College Football UK Views: Week 10 – It Starts Now
Week 10 was entertaining but Moreso as it was the final week before the release of the first CFB Playoff Committee rankings. With the bulk of the season behind us, all focus is now set on who will make the postseason. In terms of the race for the playoffs, it starts now.
The Big Two in the Big Ten
With Oregon on a bye week, Indiana and Ohio State dominated focus in the Big Ten. Ohio State battered Penn State 45-17. Penn State actually went into half time only 17-14 down but Ohio State shifted gears and pulled away. Julian Sayin looked impressive finishing with 20 completions from 23 attempts for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns. Indiana soundly beat Maryland 55-10 to move to 9-0 and 6-0 in the conference. Indiana controlled 40 minutes of possession and racked up 588 yards compare to Maryland’s 293 yards.
Elsewhere, Michigan squeaked past Purdue 21-16. Given Purdue are 0-6 in conference play this game was closer than it should have been. USC also escaped a battle with Nebraska coming away with a 21-17 win. Nebraska lost QB Dylan Raiola to an ankle injury in the 3rd quarter which didn’t help matters.
Embed from Getty ImagesSEC Turbulence
The SEC continued to deliver entertaining results. Texas went to Vanderbilt and controlled most of the game in a 34-31 win. Vanderbilt scored the last 21 points but this masked how in control Texas were for most of the game. However, we were an onside kick away from a potentially different result! Oklahoma edged out Tennessee 33-27 in a very entertaining game. After a largely back and forth contest, Oklahoma got the go-ahead touchdown with 1 min 44 sec left in the 4th quarter. Tennessee could only respond as time ran out with a field goal.
Elsewhere Georgia went into the Swamp and came away with a 24-20 win. An even game was edged in the air where Georgia gained 223 passing yards to 166 for Florida. Florida post Billy Napier gave a good account of themselves on a day with nothing to lose. Georgia will see this as a banana skin avoided.
Embed from Getty ImagesACC Surprises
The ACC threw up some surprise results with SMU taking down Miami 26-20 in overtime. It was one of those games where Miami gifted error after error and got what they ultimately deserved. At 2-2 in the conference this will end any chat about Miami in a Championship game and the playoffs. Georgia Tech were soundly beaten by NC State 48-36 in a shock result to most. Georgia Tech were 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the conference. They are still well placed but now sit second to Virginia in the conference.
Virginia handled the California Bears 31-21 in a routine performance. Virginia are now 8-1 overall but 5-0 in the conference.
Embed from Getty ImagesBig 12 Bedlam Continues
The Big 12 continued to be the Big 12 with entertaining results aplenty. Texas Tech looked good in their 43-20 win over Kansas State. The Texas Tech team are looking like money well spent in the offseason. In a bigger surprise West Virginia took down Houston 45-35. Houston were 7-1 and 4-1 in the conference so still in the mix but have made their lives more difficult with this result.
In other surprises Cincinnati fell to Utah 45-14. Utah are 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the conference so their win is not necessarily the surprise, but the manner was a surprise to me. BYU has the weekend off but sit at the top of the conference at 5-0, with Texas Tech and Cincinnati behind them at 5-1. Houston, Arizona State and Utah are all at 4-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesPlayoff Chat Starts now
The CFP Playoff Committee entered the room where it happens for the first time this season on Tuesday. They shortly thereafter released their first set of rankings.
I personally don’t see why they need to start releasing these ranking so early as there is still so much meaningful football to play. I tend to ignore these until we get to the last week or two. It do get it, they create a great buzz and much debate in the community which is part of the fun!
Speaking of meaningful games, I will have a firm eye on BYU at Texas Tech this week in a crucial Big 12 showdown. Also Oregon head to Iowa which is a really important game for them against what is now a ranked Iowa team. At the start of the season we would have been eager to see LSU at Alabama and whilst LSU have not had the season they hoped for, it should still be an entertaining game.
So much to look forward to in week 11!
