CPF Rankings Little Changed – But The Final Four Window Is Closing Fast
The race for the final four is certainly hotting up and right now you can still make a case for any of the no loss or one-loss Power Five teams making the final four. With Georgia currently in the no 4 slot it is setting up an interesting clash with LSU in the SEC Championship. Would a two-loss Georgia still rank ahead of Alabama if they lose to LSU? Those on the outside looking in will be hoping that The Bulldogs stumble before then.
All Ranked Games – Big Ten Takes Centre Stage
The clash of the night is undoubtedly Penn States trip to Columbus to take on Ohio State. The winner will almost certainly progress to the Big Ten Championship and start strong favourites. The Buckeyes are an eye-watering 20.5 points favourites in this one which looks a bit OTT to us. Anyway, winning this would pretty much guarantee a playoff place for Ohio State. Surprisingly this is the only all ranked game of the night.
On the Fringes
Minnesota is not out of the picture, despite losing to Iowa last time out, and they should move on to 10-1 this week to set up a winner takes all clash with Winsconsin in the race for the Big Ten West. An upset win in the conference championship might just be enough, especially if Iowa keeps winning.
In the Big 12 Oklahoma needs to keep winning and hope that both Baylor and Kansas State do the same if they are to build their credibility. Right now We wouldn’t put the Sooners ahead of Alabama or a 12-1 Georgia even if they win out.
In the Pac 12 both Oregon & Utah need to keep winning and meet in the Conference final too. Oregon will be hoping that Auburn can beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl as they lost to the Tigers to open the season. Surely the CFP Committee wouldn’t rank then ahead of the Tide if they beat Auburn? Speaking of whom at least Mac Jones will have an easy warm-up game tonight as he tries to fill the rather large shoes left by Tua Tagovailoa’s untimely injury.
The Race For The Cotton Bowl
Memphis currently has the inside track on this one but must navigate a tricky road trip to South Florida who gave Cincinnati a fright last week. The race is now down to Five teams and all of them play this weekend. There is no hope for anyone who loses so let’s hope the drama continues for another week with all five winning.
The other three still alive are Boise State, Appalachian State & SMU.
The Battle For Bowl Eligibility
Sixty-Six teams have already met the threshold and this week the following teams will be hoping to join the ranks with a win.
ACC
Boston College
Big 12
TCU
C-USA
Charlotte
FIU
Pac-12
Arizona State, California, Oregon State, Washington State
SEC
Kentucky, Tennessee
Sun Belt
Troy
FBS Independents
Liberty
Last Chance Saloon
The following teams have exactly Zero room for error now – lose and they will be staying home in December. Some big names here with the biggest surprises being Michigan State & Stanford, both of whom were AP top 25 teams pre-season! The PAC 12 is not having a good season with currently only four teams eligible. The good news one more is guaranteed to make it this week due to Oregon State and Washington State playing each other. Anyway here is the list of hopefuls:
ACC
Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse
AAC
South Florida
Big Ten
Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue
Big 12
Texas Tech, West Virginia
C-USA
North Texas, UTSA
MAC
Ball State, Kent State
Mountain West
Colorado State, Fresno State, San Jose State
Pac-12
Arizona, Colorado, UCLA, Stanford
SEC
Mississippi State
Sun Belt
Coastal Carolina, UL Monroe
FBS Independent
Army
CFP Top 25 Games
Here are our predictions for the ranked games this week:
Kansas @ No 22 Iowa State -26
Iowa State to win but not cover the spread
Illinois @ No 17 Iowa -15.5
Iowa to win but not cover the spread
No 21 Oklahoma State @ West Virginia +7
Oklahoma State to win but not cover the spread
No 10 Minnesota @ Northwestern +17
Minnesota to win and cover the spread
No 8 Penn State @ No 2 Ohio State -20.5
Ohio State to win but not cover the spread
Samford @ No 15 Auburn -44.5
Auburn to win and cover the spread
Western Carolina @ No 5 Alabama -56.5
Alabama to win and cover the spread
Boston College @ No 16 Notre Dame -20.5
Norte Dame to win and cover the spread
Texas State @ No 24 Appalachian State -28.5
Appalachian State to win and cover the spread
UCLA @ No 23 USC -13.5
USC to win but not cover the spread
Texas A&M @ No 4 Georgia -12
Georgia to win and cover the spread
Texas @ No 14 Baylor -4
Baylor to win And Cover The spread
No 13 Michigan @ Indiana +10
Michigan to win but not cover the spread
No 25 SMU @ Navy -3.5
SMU to win
Purdue @ No 12 Wisconsin -24.5
Wisconsin to win and cover the spread
No 18 Memphis @ South Florida +14.5
Memphis to win but not cover the spread
Temple @ No 19 Cincinnati -10
Cincinnati to win but not cover the spread
Arkansas @ No 1 LSU -42
LSU to win but not cover the spread
No 6 Oregon @ Arizona State +13.5
Oregon to win but not cover the spread
TCU @ No 9 Oklahoma -18.5
Oklahoma to win but not cover the spread
No 7 Utah @ Arizona +22.5
Utah to win but not cover the spread
No 20 Boise State @ Utah State +9
Boise to win but not cover the spread
Still Looking For A Win
Arkon have already lost this week to drop t0 0-11 Still at least they made a fist of it only losing 20 – 17 at Miami (Ohio) who have won their division in the Mid Am. They have one final chance to avoid being blanked, however, their final game at home to Ohio also has meaning for their visitors who need to win it to get bowl eligible. Might actually be worth keeping an eye on.
