Two More Unbeatens Fall; Big Ten East, Big XII Races Tighten

One of the most daunting gauntlets in football is running the table.

It's only been done once in the pros.

Since the turn of the 21st century, 15 college teams have managed the feat. Two schools have done it twice:

• Ohio State (2002, 2012), and
• Boise State (2006, 2009).

It takes a little luck and a buncha boldness.

Five perfect records remain in 2017:

Alabama ... 8-0	Next:	LSU ... 6-2
Georgia ... 8-0	Next:	South Carolina ... 6-2
Wisconsin ... 8-0	Next:	at Indiana ... 3-5
Miami ... 7-0	Next:	Virginia Tech ... 6-1
Central Florida ... 7-0	Next:	SMU ... 6-2

Only four have a shot at remaining that way because Alabama and Georgia would be destined to meet in the SEC title game if they hold form.

The unbeaten ranks were pared in Week 8 by surprises of different shades:

• Penn State frittered away two 18-point leads to Ohio State --which included blowing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter -- to lose, 39-38; and
• TCU surrendered two TDs early and ran into a stone wall the rest of the way as the season's cinderella team, Iowa State, won a historic victory for their progam, 14-7.

After last season's drubbing bythe  Buckeyes, the Nittany Lions entered the horseshoe intent on delivering a message.

Unfortunately for them, they did it before halftime.

This could set up a few intriguing scenarios down the road, similar to last season if Ohio State loses again and Penn State doesn't.

Meanwhile, as always, the Big XII specializes in intriguing scenarios.

This season's no different, especially with the upstart Cyclones dumping two alleged Top Five teams in one season for the first time in their existence. First, it was Oklahoma. Now, it's the previously unblemished Horned Frogs:

Of course, with the FBS playoff system's current negative format -- guaranteed to blackball at least one conference champion -- the Big XII could well be in prime position to get screwed again.

The harsh reality is only three of them have a shot at the bracket because the CFP doesn't reward parity.

This is why conference play is where the legitimate excitement of college football still remains, because everything is determined on the field.

Which is also why the CFP is still hard to take seriously.