Games of the week, for the brand of football where are team isn't a national embarrassment:
Colorado @ Oregon (Fri) - Oregon only has one loss, a close one to Auburn. If there is one thing the committee has been consistent on, close losses to SEC teams don't hurt you (or maybe that's only if you're already in the SEC). A 12-1 Oregon is not out of the CFP. They need help, but too early to count them out.
Oklahoma @ Texas - A loss eliminates Texas from the CFP. A Texas win probably allows Oklahoma a mulligan in the B12 Championship Game to make the CFP anyways. Texas has had some "meh" wins recently. In the past 7 versions of the Red River Shootout (B12 Champ game last year and last 6), Oklahoma has been the higher ranked team each time. If you take away the B12 CG from last year, Oklahoma was always at least 12 spots higher (per AP poll). However, in each of the 6 regular season games, the margin of victory was never more than 7, and Texas won 3 outright. Last year for the B12 CG, Oklahoma was #5 and Texas was #14...and Oklahoma won by 12.
Upon some research, this has been a screwy rivalry. Case in point: In 1984, the game ended in a 6-6 tie. Oklahoma won the next 4. In the last 3, Oklahoma was ranked in the top 10, Texas was unranked, and Oklahoma's average margin of victory was 28.3. The next four year, Oklahoma was ranked at least 16th or higher and Texas was unranked for all 4...and Texas won all 4 by a total of 18 pts.
Screwy rivalry.
Alabam at Texas AM - If AM can keep this game withing 30, look for them to move into the top 15.
Michigan State @ Wisconsin - Last year, teams that played Ohio State were something like 2-11 the week after. This year, they're 4-1 so far, with the loss being FAU vs UCF. However, none have had to play an opponent near Wisconsin's level. Wisconsin had a glorified scrimmage last week. This one could get ugly.
Cincinnati @ Houston - Can Mixon run against the Texans front? Can the Bengals block JJ Watt? Who will cover Deandre Hopkins? Was Will Fuller's breakout game a mirage?
Oh, different Cincinnati and Houston.
Cincinnati enters the rankings and faces usual AAC powerhouse Houston who has decided to redshirt their QB and punt on the season. Cincinnati being good can only help OSU.
Florida State @ Clemson - 5 years ago, the narrative was "will Clemson EVER get over the FSU hump". Now, Clemson is a 27 point favorite. Things change quickly.
Penn State @ Iowa - I have admittedly not watched a ton of Penn State. Their close win vs Pitt doesn't look too bad, and they've throttled Maryland and Purdue. Iowa is typical Iowa. Did nothing offensively last week but @ Kinnick, they're a different beast. Penn State's next 5 games are vs Michigan, @ MSU, bye week, @ Minnesota, vs Indiana, @ OSU. Gauntlet.
Utah @ Oregon St - Utah is ranked #15, with a 4-1 record and one win vs a team with a winning record (3-2 Wazzu). Don't get it.
USC @ ND - I think ND is out of the CFP unless screwy stuff happens. That said, this might be their 2nd toughest games remaining, meaning 11-1 is a possibility.
Florida @ LSU - Doesn't CBS get first choice of SEC games? If so, why did they pick Bama vs TxAM over this game?
Anyway, winning an emotional home game then going on the road for a bigger game is tough. LSU is a 13.5 pt favorite, which doesn't surprise. LSU was a little sloppy last week vs Vanderbilt.