FAVORITE TEAMS

I never thought August/September football would be one to remember. There were great games throughout and it didn’t disappoint. We’re talking from Week 1 when Bama got absolutely stomped by Florida State to Week 4 when Florida State got absolutely stampede in hostile territory at Virginia while Bama chained Georgia back up and dragged them back to the Dawghouse in Tuscaloosa. In the middle, Ohio State supplanted themselves as the #1 team in the country while teams like Oregon and Miami bear down for the spot. Surprising teams like Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Indiana make their way into the Top 10, but can they hold? The state of Tennessee in the SEC are trying to pave way into playoff consideration while the Big 12 are trying to be more relevant in the rankings. Will a Group of Five team standout before November?

Now that we are in October, conference play takes shape while Notre Dame figures out how to slink around it. Conference teams will see each other as prey, especially the SEC with 10 teams in the Top 19 and the Big Ten with four in the Top 10 out of six teams in the Top 25. Expect plenty of chaos, thrillers, upsets, and scares. No one is safe from the month of Halloween.

25) ARIZONA STATE (4-1)

Arizona State re-enters the rankings after being oddly booted out after a loss to Mississippi State. However, their schedule compresses as they travel to Salt Lake City for a tough matchup with Utah. They also host Texas Tech and Houston, and those two squads have improved to be more competitive.

24) VIRGINIA (4-1)

Virginia got a massive win against former Top 10 Florida State. Now, they enter the rankings with plenty of possibility. However, they must shake off the emotions because they have a tough road matchup with Louisville. Then, they turnaround to host Wazzu before traveling back out to rival North Carolina where Bill Belichick and company awaits them.

23) BYU (4-0)

BYU enters the Top 25 for the second straight season and is in good position to host rival Utah as an undefeated team if they take care of business in their next two games prior. West Virginia and a road game at Arizona will be both not to overlook. The Cougars will go as their freshmen quarterback Bear Bachmeier will, and that Bear has some bite to him!

22) ILLINOIS (4-1)

The Fighting Illini was on the brink of being out of the Top 25, but luckily, they didn’t. However, they’re in October with a much more challenging schedule. But again, they have a chance to prove they are legit. After Purdue, they host rival Ohio State to potentially pull of their first upset win against them since 2007. Then, Illinois faces Washington on the road but haven’t defeated them since 1963. Good luck trying to make history.

21) NOTRE DAME (2-2)

After two unfortunate losses to start the season, Notre Dame wrecked the next two games averaging 56 points. October will be tricky as they face Boise State, NC State, and rival USC. Any of those games could likely end their playoff hopes with one little slip up.

20) MICHIGAN (3-1)

Despite losing to Oklahoma on the road, it was made up with a big road win against OU’s rival, Nebraska. They face Wisconsin and Washington at home but deal with USC and Michigan State on the road. This could be their moment to shine if they go 4-0 in October.

19) MISSOURI (5-0)

Missouri had an easy August/September schedule. Now, their October schedule beefs up. We’re talking Alabama in over a week before traveling to Auburn and Vanderbilt. Missouri shouldn’t expect any guarantees this time.

18) FLORIDA STATE (3-1)

The Seminoles were blindsided by Virginia on Friday Night and are now out of the Top 10. Luckily, they stay in the Top 25 because the Alabama win and Virginia being ranked becomes valuable. However, they must bounce back quick because they have Miami this weekend. They also host Pitt before traveling to Stanford.

17) GEORGIA TECH (5-0)

Georgia Tech is looking like the Georgia Tech of old, except they’re passing more with their quarterback that can choose to run. They took care of Clemson and now put themselves on the map and could be a potential dark horse ACC title contender and playoff team. They face Virginia Tech and Syracuse at home while dealing with Duke on the road. Any of those games could be considered traps.

16) VANDERBILT (5-0)

This year’s Vanderbilt team seems meaner and grittier than before. Diego Pavia beating the system for one more season may have something to do with it. The other could be their offense averaging 49 points per game, which is their highest scoring average in their first five games in program history. Can they carry that against three of their toughest opponents in October? We’re looking at a road game at Bama and home games against LSU and Missouri. I fear their scoring average might dwindle just a bit…

15) TENNESSEE (4-1)

Tennessee looks more competitive than last season despite losing to Georgia. They could return to the playoffs if things go well down the stretch. As long as they don’t overlook Arkansas or Kentucky, they should carry those wins while hoping they upset Alabama on the road. This could be Tennessee’s only opportunity for playoff conversation.

14) IOWA STATE (5-0)

Rocco Becht and company stand at 5-0 for the fourth time in program history. It’s also their first back-to-back 5-0 start in program history. They enter October with a very tricky situation for a Big 12 title bout. They travel to Cincinnati and Colorado, and both teams are problems at their home environment. They finish their month against BYU, who’s looking for their Big 12 title appearance.

