Who's Still Standing for a November CFP Charge?
Week 10 has come and gone, and it took a few teams with it.
That should be the clear storyline for the month of November.
Frankly, that should also be the hope of fans who want to see an eight-team playoff bracket. The more parity, the tougher the Selection Committee's decisions will be, and if that doesn't set off the big brands clamoring for an expanded post-season, nothing will.
Mississippi State held on at home for a 17-10 victory over Arkansas with a late interception, sure-handed Josh Robinson, and marksman Dak Prescott, while Florida State overcame a 21-0 deficit on the road to defeat pesky Louisville, 42-31.
The Bulldogs and Seminoles should stay at Nos 1 and 2, respectively, when the CFP list comes out on Tue 4 Nov. However, it's not sure if that'll be the case with The Daily Player 12, the criteria of which takes the CFP at its quantitive word.
Auburn has every right to stay at No 3 after a big road victory over Mississippi that most likey knocked the Rebels out of championship consideration.
The Tigers play fading Texas A&M this weekend, with touted recruit Kyle Allen getting his second start in place of the suspended Kenny Hill. At least their eyes will be spared the sight of what the Aggies looked like in 1939. Hopefully, the scouting videos A&M shipped this week weren't in black-&-white.
Oregon could move up in the Top Four after a big 45-16 victory over Stanford, but don'tt count out Alabama, who was off this weekend and must play LSU and Mississippi State back-to-back starting this Saturday. The Ducks have a tough road game themselves, travelling to Utah to play a team that's coming off a tough loss to Arizona State.
TCU was one team who helped itself with a 31-30, last second, come-from-behind victory at West Virginia.
The Horned Frogs play what could be an elimination game this week when they host Kansas State. The loser will need a miracle to qualify for the playoffs, especially without a BIG XII championship game. The league doesn't miss a beat with their message, either, taking a swipe at the SEC's eight-game schedule as part of its in-game TV promo:
One team that hurt themselves with a victory was Notre Dame. The FIghting Irish led Navy, 28-7, before falling behind and needing to rally for a 49-39 triumph.
Perhaps this was a trap game. The Irish defense has given up 113 points in their last three and believed they'd prevail over the Midshipmen sooner or later. Well, they did, but the Selection Committee might not be too enthused about that approach. Now, they must face a solid Arizona State team on the road. The Sun Devils have won four straight, and with both teams at 7-1 this is another possible bracket death match.
Three teams that were eliminated last weekend were Georgia, Arizona, and Utah. The Bulldogs were pitiful against rival Florida, losing 38-20 after many had them winning out and playing for an SEC championship.
Arizona, meanwhile, had its bubble burst in Pasadena. The Wildcats were held to seven points in a disappointing 17-7 loss to UCLA, which blew their chance to play on New Year's Eve.
Ohio State and Michigan State are waiting for upsets elsewhere as they play what they hope will be a huge elimination game on Saturday. Baylor and Nebraska still think they can get in. Right now, who's to say they can't? It's why we watch.