benefit of the second seed is that they will be in the draft to pick their first-round opponent compared to being at the mercy of the other teams that are picking. Penn State will not be an easy out, but they do have the team to pull off the win and lock in the second seed.
Overall Michigan State has an A on the season.
6. Texas
Texas could have locked up their second straight Big 12 Title last week when they played Texas A&M, but the Aggies came out and put up a dominant performance. The Aggies won 52-31 and put themselves in position to still win the conference this week. Texas may have the hardest path of the three teams that are battling Oklahoma this week in a game where Oklahoma is suffering two straight losses and would love to mess up the Longhorns conference title dreams. Can that powerful Texas defense find a way to slow down the three-headed running game of the Sooners? Only time will tell, make sure you tune in for this game.
Overall Texas has an A on the season.
5. USC
What an epic battle we saw this week as USC and Ohio State battled it out and the Trojans came up just short as they fell 38-45 to the Buckeyes. It is the second loss in three weeks for the Trojans but they are still primed to make a deep playoff run. I don’t see them being one of the first teams picked in the playoff draft. They will be rooting for Michigan State to lose so that they can force a three-way tie for second place. On paper, the Buckeyes may have an easy matchup, but don’t overlook the Oregon Ducks who are notorious for some wild wins.
Overall USC has an A on the season.
4. Kentucky
The Wildcats are the third team in the top 10 to lose this week as they faced off against rival Auburn in a very close battle. The Tigers walked away with a slim 40-35 game that went down to the wire and provided a very exciting finish. The only two losses for Kentucky this season is to USC and Auburn, not a bad claim, and they are a team that no one wants to face in the playoffs. This week, they will face Tennessee who is coming off a mercy against Georgia. I have a feeling that Kentucky will try to make a statement as if they need to, this week and I pity the fool they face in the first round of the playoffs as they have the second seed locked up.
Overall Kentucky has an A+ on the season.
3. Miami
If you forget about their week one loss to Alabama, you can make an argument that Miami deserves to be number one. They have now won six straight games including a 55-0 win against Notre Dame last week. They are hitting their stride and looking dangerous as the playoffs approach. This week they face Florida State and the winner will be named the ACC Champions for season 21. This game will for sure be one of the top games of the season as they battle it out for the crown. The good news is that no matter what, the worst they can finish in the conference is second, so they will get to draft their first-round opponent. This is a team that is looking dangerous and good luck to whoever has to play them.
Overall Miami has an A+ on the season.
2. Auburn
Well for the first time since the debut of the Wareforce Power Index, we do not have a change at the top. Auburn and Ohio State have been going back and forth as the top team, but this week the Tigers trail Ohio State by 0.006 for the top spot. Auburn was tested this week but passed the test as they defeated Kentucky. How much of a test will Alabama be for them is yet to be seen, but the Tigers have secured their second straight conference title. This week we will see the CFSL Iron Bowl, in which Alabama does hold the series edge, but second-year AD Justin Duke won last year and would love to make it two straight seasons. Auburn is also battling for the top pick in the playoff draft, which is sure to draw lots of attention to who the Tigers hand-select as their first-round matchup.
Overall Auburn has an A+ on the season.
1. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have held on to the top spot for back-to-back weeks now after a huge win against the USC Trojans. One of only two undefeated teams left in the CFSL, the Buckeyes have clinched their conference title and now would love to have the top pick in the draft for the playoffs. Zach Davis has done a great job with the program this year, and I think he is up for the AD of the year and has a great shot at winning it. This week, Ohio State will play their biggest rival Michigan, who is having a down year. This game is gonna be a battle, no matter what the Wolverines record is before the game. The Buckeyes have only had two games that were decided by one touchdown or less, and I feel like this week will be a third. Can Ohio State cap off the (8-0) regular season, we will find out Tuesday night.
Overall Ohio State has an A+ on the season.
Dropped Out
Oklahoma Sooners had a tough loss against Colorado to drop out of the top 10 but can slip back in with a win against Texas this week.
Honorable Mentions
Texas A&M Aggies defeated their in-state rival Texas Longhorns this week and now only sit 0.008 behind the number 10 Colorado Buffalos.
Rival Week Baby!
This week we will see a lot of great games all week long as it is Rivalry Week in the CFSL. There are a few of the games that may not mean a lot when it comes to standings, but there will be a lot of pride on the line this week as no one wants to lose to their rivals. I Challenge all of you to tune in to as many games as possible this week and let’s get the viewership up for what is guaranteed to be a great week of CFSL football. Until next time, keep your game face on and your spirits high.
