After a crazy weekend of college football that saw massive favorite Wisconsin lose to Illinois, which team makes it into the top ten for the final weekend of October?
1. Clemson Tigers (7-0) | Last week: 1
Sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence again had some struggles last week against Louisville, throwing a couple more interceptions on deep shots to the end zone. Lawrence might be pressing a bit after a slow start following his phenomenal freshman season, but Clemson still had no issue blowing out the Cardinals. The defense was dominant, and Travis Etienne had 192 rushing yards and a touchdown on just 14 carries.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0) | Last week: 2
The crazy week included another high-ankle sprain for Tua Tagovailoa—the same injury he had last season, but on the other leg. Tua had the same procedure—designed to speed up the recovery time and to make the ankle stronger to help prevent future injuries—last year, so he’ll know what he’s going through this time. Mac Jones will lead the Crimson Tide this week against Arkansas, and the hope is that Tagovailoa is ready for a huge potential top-two matchup with LSU in their next game on November 9.
3. LSU Tigers (7-0) | Last week: 3
LSU’s game this weekend before the bye week should be much more challenging than Alabama’s, as they’ll host Auburn in another top-ten SEC matchup this Saturday. Joe Burrow already set the program record for single-season touchdown passes (29) in the Tigers’ revamped offense, and the team’s defense will look to get after true freshman quarterback Bo Nix.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) | Last week: 4
The Buckeyes did not look ahead to their big game against Wisconsin, as they had little issue in their 52-3 rout at Northwestern last Friday night. Ohio State now boasts the No. 2 scoring defense in the nation (8.0 points per game), and they’ll face a Wisconsin team that still ranks No. 1 (7.6 points per game) despite their loss. This will undoubtedly be the biggest test of Justin Fields’ career to this point.
5. Oklahoma Sooners (7-0) | Last week: 5
The Oklahoma defense continues to play well, holding West Virginia to 14 points while Jalen Hurts (five total touchdowns) and the offense put up 52 points to improve to 7-0. The Sooners are 23rd in the nation in scoring defense (19.4 points per game), and they’re only allowing 326.3 yards per game despite playing in the Big 12. They’ll face a 4-2 Kansas State team this Saturday.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-0) | Last week: 7 (+1)
K.J. Hamler starred in Penn State’s 28-21 win over Michigan, with 108 receiving yards and two touchdowns as well as the game-sealing first-down run where he showed great toughness on the inside. The Wolverines fought back to make it a game after the Nittany Lions jumped to an early lead, but quarterback Sean Clifford and company made timely plays to secure a second consecutive ranked win.
7. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) | Last week: 8 (+1)
Following their first loss of the season, Georgia clearly came out angry, determined, and ready to make a statement; the defense certainly did that, shutting out Kentucky while allowing just 17 passing yards. It took the offense until the second half to get going, but they rode the rushing attack with D’Andre Swift (179 yards and two touchdowns) and Brian Herrien (60 yards and one touchdown) to wear down the UK defense.
8. Florida Gators (7-1) | Last week: 9 (+1)
Kyle Trask threw four touchdowns and led the Gators to 21 fourth-quarter points in their bounce-back victory over South Carolina. However, Florida’s run defense is a bit of a concern after another week of giving up chunk plays on the ground, this time to former Clemson running back Tavien Feaster (25 carries, 175 yards, one touchdown). They’ll need to get it sorted out quickly for the Georgia-Florida game.
9. Auburn Tigers (6-1) | Last week: 10 (+1)
Coming off a bye week, Auburn bounced back from their own top-ten SEC loss with a 51-10 drubbing of Arkansas. Bo Nix might have had his best game of his true freshman campaign to this point, and he’ll have to play well at Death Valley this weekend. Amazingly, Auburn set the FBS record for consecutive made PATs (303) before missing the very next attempt.
10. Oregon Ducks (6-1) | Last week: NR
Oregon rallied for a 21-10 second half to top Washington and improve to 6-1 overall while remaining unbeaten in the Pac-12 this season. The Ducks defense, which has been superb this year, struggled in the first half, but they tightened up and made key stops late. Justin Herbert threw four touchdowns in the victory, and the senior quarterback and his hometown squad remain alive in the Playoff race.