FAVORITE TEAMS

For those that saw my accidental post last week, here’s my actual one. Enjoy, and thank you again for checking it out! 🙏

Welcome to November…erm technically it’s still October for a couple of more days, but still WELCOME! There are four to five games left, and nothings guaranteed for any team. Not even Oregon! Rivalries and trap games are the main focus during that month because every remaining team are vying for bowl-eligibility, a conference title spot, and a playoff spot. Expect some more chaos that could end the college football world with this new 12-team playoff format.

25) MISSOURI

Missouri had two chances against ranked SEC foes to be playoff contenders and failed to win both. They have no remaining teams to slingshot their way up the standings without help from a lot of SEC chaos.

24) ILLINOIS

Illinois is out of the CFP and are likely out of the Big Ten title running. With losses against Oregon and Penn State with no Ohio State or Indiana on the schedule, they likely look prep for bowl season.

23) COLORADO

Colorado’s technically alive for a Big 12 title appearance, but they’re hanging by a thread. They lost to Kansas State and is currently walling the Buffs from a title chance. They also don’t play BYU or Iowa State, which is doubly bad. Colorado must close out and pray the Top 3 Big 12 teams fall.

22) WASHINGTON STATE

Wazzu’s back in the rankings, but what else can they do except stay in the Top 25? The only thing left to show for is defeating New Mexico and Oregon State on the road and not lose a game. It’s bland when playing in a two-team conference.

21) ARMY

The Black Knights are in Def Con 2 after Navy sunk against Notre Dame. Army focuses on Air Force for the battle of the Commander-in-Chiefs Trophy. After them, they are in Def Con 1 against Notre Dame, and Army must ready themselves against the Irish. Otherwise, there’s Navy for a potential winner-take-all CIC Trophy as a consolation prize.

20) SMU

SMU has an easy road to the ACC title game as newcomers. They host Pitt to decide who stays alive for the ACC title game. If successful, they host two more games in the last three weeks. They could finally put the whole death penalty history behind them to be relevant again.

19) OLE MISS

Ole Miss barely has a leg to stand on. If they want balance for a CFP spot, they must win out, and that means defeating Georgia too. The Rebels have the defense to make life difficult for any team. They won six games while not allowing 20 points, but their offense must back up their defense.

18) PITT

Pitt’s opportunity starts Saturday against SMU. The winner stays alive for the CFP. However, they run into Clemson two weeks later. Three seasons ago, Pitt upset Clemson at home. Even if they succeed, traps are highly possible in the last two weeks.

17) KANSAS STATE

Kansas State’s on the outside looking in, but there’s a chance. If they run through their next three games, they travel to Iowa State, which will decide who goes to the Big 12 title game. Revenge is on their mind.

16) LSU

S.O.S. should be sent out from Death Valley. LSU’s CFP window is closing. Unless they have some sort of luck against Bama, the Tigers are doomed. If successful, they must defeat Florida, Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma while praying that top SEC teams fall below them.

15) BOISE STATE

The Ashton Jeanty train continues after getting over the rough hills of Vegas. Who stops them? San Diego State? My alma mater, Nevada? San Jose State or Wyoming on the road? Oregon State? Unless something derails Jeanty, the train rolls into Boise for the Mountain West title game.

14) ALABAMA

Alabama’s on the verge of missing the first annual 12-team playoffs and need help. They’re not far off from the Top 12, but some teams below have the right to hop past them. Bama must defeat LSU and send an S.O.S. to other teams to create chaos in the Top 13.

13) INDIANA

Cig’s Hoosiers’ first eight games were a nice presentation. Now, the final exam starts in November. There’s the Great Lakes State in back-to-back weeks. Then, they close against two teams that Curt Cignetti said during his speech at a basketball game. Indiana hates Purdue and Ohio State. Guess what, they face them in the last two weeks.

T-11) CLEMSON

Clemson cakewalked their way to the Top 12 with double-digit wins since the Georgia game. Louisville, Va Tech, and The Citadel may not be imposing, but Pitt and South Carolina might. The Panthers and Gamecocks won’t make life easy for the Tigers.

T-11) IOWA STATE

Iowa State also comes in the other undefeated Big 12 team. However, their road to the Big 12 title game becomes treacherous. This month hasn’t been kind to them since 2017, finishing with two or more losses in that month four times in seven seasons. Texas Tech, Kansas, Cincinnati, Utah, and/or Kansas State could end their Big 12 title and CFP opportunity.

10) TEXAS A&M

Well, the Aggies are set for a potential epic finish, but don’t get ahead of yourselves. Road games at South Carolina and Auburn could easily play spoiler. Then, there’s Texas coming to College Station for the first time since 2011. However, Texas had their number in College Stations in the last two meetings.

9) BYU

BYU’s undefeated for the first time since 2020. However, the new Big 12 isn’t friendly. I will be at Salt Lake City for the Holy War game that could really define who the Cougars are. Then Kansas, Arizona State, and Houston cross paths. Any of the last four teams could spoil their magical run.

8) NOTRE DAME

Florida State, Virginia, and Army might not stop them. However, USC awaits them at the Coliseum for a gladiatorial bout for a playoff spot as a non-Conference Independent team. Maybe Notre Dame players should watch Gladiator II before the matchup.

7) TENNESSEE

In all four SEC games, Tennessee’s result was decided by no more than 10 points. Kentucky, Mississippi State, Georgia, and Vanderbilt could all end the Vols’ playoff hopes (especially Georgia and Vanderbilt). At least they have a good defense because they haven’t allowed 20 points this season.

6) TEXAS

Florida, Arkansas, and Kentucky seem eerily interesting, and the Longhorns shouldn’t underestimate any of them. However, the road game at Texas A&M could be the biggest weekend for the state of Texas if everything goes right for both teams.

5) MIAMI (FL)

Well, Miami’s winning. Their last four games don’t look daunting, but traps are laid out. Duke and the last two road games at Georgia Tech and Syracuse are traps for sure. Does anyone remember the Miami/Ga Tech game last season? Yeah, it’s definitely a trap!

4) OHIO STATE

November’s a daunting task for the Buckeyes. Penn State this upcoming weekend along with Cig’s Hoosiers and Michigan in the last two weeks will ultimately decide the Buckeyes’ fate. Fans will sweat buckets and Ryan Day’s job could be on the line.

3) PENN STATE

Ohio State’s the game that’ll decide Penn State’s fate for a Big Ten title opportunity. Washington and Minnesota may have a trap set for the Nittany Lions right after. We’re about to really find out who Penn State is.

2) GEORGIA

They had some bumps in the road since SEC play. Maybe a rivalry with Florida sparks their motivation as the ol’ Georgia Dawgs. Probably. They travel to Ole Miss, host Tennessee, and cross paths with sneaky Georgia Tech. We’ll know if the Kirby Smart’s Dawgs are back after the bye.

1) OREGON

The Ducks can’t be stopped, but November will decide their fate as Big Ten’s newcomer. Road games at Michigan and Wisconsin with Washington in the wings at the end of November in the cold and/or snow? Fascinating set up.