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This week fans got to enjoy a lot of good football, with the Red River Rivalry and Oregon vs Ohio State headlining. There's not a ton of change at the top, but the playoff conversation is certainly beginning to heat up, with teams like Pitt and BYU remaining unblemished midway through October. Alabama also survived what would be a second consecutive upset, casting more doubt on the once-thought contenders.
By Ryan Galloway | October 14, 2024
Photo by Aaron E. Martinez/Austin-American Statesman
Top 10
1. Texas Longhorns (6-0, Previous: 1st)
Texas steamrolled OU this weekend in Dallas. The Horns went in and took down the Sooners 34-3. Oklahoma just couldn’t get anything going offensively. Texas overcame a slow start from a returning Quinn Ewers and dominated through the ground. I don’t think there is any doubt that this team is for real. Their only weakness (if you could call it that) is the turnover habit. Texas faces their toughest opponent of the year next week at home against Georgia (5-1).
2. Oregon Ducks (6-0, Previous: 4th)
What a game. Oregon defeated Ohio State 32-31 in the best game of the season to date. It was a great offensive showing for both teams, with both QBs turning in great performances. Unfortunately for Ohio State QB Will Howard, he will likely be remembered for sliding down at midfield as the clock expired. Both teams have finally played a legitimate opponent and showed up. Oregon’s reward for the victory is a second-place ranking and a short week, going on the road to face the Purdue Boilermakers (1-5) on Friday night.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1, Previous: 2nd)
I’m not punishing the Buckeyes too much for their one-point road loss to Oregon. Plus, there aren’t a ton of teams worthy of the spot this year, and I’m not going to overrate Georgia to make the matchup against Texas look sexier. Ohio State played well against Oregon, and arguably deserved to win. I still believe in Will Howard, despite his surrender. However, Ryan Day is now 2-6 vs. top 5 teams and that is a tough stat. I have never been high on Day and think Ohio State often wins despite him. I honestly think at this point, a loss to Michigan might be the final nail in the coffin for him.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, Previous: 6th)
Penn State survived a scare in Los Angeles on Saturday. They needed overtime to do it, but they took down the USC Trojans (3-3). Drew Allar was just tossing that ball all over the yard with almost 400 yards passing, two touchdowns, and three interceptions on 43 passing attempts. Nasty work. Anyway, USC is clearly struggling to adjust to the Big Ten and I think Penn State took advantage of that. The Nittany Lions are now 6-0 on the year and will have the week off before hitting the road for a date with the Wisconsin Badgers (4-2).
5. Georgia Bulldogs (5-1, Previous: 3rd)
Georgia played in a competitive football game on Saturday. That’s great, except it was against the lowly Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-5). The Georgia defense was just non-existent. Mississippi State QB Michael Van Buren Jr. threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Georgia now has one loss to Alabama and a couple of scares against MSU and Kentucky. They’re going to need to pull it together before next week if they want to have a chance against Texas.
6. Miami Hurricanes (6-0, Previous: 5th)
Miami was idle this week, they face Louisville (4-2) on the road next week.
7. LSU Tigers (5-1, Previous: 9th)
LSU won a tight one against the Ole Miss Rebels (5-2). LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier is fun to watch. He torched the Rebel secondary with 337 yards and 3 TDs. For Ole Miss, the man with the coolest name in football had a day. RB Ulysses Bentley IV totaled 107 yards rushing with a touchdown to boot. It’s unfortunate for Ole Miss fans who hoped for a season where Lane Kiffin and co. would finally put it together, but now sit with two losses through six weeks. Regardless, Brian Kelly has his Tigers sitting at 5-1 and fully in contention for the SEC and CFP.
Photo by Scott Clause/USA TODAY Network
8. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1, Previous: 7th)
What is going on with Alabama? If the hangover from beating Georgia is this bad, then I have bad news for Tide fans about this team. Look, I get that it’s a new head coach and system but losing to Vanderbilt was bad. However, following that up with what should’ve been a loss to South Carolina is even worse. DeBoer needs to get this team to lock in or else things might get spooky for Alabama fans. QB Jalen Milroe was also bad, with two interceptions and just 200 yards passing. On top of all that, they’re going to have to get right on the road against Tennessee (5-1). Good luck.
9. BYU Cougars (6-0, Previous: 10th)
BYU is 6-0 and clearly in the driver’s seat for the Big 12. And I think that’s really fun. I’m into it. QB Jake Retzlaff (Jewish) has been great for the Cougars this season, and this is looking like one of those teams that just wins. I’m a believer in head coach Kalani Sitake and I’m eager to see what they do the rest of the way. Looking at the rest of their schedule, it might be time to expect to see them in the playoff.
10. Iowa State Cyclones (6-0, Previous: 13th)
I don’t love this, but it’s difficult to argue against a 6-0 team in a P4 conference. The Cyclones just find a way to win. I wouldn’t say any of their wins have been overly impressive I’m probably most moved by their win over Iowa and their shutout against Houston. It’s a weird year for college football, maybe it’s NIL-related, but there is a lot of parity which is fun to see.
Photo by Ben Queen/Imagn Images
Remaining 11-25
11. Tennessee Volunteers (5-1, Previous: 12th)
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-1, Previous: 11th)
13. Clemson Tigers (5-1, Previous: 14th)
14. Boise State Broncos (5-1, Previous: 15th)
15. Indiana Hoosiers (6-0, Previous: 16th)
16. Kansas State Wildcats (5-1, Previous: 19th)
17. Ole Miss Rebels (5-2, Previous: 8th)
18. SMU Mustangs (5-1, Previous: 20th)
19. Pittsburgh Panthers (6-0, Previous: 22nd)
20. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1, Previous: 21st)
21. Texas A&M Aggies (5-1, Previous: 23rd)
22. Army Black Knights (6-0, Previous: NR)
23. Navy Midshipmen (5-0, Previous: NR)
24. Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1, Previous: 24th)
25. Michigan Wolverines (4-2, Previous: 25th)