CFB: Rivalry Week Preview
Team Rankings:
1. Ohio State (11-0, 98)
2. LSU (11-0, 96)
3. Clemson (11-0, 94)
4. Georgia (10-1, 87)
5. Oklahoma (10-1, 80)
6. Alabama (10-1, 82)
7. Utah (10-1, 79)
8. Minnesota (10-1, 54)
9. Baylor (10-1, 51)
10. Michigan (9-2, 33)
Breakdown: #1 Ohio State moves up to the top spot, becoming the fourth team (Clemson, Alabama, LSU) to do so this year, following their 28-17 win over Penn State. Meanwhile, #2 LSU blew out Arkansas on their home field with another stellar offensive performance. However, the defense was the story as they looked a lot better in the 56-20 win than they did in the previous game versus Ole Miss. #3 Clemson was off as #4 Georgia and #5 Oklahoma survived close games versus Texas A&M and TCU, respectively. #6 Alabama and #7 Utah won by a combined score of 101-10. #8 Minnesota got back to their winning ways as they defeated Northwestern 38-22 on the road. #9 Baylor blew past Texas, 24-10, while #10 Michigan moves back into the rankings following Shea Patterson's 366-yard performance.
Rivalry Week Picks:
Virginia Tech @ Virginia
#3 Clemson @ South Carolina
Boston College @ Pittsburgh
Louisville @ Kentucky
Iowa @ Nebraska
Wisconsin @ #8 Minnesota
Maryland @ Michigan State
Texas Tech @ Texas
West Virginia @ TCU
#5 Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State
Iowa State @ Kansas State
Washington State @ Washington
Oregon State @ Oregon
Notre Dame @ Stanford
Arizona @ Arizona State
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State
#6 Alabama @ Auburn
Texas A&M @ #2 LSU
Florida State @ Florida
Picks Records:
Caleb Henderson: 47-18
Charles Post: 54-11
Chinedum Wejinya: 54-11
Tyler Taylor: 44-21
Playoff Picks:
1. LSU (13-0, SEC champions)
2. Ohio State (13-0, Big Ten champions)
3. Clemson (13-0, ACC champions)
4. Alabama (11-1, SEC West runner-up)
Breakdown: With rivalry week on the horizon, we're picking 20 games this week. Things get going in the ACC with a battle for the ACC Coastal between Virginia and Virginia Tech. Also in the ACC, #3 Clemson goes to South Carolina, Pittsburgh hosts Boston College, and Louisville goes to Kentucky. In the Big Ten, Iowa faces Nebraska before #1 Ohio State travels to #10 Michigan for The Game. #8 Minnesota hosts Wisconsin with the division on the line. Texas will look for their seventh win versus Texas Tech, while #5 Oklahoma will try to stay in CFP contention at Oklahoma State. Notre Dame will head west to go up against Stanford. Finally, in the SEC, #6 Alabama goes to Auburn for the Iron Bowl, while Texas A&M will try to pull off an upset at #2 LSU. Florida will also host Florida State in Gainesville.
Heisman Standings:
1. Joe Burrow (LSU, 20)
2. Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma, 16)
3. Chase Young (Ohio State, 7)
4. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson, 6)
5. Justin Fields (Ohio State, 5)
Breakdown: Joe Burrow has been at the top of our standings for more than a month now and is the fourth player (Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts) to be #1 in our Heisman rankings. He had 327 yards and three scores in their most recent game versus Arkansas and Burrow is definitely the favorite. Hurts had 145 yards and two touchdowns through the air against TCU as he remained in the second slot. Chase Young moved up to #3 after he had nine tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks against Penn State. Lawrence stays at the fourth spot after a bye week, while Justin Fields jumps Jonathan Taylor for #5 after he compiled 188 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 28-17 win over the Nittany Lions. Taylor rushed for 222 yards and one touchdown on 28 carries as he was just on the outside.
Photo Credit: Roll Tide Roll.
