- Clemson (8-0)
- LSU (7-0)
- Ohio State (8-0)
- Alabama (7-1)
- Notre Dame (7-1)
- Baylor (7-0)
- Michigan State (8-0)
- TCU (8-0)
- Iowa (8-0)
- Florida (7-1)
- Stanford (7-1)
- Utah (7-1)
- Memphis (8-0)
- Oklahoma State (8-0)
- Oklahoma (7-1)
- Florida State (7-1)
- Michigan (6-2)
- Ole Miss (7-2)
- Texas A&M (6-2)
- Mississippi State (6-2)
- Northwestern (6-2)
- Temple (7-1)
- UCLA (6-2)
- Toledo (7-0)
- Houston (8-0)
Now, there are many people who disagree with these first rankings (including myself), but in the grand scheme of things, the initial CFB Playoff rankings hold little weight. This becomes evident by looking at last season's debut of the CFB Playoff rankings (the teams in last year's Playoff are in bold):
- Mississippi State
- Florida State
- Auburn
- Ole Miss
- Oregon
- Alabama
- TCU
- Michigan State
- Kansas State
- Notre Dame
- Georgia
- Arizona
- Baylor
- Arizona State
- Nebraska
- Ohio State
- Utah
- Oklahoma
- LSU
- West Virginia
- Clemson
- UCLA
- East Carolina
- Duke
- Louisville
As you can see, only one of the top four teams in these rankings ended up in the top four at the end of the season. In fact, the #16 team ended up winning the National Championship. So, while the Playoff Committee may have made some questionable decisions (Ohio State not at #1, undefeated Baylor, Michigan State, and TCU below one-loss Alabama and Notre Dame, etc.), there is still much football to be played.
Rankings and other information via ESPN.com
Rankings and other information via ESPN.com
Week 9 Review
Top Games
Wasu was flying high going into a key home date with Stanford Saturday night, but the Cardinal, along with some costly mistakes, brought them down. The Cougars' Air Raid offense still amassed 354 yards, but they had trouble punching it into the end zone, leading to five Erik Powell field goals. Their defense, however, shut down Stanford's pass game, so the Cardinal leaned on the rushing attack, led by quarterback Kevin Hogan (112 yards, 2 TD) and running back Christian McCaffrey (107 yards). State was in a good position up one with under four minutes to play, but quarterback Luke Falk was picked off in his own territory by Quenton Meeks (his second interception of the game). Stanford got down to the WSU two before kicking a go-ahead field goal with 1:54 to play. Falk and the Cougars got the ball back and drove down the field to set up a 43-yard field goal by Powell, who had already made five field goals. Alas, the sixth went wide right.
Michigan escaped Minneapolis with the Little Brown Jug after a goal-line stand as time expired. After long-time Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill retired earlier last week due to his epilepsy, interim coach Tracy Claeys decided to go for the win instead of the tie after quarterback Mitch Leidner got the Golden Gophers to the one. A deep pass from Leidner to Drew Wolitarsky was initially ruled a touchdown, but the officials reviewed the play and marked him down at the one. Leidner was then stuffed on a QB sneak to end the game.
1. Miami 30, #22 Duke 27
Forget about the first 59:54. It was the last six seconds of this game that made the highlight reels. Before that, it looked like Duke had gotten a win on a QB sneak by Thomas Sirk with six seconds to play. The Blue Devils got the two-point conversion and kicked a squib to try to run off the remaining seconds. Then, madness ensued. Dallas Crawford picked it up and lateraled it to Corn Elder, who lateraled it to Jaquan Johnson, who lateraled it to Mark Walton, who lateraled it back to Johnson, who lateraled it to Tyre Brady, who lateraled it back to Elder, who lateraled it back to Crawford, who lateraled it back to Elder, who returned it 91 yards for a game-winning touchdown. The Canes pulled off the backyard football lateral play that never works. It wasn't without controversy, of course (I'll get to that later), but it was one of the most amazing plays in college football history, and it provided a shocking ending for the third week in a row.
Top Performances
Clemson QB Deshaun Watson @ NC State (W 56-41): 23-30, 383 yards, 5 TD; 14 rushes, 54 yards, TD
Watson accounted for 36 of the Tigers' 56 points in a shootout win over N.C. State.
Arkansas RB Alex Collins vs. Tennessee-Martin (W 63-28): 16 rushes, 173 yards, 5 TD
Five of Collins' 16 carries were touchdowns in a rout of Tennessee-Martin
Oklahoma State WR James Washington @ Texas Tech (W 70-53): 4 catches, 200 yards, 2 TD
Washington only had four receptions, but he averaged 50 yards on those four receptions, and half of them were touchdowns.
Play of the Week
There was a very exciting Pac-12 game Thursday night between former ranked teams Oregon and Arizona State. On fourth down with 12 seconds left, Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams rolled out of the pocket looking for someone, and heaved a desperation pass that was hauled in in the back of the end zone by Dwayne Stanford to send the game into overtime. Oregon would win in the third overtime.
