2017 Couch Power 10 + Bowl Simulation, Week 12
It's never good when the second-to-last weekend of the season is termed "Cupcake Sunday." But if the shoe fits....
Yes, a combination of the rising trend of big boys feasting on lower-division teams the week before their big finale and certain teams underachieving, there was only one matchup between ranked teams, a fact I find shameful this late in this season. That being said, the day wasn't totally absent of drama. Top 20 teams Oklahoma State and NC State were upset by conference foes, and Notre Dame and USC were taken to the wire by rivals Navy and UCLA. As you might expect, though, little change in the Couch Power 10 this week:
1. Miami (10-0)
I probably would be expected to drop Miami after it took 3 quarters for them to wake up at home against Virginia. But on the contrary, I'm rewarding them for actually playing a bowl team in their penultimate game. Lest you forget, Virginia is a thoroughly decent bowl team, who dominated Boise State earlier this season. So, do I think Miami is legitimately the best team in the country? Probably not. Have they had the best 3-week stretch of anyone in the country? Undoubtedly.
2. Alabama (11-0)
The Tide rolled to a 56-0 win...against Mercer. MERCER. IN WEEK 12. Shame.
3. Oklahoma (10-1)
Once again, Baker Mayfield's antics overshadowed a routine win for Oklahoma, but his performance against Kansas shouldn't be missed. That being said, Kansas is essentially the equivalent of a lower-division team, so they get a "shame" in quotations.
4. Wisconsin (11-0)
Down South, my South Carolina friends are alternating between laughter and profanity at the fact that I've ranked the Badgers ahead of Clemson. And it's true, I'm every bit as skeptical of Wisconsin's pound-for-pound talent as everyone else. But in 2 straight wins over ranked teams, they've shown that despite questionable quarterback play, they have the running game and defense to hang with most anyone.
5. Clemson (10-1)
Clemson rolled to a 61-3 win...against The Citadel. THE CITADEL. IN WEEK 12. Shame.
6. Auburn (9-2)
Auburn rolled to a 42-14 win...against LOUISIANA-MONROE. IN WEEK 12. Shame. (But that being said, I'm very eager to see what transpires when they host Alabama this weekend.)
7. Georgia (10-1)
For most of the first half, Bulldog fans might have been worried that last week's loss to Auburn was going to have a snowball effect. But Georgia pulled away from a decent Kentucky team in the second half, and was able to regain a bit of confidence heading into a potential trap game against Georgia Tech.
8. Central Florida (10-0)
UCF got one of their better wins on the year, blowing out defending American champions Temple on the road. The confident Knights host rivals (and nearly-unbeaten team) South Florida this Friday, with the chance to play for a New Year's Six bowl likely on the line.
9. Ohio State (9-2)
Ohio State also feasted on a cupcake. But, like Oklahoma's, their cupcake happened to be a conference foe. The newly rejuvenated Buckeye defense, in preparation for "The Game", has to be licking their chops at the way Michigan's offense has played this season.
10. Notre Dame (8-2)
Like Georgia, Notre Dame's huge loss last week looked like it could potentially snowball, especially in a rivalry game against scrappy Navy. But QB Brandon Wimbush found his arm, and the Irish defense held Navy on 4th and short with a minute left to preserve a necessary victory.
Just missed: USC, TCU, Penn State, Memphis, Washington State, Jordan Cunningham's Senior Day
Bonus: New Year's Six Bowl Simulation
Cotton Bowl
Auburn vs. TCU
Fiesta Bowl
USC vs. Ohio State
Orange Bowl
Clemson vs. Georgia
Peach Bowl
Central Florida vs. Notre Dame
ROSE BOWL (Semifinal)
Miami vs. Wisconsin
SUGAR BOWL (Semifinal)
Alabama vs. Oklahoma