FAVORITE TEAMS

November is finally here😈 My favorite month for football and it will come crashing down for the majority of teams trying to avoid the explosion and shrapnel that is the elimination scenario. There’s plenty of positioning to be resolved, but we have an idea of a few teams that will be in the playoffs in December. Buckle up folks because this flight will hit serious turbulence like never before in our college football lives. Let’s go!!!!

25) MEMPHIS (7-1)

With an upset win over USF, Memphis opened the door to other Group of Five teams’ playoff opportunity. Memphis is now the current the leader, but their schedule down the stretch could determine who ends up where. Assuming they escape Rice on the road this Friday, they enter November dealing with Tulane, East Carolina on the road, and undefeated Navy (for now).

24) UTAH (6-2)

Utah doesn’t have much else to work with except defeating Cincinnati to start. Their last three games are at Baylor, home against Kansas State, and on the road at Kansas. Their only way to a potential playoff spot or Big 12 title is winning out + Big 12 chaos.

23) USC (5-2)

This wasn’t a good October outing for USC. November might be tougher with the next four teams with winning records. This is where USC will either be the wheat or chaff of 2025’s Big Ten football. They travel to Nebraska, then host Northwestern and Iowa. They close out their schedule against former Pac-12 co-horts Oregon on the road and UCLA at home.

22) HOUSTON (7-1)

Houston probably had the easiest road of their schedule, and it gets better with their remaining games. They have West Virginia, and road games at UCF and Baylor. However, they host TCU, but they are a tough out. If Houston wins out, oh boy! This gets really interesting for the CFP committee and the Big 12 conference!

21) MICHIGAN (6-2)

Michigan got this far when anything could’ve potentially ended their season. Now, November gets really interesting and maybe enticing for Michigan and Big Ten fans. First is Purdue. Then road games at Northwestern and Maryland, with both being potential traps. If they survive unblemished, The Game against Ohio State will decide if Michigan gains a CFP spot. Can’t wait!

20) TEXAS (6-2)

The Longhorns survived their homeless October schedule, but none of their matchups except Oklahoma to an extent were cakewalks or convincing. It seems the toughness of the SEC might be wearing on them. Arch Manning also suffered an injury last week, so him staying upright will be crucial. Speaking of crucial, their fate for a playoff spot will be ultimately determined by Vanderbilt, Georgia, and Texas A&M, and one more loss ends it.

19) MISSOURI (6-2)

Missouri might be entering November with a very disappointing finish. The loss of Beau Pribula was a detrimental loss to the offense. Is it possible that freshmen quarterback Matt Zollers can fill that hole and keep going? We’ll find out post-bye when they face Texas A&M. They also host Mississippi State before traveling to Oklahoma and Arkansas.

18) OKLAHOMA (6-2)

Looking at how brutal their schedule is with three straight games against ranked opponents, is this a “sign-off on their playoff season” type of situation for the Sooners??? As a fan, HELL NO!!! But November is Reality for some teams, and Oklahoma’s included. I mean back-to-back road games at Tennessee and Alabama with 100,000 noisy fans, and then they host against the Tigers (Missouri and LSU). God help me I live to see 2026. Stay tuned on my metaphorical death bed…☠️

17) CINCINNATI (7-1)

Since their close loss to Nebraska, the Bearcats ripped off seven straight and haven’t looked back. They might be the hottest and quietest college football team that no one’s talking about. Is it possible Cincy goes supernova? Well, they must take out the Big 12’s state of Utah, then Arizona, and try to close against a potential trap game at TCU in order to regain attention like the 2021 Cincinnati team.

16) LOUISVILLE

The Cardinals have a very good chance to be in playoff consideration. Why? The win over Top 10 Miami is a massive resume booster as long as the Canes win out. They lost to Virginia, but they’re winning too. Winning out should be easy, right? They travel to Virginia Tech. Then host Cal and Clemson at home. Then they travel to SMU before facing Kentucky at home for the last game. By the look of things, best to have your seatbelt on because there will be turbulence😬

15) VIRGINIA (7-1)

Who would’ve thought the Cavs would be here? Ranked? Entering November??? This is a very rare ACC title contending opportunity for them, but their schedule has landmines everywhere. They have road games at Cal and Duke with home games against pesky Wake Forest and their heated in-state rival Va Tech. Just so you know, Virginia lost the last four meetings to Va Tech. No pressure.

14) TENNESSEE (6-2)

The Volunteers are on a lifeline and need so much help to get considered for a playoff spot. The only way there is winning out and praying Vanderbilt stays in the Top 10 prior to that matchup. They face Oklahoma and New Mexico State at home, and travel to Florida. If they can survive that, then it’s a potential elimination game against in-state rival, The Vanderbilt Pavias.

13) TEXAS TECH (7-1)

Tech survived October with a blemish against Arizona State. They’re still in line to compete for the Big 12 title game. However, the road ahead looks tough and tricky. Road games at Kansas State and maybe West Virginia is no easy feat. Outside of hosting UCF, BYU will be Tech’s gauntlet and that could potentially be a Big 12 title preview/elimination game for them.

