2018 Couch Power 10, Week 7
Despite all my earlier grievances to the contrary. this college football season really is fun. Each week seems to see increasing amounts of upsets, near-upsets, and great games. It's even got me to a mental point where college football is the chief sport on my mind these days, which is a remarkable feat, given how bad my favorite college football team is and how good my favorite Premier League soccer team is.
But it's true, with each new undefeated titan that falls, I scooch a little closer to the edge of my seat. Of course, it matters not, because two of the only undefeated titans not to fall yet are Alabama and Clemson, who will play in the national title from this year into eternity.
1. Notre Dame (LW: #2)
The Fighting Irish only found the end zone twice on Saturday, and needed a late score to avoid an embarrassing home loss to a bad Pittsburgh team. So why are they the new #1 in the Power 10? Well, I could go on about "grinding out those ugly wins are the stuff of champions," but the truth of the matter is, the wins they have to date are better than anyone else's at this point. That season-opening victory over Michigan is aging like a fine wine. Which is to say, well, and sweet, and Merlot.
2. Ohio State (LW: #1)
After two and a half quarters of a scare from Minnesota's #rowingtheboat, Dwayne Haskins and the Buckeyes got things under control on Saturday. They fall this week, though, because their two signature wins have significantly less luster amidst TCU's tailspinning season and Penn State's home loss to mediocre Michigan State.
3. Alabama (LW: #3)
There was one quarter of madness in Tuscaloosa last week, wherein Missouri put up 10 points and were level with the Tide. Then, Alabama scored something like 48 unanswered, even without their Heisman frontrunner. They're going to win it all again, sure, but I am still waiting for them to play a team that's better than just decent.
4. Clemson (LW: #4)
Clemson had a bye week last week, which was nice timing, as they jumped up the polls thanks to big upsets elsewhere, but also poor timing because it came after their best, most comprehensive performance of the year.
5. LSU (LW: NR)
My babies are back!!! LSU, whom I had crowned as the #1 team for so much of the young season, fell out of our Power 10 last week after their first loss to a solid Florida team. But now, the Tigers are back in business after stomping the previously-unbeaten Georgia Bulldogs in the game of the week.
6. Oregon (LW: NR)
By and large, I haven't had too many issues yet with the media and coaches polls, which is fairly unprecedented for me. But Oregon not being in the Top 10 astounds me. The Ducks held on for an OT thriller over #7 Washington last week, which means they now A. are in the driver's seat in the Pac-12, B. have a Top 10 win, and C. have just one loss, which was in the most flukish manner possible, in overtime to a good Stanford side. I'm not saying the Ducks are back, but I CAN hear quacking from my living room.
7. Texas (LW: NR)
It's still difficult to get a gauge on how good the Longhorns are, especially after nearly blowing it to Baylor at home on Saturday. But, with West Virginia's loss, they're clear alone at the top of the Big XII. In this 2nd tier of "quality one-loss teams," they certainly have the worst loss, to Maryland, but also unquestionably the best victory of the bunch, over rivals Oklahoma. That lands them square in the middle of the pack at this point in time.
8. Michigan (LW: NR)
I've thought all season that Michigan was a really solid team this year, but since coming up short in the opener against Notre Dame, they hadn't had any prime opportunities to prove themselves. They got that opportunity last weekend with Wisconsin (and College Gameday) in town, and they took full advantage of it. Might this finally be the year that Harbaugh and co. end Ohio State's tyrannical reign over the Big Ten?
9. Central Florida (LW: #7)
The defending national champs came frighteningly close to dropping their first game in 663 days on Saturday, but rallied for a thrilling comeback win on the road at Memphis. Sure, it won't catch the eye of the playoff committee, but Memphis is a solid team with a Heisman-level QB; this win by the Golden Knights is nothing to sneeze at.
10. Kentucky (LW: NR)
The Wildcats haven't won in 3 weeks, losing at Texas A&M, then going on a bye last week. But they jump back in our Top 10 by virtue of a win at Florida that's looking better and better. Don't look now, but Kentucky's in the driver seat in the SEC East.
Just missed: Florida, North Carolina State, Cincinnati, South Florida, Iowa, back-from-suspension Malik Carney
BONUS! New Year's Six Bowl Projections
Peach: Georgia vs. Central Florida
Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. Florida
Rose: Michigan vs. Oregon
Sugar: LSU vs. Texas
COTTON (Semifinal): Alabama vs. Notre Dame
ORANGE (Semifinal): Ohio State vs. Clemson