CFB: Week 10 Preview
Week 9 lived up to the hype with five ranked-vs.-ranked matchups, as No. 6 Ohio State came back to down No. 2 Penn State in the Game of the Year, No. 11 Oklahoma State eliminated No. 21 West Virginia, No. 9 Notre Dame stymied No. 15 NC State, No. 22 Iowa State pulled off another upset of No. 4 TCU, and No. 24 Arizona ran around No. 14 Washington State. And there were a couple of big time games in the ACC as Boston College and Wake Forest defeated Florida State and Louisville, respectively, as well as No. 7 Clemson taking down Georgia Tech in a downpour.
Week 10 gets even better, though, with the slate consisting of seven (!) ranked-vs.-ranked matchups, the highest total of the year so far. It'll start with the CFP Rankings being announced on Tuesday, before Toledo and Northern Illinois fight for the top spot in the Mid-American on Thursday. And then on Saturday, we have No. 5 Clemson versus No. 19 NC State, No. 20 LSU at No. 1 Alabama, No. 21 Arizona traveling to No. 17 USC, No. 18 Stanford taking on No. 22 Washington State, No. 8 Penn State looking to avoid another loss at No. 24 Michigan State, No. 13 Virginia Tech against No. 10 Miami, and finally, the Bedlam Series.
*Maximum of 100 Points.*
Top-25 Rankings:
1. Alabama (8-0, 5-0) - 99 Pts.
2. Georgia (8-0, 5-0) - 98 Pts.
3. Ohio State (7-1, 5-0) - 91 Pts.
4. Notre Dame (7-1, 3-0) - 90 Pts.
5. Clemson (7-1, 4-1) - 88 Pts.
6. Wisconsin (8-0, 5-0) - 86 Pts.
7. TCU (7-1, 4-1) - 84 Pts.
8. Penn State (7-1, 4-1) - 81 Pts.
9. Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1) - 79 Pts.
10. Miami (7-0, 5-0) - 78 Pts.
11. Oklahoma State (7-1, 4-1) - 72 Pts.
12. Washington (7-1, 4-1) - 66 Pts.
13. Virginia Tech (7-1, 4-1) - 63 Pts.
14. Auburn (6-2, 4-1) - 56 Pts.
15. Iowa State (6-2, 4-1) - 56 Pts.
16. Central Florida (7-0, 5-0) - 53 Pts.
17. USC (7-2, 4-1) - 51 Pts.
18. Stanford (6-2, 5-1) - 49 Pts.
19. NC State (6-2, 4-0) - 39 Pts.
20. LSU (6-2, 3-1) - 39 Pts.
21. Arizona (6-2, 4-1) - 38 Pts.
22. Washington State (7-2, 4-2) - 30 Pts.
23. Michigan (6-2, 3-2) - 25 Pts.
24. Michigan State (6-2, 4-1) - 20 Pts.
25. South Florida (7-1, 4-1) - 14 Pts.
Just Missed the Cut:
26. Mississippi State (6-2, 3-2) - 13 Pts.
27. Toledo (7-1, 4-0) - 9 Pts.
28. San Diego State (7-2, 4-2) - 8 Pts.
29. West Virginia (5-3, 3-2) - 4 Pts.
30. Wake Forest (5-2, 2-3) - 2 Pts.
Trending Upward: No. 15 Iowa State (+7) saw the biggest jump after upsetting No. 4 TCU for their second win over a top-five team of the season, and they now control their own destiny in the Big 12. The Cyclones have seen steady improvement under Matt Campbell and if they can win three of their next four games, then they'll likely reach the Big 12 title game. Iowa State finishes the season with road games against West Virginia, Baylor, and Kansas State, with a bout against Oklahoma State at home in the middle of that stretch. It's a pretty tough finish to the end of the season, but they should be able to handle Baylor and Kansas State, so it will come down to playing the Mountaineers and Cowboys over the next 10 days. Other teams that are on the climb are No. 20 LSU (+6), No. 4 Notre Dame (+5) after defeating No. 15 NC State, and No. 3 Ohio State (+3). Also, for the first time this year, No. 1 Alabama did not earn all 100 possible poll points. No. 2 Georgia was given a vote and has closed the gap on the Crimson Tide.
