The TCU Horned Frogs, Michigan State Spartans and Memphis Tigers all slipped down the College Football Playoff rankings following upset losses last weekend. While Separation Saturday is in the rearview mirror, there is still a long way to go before the selection committee makes its final decision on the four teams that will compete for this year’s national championship.
The focus now shifts to Week 11 and while the matchups might not look as sexy on paper as they did a week ago, there are a handful of ranked teams that will have to be careful to avoid losing as favorites this weekend. Here is a look at the four ranked teams that are on upset alert for Week 11.
No. 7 Stanford
A year ago, it was Ohio State that ran the table following an ugly early season loss to win the College Football Playoff. Now it looks like Stanford is following that formula. The Cardinal have bounced back from an ugly loss to Northwestern with eight straight wins and they own the best record in the Pac-12 right now. The Pac-12 is experience a down year, which means that the stars have aligned for them to win the remainder of their schedule and head to the CFP. However, this week they’ll have to avoid a potential landmine.
The Ducks visit The Farm this week and while it’s fairly clear that they’re not the same dominant team they used to be, it doesn’t mean they’re not dangerous. They still boast the top offense in the Pac-12 and they enter on a three-game winning streak. Yes, they’ve lost three times this year but once was to Utah, who is No. 10 in the country, and twice were close calls to two other pretty good teams (at Michigan State and home to Washington State). Stanford better be careful.
No. 9 LSU
LSU is coming off a devastating loss at Alabama last week but they can’t afford to lick their wounds any longer as they try to bounce back at home against Arkansas this weekend. The Tigers are clearly the more talented team but they are coming off a physical loss to the Tide and they might feel like their season is lost. They can’t afford an emotional letdown after conceding top spot in the SEC West because Arkansas can compound their problems. The Razorbacks have won three of their five games against SEC opponents – including a big win at Ole Miss last week. They’ve won three in a row while scoring at least 53 points in each game. They will throw everything they have at LSU hoping they can pull off the upset on Saturday.
No. 13 Michigan
Jim Harbaugh deserves all of the praise he has received for turning things around at Michigan this season but the Wolverines can’t afford to let their foot off the gas heading into the final stretch of the regular season. Michigan’s showdown with Ohio State looms in its season finale but they have stops at Indiana and Penn State before that. While the Hoosiers are 0-5 in Big Ten play, they have had some close calls against Ohio State and Iowa already – two other Top 10 teams. The Wolverines can’t afford to overlook them this weekend.
[related_post_one]
No. 19 UCLA
A 41-0 win a Oregon State last week has Bruins’ fans talking about UCLA potentially challenging for a Pac-12 title this season. They’re back in the Top 25 too. However, before they reach their showdown at Utah next week, they will have to survive a tough test from Washington State at home. The Cougars bounced back from a close loss to Stanford with a win over Arizona State last weekend and they have won four of their last five games overall. Washington State has been very good this season as they’re 6-3 with wins against Oregon and Arizona State. And remember, they nearly (and probably should have) beat Stanford two weeks ago. They’ll lay it all on the line in the biggest game remaining on their regular season schedule and that means UCLA is on upset alert heading in to Week 11.
