2018 Couch Power 10, Week 11
The roller-coaster of this college football season started its slow chug downwards last weekend.
A fairly unimpressive slate of games meant the most we were treated to were mild upsets across the board: Tennessee over Kentucky, Wake Forest over NC State, Northwestern over Iowa. But, with Alabama and Clemson winning their hyped-up showdowns over clearly inferior opponents, and Notre Dame and Michigan slamming their truly terrible foes, nothing happened to move the postseason needle.
Looking ahead, it appears the status quo will likely hold next week, too, as Week 12 appears to be the token "Alabama plays Citadel" type week, if you catch my drift.
In recognition of college football forsaking the attitude of the midterm elections and declaring that things don't need to change in the least, here is the infinitesimally changed Power 10 for Week 11:
1. Alabama (LW: #1)
I have thought since day dot that Bama would repeat this year, but a part of me didn't want to believe it, thanks to their absurdly easy schedule. After not only beating but shutting out the two toughest opponents they'd played all year, I can now say with 99% certainty what I had previously said with 90% certainty.
2. Clemson (LW: #1b)
The 1% of the above statement belongs to the possibility that Clemson will win it all. It will be them if not Bama, but watching the two back-to-back shows a difference between the sides. I mentioned this before, but the Tigers haven't looked all-too-convincing against any of the good teams they've played this year. Sure, the Boston College game was never really in doubt, but Clemson still let them hang around longer than they needed to. The gap between them and Alabama isn't large, but it's there.
3. Notre Dame (LW: #3)
Most everyone (including yours truly) have forgotten Notre Dame is still unbeaten and a likely playoff contender. But, even with starting QB Ian Book out, they took a beleaguered Florida State out behind the woodshed last night. Barring a loss to Syracuse this weekend, which is not outside of the realm of possibility, expect to see the Irish in the playoff.
4a. Michigan (LW: #4a)
And fresh on Notre Dame's tail still is the team they beat in Week 1. It's not fair to rank Michigan ahead of the Irish for that reason, but the Wolverines look like a completely different team than they did in the season opener. Not that beating the brakes off of Rutgers really tells you much about a team's true quality...
4b. Georgia (LW: #4b)
Rivals Auburn kept things interesting for about a quarter and a half, before Georgia did what they've been doing the last few weeks: putting a game out of reach behind their rushing game and defense. Their uptick in form means the SEC Championship may at least be interesting this year, before Alabama inevitably wins.
6a. Washington State (LW: #6a)
After a number of weeks of close games, it was a refreshingly easy win for Washington State, who pulled away from Colorado in Boulder for a 24-point victory. The Apple Cup (and de facto Pac-12 North title) looms large in a couple weeks, but the Cougars can't afford to overlook Arizona on Saturday.
6b. West Virginia (LW: #6b)
Same goes for "The Washington State of the East." High-flying West Virginia was thankful to get an opportunity to blow hapless TCU out of the water a week after their thrilling victory over Texas. A visit from Oklahoma (and the de facto Big XII Regular Season Championship) looms large in a couple weeks, but the Mountaineers can't afford to overlook Oklahoma State this Saturday.
8. Central Florida (LW: #8)
The defending national champions rolled on with an easy enough win over an uncharacteristically bad Navy team. That defense, though, needs some shoring up. The good news is that both a ranked Cincinnati team and College Gameday come to town this weekend, finally providing some big stakes for the Golden Knights this weekend.
9. Ohio State (LW: #9)
The Buckeyes finally looked a little bit like the contenders they were expected to be preseason, though it took until the 4th quarter against Michigan State. As was said about Michigan's win in East Lansing earlier this season, this Spartans team is not the same as years past, but it's a tough enough ask to beat them in East Lansing that they deserve to be commended for doing it. Now, a visit from Michigan looms large in a couple weeks, but...just kidding, the Buckeyes only play Maryland this week. Maryland is garbage.
10. Oklahoma (LW: #10)
Oklahoma did keep its bid for the Big XII-- and more importantly, the playoff -- alive just barely, by eking out a thrilling win over rivals Ok State in Bedlam. But, as fun as Kyler Murray and the Sooner offense are fun to watch, that defense is doing them absolutely no favors, both on the field and in the eyes of the playoff committee.
Just missed: LSU, Syracuse, Utah State, Cincinnati, Texas, all-World running back Michael Carter
BONUS! New Year's Six Bowl Projections
Peach: Central Florida vs. Syracuse
Fiesta: Oklahoma vs. LSU
Rose: Washington State vs. Ohio State
Sugar: Georgia vs. West Virginia
COTTON (Semifinal): Alabama vs. Michigan
ORANGE (Semifinal): Clemson vs. Notre Dame