Play of the Weak
This one goes to "The Return" Miami had against Duke. It is in "Play of the Weak" because of the multiple mistakes officials made on that final play. In fact, that officiating crew was suspended for the errors. First, it looked like Mark Walton's knee might have been down as he lateraled it. Second, a flag was initially called for a block in the back, but after meeting about it, the officials called it off. Third, someone on the Miami sideline came on to the field before the touchdown was scored, which should have been a penalty. All of this shouldn't take away from the amazement of the play.
Grant's Initial Playoff Rankings
1. Ohio State
Starting quarterback J.T. Barrett was cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated Saturday morning, and is suspended for Saturday night's game against Minnesota. That means Cardale Jones gets another crack at the starting job. Next Game: Minnesota, Saturday, 8:00 PM
2. Clemson
The #1 team in the actual Playoff rankings gets my #2 spot. Deshaun Watson is a stud, and the defense is stout. They face a tough test this weekend at home against Florida State, followed by three winnable games and the ACC Championship. Next Game: Florida State, Saturday, 3:30 PM
3. LSU
The talented Tigers face the most daunting task of any of the top teams, traveling to Tuscaloosa for a clash with the Crimson Tide Saturday night. Three of LSU's next (and final) four opponents are ranked. Next Game: @ Alabama, Saturday, 8:00 PM
4. TCU
The Horned Frogs have a couple of close wins, but they have a high-octane offense featuring a Heisman Trophy contender in Trevone Boykin, and they're now the favorite to win the Big 12 with Baylor losing Seth Russell. Next Game: @ #14 Oklahoma State, Saturday, 3:30 PM
5. Baylor
6. Michigan State
7. Alabama
8. Notre Dame
9. Iowa
10. Stanford
Week 10 Preview
Quick Picks (home team listed last)
Last Week: 16-1
Overall: 70-20
Northern Illinois 10, #24 Toledo 27 (Final Score: Northern Illinois 32, Toledo 27)
#6 Baylor 32, Kansas State 24 (Thursday, 7:30 PM, Fox Sports 1)
#20 Mississippi State 28, Missouri 21 (Thursday, 9:00 PM, ESPN)
#22 Temple 35, SMU 17 (Friday, 8:00 PM, ESPN 2)
Vanderbilt 13, #10 Florida 28 (Saturday, Noon, ESPN)
#5 Notre Dame 38, Pittsburgh 28 (Saturday, Noon, ABC)
Penn State 24, #21 Northwestern 28 (Saturday, Noon, ESPNU)
#11 Stanford 42, Colorado 14 (Saturday, 1:00 PM, Pac-12)
Arkansas 19, #18 Ole Miss 34 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, CBS)
#16 Florida State 30, #1 Clemson 32 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, ABC/ESPN Deportes)
#8 TCU 52, #14 Oklahoma State 50 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, FOX)
#9 Iowa 32, Indiana 28 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, ESPN)
Rutgers 14, #17 Michigan 35 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, BTN)
Cincinnati 21, #25 Houston 35 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, ESPN 2)
#23 UCLA 32, Oregon State 17 (Saturday, 4:30 PM, Pac-12)
#7 Michigan State 35, Nebraska 20 (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPN)
Iowa State 27, #15 Oklahoma 45 (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPNU)
Navy 32, #13 Memphis 40 (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPN 2)
#12 Utah 42, Washington 34 (Saturday, 7:30 PM, FOX)
Auburn 28, #19 Texas A&M 42 (Saturday, 7:30 PM, SEC)
Minnesota 24, #3 Ohio State 38 (Saturday, 8:00 PM, ABC)
Game of the Week: #2 LSU 35, #4 Alabama 32 (Saturday, 8:00 PM, CBS)
This is probably the biggest matchup so far this season. Two SEC heavyweights and top five teams go at it. LSU's prolific offense goes against Alabama's ferocious defense, and the winner will be in the driver's seat not just for the SEC West, but for a playoff spot.
1. Miami 30, #22 Duke 27
Forget about the first 59:54. It was the last six seconds of this game that made the highlight reels. Before that, it looked like Duke had gotten a win on a QB sneak by Thomas Sirk with six seconds to play. The Blue Devils got the two-point conversion and kicked a squib to try to run off the remaining seconds. Then, madness ensued. Dallas Crawford picked it up and lateraled it to Corn Elder, who lateraled it to Jaquan Johnson, who lateraled it to Mark Walton, who lateraled it back to Johnson, who lateraled it to Tyre Brady, who lateraled it back to Elder, who lateraled it back to Crawford, who lateraled it back to Elder, who returned it 91 yards for a game-winning touchdown. The Canes pulled off the backyard football lateral play that never works. It wasn't without controversy, of course (I'll get to that later), but it was one of the most amazing plays in college football history, and it provided a shocking ending for the third week in a row.
