It was an incredibly wild, unpredictable week of college football – one which we haven’t seen in a long time. If you were betting, you might have found it tough sledding with so many favorites – especially ones that had been so reliable throughout the season – just completely flop on their face. The Clemson Tigers, who had been as reliable as it gets, lost outright at Syracuse. The Washington State Cougars, who had been an offensive juggernaut, mustered only three points in a road loss to California. Washington, who had crushed everything in its path this season, flopped at Arizona State. Auburn blew their lead at LSU and crumbled. We even saw some lower-ranked teams in the Top 25 like San Diego State and Navy lose. That’s set up a sizable shakeup in the college football power rankings, although – as you might have guessed it – Alabama is still at the top.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Week: 1
National Championship Odds: -150
The Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 SEC) raced out to a 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back in a 41-9 rout of Arkansas at home. Jalen Hurts was 12-of-19 for 155 yards, a touchdown and a pick, and he also ran 10 times for 41 yards and a score for the Crimson Tide, who also got 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just nine carries from Damien Harris. The Crimson Tide ran for 308 yards and that wears the opposition out, and then their defense is still smothering. The Crimson Tide will be at home on Saturday to host Tennessee.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Week: 3
National Championship Odds: +400
The Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) racked up 633 yards in a 56-14 romp of Nebraska on the road, and it was their fourth game in a row in which they have scored 54 points or more. J.T. Barrett was 27-of-33 for 325 yards and five touchdowns, and he also ran 10 times for 48 yards and two more touchdowns for the Buckeyes, who also got 106 yards and a score on 12 carries from J.K. Dobbins. The Buckeyes now have a week off before their massive college football showdown with Penn State at home.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Week: 4
National Championship Odds: +1000
The Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) are coming off their bye week as they prepare to host Michigan, and this is the beginning of the stretch that will make or break Penn State’s season. The Nittany Lions will host the Wolverines, and then head out on the road to take on Ohio State and Michigan State. If the Nittany Lions come out of that stretch with two wins, they still have a very good chance in terms of the national-title race. However, it also depends on that one loss.
4. Georgia Bulldogs
Last Week: 5
National Championship Odds: +1200
The Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC) ran for 379 yards and four touchdowns in a 53-28 win at home over Missouri. Jake Fromm was 18-of-26 for 326 yards and a pair of scores through the air, and he was picked off once. Fromm also had four carries for 14 yards and a touchdown, while D’Andre Swift ran six times for 94 yards, and Sony Michel had nine carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs, who will have this week off before their annual neutral-site showdown with Florida.
5. Clemson Tigers
Last Week: 2
National Championship Odds: +1500
The Tigers (6-1, 4-1 ACC) were stunned 27-24 at Syracuse as Kelly Bryant was 12-of-17 for 116 yards, but then had to leave due to a concussion. Zerrick Cooper was 10-of-14 for 88 yards for the Tigers, who missed Bryant badly in the fourth quarter when they were scoreless. The Tigers now have a week off before welcoming Georgia Tech to town, and they’ll be hoping that Bryant is ready to play.
6. Wisconsin Badgers
Last Week: 8
National Championship Odds: +2000
The Badgers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) got a huge effort from their defense in a 17-9 win at home over Purdue in which they kept the Boilermakers out of the end zone. Alex Hornibrook was 13-of-18 for 199 yards, a touchdown and two picks, while Jonathan Taylor had 30 carries for 219 yards and a score for the Badgers, who had the ball for 39:18 and held Purdue to 221 yards of total offense. The Badgers are still in the thick of things in the Big Ten as they get ready to host Maryland.
7. Miami Hurricanes
Last Week: 9
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Hurricanes (5-0, 3-0 ACC) needed a late rally to edge Georgia Tech 25-24 at home as Malik Rosier was 23-of-37 for 297 yards and a touchdown, while Travis Horner had 20 carries for 170 yards and a score for the Hurricanes, who got a 24-yard field goal from Michael Badgley with four seconds left on the clock to win the game. The Hurricanes will host Syracuse this weekend, who are fresh off their epic college football of Clemson.
8. Oklahoma Sooners
Last Week: —
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Sooners (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) are back in the countdown after their 29-24 win over Texas in the Red River Rivalry, and Baker Mayfield was 17-of-27 for 302 yards, a pair of touchdowns and a pick for the Sooners, and Mark Andrews caught four passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. The Sooners nearly blew a 20-point lead, but they hung in there and bounced back from a tough loss to Iowa State. They’ll be on the road this week to take on Kansas State.
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Last Week: 10
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Cowboys (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) put up an astounding 747 yards as they demolished Baylor 59-16 at home, led by Mason Rudolph, who went 19-of-31 for 459 yards and three touchdowns, and he also ran for a score. Justice Hill had 14 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys, who also got 235 yards and a score on six receptions from James Washington in a devastating performance. The Cowboys begin a tough three-week straight that seems them head to Texas and West Virginia before their showdown with Oklahoma.
10. USC Trojans
Last Week: 7
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Trojans (6-1, 4-1 Pac-12) had to rally to beat Utah 28-27 at home as Sam Darnold was 27-of-50 for 358 yards and three touchdowns, while Ronald Jones II had 17 carries for 111 yards and a score for the Trojans, who were down 21-7 at halftime. The Trojans will visit Notre Dame on Saturday in a huge college football rivalry game.
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