Trending Downward: No. 25 South Florida (-8) was one of three ranked teams to suffer their first loss of the year, as the Bulls slipped up at home against Houston. It was enough to bump them down to the last spot in our rankings, and unless they finish 12-1, South Florida won't reach a New Year's Six bowl, which had to have been their goal from the beginning of the season. The Bulls will face Connecticut, Tulsa, and Central Florida to finish. No. 8 Penn State (-6) and No. 24 Michigan State (-6) also took substantial falls after losing to No. 6 Ohio State and Northwestern, respectively. And lastly, No. 7 TCU (-3) lost at No. 22 Iowa State, which was their first loss on the year. The Nittany Lions and Spartans play one another this weekend, and the loser will be eliminated from contending for the Big Ten title.
Charles Post:
Northern Illinois @ Toledo
No. 5 Clemson @ No. 19 NC State
No. 20 LSU @ No. 1 Alabama
No. 21 Arizona @ No. 17 USC
No. 18 Stanford @ No. 22 Washington State
No. 3 Ohio State @ Iowa
No. 8 Penn State @ No. 24 Michigan State
No. 13 Virginia Tech @ No. 10 Miami
No. 15 Iowa State @ West Virginia
No. 9 Oklahoma @ No. 11 Oklahoma State
Week 9 Record: 6-4.
Overall Record: 69-21.
Chase Zayac:
Northern Illinois @ Toledo
No. 5 Clemson @ No. 19 NC State
No. 20 LSU @ No. 1 Alabama
No. 21 Arizona @ No. 17 USC
No. 18 Stanford @ No. 22 Washington State
No. 3 Ohio State @ Iowa
No. 8 Penn State @ No. 24 Michigan State
No. 13 Virginia Tech @ No. 10 Miami
No. 15 Iowa State @ West Virginia
No. 9 Oklahoma @ No. 11 Oklahoma State
Week 9 Record: 6-4.
Overall Record: 66-24.
Chinedum Wejinya:
Northern Illinois @ Toledo
No. 5 Clemson @ No. 19 NC State
No. 20 LSU @ No. 1 Alabama
No. 21 Arizona @ No. 17 USC
No. 18 Stanford @ No. 22 Washington State
No. 3 Ohio State @ Iowa
No. 8 Penn State @ No. 24 Michigan State
No. 13 Virginia Tech @ No. 10 Miami
No. 15 Iowa State @ West Virginia
No. 9 Oklahoma @ No. 11 Oklahoma State
Week 9 Record: 6-4.
Overall Record: 66-24.
Elimination Game of the Week: No. 4 Notre Dame (7-1, 3-0) avoided elimination against No. 17 USC (7-2, 4-1) two weeks ago, and then No. 11 Oklahoma State (7-1, 4-1) did the same at West Virginia (5-3, 3-2) last week. Can the Cowboys stave off elimination once again, this time against their biggest rival? No. 9 Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1) is coming to town, and the loser will be all but forgotten in the grand scheme of things. Oklahoma State and Oklahoma have two of the most dangerous offenses in the nation, led by Mason Rudolph and Baker Mayfield, respectively. The winner will have an inside edge on a Big 12 berth in the CFP. After this game, the Cowboys face No. 15 Iowa State, Kansas State, and Kansas. The Sooners get No. 7 TCU, Kansas, and West Virginia to finish the season. Two out of our three experts are taking Oklahoma to win the Bedlam Rivalry.
1. Will No. 5 Clemson (7-1, 4-1) stay in College Football Playoff contention against No. 19 NC State (6-2 4-0) and who survives another huge battle in the ACC between No. 10 Miami (7-0, 5-0) and No. 13 Virginia Tech (7-1, 4-1) in Miami Gardens?
Post: I think No. 5 Clemson will be able to win at No. 19 NC State, but it's not going to be a cakewalk because the Wolfpack have a very good defense. It's just not as good as Clemson's defensive unit. Kelly Bryant will be able to scramble enough to push the Tigers forward. I'm picking No. 10 Miami to win and stay undefeated but it's far from a confident selection. No. 13 Virginia Tech has been playing great ball all season long, save for their game against Clemson over a month ago. This one should go down to the wire.
Zayac: Clemson can definitely stay in College Football Playoff contention and should win out and make the four-team field for the third year in a row. The reason being Dabo Swinney because you can never count him out. Miami has been just too powerful this year and will win out until they face Clemson in the ACC championship game.
Wejinya: Yes, I think Clemson will able to stay in playoff contention at NC State. I believe they are a better team and will be ready to prove that the belong in the final four. I think Virginia Tech will be able to beat Miami, because the Hurricanes have had too many narrow escapes and I don’t think they can do that to Virginia Tech because they will make them pay for their mistakes.
