Top 25 Teams November Expectations

1) OHIO STATE

The smoke finally clears for the Buckeyes…maybe after Rutgers. Coach Greg Schiano might be up to something. Otherwise, all roads lead to Ann Arbor for The Game…of the Century???

OPPONENTS: AT RUTGERS, MICHIGAN STATE, MINNESOTA, AT #3 MICHIGAN

2) GEORGIA

After two months of waiting, Georgia finally makes their 2023 college football debut. We watched them once against Kentucky, then returned to the offseason. Now, they’re here in November with their toughest schedule of the season. Back-to-back-to-back ranked opponents, and games at Knoxville and Atlanta will test Georgia’s mental state while trying to avoid complacency.

OPPONENTS: #12 MISSOURI, #10 OLE MISS, AT #17 TENNESSEE, AT GEORGIA TECH

3) MICHIGAN

Michigan joins Georgia in their 2023 college football debut. Michigan enjoyed their offseason of exhibitions for what seemed like an eternity. Maybe they got bored and sent the scout out to other opponents’ games just to see what’s happening. Ok, now I’m done with the puns. Michigan has a tough schedule starting at Penn State leading up to a home finale against their rival, Ohio State. Is Michigan really for real???

OPPONENTS: PURDUE, AT #11 PENN STATE, AT MARYLAND, #1 OHIO STATE

4) FLORIDA STATE

The Seminoles have a chance to complete their season undefeated for the first time since 2013 when they were National Champions. Their schedule’s light as a feather with maybe a little weight against Miami and Florida. If Pitt’s not a threat, see you in Charlotte, Florida State!

OPPONENTS: AT PITT, MIAMI, NORTH ALABAMA, AT FLORIDA

5) WASHINGTON

The Huskies started the season dominant, and then slowed down the last two weeks after the win over Oregon. Bad time to play that way when they travel to USC this weekend. I’m looking at this schedule and I just can’t be calm or comfy. This is a gauntlet.

OPPONENTS: AT #20 USC, #18 UTAH, AT #16 OREGON STATE, WASHINGTON STATE

====================================================================

6) OREGON

Just like Washington, Oregon has a tough schedule. Yes, I’m even considering these buggered Sun Devils! They should jump past Cal and maybe out strengthened USC if Washington breaks their spirit. Otherwise, let’s see if this team makes it out as one of the best four in the nation.

OPPONENTS: CAL, #20 USC, AT ARIZONA STATE, #16 OREGON STATE

7) TEXAS

The Longhorns without Quinn Ewers are mightily tested this month. All four of these teams will push Texas to their limits. If Texas thinks they can beat Iowa State, obviously they forgot how dangerous a Cyclone is.

OPPONENTS: #23 KANSAS STATE, AT TCU, AT IOWA STATE, TEXAS TECH

8) ALABAMA

Alabama escapes October with their very lives. When they thought September and October were challenging, don’t look at November. The Wildcats and two Tigers will be roaring at the Tide in November, with two tough road games (Kentucky and Auburn).

OPPONENTS: #14 LSU, AT KENTUCKY, CHATTANOOGA, AT AUBURN

9) OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma suffered a loss to Kansas and finally hit reality, but this is their chance to atone for their shaky run from the last two weeks. I can’t look at any other game except those dang Cowpokes of Oklahoma State. This Bedlam Game will be a memorable one for years to come…if they don’t schedule another game with them for the next few seasons.

OPPONENTS: AT #22 OKLAHOMA STATE, WEST VIRGINIA, AT BYU, TCU

10) OLE MISS

The Rebels quietly run through their schedule whether in dominant fashion or in a close shave. The Alabama loss is their only blemish, but their next opponent in two weeks could change the course of their season if they win that one. This would be major going into Starkville in the last week.

OPPONENTS: TEXAS A&M, AT #2 GEORGIA, UL MONROE, AT MISSISSIPPI STATE

====================================================================

11) PENN STATE

The Nittany Lions could face another Top 25 limbo for the rest of the season. Why? Every time they’re about to ascend into the high rankings, Ohio State and Michigan kicks them out. Penn State has one more opportunity at home against Michigan. This is a do-or-die matchup with homefield advantage. If Penn State wants any respect amongst the committee, defeat the Wolverines!

OPPONENTS: AT MARYLAND, #3 MICHIGAN, RUTGERS, AT MICHIGAN STATE

12) MISSOURI

Missouri has the rarest opportunity to shake up the college football world and the CFP Poll. They travel to Georgia, who’s without Brock Bowers. They host Tennessee and Florida before traveling to Arkansas. But let’s focus on Georgia. If they defeat them, this will create chaos in the SEC and college football itself. Just imagine that.

