2018 Couch Power 10, Week 13
College Football, in what's been a fairly "meh" year, had the most appropriately disheartening finish to the regular season one could have dreamed of. The overwhelming theme of Thanksgiving weekend was 'Status Quo Maintained.'
I suppose I should have expected as much. It's not too paranoid to conclude that the College Football Playoff has contractual agreements with the big-name programs more serious than ESPN's contractual obligation to promote Duke basketball. But still, I wanted to believe this would be the year Oklahoma finally got left out of the Big XII title, and West Virginia finally got in. That Washington State would finally win a massive Apple Cup game, and give the Pac-12 a legitimate playoff contender. That Alabama, Clemson, or Notre Dame might actually get stunned by their rival. That Michigan would finally shift the power dynamic in college football's biggest rivalry, and end Ohio State's undeserving reign in the Big Ten.
Or, you know, thought just ONE of those things could happen. But no, Washington State slipped in the snow, West Virginia fumbled their shot away, Bama rolled, Clemson roared, the Irish got lucky, and Michigan? Well, we just don't need to talk about that.
Here is the severely disappointing Power 10 for Week 12:
1. Alabama (LW: #1)
Alabama kept Auburn hanging around for a little while in the Iron Bowl, but slammed that door shut pretty quickly into the 2nd half. The Tide roll into the SEC Championship looking they won't lose a game this season.
2. Notre Dame (LW: #2)
Notre Dame was completely outplayed by USC for the entirety of the first half, and were still trailing by just 3 going into halftime. That's when I knew they were going to win. And like clockwork, they controlled the 2nd half steadily to close out the Trojans in the Coliseum and almost surely clinch a playoff bid.
3. Clemson (LW: #3)
Like Alabama, Clemson performed an act of kindness for their in-state rival and let them hang around for a half before running away with things in the 2nd half. Their defense was much more, how do you say, Swiss-Cheese-esque than expected, but we'll chalk it up to a rivalry-induced glitch. I think Notre Dame has done more on the season to earn the #2 spot, but it matters not, as the Tigers will likely dismantle them in the playoffs.
4. Georgia (LW: #5)
Georgia did one better than Alabama and Clemson, in that it didn't even let its rival hang around for a half. After conceding an early kickoff return touchdown to Georgia Tech, the Dawgs put the hurtin' on them, and cruised to a comfortable win. They'll represent the toughest challenge Bama's had all season when they face in the SEC Championship this weekend, but hoping for anything better than a competitive Crimson Tide victory is likely futile.
5. Central Florida (LW: #4b)
UCF will almost surely miss out on the playoff for the 2nd straight year, even if they beat Memphis this Saturday for their 2nd straight American Conference title and 25th straight win. But that doesn't mean they should: as we've seen the last 2 seasons, having a spotless record is mighty impressive no matter who you play, and the Golden Knights can play with anyone. Their performance against rivals South Florida, after losing their star QB to a gruesome injury, should prove that by now. Here's hoping all hell breaks loose and allows them to eke into the playoff.
6. Ohio State (LW: NR)
Uhhhh WOW. Who saw that coming? Surely not even the most ardent Buckeye could have predicted the show Ohio State put on against Michigan. Not after getting ridiculously lucky to beat Penn State, Nebraska, and Maryland (and displaying very little defense along the way). But here we are yet again. As unimpressive as OSU has been for the better part of this season, I do think they actually deserved to be ahead of Oklahoma at this juncture. That 20-point loss to Purdue looks rough, but wins over Michigan, at Penn State, at Michigan State, and at TCU are better than each of Oklahoma's Top 4 wins.
7. Oklahoma (LW: #8)
The Sooners, as expected, conceded a whole lot of points to Will Grier and West Virginia last Friday night. Yet, the defense ended up being the difference in securing Oklahoma's annual place in the Big XII championship, thanks to two fumble-recovery touchdowns. As mentioned above, I actually think the Sooners are a little lucky to be ahead of Ohio State at this juncture, but give credit where it's due. Winning in Morgantown, with a conference title potentially on the line, is no small feat, and with a redemption win over rivals Texas this coming weekend, OU may just find themselves back in the playoff.
8. Michigan (LW: #4)
Yikes. I mean, still a great season, full of many happy memories for Wolverine fans. But...yikes.
9. Florida (LW: NR)
Sure! Why not? #rewardmediocrity
10. Washington (LW: NR)
Sure! Why not? Washington's been nothing more than "pretty good, I suppose" this year, losing 3 games and notching a grand total of 2 wins over currently ranked teams. But, when it mattered most, Chris Petersen had the boys ready to play, and they secured another Pac-12 North title, their 2nd in 3 years. Now, all that separates them and the Rose Bowl (likely against Ohio State) is a date with Utah, whom they have already beaten, in the Pac-12 Championship.
Just missed: LSU, Washington State, Kentucky, Utah, Penn State, #ReturnOfTheMack
BONUS! New Year's Six Bowl Projections
Peach: Michigan vs. Florida
Fiesta: Washington State vs. Central Florida
Rose: Washington vs. Ohio State
Sugar: Georgia vs. West Virginia
COTTON (Semifinal): Alabama vs. Oklahoma
ORANGE (Semifinal): Clemson vs. Notre Dame