Welcome to the real world of Alabama.
The real world is that your team doesn’t dominate other teams and advance to the College Football Playoff every season. The real world is without Nick Saban (who currently works for ESPN). In the real world, they would have lost two of their first seven games (they only lost once under Saban, in his first season in 2007).
The real world can be a harsh place. Please brace yourself.
The Tide’s 24-17 loss to Tennessee was a devastating blow to Bama’s conference title and playoff chances in the first year of the expanded postseason. While this result did not directly impact the top 10, the entire college football world continues to ask itself, “What is going on in Tuscaloosa?”
First-year head coach Karen DeBoer has a big problem to solve before back-to-back games against ranked teams Missouri State (home) and LSU (on the road). The Tide plays undisciplined football and makes stupid mistakes (15 penalties on Saturday). These are things we are not used to with them.
Welcome to the real world.
Check out other real-world events. No, I’m not talking about the presidential election.
I’m talking about two teams in the Big 12: BYU and Iowa State. To remain undefeated, you’ll need an incredible final drive to win the game. We’re talking about undefeated Indiana. and the undefeated Army and Navy. Miami escaped again and is now 7-0.
As always, Saturday had some wild moments. Just like Missouri quarterback Brady Cook returned from a midgame hospital visit to lead the Tigers to a come-from-behind victory over Auburn. Or how about the bizarre series of events that occurred in Austin during Georgia’s blowout 30-15 victory over Texas?
For a small fan base, the situation was often dire. At Maryland, Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans dropped their third straight game and fourth in five games (they gave up a third-point lead in the fourth quarter). At Oklahoma State, the Sooners have been very bad offensively (scoring a combined 12 points in back-to-back losses to Texas and South Carolina). And Michigan suffered its third loss in seven games, crushing its chances of making the playoffs.
This week’s top 10 is probably the most difficult to choose yet. Many teams with one loss are competing to stay in the rankings or break the rankings. Someone has to be left behind! Sorry, LSU, Texas A&M, Illinois, Kansas State, Tennessee, Missouri. Maybe next time!
1. Oregon Ducks
This week: 35-0 win over Purdue.
Next week: vs. Illinois
This classic trap game had all the ingredients. After an emotional win in a top-five matchup, it was a long road trip to take on the bottom of the table in Friday night’s kick-off. Still, the Ducks rolled. In fact, Dan Lanning’s team earned its first shutout victory on the road in over 30 years.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions
This week: Goodbye
Next week: In Wisconsin.
Is it time yet for Penn State vs. Ohio State?! No, it’s not time yet. The Nittany Lions can’t overlook a Badgers team that has been playing better football lately. James Franklin may have assembled the best all-around team in his 11 years as head coach at State College. But the hurdles will always be Ohio State and Michigan. Penn State, released from the prison that was the Big Ten East Division, will only have to play in one of them this year. That’s good news. The bad news is that Ohio State is 9-1 against Franklin over the past decade.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
This week: Beat Texas 30-15.
Next week: Goodbye
Look, I understand. Teams with one loss are ranked higher than other undefeated teams. But Georgia’s history (wins over Clemson and Texas) and strength of schedule (12th nationally) makes it stand alone among the top 10 teams. The Bulldogs are phenomenal defensively and have enough offensive weapons to score from anyone. look out.
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne celebrated one of his three touchdown runs against Texas on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
4. Miami Hurricanes
This week: 52-45 win over Louisville.
Next week: vs Florida State
The Hurricanes defense is completely exploited at times. When I say “sometimes” I mean many times. But Miami has something that most people don’t do. My name is Cam Ward. The transferred QB is putting up Heisman-type numbers. He has tossed for at least 300 yards in every game this season and scored at least three TDs in all but one game.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
This week: Goodbye
Next week: vs. Nebraska
The Buckeyes got a much-needed week of rest after a heart-pounding loss to Oregon last Saturday night. The final six-game series of the year will feature the top three opponents in the rankings. Don’t worry, the Buckeyes, one of the most expensive franchises in football, can win everyone and win the conference title, and still lose enough to earn a first-round bye in the expansion playoffs. has a great talent. Or maybe they stumble a few more times and miss the playoffs, then watch the fans burn everything down in Columbus.
6. Clemson Tigers
This week: 48-31 win over Virginia.
Next week: Goodbye
QB Cade Klubnik’s last three games: 73/108/922 yards, 8 touchdowns, 1 pick. He has been a driving force in leading the Tigers to six straight double-digit wins since the season-opening loss to Georgia in Atlanta. The Tigers only face one ranked team in the regular season, at Pitt on Nov. 16.
7. Indiana Hoosiers
This week: Beat Nebraska 56-7.
Next week: vs. Washington
Hoosiers is a football school! At least lately. Indiana has scored at least 41 points in six consecutive games. That’s the path for first-year head coach Curt Cignetti to lead this team to the College Football Playoff. With the exception of a trip to Ohio State on Nov. 23, they should be favored in all remaining games.
8. BYU Cougars
This week: 38-35 win over Oklahoma State.
Next week: At UCF
The Cougars survived a real scare from the Pokes Friday night in Provo, but needed a 35-yard touchdown pass from QB Jake Retzlaff with 10 seconds left. Head coach Kalani Sitake’s team has won three one-score games this year. BYU has three road games scheduled next month (UCF, Utah, Arizona State) that could make or break the season.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
This week: 31-13 win over Georgia Tech.
Next week: vs. Navy (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
It’s not necessarily a great situation for the Irish, but they have won five straight and have one of the best defenses in the country. In four of those wins, they conceded 13 or fewer points. I can’t wait for the game against undefeated Navy at MetLife Stadium.
10. Iowa Cyclones
This week: 38-35 win over UCF.
Next week: Goodbye
If you don’t already know who Rocco Becht is, just look it up and you’ll soon find out. The Iowa State quarterback hit .274 for 97 points on Saturday, including a game-winning 80-yard touchdown drive that marched the Cyclones down the field.
Dropout: Texas (3)