Top Performances
Clemson QB Deshaun Watson @ NC State (W 56-41): 23-30, 383 yards, 5 TD; 14 rushes, 54 yards, TD
Watson accounted for 36 of the Tigers' 56 points in a shootout win over N.C. State.
Arkansas RB Alex Collins vs. Tennessee-Martin (W 63-28): 16 rushes, 173 yards, 5 TD
Five of Collins' 16 carries were touchdowns in a rout of Tennessee-Martin
Oklahoma State WR James Washington @ Texas Tech (W 70-53): 4 catches, 200 yards, 2 TD
Washington only had four receptions, but he averaged 50 yards on those four receptions, and half of them were touchdowns.
Play of the Week
There was a very exciting Pac-12 game Thursday night between former ranked teams Oregon and Arizona State. On fourth down with 12 seconds left, Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams rolled out of the pocket looking for someone, and heaved a desperation pass that was hauled in in the back of the end zone by Dwayne Stanford to send the game into overtime. Oregon would win in the third overtime.
Play of the Weak
This one goes to "The Return" Miami had against Duke. It is in "Play of the Weak" because of the multiple mistakes officials made on that final play. In fact, that officiating crew was suspended for the errors. First, it looked like Mark Walton's knee might have been down as he lateraled it. Second, a flag was initially called for a block in the back, but after meeting about it, the officials called it off. Third, someone on the Miami sideline came on to the field before the touchdown was scored, which should have been a penalty. All of this shouldn't take away from the amazement of the play.
Grant's Initial Playoff Rankings
1. Ohio State
Starting quarterback J.T. Barrett was cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated Saturday morning, and is suspended for Saturday night's game against Minnesota. That means Cardale Jones gets another crack at the starting job. Next Game: Minnesota, Saturday, 8:00 PM
2. Clemson
The #1 team in the actual Playoff rankings gets my #2 spot. Deshaun Watson is a stud, and the defense is stout. They face a tough test this weekend at home against Florida State, followed by three winnable games and the ACC Championship. Next Game: Florida State, Saturday, 3:30 PM
3. LSU
The talented Tigers face the most daunting task of any of the top teams, traveling to Tuscaloosa for a clash with the Crimson Tide Saturday night. Three of LSU's next (and final) four opponents are ranked. Next Game: @ Alabama, Saturday, 8:00 PM
4. TCU
The Horned Frogs have a couple of close wins, but they have a high-octane offense featuring a Heisman Trophy contender in Trevone Boykin, and they're now the favorite to win the Big 12 with Baylor losing Seth Russell. Next Game: @ #14 Oklahoma State, Saturday, 3:30 PM
5. Baylor
6. Michigan State
7. Alabama
8. Notre Dame
9. Iowa
10. Stanford
Week 10 Preview
Quick Picks (home team listed last)
Last Week: 16-1
Overall: 70-20
Northern Illinois 10, #24 Toledo 27 (Final Score: Northern Illinois 32, Toledo 27)
#6 Baylor 32, Kansas State 24 (Thursday, 7:30 PM, Fox Sports 1)
#20 Mississippi State 28, Missouri 21 (Thursday, 9:00 PM, ESPN)
#22 Temple 35, SMU 17 (Friday, 8:00 PM, ESPN 2)
Vanderbilt 13, #10 Florida 28 (Saturday, Noon, ESPN)
#5 Notre Dame 38, Pittsburgh 28 (Saturday, Noon, ABC)
Penn State 24, #21 Northwestern 28 (Saturday, Noon, ESPNU)
#11 Stanford 42, Colorado 14 (Saturday, 1:00 PM, Pac-12)
Arkansas 19, #18 Ole Miss 34 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, CBS)
#16 Florida State 30, #1 Clemson 32 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, ABC/ESPN Deportes)
#8 TCU 52, #14 Oklahoma State 50 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, FOX)
#9 Iowa 32, Indiana 28 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, ESPN)
Rutgers 14, #17 Michigan 35 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, BTN)
Cincinnati 21, #25 Houston 35 (Saturday, 3:30 PM, ESPN 2)
#23 UCLA 32, Oregon State 17 (Saturday, 4:30 PM, Pac-12)
#7 Michigan State 35, Nebraska 20 (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPN)
Iowa State 27, #15 Oklahoma 45 (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPNU)
Navy 32, #13 Memphis 40 (Saturday, 7:00 PM, ESPN 2)
#12 Utah 42, Washington 34 (Saturday, 7:30 PM, FOX)
Auburn 28, #19 Texas A&M 42 (Saturday, 7:30 PM, SEC)
Minnesota 24, #3 Ohio State 38 (Saturday, 8:00 PM, ABC)
Game of the Week: #2 LSU 35, #4 Alabama 32 (Saturday, 8:00 PM, CBS)
This is probably the biggest matchup so far this season. Two SEC heavyweights and top five teams go at it. LSU's prolific offense goes against Alabama's ferocious defense, and the winner will be in the driver's seat not just for the SEC West, but for a playoff spot.
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