Picks for the College Football Playoff Week 10
Man, what a night in South Bend.
If Saturday’s clash between Clemson and Notre Dame provided a preview of what we could get in the College Football Playoff in just under two months, we are going to be in for a treat. The Tigers gave themselves a chance to win despite being without Trevor Lawrence, but couldn’t hold onto the lead. I’ll get into the team-specific stuff with the rankings. Who does this hurt? The Pac-12.
On one hand, it would be nearly impossible to leave an undefeated Power-5 champion out of the playoff, which is what would need to happen for the Pac-12 to have a representative in the dance. On the other hand, if Notre Dame and Clemson meet again in the ACC title and play down to the wire, with Clemson coming out on top, how do you leave one out? (Presuming both teams have one loss and Alabama/Ohio State stay undefeated) Both Pac-12 favorites, Oregon and USC, won on Saturday, which leaves the door open for that possibility.
Down in Jacksonville, in a de-facto CFP elimination game, Florida kept its hopes alive by shredding the vaunted Georgia defense. Kyle Trask was incredible despite losing Kyle Pitts during the game to injury, throwing for nearly 500 yards and four touchdowns. Hat tip to the Gators, frown to the Bulldogs. I’ve already talked enough about the squad in Athens this week, so I’ll get into the rankings instead.
No. 1: Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) (LW: Bye)
The Crimson Tide did as little work possible this past weekend to move into the No. 1 spot. Due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the SEC, Alabama won’t play this weekend against LSU either. The Clemson loss will keep the Crimson Tide in this spot unless they slip up down the road. We shall see.
No. 2: Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-0) (LW: 47-40 W vs Clemson)
You could tell this game was going to be different than the last time these two matched up in the 2018 College Football Playoff when Kyren Williams took the second play from scrimmage 65 yards for a touchdown. Ian Book played the best game of his life, and was absolute nails leading the Irish down the field for the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter. The defense held Travis Etienne to just 28 rushing yards and forced three key turnovers. The Irish looked like they belonged, and their job now is to not slip up before the ACC title game, in which they will almost definitely get a rematch with Clemson.
No. 3: Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) (LW: 49-27)
Another day, another game where Justin Fields has more touchdowns than incompletions (24/28 314 yards 5 TD 0 INT). The score looks a little more respectable than the game actually was when Rutgers poured it on in garbage time. The Buckeyes found a nice balance of a running game (203 yards on 37 carries) to go along with Fields monster day through the air. Ohio State won’t head to Maryland this weekend due to a COVID-19 postponement, so the Buckeyes have more time to prepare for No. 10 Indiana.
No. 4 Clemson Tigers (7-1)
It really says something about a team that doesn’t have Trevor Lawrence, many top guys in the defensive front, and Travis Etienne had 28 rushing yards, and yet still led by a touchdown with under a minute to go. DJ Uiagalelei was sensational (29/44 439 2 TD) and didn’t look like a freshman playing on the road against a top-four team. Even with as many guys as the Clemson defense was missing, the only offensive touchdowns the Tigers gave up in regulation were on the second play of the game and that final Ian Book drive. You just have to tip your hat to the Irish for a game well played. The Tigers will almost certainly get a revenge shot in the ACC title game.
Next Few:
Texas A&M
Florida
BYU
Writer
-By: TJ Mathewson