13) LSU (4-1)

LSU faced questions about their offense, but Brian Kelly faced more questions about his comments about keeping the rival trophy in Baton Rouge where it belongs. Good luck with that. Anyway, they enter October with a tough slate with South Carolina and Texas A&M at home while traveling to Vanderbilt where Diego Pavia and company could make LSU struggle.

12) GEORGIA (3-1)

Georgia’s offense was sus for a bit, but they finally found something in Gunnar Stockton that might help the offense improve moving forward. The loss at home to Alabama will carry in their minds for a while. Alas, they must move forward and hope they clear their October schedule. Not much to deal with, but Ole Miss at home could be another problem before their bye.

11) TEXAS TECH (4-0)

The Red Raiders may finally shine in the Big 12 knowing Texas and Oklahoma aren’t around to overshadow Lubbock. However, there might be more tricks than treats as they face Houston, Kansas, and Arizona State in October. Oklahoma State might not be a problem unless Tech has their own prior.

10) ALABAMA (3-1)

Alabama may have found their confidence after taking down Georgia for the 10th time in 11 meetings. There are still things to clean up, but quarterback Ty Simpson proved to be a leader of the Crimson Tide. Entering October, they face a potential gauntlet. Bama hosts the state of Tennessee in rival Volunteers and Diego Pavia and his Vanderbilt squad. Bama also travels to hostile environments in Missouri and South Carolina. Let’s see if Bama’s identity is established by November.

9) TEXAS (3-1)

September was somewhat chaotic for Texas lol (and I stand by that LOL wholeheartedly). In comes October with three road games and a neutral site matchup with rival Oklahoma. Do we consider upsets with a side of coleslaw and corn? This should be bugging Longhorn fans stressing and unable to host until November.

8) INDIANA (5-0)

Curt Cignetti is two wins away from his “Google Me” quote continuing its hot pace in his FBS coaching career. However, can he add a ranked Oregon win to his resume when the Hoosiers travel out there in two weeks? After that, they host Michigan State and UCLA. Those two wins could guarantee his quote will stand.

7) PENN STATE (3-1)

Penn State’s offense was sus for a while, and it eventually came to reality against Oregon. They found a way, but they really need to involve Drew Allar with some mobility to expand the offense. Their October schedule should be cakes for the most part, but the October 18th game at Iowa could be a guaranteed trap game.

6) TEXAS A&M (4-0)

The Aggies found themselves in an interesting position after upsetting former #8 Notre Dame. The run could continue until their road game at LSU on October 25th. Prior to that, they go through Mississippi State and Florida at home before traveling to Arkansas in Fayetteville for the first time since 2013.

5) OKLAHOMA (4-0)

Oklahoma clears out at 4-0, including big wins against Michigan and Auburn. Starting in mid-October, it gets tough immediately. They face off with Texas and South Carolina away from home before returning to host Ole Miss for a revenge meeting. Start holding your breath in October, Sooner Nation. We have no John Mateer until likely Ole Miss…😟

4) OLE MISS (5-0)

Speaking of Ole Miss, the Lane Train stays on track after a huge win against LSU last week. The tracks should run smooth against Wazzu before things get bumpy on the road against Georgia and Oklahoma (if John Mateer’s available). We’ll see if the Lane Train’s intact by November.

3) MIAMI (4-0)

Miami’s looking promising so far after a memorable September. But maybe October will be more memorable as long as they stay focused. They’re set up for a huge matchup with rival Florida State at Tallahassee. After the bye, they host gritty Louisville and follow up with Stanford. They could go 7-0 prior to November, but that month is where their dreams usually end. Let’s not think about that right now.

2) OREGON (5-0)

Coach Dan Lanning may have set up Oregon as a dangerous playoff contender. The young offense coupled with an experience defense will go a long way. On their October schedule is gritty Indiana at home and a hard-nosed Rutgers squad on the road. They dealt with Penn State, but they might be faced with more bruises from two old school coaches’ teams.

1) OHIO STATE (4-0)

Ohio State’s the only team in the nation to not allow double-digit points through four games. The defense stays stingy, and the team could stay formidable through October. Minnesota and Wisconsin should be easy wins, but Illinois might be the only team to make things a bit complicated and be the first team to score double-digit points against the Buckeyes. The road game at Illinois might be one of Ohio State’s biggest test of the season.

10 TEAMS THAT COULD BREAK THE TOP 25 BY NOVEMBER☠️

1) USF

2) SMU

3) TCU

4) MEMPHIS

5) TULANE

6) JAMES MADISON

7) NEBRASKA

8) NORTH TEXAS

9) NAVY

10) UNLV