2018 Couch Power 10, Week 8
The madness continues, friends. Yes, Alabama and Clemson won by a combined 71 points in their games, and the train towards their inevitable meeting in the Championship again races on. But, even in what appeared to be a mundane slate of games, there was some Saturday wackiness to be had, with three more previously undefeated teams falling for the first time, and some major statements being made in the Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC.
Nothing, of course, could have prepared anyone for Ohio State's defeat at Purdue. It's not that the Boilermakers at home wouldn't be a tough out for Ohio State. But for them to actually win? And for them to lead wire-to-wire?? And for them to win by 30 points?!? That's crazy talk. Yet, here we are.
The warning signs were there for the Buckeyes: increasingly sloppy defensive play, and the dip in form from TCU and Penn State, their two signature wins, should have been warning signs. The Big Ten season is not over for Ohio State, of course, but one has to wonder whether their playoff chances are already shot given the severity of this defeat.
1. Clemson (LW: #4)
The Tigers seem to really be rounding into terrific form at the right time, and arguably had one of the most impressive wins of anyone on Saturday. But that is not why they are #1. No, they are #1 for the week because they did the Lord's work last week in finally bringing an L (and a massive one at that) to disgustingly overrated NC State's season.
2. Notre Dame (LW: #1)
Notre Dame still has the schedule strength and body of work to be a top-rated team, but the Irish are treading on thin ice. The only game they've played in the last two weeks was a narrow escape at home against a bad Pittsburgh team, and in that same timespan, fellow playoff contenders have been notching resume-building wins.
3. LSU (LW: #5)
LSU has a blemish on their record, yes, which 5 of their peers can hold over their heads. However, a close road loss to Florida is nothing to be ashamed of, and last weekend's win over Mississippi State brings their total to 4-1 against ranked teams already. That more than offsets the sting of not being unbeaten.
4. Alabama (LW: #3)
Yes, the Tide scored something like 82 points in the first half against Tennessee. Alabama is going to win it all. But I still want to see them prove something against a good team. They finally get their chance to, not this weekend, but next when they travel to Baton Rouge to confront the team listed above.
5. Michigan (LW: #8)
Two weeks, two rivals, two crucial Big Ten wins for the Wolverines. The Paul Bunyan battle was always going to be a slogfest, but Michigan out-slogged their little brothers to evict the ghosts of season-crippling losses of years past. More importantly, Ohio State's crumble means Michigan is firmly planted in the Big Ten driver's seat.
6. Central Florida (LW: #9)
UCF made it 20 in a row this past weekend. That's impressive as hell, whether you're playing Auburn or you're playing East Carolina. Heck, I know not everyone could even beat East Carolina! Hahahaha! Haha. Ha... *begins sobbing*
7. Texas (LW: #6)
The Longhorns had a bye week last week, which probably comes at a perfect time. They've had a close call against Baylor, gotten their starting quarterback dinged up, and seen rivals Oklahoma take up their hot pursuit of the Big XII title. Texas still holds the reins...for now.
8. Kentucky (LW: #10)
Yes, I just moved Kentucky up two spots for beating Vanderbilt. And it wasn't even a pretty win, it was ugly as all get out. Guess what? That doesn't change the impressive body of work the Wildcats have to date, nor does it take away the fact that they have beaten Florida, which means it's Kentucky, not the Gators, that control their own destiny in the SEC East.
9. Florida (LW: NR)
But speaking of the Gators! They have to be kicking themselves (can alligators physically kick themselves? #latenightthoughts) for that home loss to the Wildcats; other than that aberration, it's been a tremendously impressive season for them, and you have to imagine they'd be coming into this weekend's highly anticipated showdown with Georgia as a Top 3 team in the country.
10. Washington State (LW: NR)
In one of the primetime games of the week, Washington State had a 27-0 lead over division rivals Oregon at halftime. When that lead shrunk to 27-17 and the Ducks had the ball at the start of the 4th quarter, I was thinking what everyone was thinking: 'They're gonna Coug it.' But Coug it they did not; this time, the Cougars held on for a massive victory for the program, situating themselves as not just division leaders, but frontrunners for the Pac-12 crown.
Just missed: Oklahoma, South Florida, Iowa, Ohio State, Appalachian State, Razz-Dazz Newsome
BONUS! New Year's Six Bowl Projections
Peach: Florida vs. Central Florida
Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. Kentucky
Rose: Washington State vs. Ohio State
Sugar: LSU vs. Texas
COTTON (Semifinal): Alabama vs. Michigan
ORANGE (Semifinal): Clemson vs. Notre Dame