1. Oregon Ducks (11-0)
The Ducks were challenged for the first time since their victory over Ohio State in October but they remained perfect on the season. Playing under the lights at Camp Randall in Madison is never an easy task, and it took the Ducks all 60 minutes to top Wisconsin. Oregon trailed 13-6 entering the fourth quarter as the offense struggled — including QB Dillon Gabriel who threw a poor interception in the red zone. However, the No. 1 team came through when it mattered most by scoring 10 points in the fourth. With less than two minutes on the clock, Matayo Uiagalelei intercepted a pass to clinch the victory.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1)
With undefeated Indiana on a Bye Week ahead of this week’s big showdown, Ohio State took care of business at Wrigley Field. The Buckeyes started slowly as Northwestern controlled the clock and found themselves trailing 7-0 in the second quarter. However, OSU took control of the game with three touchdowns in the final seven minutes of the half. Quinshon Judkins rushed for a pair of touchdowns and Will Howard found Carnell Tate for the third TD with 47 seconds remaining in the half. To start the third, Howard and Tate linked up for another score to put the game out of reach. If the Buckeyes win their last two games, they will play for the Big Ten Championship.
3. Texas Longhorns (9-1)
Texas continues to control its fate in the SEC. The Longhorns won a low-scoring affair in Fayetteville, topping Arkansas 20-10. Texas’ defense kept the Razorbacks off the board until deep into the third quarter as Quinn Ewers led the offense to 13 points. However, the Hogs scored 10 unanswered points to cut the lead to three with 12:48 to play. Ewers responded by leading the offense to a touchdown on the ensuing drive, and the defense forced a fumble six plays later to end Arkansas’ last threat.
4. Indiana Hoosiers (10-0)
All it took for the AP voters to move Indiana from No. 8 to No. 5 was a win over a very average Michigan team two weeks ago. The Hoosiers dominated their first nine opponents — winning every game by at least 14 points — and appeared to be on their way to a convincing win over the Wolverines. IU scored touchdowns on two of its first three drives and went on a 17-0 run following a Michigan field goal to open the scoring. However, the second half was a different story. Indiana’s offense sputtered after the break and finished the second half with less than 20 total yards. The defense came through when it mattered most, turning Michigan over on downs with 1:41 remaining to preserve a 20-15 lead. Next, Indiana heads to Columbus for a massive showdown with the Buckeyes.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-1)
As Ohio State and Indiana get ready to battle for a potential spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, Penn State will look to finish strong as it strives for the College Football Playoff. Last week, the Nittany Lions walloped a terrible Purdue team. Drew Allar was spectacular — 17-of-19 for 247 yards and three touchdowns — and the team averaged 6.9 yards per carry in addition to finding the endzone three times. State led 42-3 after three quarters and cruised to a 49-10 win.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-1)
Notre Dame continues to crush its opponents. A week after thumping Florida State 52-3, the Irish raced out to a 35-0 lead over Virginia before hitting the breaks. Jeremiyah Love opened the scoring with a 4-yard run in the first quarter and scored his second TD on a 76-yard burst in the third quarter. Between Love’s two TDs, QB Riley Leonard threw three TD passes in the second quarter. The Irish take on No. 24 Army this week before heading out to Los Angeles to take on USC.
7. Boise State Broncos (9-1)
Through 20 minutes, Boise State appeared to be on upset watch against San Jose State. The Spartans scored the first 14 points of the game as Boise’s offense struggled to find its footing. However, the tide turned when Boise’s defense forced a turnover on downs inside its 10-yard line. The Broncos subsequently marched 92 yards to cut SJSU’s lead to 14-7. An interception on the next possession led to Boise tying the game heading into halftime. After falling behind 21-14 to start the third, Boise rattled off 28 straight points to pull away. Ashton Jeanty rushed for 159 yards and three TDs and Davon Banks capped the scoring with a 70-yard pick-six.
8. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-2)
A week after obliterating the rival LSU Tigers at Death Valley, Alabama hosted Mercer in what was a glorified scrimmage. The Tide walked their way through a 52-7 victory to improve to 8-2. Jalen Milroe accounted for three touchdowns before heading to the bench and the Tide used four quarterbacks overall. To end the regular season, Bama will face Oklahoma in Norman before returning home to take on Auburn.
