Wareforce Power Index: Season 21, Week 5

By: David Ware (@davidware)

Well, ladies and gentlemen boys and girls, we are back with another week of the Wareforce Power Index and what a week we saw in the CFSL. This week we see two teams drop out of the top 10 and for the third week in a row, we have a new number one team! We also saw the defending champions fall so now only three teams are left undefeated after five weeks. Well, why wait any longer, let’s dive into the top 10 this week!

10. Colorado

Colorado is coming off of a loss and they lose two spots this week against the Texas Longhorns. The Buffalos may have a losing record, but their biggest asset to their ranking is their strength of schedule which is in the top five of all the CFSL. As we get closer to week eight, Colorado will need to keep winning if they want to stay in the top 10. Colorado will have their hands full this week as they travel to Death Valley to face LSU.

Overall Colorado has a C+ on the season.

9. Michigan State

The Spartans jumped five spots after knocking off the defending champion USC Trojans in a wild game! It was extremely exciting to watch those two teams battle it out. The Spartans have won three of their last four games now and looking to lock in a top spot in the Big10 and an automatic playoff spot. This week they will have a huge matchup against in-state rival Michigan. The Wolverines may not have the best record, but they will be ready to make the Spartans work until the final whistle.

Overall Michigan State has a B- on the season.

8. Florida

The Gators are coming off a loss against the undefeated Auburn Tigers and drop one spot. They are in the top 10 in the CFSL with strength of schedule, win percentage and net points. Florida is looking to fight for an automatic playoff bid in the SEC but will still have to play a few tough games to try and secure that spot. This week they have a big-time matchup against Kentucky and Alabama in week seven. If they want that automatic bid, they simply have to win!

Overall Florida has a B- on the season.

7. Miami

The Hurricanes have pulled off four straight wins after their week one loss to Alabama. This week was a four-point win against rival North Carolina. Miami currently sits second in the ACC as they are tied with Florida State with record and net points. This week Miami will be the favorite against Virginia Tech, but it could be a trap game if they are not prepared. The upcoming Miami and Florida State game is looking like it could be for the ACC title. Miami jumped up five spots this week to jump back into the top 10.

Overall Miami has a B+ on the season.

6. Kentucky

The Wildcats have now ripped off three straight wins and sit second in the SEC right now. They are sitting at six for two straight weeks but are creeping up on the top five with a small point difference of 0.020 right now and this week division rival Florida comes to Lexington for what will sure be a battle that could have major playoff implications out of the SEC. It may be a fair assessment that the loser will be fighting for a vote in for the playoffs as Auburn looks to have a spot pretty much locked up.

Overall Kentucky has a B+ on the season.

5. North Carolina

The Tar Heels are coming off a tough division loss to rival Miami this week. Their strength of schedule, win percentage, and net points are all in the top 10 of CFSL and they are trying to fight for a top two spot in ACC, but they will have to find a way to beat Florida State this week if they want that automatic bid. The rest of their schedule after this week will be easy with Clemson and Notre Dame, so this week’s game goes a long way in their playoff hopes and possible seeding.

Overall North Carolina has a B+ on the season.

4. USC

The Trojans coming off a very close loss to Michigan State and their first loss on the season. The defending champs have played some great ball this year so far but of all the top five teams, they have the worst strength of schedule. This week, the Trojans will be facing division rival Penn State, in what should be a great battle as well. A win for the Trojans will go a long way for them in securing a playoff spot and a chance to repeat as defending champs. They must focus on the game this week before they worry about the playoffs though. Don’t forget, they still have to Ohio State, who is currently sitting at the top of the Big10 right now.

Overall USC has a B+ on the season.

3. Texas

Make it four straight wins for the Longhorns, after they defeated Colorado this week. This week will be against division rival West Virginia and the Longhorns have won all five games against the Mountaineers and the last two have finished (55-17) in favor of the Longhorns. The Longhorns are the top team with a loss so far and looking to secure their second straight Big 12 title. New quarterback Bo Jones lit up the stat box last week and will try to lead Texas to their fifth straight win this week.

Overall Texas has an A on the season.

2. Ohio State

Ohio State keeps winning and looking too impressive, to say the least. Even with the win though, they dropped one spot as they played the number 11 Penn State Nitney Lions last week and their opponent’s strength of schedule is just not as strong as Auburn who has the second-best in the CFSL. Ohio State will be playing Oregon this week and will be the heavy favorite. Keep in mind Oregon has won the last two matchups though so who knows if an upset is in store for us.

Overall Ohio State has an A+ on the season

1. Auburn

Don’t call it a comeback because they were not gone long. The Tigers are still undefeated and have reclaimed the top ranking after winning against the division-rival Florida Gators. While this week coming up may be easy for Auburn as they play Tennessee, they still have to play Kentucky and Alabama and will have to fight for the top spot in the SEC. The Tigers have the largest net point in all of the CFSL and second-best opponents’ strength of schedule as well. Will the streak continue, or can the Volunteers pull off one of the biggest upsets in CFSL history?

Overall Auburn has an A+ on the season.

Dropped Out

Penn State and Florida State

Honorable Mentions

Penn State, Alabama, and Oklahoma are all within 0.013 of 10th place in Colorado right now! The Sooners are the only undefeated team that is not ranked in the top 10, but their strength of schedule is dead last in the CFSL and it’s not even close at 0.080. The second-to-worst teams’ strength of schedule is 0.240, so you can see the disparity. To be fair though, the Sooners have Texas A&M, Texas, and Colorado to play left this season, so I expect that strength of schedule to climb and put them back in the top 10 as long as they win. Make sure you come back next week to see if your team has cracked the top 10. Until next time, keep your game face on, and your spirits high!