2. Can No. 15 Iowa State (6-2, 4-1) pull off another upset, after already beating Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and TCU, and take down West Virginia (5-3, 3-2) on the road? And which star quarterback is better in the Bedlam Rivalry and who leads their team to a victory?
Post: I picked No. 15 Iowa State to lose to Texas Tech and TCU, both of which they came away with victories, and I think the universe is trying to tell me to buy into the Cyclones. But I can't. Not yet at least. Matt Campbell has turned this program around, but West Virginia is still a tough place to play for anyone, especially coming off such a monumental victory. Again, I'll pick against Iowa State, hesitantly, but if they are able to pull this one off too, then I'll finally buy stock in this team. It's really crazy to think that they control their own destiny in the Big 12 and if the season ended today, they'd be in the title game after going 3-9 last year. And I think Mason Rudolph will be the better quarterback on Saturday evening and lead his team to the win.
Zayac: Iowa State has too much momentum and a big enough chip on their shoulder to knock off West Virginia and they will. As far as the best QB in the Oklahoma State versus Oklahoma game, Baker Mayfield is the better signal caller and will be the reason why Oklahoma wins against their in-state rival.
Wejinya: Iowa State will be able to pull off another big win. Before, I thought it was fluke but after holding TCU to just seven points, and they average 37 points a game, Iowa State is authentic. I also believe that Baker Mayfield will be the more impressive QB in Oklahoma versus Oklahoma State. The Sooners win this game.
3. Will No. 17 USC (7-2, 4-1) be able to stop No. 21 Arizona's offense (6-2, 4-1), who has been scorching ever since putting Khalil Tate in at quarterback in a matchup of potential Pac-12 champions? And how many yards will star running back Bryce Love go for against No. 22 Washington State (7-2, 4-2)?
Post: I'm not as hard on No. 17 USC as everyone else is. I know they've lost a pair of games, but at Washington State and at Notre Dame isn't anything to be ashamed of. Sam Darnold hasn't been as good as last season, but he's still one of the five best quarterbacks in the country. They should be able to stop Khalil Tate, but that won't be an easy task at all. I'm confident in the Trojans, though, because they're at home. On the other side of the Pac-12, Heisman contender Bryce Love will rush for 178 yards in a victory.
Zayac: USC hasn't been good, but they will be good enough to slow down Arizona and get the win this week. Bryce Love will be the reason Stanford wins on the road against Washington State this weekend, with 150 yards on the ground.
Wejinya: I don’t think USC will be able to slow down Arizona’s offense, led by sensation Khalil Tate, because USC has been so inconsistent this season, you just don’t know which Trojans you will get. Bryce Love, Stanford's superstar, will get over 100 yards against Washington State, but it won't be enough for a win.
*Maximum of 20 Points.*
Heisman Standings:
1. Bryce Love (Stanford RB) - 1,387 Yards & 11 TD - 15 Pts.
2. J.T. Barrett (Ohio State QB) - 2,166 Yards & 25 TD - 13 Pts.
3. Saquon Barkley (Penn State RB) - 801 Yards & 9 TD - 9 Pts.
4. Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma QB) - 2,628 Yards & 23 TD - 9 Pts.
5. Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State QB) - 2,866 Yards & 22 TD - 6 Pts.
Movement: Bryce Love (+0) didn't play last week against Oregon State, and his impact really showed, as the team struggled to just 81 rushing yards on 27 carries, for an average of 3.0 yards per carry. Stanford needs their superstar back and he is day-to-day heading into the game against No. 22 Washington State. J.T. Barrett (+4) made the biggest jump after having a stellar performance versus No. 2 Penn State. Barrett went for 328 yards and four touchdowns, including 13-13 for 170 yards in the fourth quarter. He completed his final 16 passes! Saquon Barkley (-1) slid back a spot after going for only 44 yards on 24 carries. He still hasn't surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, even though his 97-yard touchdown return was pretty impressive. Baker Mayfield (+0) stayed at the four slot after leading his team to a nice home victory over Texas Tech. But the schedule kicks up now, beginning with a match with No. 11 Oklahoma State in Week 10. Mason Rudolph (-2) had 216 yards and three touchdowns in a road win, but it wasn't to help his Heisman candidacy this week.
College Football Playoff Picks - Week 1:
College Football Playoff Picks - Week 10:
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated & 247 Sports.