OPPONENTS: AT #2 GEORGIA, #17 TENNESSEE, FLORIDA, AT ARKANSAS

13) LOUISVILLE

Nice to see the Cardinals in the Top 15. They have no one else to play against and the Notre Dame win could mean nothing. They will chill in Top 25 limbo until something chaotic above happens.

OPPONENTS: VIRGINIA TECH, VIRGINIA, AT MIAMI, KENTUCKY

14) LSU

LSU can’t sleep in November. Alabama will be their biggest test of the season. They are home for the rest of the season, but any of the three can clock them without notice. Don’t underestimate November, LSU.

OPPONENTS: AT #8 ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA STATE, TEXAS A&M

15) NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame’s also in Top 25 limbo. There’s no one else to play against and their opportunities against Ohio State and Louisville were all for not. Those two losses hang over them unless chaos happens above them.

OPPONENTS: PITT, AT CLEMSON, WAKE FOREST, AT STANFORD

====================================================================

16) OREGON STATE

The two-loss Beavers are not out yet, but they can’t lose again. They must build a dam around Deion and Stanford before facing their gauntlet matchups in the last two weeks of the season. Get those choppers out and start gnawing, boys!

OPPONENTS: AT COLORADO, STANFORD, #5 WASHINGTON, AT #6 OREGON

17) TENNESSEE

They have one more opportunity for playoff consideration. It’s either against Missouri or Georgia barring the result on Saturday. Otherwise, a loss thoroughly kicks them out of consideration. They may be mentioned but the above teams are too damn good.

OPPONENTS: UCONN, AT #12 MISSOURI, #2 GEORGIA, VANDERBILT

18) UTAH

Utah’s loss leaves them out of college football playoff consideration and may be distance from getting the second spot in the Pac-12 title game. Defeating Washington is a start, but Arizona State, Arizona, and Deion’s Buffaloes will find any way to ruin the Utes opportunity for good.

OPPONENTS: ARIZONA STATE, AT #5 WASHINGTON, AT ARIZONA, COLORADO

19) UCLA

The Bruins can only play for a Pac-12 title and New Year’s Six Bowl opportunity. Spoiling Caleb Williams, Lincoln Riley, and USC would be the icing on the cake for a big celebration in the Rose Bowl Parade!

OPPONENTS: AT ARIZONA, ARIZONA STATE, AT #20 USC, CAL

20) USC

Well, I mean if miracles can happen, it could happen for the Trojans. How the committee can be influenced is by this very schedule that the Trojans must conquer. This is a massively tall task that no team could overcome. It’s unclear if even Georgia or Alabama can conquer the last three weeks of that schedule. If USC pulls this off, let the committee know what took place. Also, USC must be Bruins fans for two weeks to have this type of setup.

OPPONENTS: #5 WASHINGTON, AT #6 OREGON, #19 UCLA

====================================================================

21) KANSAS

The Jayhawks are in Top 25 limbo, but being in the playoff rankings is an accomplishment for the program and coach Lance Liepold. Their focus now is conquering November for a spot in the Big 12 championship.

OPPONENTS: AT IOWA STATE, TEXAS TECH, #23 KANSAS STATE, AT CINCINNATI

22) OKLAHOMA STATE

There’s no team more important to defeat than Oklahoma. This has been marked on their calendar since the Sooners’ last season in the Big 12 began. It’s unfortunate that it couldn’t be the very last game of the season to cap off, but they’re still looking forward to slamming the door in their faces with a big W to take home along with the goal post to chuck in the nearest lake or river they can find.

OPPONENTS: #9 OKLAHOMA, AT UCF, AT HOUSTON, BYU

23) KANSAS STATE

Chris Klieman and the Wildcats still have a shot at the Big 12 title game. Their last four games will be tested, but they could remind these folks that Kansas State are the defending Big 12 champions. Yeah, y’all forgot about that didn’t you?

OPPONENTS: AT #7 TEXAS, BAYLOR, AT #21 KANSAS, IOWA STATE

24) TULANE

Tulane’s playing for a New Year’s Six Bowl opportunity. They’re looking over their shoulder at Air Force, but what they need to be really looking over is UTSA. The Roadrunners are right on their tail and playing hot as AAC newcomers with a purpose.

OPPONENTS: AT EAST CAROLINA, TULSA, AT FAU, UTSA

25) AIR FORCE

The Falcons are aiming for their first ever New Year’s Six Bowl opportunity. They’re also on their way to making history as an undefeated program. They’re also trying to play in their second Mountain West championship since 2015 and win their first one in program history. They even have a quarterback that’s on his way to breaking records and change the standard as a service academy quarterback. All firsts aside, they must defeat Army for their first back-to-back Commander-in-Chiefs trophy since 2010 and 2011. Then they face UNLV, and travel to Boise, which the Broncos ain’t having any of it.

OPPONENTS: ARMY (AT MILE HIGH), AT HAWAI’I, UNLV, AT BOISE STATE

====================================================================