9. Ole Miss Rebels (8-2)
Ole Miss greatly improved its chances of making the 12-team College Football Playoff two weekends ago. Entering the week at 7-2, the Rebels needed to win their last three games of the season to have any chance at reaching the CFP. The first team they needed to conquer? The Georgia Bulldogs. Lane Kiffin’s group controlled Georgia throughout the contest, despite what the 16-7 halftime score may suggest. After the intermission, the Rebels outscored Georgia 12-3 en route to an 18-point triumph. The team may need some help to secure a spot in the CFP, but it shouldn’t have trouble finishing with a 10-2 record (@ Florida, vs. Mississippi State).
10. Georgia Bulldogs (8-2)
As we predicted, Georgia responded to its second loss of the season by knocking off Tennessee. The Bulldogs trailed 10-0 after the first quarter and appeared to be in danger of losing for a third time. However, Carson Beck connected with Oscar Delp for a pair of touchdowns to start the second quarter and UGA took the lead. The Vols briefly took the lead towards the end of the half, but the Bulldogs tied the game with five seconds remaining. The second half was all Georgia. Kirby Smart’s group blanked the Vols over the final 30 minutes as the offense scored a pair of touchdowns to grab a 31-17 win.
11. SMU Mustangs (9-1)
The Mustangs are two wins away from appearing in the ACC Championship Game. The first-year ACC program improved to 9-1 with a hard-fought win over Boston College. An early 10-0 lead turned into a 20-14 lead at halftime, but BC grabbed its first lead of the game with a touchdown to open the third quarter. Kevin Jennings responded by finding Jordan Hudson for a 38-yard TD to put SMU back ahead, and Collin Rogers tacked on a field goal minutes later to push its lead to 10. Holding a three-point lead with four minutes to play, the Mustangs forced a turnover on downs to end BC’s comeback attempt.
12. Miami Hurricanes (9-1)
While the Hurricanes are still in position to appear in the ACC Championship Game and potentially secure a top-4 seed in the College Football Playoff, they no longer have any room for error due to their loss to Georgia Tech two weeks ago. A 10-7 lead after 15 minutes of action turned into a 28-16 deficit two minutes into the fourth quarter. Trailing by five with under two minutes on the clock, Heisman contender Cam Ward was sacked and fumbled the ball back to Georgia Tech. While the Canes finished with just one turnover, the offense also turned the ball over on downs three times on Tech’s side of the field.
13. BYU Cougars (9-1)
A week after a miraculous win at Utah, BYU’s perfect season came to an end with a home loss to Kansas. Kansas handed then-No. 17 Iowa State a loss two weeks ago, so its win over BYU shouldn’t be shocking. The Cougars held a 13-10 lead after three quarters and the defense had no trouble stopping the Jayhawks. However, the team didn’t account for a surprise punt to result in an easy touchdown for KU. On 4th & 14 from BYU’s 36, Kansas QB Jalon Daniels took the field to seemingly go for it. Instead, he punted and the ball hit an unassuming defender in the helmet — resulting in KU recovering the ball at the 3-yard line. BYU had an opportunity to win the game late, but it came up three yards short on a 4th & 11 from the KU 16.
14. Colorado Buffaloes (8-2)
The Buffaloes continue to control their destiny in the Big 12. A week after an impressive win at Texas Tech, Colorado thumped Utah at home. The Utes opened the scoring with a field goal following Shedeur Sanders throwing an interception on the first play of the game, but the Buffs responded with 14 quick points — a 40-yard pass to Will Sheppard and a punt return TD, respectively — to grab control. CU’s defense forced four turnovers to help the offense overcome three turnovers of its own. Next, Colorado will head to Kansas to take on a team that has knocked off two ranked opponents in a row.
15. Tennessee Volunteers (8-2)
Having entered the week on a four-game winning streak, the Volunteers were in control of their path to the SEC Championship. Tennessee couldn’t have asked for a better start against Georgia as it opened the game with 10 unanswered points. Dylan Sampson’s touchdown run with 1:54 to play in the first half restored the lead for the Vols, but Georgia tied the game at 17 moments later. The second half was a disaster. The offense was forced to punt on its first three possessions and the defense gave up two TD drives of 87 and 92 yards, respectively. On the final possession of the game for Tennessee, QB Nico Iamaleava fumbled.
