2018 Couch Power 1(1), Week 6
Remember my whole "the more things change, the more they stay the same" theory about this College Football last week? Last Saturday threw a spanner in the works, as the Brits like to say.
Three unbeaten teams were felled on Saturday, one of them being this publication's #1 team (LSU), another one being this publication's long-time projection as a playoff lock (Oklahoma). Sure, you say, but Alabama and Clemson are still going to be in the Championship, and Bama is still going to win. And you are correct. But let's just enjoy this ride before it comes to an anticlimactic, hm?
Anyways, we have another special edition of the Power 10 this week. In memory of the top teams that have finally suffered a loss at this point of this season, we have a ranking of all 11 remaining unbeaten teams in the FBS.
1. Ohio State (LW: #2)
Some embarrassing losses in recent years has rendered a nation full of skeptics when it comes to Ohio State, and understandably so. But, I've seen nothing from the Buckeyes, who still have those road wins over TCU and Penn State and have not sniffed defeat otherwise, that suggest they don't deserve this ranking at this point.
2. Notre Dame (LW: #3)
Speaking of skeptics, the Irish have answered them and then some. They had high preseason expectations, to be fair, but to be unbeaten at this point with wins over Michigan, Stanford and now on the road at Virginia Tech? They've got a clear path to the playoff, which I don't know anyone expected.
3. Alabama (LW: #4)
Alabama continued their slaughter of mediocre-to-bad teams with a 65-point performance at Arkansas on Saturday. Oh well. They're still going to win the championship, even if they do nothing to prove it in the regular season.
4. Clemson (LW: #7)
I've flip-flopped the Tigers and Georgia throughout the year, and now, after absolutely pantsing Georgia' in-state rival last weekend, it's Clemson's time to jump back in the Top 4. They technically have the 2nd-toughest schedule strength of the unbeaten teams, but until last Saturday, had some, shall we say, "eye test issues."
5. Georgia (LW: #6)
It was another quiet week for unbeaten Georgia, which is to say, another dominant win against an overmatched team. The Dawgs probably want some attention/respect, but to be fair, this Saturday is the country's first chance to watch them against a top-tier team.
6. West Virginia (LW: #4)
The commentary surrounding the Texas upset of Oklahoma was that the Longhorns have re-asserted themselves as the team to beat in the Big XII, a consensus that has to leave West Virginia thinking "Da fuh?" The 'Neers have done they've been asked to do at this point, not facing much of a threat to date, and have their best chance yet at their first Big XII title.
7. Central Florida (LW: #10)
There's no chance the old fogeys in the playoff committee will let even an undefeated UCF into the final four this year, which is a shame. They deserved to be there last year, and so far, have played like they deserve to be there this year. Though, to be fair, they are yet to face a high-caliber opponent. Case in point: they avoided having to play UNC in the fortress of Kenan Stadium. *Shakes fist at Hurricane Florence* *Remembers UNC is terrible* *Weeps*
8. North Carolina State (LW: NR)
I hate that this team is undefeated. I hate that I have to write about them. I hate that I even had to Google this logo for use. Let's just not talk about it, okay?
Okay fine, we can talk about it. But only if you point out THE ONLY REASON STATE IS UNBEATEN IS BECAUSE THEY CANCELLED THEIR GAME AGAINST WEST VIRGINIA.
9. Colorado (LW: NR)
Count this one as the biggest surprise of the bunch. True, at 5-0 the Buffaloes have played nobody of significance, but still, they're 2-0 in the Pac-12 and in the driver's seat in the South division.
10. South Florida (LW: NR)
Charlie Strong and USF have to be tired of their in-state rivals. If it were not for Central Florida, the Bulls would be the mid-major darling of the last three seasons. They finished 2016 and 2017 both with an awfully impressive 11-2 record, and now are looking at a blemish-free start to 2018 in addition. It will be tough sledding for them in the East division (see above and below), but South Florida might be able to finally crash the New Year's Six party this year.
11. Cincinnati (LW: NR)
Last but not least...well, okay, least of this group, is a team that has not been relevant on the college football landscape in some time. Yes, the unbeaten Bearcats have fans thinking of the days of Brian Kelly and undefeated Sugar Bowl seasons. Sure, they're aided by a schedule strength that's in the triple digits, but Cincy will have their chances to prove themselves in a crowded East division, with Floridas Central and South.
Just missed: LSU, Texas, Kentucky, Florida, Michigan, bye weeks that serve purpose as ultimate rebuilding time