12) NOTRE DAME (5-2)

The Irish are back where they’re supposed to be and could find their way back in the playoff. Their remaining schedule is light (unless Navy’s finally formidable). The only game to maybe watch for is Pitt or Stanford, but those are as glaring as it gets.

T-10) MIAMI (6-1)

Miami overcame a loss to Louisville and still made it this far. Now, is the time we find out if they are legit or not. They have fizzled out in November the past couple of seasons. Here are their November matchups: at SMU, home games against Syracuse and NC State, and road games at Virginia Tech and Pitt. They could easily clear at 5-0. However, anyone of those losses could seriously hurt them. I’m not saying Miami can’t beat all five, I’m saying the only team capable of beating Miami…is Miami.

T-10) BYU (8-0)

BYU grinded to an undefeated run into November for the second straight season with a much-needed bye week. The Cougars are looking up again, but they must recuperate out of a bye for a Big 12 gauntlet finish. They’re staring down the barrel of Texas Tech’s shooters before they return home to host TCU. They head back on the road to face an improved Cincinnati team before closing up shop at home against UCF. I’m rooting for you, Cougs!

9) VANDERBILT (7-1)

Diego Pavia continues “anchoring” Vanderbilt to heights that have never been seen before. They have potential easy home games against Auburn and Kentucky. But what they should worried about are road games against Texas and Tennessee. They are met with Expectations in the Reality that is November. They have a rare opportunity to capitalize on an SEC title/playoff opportunity, but can Diego Pavia, Clark Lea, and Vandy really do it???

8) GEORGIA TECH (8-0)

Georgia Tech veered to an undefeated record entering November. They may have gotten this far, but now Ga Tech’s Expectations faces Reality this month. They have a trap game against NC State. They face Boston College on the road, but Ga Tech lost three straight meetings to them. They host Pitt, but is this considered a cakewalk? Then, they face Georgia in neutral home site in Atlanta. Despite how good Georgia Tech is this season, they lost seven straight to Georgia. Do the Yellow Jackets drink from the Reality cup early???

7) OLE MISS (7-1)

Ole Miss fell to Georgia on the road but immediately bounced back in a road redemption against Oklahoma. Ole Miss has playoff ringing real nicely on the mind. But the best thing for them to do is not overlook South Carolina or Florida towards Mississippi State at Starkville. That would be the biggest season mistake of their very lives.

6) OREGON (7-1)

Oregon dominated most of their schedule, but they are 1-1 against ranked opponents. It’s time to keep an eye on that. Entering November, USC is ranked and Washington could eventually appear in the Top 25. The first two November games coming off a bye are one of the trickier and more complicated matchups they will ever play down the stretch. A road game at Iowa and home against Minnesota could really define their season mentally, physically, and spiritually.

5) GEORGIA (6-1)

Should they be called the Cardiac Dawgs??? They had games where they’re fighting to survive and win those thrilling moments. They have done it in two of those three games this season against ranked SEC opponents. Defense has yet to be consistent in the conference, and more challenges are coming their way: at Mississippi State, Texas, and Georgia Tech (Atlanta).

4) ALABAMA (7-1)

Alabama turns the Tide and wins seven-straight to stay in the SEC title race and playoff consideration. Their next two games could decide their fate. They host LSU, but LSU’s confident in Bama’s environment. They also host a questionable Oklahoma offense, but Bama shouldn’t take them lightly with that stingy defense. Then, they close out against Eastern Illinois and at Auburn. Can’t tell what the Iron Bowl will look like…

3) TEXAS A&M (8-0)

Texas A&M enters November undefeated, and it’s been a long while since they’ve made that stretch. They’re adaptable and look more formidable each week. Their November schedule lightened up a lot. They face Missouri that now lost two quarterbacks to injuries, a South Carolina team that looks broken, and Samford (meh). The one matchup left is at Texas. They not only could go undefeated, but they can also end Texas for good if possible.

2) INDIANA (8-0)

Curt Cignetti and company ain’t beating around the bush. He doesn’t have time for that because he wants wins in every way, shape, and form. The last two games should be a cinch, but road games against Maryland and Penn State are question marks. We all know Cigs will have the team ready for anyone, but I’d still approach those two road games carefully.

1) OHIO STATE (7-0)

Well…I have nothing to talk about with the Buckeyes except the Michigan game. We could say Purdue’s potentially a trap game, but that’s farce. Looking forward to The Game on November 29th.

10 TEAMS THAT COULD BREAK THE TOP 25 BY CONFERENCE TITLE WEEK

1) USF

2) NAVY

3) ARIZONA STATE

4) JAMES MADISON

5) TCU

6) WASHINGTON

7) BOISE STATE

8) SAN DIEGO STATE

9) WAKE FOREST

10) TULANE