2018-2019 Week 7 College Football Review

Two weeks in a row with huge upsets have shaken up the college football landscape again. Last week saw the first playoff team, Oklahoma, loose and this week saw another playoff team loose. In this case it was not even close as LSU blew out Georgia. This was a huge surprise to me as I honestly did not think Georgia would face any real challenges until the SEC Championship game. This weekend also saw undefeateds West Virginia and Colorado fall. On top of that Penn State, Washington, Wisconsin, and Miami pick up their second loss of the season and more than likely elimination from any playoff chances.

Eight teams became bowl eligible over the weekend - Central Florida, South Florida, Texas, Michigan, North Texas, Buffalo, Florida, and LSU.

Playoff Teams

Alabama (7-0)

Defeated Missouri 39-10

Alabama easily dispatched Missouri and the score does not really show home much of a blow-out it actually was. Missouri had high hopes of competing for the SEC East this season. They are now 0-3 in conference play and that hope is gone. Alabama's QB Tua was injured during the game, but fortunately former starting QB Hurts did not quick like other QBs and he picked up the slack.

Up next: at Tennessee

Clemson (6-0)

Off

Clemson had the week off to prepare for now #2 North Carolina State. I am not convinced that NC State is a playoff contender. If they manage to pull of the upset against Clemson it will change my mind. I do not expect that to happen.

at home against #2 North Carolina State

UCF (6-0)

Defeated Memphis 31-30

UCF saw it's first true challenge this week against Memphis (same as last year) and for the majority of the game it appeared that UCF's winning streak was at an end. However, this team has faced adverse games before and just as before they passed the test and came back for the victory and to extend the country's longest win streak to 19. This week's opponent should be a lot easier.

Up next: at East Carolina

Notre Dame (7-0)

Defeated Pitt 19-14

Notre Dame is the newest playoff team after Georgia's exit from the playoff picture. Yes I did jump them over Ohio State even after a very close win. I am not convinced at this point that Ohio State is playoff caliber. Ohio State's one win against a ranked opponent was Penn State, who lost this week to Michigan who had lost to Notre Dame. For that reason Notre Dame gets the nod this week. Notre Dame has the week off to lick their wounds after Pitt nearly upset them.

Up next: Off

Next two up:

#1 Ohio State (7-0)

Defeated Minnesota 30-14

Minnesota went into the horseshoe with upset on their mind and kept within distance of Ohio State until the 4th quarter until Ohio State pulled away. That has been a knock against Ohio State this season. They are a great 4th quarter team, but tend not to show up in the other quarters. Ohio State travels to Purdue this weekend in what SHOULD be an easy win.

Up next: at Purdue

#2 North Carolina State (5-0)

Off

NC State gets the benefit of having this weekend off to rise up to #2 in the rankings this week. As the undefeated teams begin falling by the wayside it will be harder to keep NC State up here. One loss and their playoff chances are gone. That will mostly likely happen this weekend as they face off against Playoff team Clemson (which is coming off a bye week)

Up next: at Playoff team Clemson

Rest of the Top 20:

3. Oklahoma(5-1): Last week: Off; up next: at TCU

4. Texas(6-1): Last week: Defeated Baylor 23-17; up next: off

5. Cincinnati(6-0): Last week: off; up next: at Temple

6. South Florida(6-0): Last week: Defeated Tulsa 25-24; up next: at home against UConn

7. Florida(6-1): Last week: Defeated Vanderbilt 37-27; up next: off

8. LSU(6-1): Last week: Defeated #9 Georgia 36-16; up next: at home against Mississippi State

9. Georgia(6-1): Last week: Lost to #8 LSU 36-16; up next: off

10. West Virginia(5-1): Last week: Lost to Iowa State 30-14; up next: off

11. Colorado(5-1): Last week: Lost to USC 31-20; up next: at Washington

12. Oregon(5-1): Last week: Defeated Washington 30-27; up next: at #16 Washington State

13. Kentucky(5-1): Last week: off; up next: at home against Vanderbilt

14. Michigan(5-1): Last week: Defeated #17 Wisconsin 38-13; up next: at #18 Michigan State

15. Iowa(5-1): Last week: Defeated Indiana 42-16; up next: at home against Maryland

16. Washington State(5-1): Last week: off; up next: at home against #12 Oregon

17. Wisconsin(4-2): Last week: Lost to #14 Michigan 38-13; up next: at home against Illinois

18. Michigan State(4-2): Last week: Defeated Penn State 21-17; up next: at home against #14 Michigan

19. Texas A&M(5-2): Last week: Defeated South Carolina 26-23; up next: off

20. Army(4-2): Last week: Defeated San Jose State 52-3; up next: at Miami(OH)

Game of the Week I

Playoff team North Carolina State at Playoff team Clemson

This game will either be a snoozer route by Clemson or a surprise upset by North Carolina State. I am not sure that I buy North Carolina State at this point and their undefeated record. They could prove a lot of people wrong this weekend by beating Clemson, but I honestly do not think that is going to happen.

Game of the Week II

#15 Michigan at #18 Michigan State

Rivalry games typically are extremely good games when both teams are playing well (take the Red River Rivalry two weeks ago. This game promises to be another great game.

State of Arkansas and Nebraska football

Both Arkansas and Nebraska had big leads in their games, Nebraska ended up losing in overtime to Northwestern and Arkansas lost in regulation to Ole Miss. What could have been a turning point for both teams turned into just another game in a very long season for both teams. Nebraska is 0-6 for the first time in program history. Arkansas fans are already calling for Chad Morris to be fired from Arkansas (ridiculous).

I have said it and will continue saying it, both coaches employ high octane offenses and neither coach has players on their teams that can run that type of offense. Arkansas hosts Tulsa this weekend and Nebraska faces off against Minnesota. Nebraska currently has a 42.2% to beat Minnesota while Arkansas has a 66.1% chance to beat Tulsa. Personally, I think Nebraska has the better chance to win than Arkansas.