Welcome in to a new feature we are trying out here on SoBros Network because we were recently approved to be on Google News (YUGE win, LFG), and I am testing whether or not it’s worth doing these sorts of power rankings for the SEO. Yes, that’s the entire basis for this set of College Football Power Rankings.
For me, the premise is simple – it’s about who’s had the most impressive body of work. Like Mose mentioned on an earlier episode of the College Football Roundup, it seems a tad whack that preseason rankings are factored into the College Football Playoff discussion at all. Just because someone was ranked #1 before the season started doesn’t mean they’re actually the best team in the country. My rankings will be based largely on quality wins. You’re about to see why I’m prefacing you to read that…
COLLEGE FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 9 2019
1. LSU Tigers – The defenses just keep getting tougher for the Tigers, as they host the Auburn Tigers this week. But, no one’s been able to slow down Heisman favorite Joe Burrow just yet regardless. This LSU squad looks damn unstoppable.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes – All due respect to Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern just isn’t any good this season. Still, beating the Wildcats 52-3 is impressive. The Buckeyes look like a steamroller with a Ferrari engine right now. They host Wisconsin this week in a game that doesn’t look nearly as big as it did a week ago. Still, it’ll be Ohio State’s toughest test yet.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide – Tough break for the historic Tide offense, as Tua Tagovailoa is set for surgery after rolling his ankle. Nick Saban says he’s only going to miss a week, but I’m a bit skeptical about that. They might not need him for the Arkansas game on Saturday, but that LSU game on the other side of their bye week is HUGE.
4. Oklahoma Sooners – The Sooners are like Ohio State in that they’re playing a style that doesn’t have a lot of obvious weaknesses. They’re 7-0, Jalen Hurts is a legitimate Heisman contender, and they could be a real threat to make the College Football Playoff. They travel to play Kansas State this week.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions – Forgive me if I’ve already typed this, but this Penn State squad could be James Franklin’s just yet. All the things we were saying about Wisconsin now apply for Penn State. They’re the ones who appear to pose the biggest threat to Ohio State this season. This week, they travel to Michigan State for a game that could be tricky after back-to-back Top 17 games against Iowa and Michigan.
6. Clemson Tigers – They’ve scored 90 points in the two games since nearly losing to North Carolina, but the ACC is bad. The more I say it, the more true it feels: we’re watching a repeat of 2018. No team stands in the way of another undefeated season for the Tigers. The question becomes whether or not the ACC’s lack of strength is ultimately what keeps the Tigers out of the CFP. Keep in mind, too, that with every game Texas A&M loses, Clemson’s best win of the season is devalued a little more. If you’re a Clemson fan, you have to start rooting for Big Ten and Big 12 teams to start losing.
7. Florida Gators – The Gators have to be considered the favorites to win the SEC East at this point. We called ’em a dark horse National Championship contender to start the season, and despite losing to LSU, they’re still going to have a lot to say in the CFP conversation. They’re off this week, but when they return to action on 11/2, it’ll be for their biggest game of the season so far: the Cocktail Party. Yes, we’re still calling it the Cocktail Party.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – With Ian Book having some signature performances this season, and the way the Irish play defense, they’re a contender against anyone they take the field against. Unfortunately, that Georgia loss is still lingering. They’re in a position where they need teams ahead of ’em to start losing, too, but they aren’t out of the race just yet. They return from a bye, hopefully cleaning up some of the issues from the USC game, to face Michigan. Looking at the schedule, this could very well be Notre Dame’s last chance for a quality win this season.
9. Oregon Ducks – This Ducks team showed some real gumption, going on the road to beat a tough Washington team 35-31 behind a stellar performance from Justin Herbert. Last year, they slipped up against Washington State in this spot – but on Saturday, I don’t expect a repeat. This is clearly the class of the Pac-12, and they can’t afford another slip-up.
10. Auburn Tigers – I still put the Tigers ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs just because of how good that defense is. I don’t know that they’re going to slow down LSU enough and score enough points to keep up with ’em, but that unit definitely gives them a chance. This is going to be an imperative game for Auburn’s chances in the SEC West.
Best of the Rest
ACC: I have no clue. The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are the only other team in the Top 25 at #25. Whoever wins the ACC Coastal is going to be slaughtered by Clemson.
Big 12: Respect to the 7-0 Baylor Bears after winning a tricky game at Oklahoma State. This team gets Oklahoma on 11/16, and Texas on 11/23. Feels crazy to say, but this is a legitimate Big 12 Championship contender.
Big Ten: That loss to Illinois was bad, but I don’t think it’s going to discount the Wisconsin Badgers entirely. This is a team that plays good enough to defense to beat anybody. We’ll see how they bounce back against Ohio State this weekend.
Pac-12: So much for the Arizona State fairy tale. It now looks like the Pac-12 is a two-horse race between the Ducks and the Utah Utes.
SEC: The SEC takes up five of the top 10 spots in the AP Poll. Outside of that, there’s a HUGE dip off in competition. Missouri losing to Vanderbilt effectively ended the middle class in the SEC. If you’re twisting my arm, though, I’d say that the Texas A&M Aggies are the best of the rest.
Group of Five: Down goes Boise State. Here come the SMU Mustangs. If you’re on Cotton Bowl watch, Shane Buechele and company sure look like you’re team after dominating a vaunted Temple defense. The crazy thing is, if SMU loses (they still have games against Memphis, Navy, Tulane, and a potential AAC Championship against Cincinnati), the Appalachian State Mountaineers could be in play for the Cotton Bowl. How wild would that be?!?!
Wild Card: Let’s give some love to the 7-0 Minnesota Golden Gophers. No, they haven’t played anybody, but they still sit atop the Big Ten West. With games remaining against Penn State and Wisconsin, they could have a lot to say about how the Big Ten shapes up. Plus, what if they win the division and beat Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship? Just some food for thought.
Current Bowl Projections
Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. SMU Mustangs
Orange Bowl: Virginia Cavaliers vs. Florida Gators
Sugar Bowl: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Baylor Bears
Rose Bowl: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Oregon Ducks
Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Peach Bowl: LSU Tigers vs. Clemson Tigers
National Championship: LSU Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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