This past weekend saw the first big ball to drop in the SEC and for the national picture. As per the usual breakdown, a few teams in the back half of the rankings fell as the top half continues to be remarkably consistent. However, we did shuffle a few teams around even with several byes among the best programs in the country.

This Week’s Biggest Winner: Dan Mullen, Head Coach, Florida

It took a while but Dan Mullen finally looks like he’s ready to put Florida back in the national consciousness again. They still appear quite flawed from a National Championship perspective–and face a massive challenge this week–but picking up a win over Auburn this weekend was a big step for a program that was reeling at times in 2018.

This Week’s Biggest Loser: Chris Petersen, Head Coach, Washington

The bloom may be off the rose of Petersen’s tenure in Seattle. Despite a conference title a year ago, Petersen is just 16-8 (.666) since November 2017 with 5 of those losses coming to unranked (or currently unranked) opponents. This was a program that looked like it would take care of business against weaker foes but has had trouble lately even doing that. Their loss to Stanford also is a major blow to their chances of winning the Pac-12 North again.

18 Stripes Top 20 Poll

RANK TEAM RECORD LAST WEEK
1 Alabama 5-0 BYE
2 LSU (+1) 5-0 42-6 Win vs. Utah State
3 Georgia (+1) 5-0 43-14 Win vs. Tennessee
4 Clemson (-2) 5-0 BYE
5 Ohio State 6-0 34-10 Win vs. Michigan State
6 Florida (+5) 6-0 24-13 Win vs. Auburn
7 Oklahoma (-1) 5-0 45-20 Win vs. Kansas
8 Wisconsin 5-0 48-0 Win vs. Kent State
9 Notre Dame 4-1 52-0 Win vs. Bowling Green
10 Texas 4-1 42-31 Win vs. West Virginia
11 Penn State (+1) 5-0 35-7 Win vs. Purdue
12 Auburn (-5) 5-1 24-13 Loss vs. Florida
13 Oregon (+1) 4-1 17-7 Win vs. California
14 Boise State (+2) 5-0 38-13 Win vs. UNLV
15 Michigan (NR) 4-1 10-3 Win vs. Iowa
16 Utah (+4) 4-1 BYE
17 SMU (NR) 6-0 43-37 Win vs. Tulsa
18 Arizona State (+1) 4-1 BYE
19 Virginia (-1) 4-1 BYE
20 Baylor (NR) 5-0 31-12 Win vs. Kansas State

OUT: Iowa, Washington, Oklahoma State

IN: Michigan, SMU, Baylor

This is probably the strongest Top 11-13 (depending on your opinion of Auburn and Oregon) teams I’ve seen this deep in the season in a really long time. Everyone seems like they have at least a good offense and good defense (perhaps some minor quibbles to be had with someone like Texas’ defense) for well rounded teams in a way that isn’t usually apparent after September. If we can dream for a minute that Alabama isn’t going to trample everyone this could really shape up to be a crazy season in the end.

It’s too bad the system is different now (it really isn’t though) but this would be one heck of an old-school New Year’s bowl extravaganza with the National Champion completely unknown until the last minute.

LSU completely wiping out a pretty good Group of 5 Utah State team is impressive to me, so I moved them up.

There’s lots of love for Ohio State now and rightfully so. They are nipping at Alabama’s heels for No. 1 in the SP+ rankings it’s just they don’t have a win over a current Top 20 team yet, although Cincinnati is currently No. 25 in the recent AP Poll.

Oklahoma looked human in their trip to Lawrence which paired with Florida holding serve in the Swamp drops the Sooners down one spot.

Please welcome Michigan back to the Top 20 rankings after an ugly home win over previously ranked Iowa.

Also, hello to SMU and Baylor now a combined 11-0 on the season. This likely isn’t much to get excited about as the Mustangs have nearly lost 3 times already this year. Although, Baylor’s recent wins over Iowa State and Kansas State has them squarely in the mix to make noise in the Big 12 now.

Week 7 Games to Watch

Appalachian State (-1) at Louisiana – Don’t sleep on this Wednesday Fun Belt game between likely the two best teams in the league. App State has owned the series out-scoring the Ragin’ Cajuns 150-37 in 4 games but these two didn’t meet last year. Also, Louisiana-Lafayette (now known simply as Louisiana) has a sneaky good resume this year and might pick this one up if they’re lucky. Ragin’ Cajuns 35-32.

Oklahoma (-11) vs. Texas [Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX] – We’ve been witness to 7 straight competitive Red River Shootout games. Surely, this will not be any different? I think we’re due for a lower scoring game in this series, too. The over/under right now is 75.5 points! Sooners 29-24.

Alabama (-16.5) at Texas A&M – This is probably the season for the Aggies as they look to avoid their 3rd loss of the season and fall out of the national picture in early October. They can bounce back with several winnable games coming after Alabama but road dates await in Georgia and LSU to finish. Tide 42-21.

Florida State (+27) at Clemson – Anyone want to fade Clemson and pick an upset here? You have to think Clemson got the ultimate wake up call and will be ready to go coming off a bye. This one could be a lot closer than this enormous spread, though. Tigers 37-20.

Michigan State (+10.5) at Wisconsin – This is just the second meeting between these programs over the last 7 years and comes after Wisconsin’s 30-6 victory over a dreadful Spartans team in 2016. This is a really tough spot for Michigan State coming off a visit to Columbus. Badgers 28-13.

Penn State (-4) at Iowa – We’re thinking Penn State is quietly really good (now up to 7th in SP+!!!) and the rest of the country is about to find out. First up, the Hawkeyes who just fell to Michigan. Then, Penn State has a matchup with those Wolverines. Nittany Lions 35-24.

Florida (+13.5) at LSU – An enormous spread for a pair of top 10 teams! Man, are we ready for a Coach Orgeron face plant or what? It’s tough to pick against him at home with Florida coming off a much tougher game. A Florida win here would be a very weird college football thing. Tigers 30-27.