The first playoff standings were released and they were some head scratchers. Amid those standings, week ten saw some teams try to make statements and others, well, let’s just say they didn’t live up to their rankings. Here are my winners and losers:
Winners:
- Alabama Crimson Tide: Quarterback Jalen Hurts had the only touchdown, a rushing touchdown in the third quarter. While the defense held up their end holding LSU to just 125 total yards defeating the Tigers 10-0. Even in an ugly game, the Tide were able to pull it off.
- Washington Huskies: Fans and experts including myself, felt the Huskies got hosed out of being in the top 4 the first playoff standings. So the Huskies decided to let their play do the talking. Quarterback Jake Browning threw for 378 yards and six touchdowns. Running backs Lavon Coleman and Myles Gaskin rushed for a combined 182 yards and two touchdowns. The defense caught three interceptions as the Huskies defeated the California Golden Bears easily 66-27. They’re now 9-0 for the first time since 1991 when they won the national championship. Best way for the Huskies to send a message is just to win out.
- Ohio State Buckeyes: It was all Buckeyes as quarterback JT Barrett threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Safeties Malik Hooker and Damon Webb each had a pick six as the Buckeyes hammered the Nebraska Cornhuskers 62-3.
- Louisville QB Lamar Jackson: Some experts felt that Boston College would be a trap game because of the Eagles’ defense. Guess Jackson didn’t get the memo as he threw for four touchdowns. He also rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns as he helped his Cardinals destroy the Eagles 52-7. Suffice to say, Mr. Jackson is your leader in the Heisman race thus far.
- Oklahoma State Cowboys: Quarterback Mason Randolph threw for 457 yards and five touchdowns including the go-ahead touchdown to wide receiver Chris Carlson. A late interception helped the Cowboys hold off the Kansas State Wildcats 43-37, the Cowboys control their own destiny in the Big 12.
Losers:
- LSU Tigers: Though the defense kept them in it, the offense was held to just 125 total yards and they weren’t able to get running back Leonard Fournette going in their loss to Alabama.
- Nebraska Cornhuskers: After losing quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. to a scary hit, the offense just couldn’t get going in their loss to Ohio State.
- Florida Gators: Quarterback Luke Del Rio’s two interceptions (one ended up being a pick six) and the offense being held to just 12 rushing yards were the Gators’ undoing in their loss to Arkansas 31-10. It’s their first loss to the Hogs in SEC play, the last loss was in the 1982 Bluebonnet Bowl. Thus throwing the SEC East into complete and total chaos.
- UCLA Bruins: Questionable offensive play-calling, being held to just 12 rushing yards and missed field goals doomed the Bruins in their loss to the Colorado Buffaloes 20-10. At 1-5 in conference play, if head coach Jim Mora’s hot seat wasn’t warm yet, it is now.
- Texas A&M Aggies: Many folks, (myself included) questioned the Aggies being number four in the first college football playoff rankings, our hunch was right as the defense gave up 365 rushing yards in their upset loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs 35-28.
- Michigan State Spartans: The Spartans lost to the Illinois Fighting Illini 31-27, it’s their first loss to Illinois in a decade. Michigan State have now lost seven in a row, and are now 0-6 in the Big Ten for the first time EVER!!!
- Baylor Bears: The Bears were just steamrolled by the TCU Horned Frogs 62-22, I’ll just leave it at that.
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The defense gave up 320 rushing yards in their loss to the Navy Midshipman 28-27. It’s their first loss to Navy since 2010. The Irish now must win out to even get bowl eligible.
Storylines Going Into Week 11:
In the ACC, Pitt travels to Clemson.
In the Big 12, Oklahoma hosts Baylor. West Virginia faces Texas. Texas Tech battles Oklahoma State.
In the Big Ten, a hot Penn State plays upset-minded Indiana. Illinois faces Wisconsin. Minnesota goes to Nebraska. Michigan plays Iowa
In the Pac 12, USC goes to Washington
In the SEC, Auburn travels to Georgia. LSU plays Arkansas. Ole Miss goes to Texas A&M.