Couch CFB Power 10, Week 1
After a wild, whirlwind opening weekend of College Football-- one that ESPN repeatedly reminded us was "the greatest opening weekend ever," we already have witnessed some massive upsets, huge results, incredible plays and much more. Seems like a perfect time to unveil the first edition of The Couch's College Football Power 10. Before I start, I want to be clear in stating the two criteria for these power rankings. They will be defined by 1. Strength of Schedule/Victories, and 2. Eye Test. I don't care where the polls presently have them, or what these teams' preseason expectations were. An alternative description for this would be "The Top 10 in a fair and just college football world." Without further ado,
1. Alabama
Sure, USC hasn't been USC since Pete Carroll, er, skipped town when the NCAA came a-callin'. Still, you can't argue with a 52-6 neutral site victory over a Top 20 team, particularly when said Top 20 team is expected to contend for the Pac-12 this year. Oh, and Bama still hasn't even really figured out its quarterback. Scary.
2. Houston
In terms of strength-of-opponent, no victory was more impressive this weekend than the Cougs'. They didn't just beat #3 Oklahoma, they ran past them, they threw over them, they returned their missed field goals, and they smacked them in the mouth. Houston is rumored to be the next Big 12 member, and they looked the part of a Big 12 champion on Saturday.
3. Florida State
What a bizarre game on Monday night. After a first half in which the Seminoles looked like they were going to have trouble throwing the ball, running the ball, AND defending the pass, I texted my diehard Clemson friend congratulating him on winning the ACC again this year. Then, something major clicked after halftime, and all of a sudden, FSU looked unbeatable. It remains to be seen which is the realer version of the Noles, but assuming they continue on the trajectory started by the 2nd half of their 45-34 victory over #11 Ole Miss, they will be dangerous.
4. Wisconsin
Despite hosting this game in Lambeau, the pride of Wisconsin, the Badgers were enormous underdogs to #5 LSU. But the wily Badgers ground out a deserving 16-14 victory. It may have taken a late field goal and an even later interception to seal it, but make no mistake, this wasn't a fluke win. Wisconsin was the far better team on Saturday, and they yet again look like the real deal.
5a. Ohio State
5b. Michigan
The hated rivals get virtually the same spot for doing virtually the same thing: destroying an opponent they should have destroyed. So
what makes this impressive? The fact that most ranked teams (side-eye at Tennessee) struggled with this seemingly simple task. The Buckeyes and Wolverines both looked every bit as dominant, if not more, as they should have expected to, winning their games by a combined 127 points. Ohio State gets the slight edge for the slightly better opponent-- Bowling Green as opposed to Hawai'i.
7. Texas
What a win to open the season for Charlie Strong and the long-embattled Longhorns. Many media pundits picked Texas to upset #10 Notre Dame at home, and they didn't disappoint, though it looked like they might. It was a wild game, with a massive collapse/comeback, a late TD that looked to be the game-winner, a game-tying, blocked and returned PAT, and then a double overtime victory for the hosts. It may have been won in flukish fashion, but it was a massive win for Texas, who could threaten for the Big 12 crown for the first time in 7 years.
8. Texas A&M
UCLA and USC were the hot picks to contend for the Pac-12 South, but both fell to SEC West opponents on opening weekend. Unlike USC's demolition derby, this result was much more unexpected, as unranked A&M, coming off a disastrous offseason, held on to beat #16 UCLA. They almost blew it incredibly, conceding a late 15-point lead before regaining themselves in overtime. Nevertheless, great result for the Aggies.
9. Clemson
It may not have been pretty, and certainly not up to the standards of last year's Tigers, but Clemson got the season-opening victory. What's more, it was a road win against an oft-solid (if not great) Auburn team.
10. Stanford
Most of Clemson's description could apply to Stanford as well, though their gritty win over Kansas State came at home. The good news for Cardinal fans: Christian McCaffrey appears to be every bit as delightful to watch as he was last year.
Just missed: Georgia, Louisville, Baylor, Washington, Iowa, T.J. Logan's kickoff return TD