Alabama continues to run away from the field in the NCAA power rankings and the college football futures to win it all. The College Football Playoff rankings were released this week but Alabama came in at No. 2. The top spot when to Georgia as clearly, the committee feels like strength of schedule is a huge factor here. Much has been made of their schedule but really, they’re big win came on the road at Notre Dame. Other than that, they only beat Mississippi State, who was ranked No. 17 at the time and is now up to No. 16. As for Alabama, they’ll have a chance to make their impression this week and next when they face ranked opponents. It starts with a showdown with No. 19 LSU this week and then they’ll go to Mississippi State the week after.
Here is a look at this week’s college football power rankings based on the college football futures:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Week: 1
National Championship Odds: -200
The Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC) had a week off to get ready for their big matchup at home with LSU, who they have beaten six years in a row. Three of the Crimson Tide’s last four games are against teams that are currently ranked: LSU, at Mississippi State and Auburn (along with a home game with Mercer). It isn’t an easy path to the end of the season for Alabama, but with the #1 defense in the country and a more-than-capable offense, it would be a surprise if the Crimson Tide weren’t playing for a national title.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Week: 2
National Championship Odds: +450
The Buckeyes (7-1, 5-0 Big Ten) were down by 11 with five minutes to go, but they pulled out a 39-38 win at home over Penn State. J.T. Barrett was 33-of-39 for 328 yards and four touchdowns, while also running 17 times for 95 yards for the Buckeyes, who outscored the Nittany Lions 19-3 in the fourth quarter. It kept the Buckeyes’ season alive as they get ready to get to Iowa on Saturday.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
Last Week: 4
National Championship Odds: +800
The Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC) jumped out to a 21-0 in their annual “Cocktail Party” game with Florida and rolled to a 42-7 win in Jacksonville as Jake Fromm was only 4-of-7 for 101 yards, a touchdown and a pick. However, Fromm didn’t have to throw a lot as Sony Michel ran six times for 137 yards and two scores for the Bulldogs, who ran 35 times for 292 yards and four touchdowns. Georgia will be at home on Saturday to host South Carolina.
4. Clemson Tigers
Last Week: 5
National Championship Odds: +800
The Tigers (7-1, 5-1 SEC) held off Georgia Tech for a tough 24-10 win at home as Kelly Bryant was 22-of-33 for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he also had 12 carries for 67 yards. Deon Cain had four catches for 57 yards for the Tigers, who gave up 198 yards on the ground, but Georgia Tech runs the flexbone triple option, so that is to be expected. Clemson heads to North Carolina State on Saturday.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Last Week: 6
National Championship Odds: +1200
The Fighting Irish (7-1) wore down North Carolina State at home to win 35-14 as Brandon Wimbush was 10-of-19 for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Josh Adams ran 27 times for 202 yards and a score for the Fighting Irish, who had the ball for 34:17 and didn’t allow a single point in the second half. Notre Dame will be at home on Saturday to host Wake Forest.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Week: 3
National Championship Odds: +2000
The Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) might be left to rue this game as it will likely keep them out of the national-title race unless Ohio State collapses. Trace McSorley was 17-of-29 for 192 yards and two scores through the air, and he also ran 13 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. Saquon Barkey had just 44 yards on 21 carries, but he found the end zone on the ground and he ran the opening kickoff back 97 yards for a touchdown for the Nittany Lions, whose defense fell apart in the second half. The Nittany Lions have to pick themselves up quickly as they head to Michigan State on Saturday.
7. Wisconsin Badgers
Last Week: 8
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Badgers (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) forced three turnovers in a 24-10 win at Illinois as Alex Hornibrook was 10-of-19 for 135 yards and a pick. Jonathan Taylor had 12 carries for 73 yards for the Badgers, who didn’t win pretty, but they won and they have a two-game lead in the Big Ten West, which puts them in pole position to get to the conference title game. Wisconsin will stay on the road on Saturday as they travel to Indiana.
8. Oklahoma Sooners
Last Week: 10
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Sooners (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) outscored Texas Tech 35-7 in the second and third quarters to beat the Red Raiders 49-27 at home, led by Baker Mayfield, who was 22-of-34 for 281 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Rodney Anderson ran 24 times for 181 yards and a score for the Sooners, while CeeDee Lamb had nine catches for 147 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Oklahoma racked up 617 yards. The Sooners head to Oklahoma State for the annual “Bedlam” game, which could knock either school out of the running in the Big 12.
9. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Last Week: —
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Cowboys (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) outlasted West Virginia on the road in a 50-39 victory, with Mason Rudolph going 20-of-34 for 216 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and he also scored on the ground. J.D. King had 36 carries for 142 yards and a score, while Justice Hill added 86 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries for the Cowboys, who had the ball for 37:09. They’ll need that type of possession control on Saturday when they host the rival Sooners.
10. Washington Huskies
Last Week: —
National Championship Odds: +3000
The Huskies (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12) didn’t need a big game from Jake Browning to beat UCLA 44-23 at home. Browning was 8-of-11 for 98 yards and a pick. Myles Gaskin had 27 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Lavon Coleman added 14 carries for 94 yards and three scores for the Huskies. They ran for 333 yards and five touchdowns overall. The Huskies will welcome Oregon to town on Saturday.
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