BY CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS
1.Ohio State 7-0
The Buckeyes have been the most all-around dominant football team for the first half of the 2019 season thus far. But, first-year head coach, Ryan Day, has yet to be challenged within the BigTen Conference. The head-to-head battle with the Wisconsin Badgers was poised to be a grudge match, but the Badgers had a dagger driven in their chest this past Saturday. The Fighting Illini of Illinois, walked off with a 24-23 win, after an ill-advised throw by the Wisconsin quarterback setup the Illini with a chip-shot field goal. Even without being tested, the Buckeyes have taken care of business on both sides of the ball. Transfer quarterback, Justin Fields has the offense humming and averaging around 49 points a game. The nation will see how dominant the Buckeyes are this Saturday, October 26th, against the stout Wisconsin Badger defense.
2. LSU 7-0
No doubt the LSU Tigers have shocked the world with the transformation on offense. Ed Orgeron and his Tigers are a couple of weeks away from the most anticipated matchup of the year, LSU vs Alabama. Joe Burrow is making a case for the Heisman trophy this year, putting up stellar passing performances week-in and week-out for the Tigers. The Achilles heel in recent years for the Tigers has been the lack of balance of offense, but with this year’s improvement with the passing attack, it has struck hope back to the LSU faithful. The only question that remains for Ed-O’s team is how consistent the defense can play against quality opponents. Even though the Tigers are ranked 14th nationally in defense, the Tigers have given up a lot of points. For example, Texas and Vanderbilt were able to hang 38 points on the defense. While one game wasn’t close (Vandy 66-38), Texas was one play away from flipping the outcome and walking away with a win at home. Even though the defense has some concerns, this team will go as far as Joe Burrow and the new offense takes them.
3. Penn State 7-0
No Trace Mcsorley, no Saquon Barkley, no problem. The Penn State Nittany Lions have lost key players the past couple of years to the NFL draft, but they have had no problem reloading. The Nittany Lions knocked off the 5-1 Michigan Wolverines from playoff contention with a 28-21 win at Beaver stadium. James Franklin and his Penn State team have the most aggressive defense, and it shined this past Saturday. Analyzing the way the Penn State players were swarming to the ball on defense against Michigan, indicates how bad they want to win. This is definitely a playoff-caliber team and they will need that effort when they go up against the Undefeated Minnesota Gophers and Ohio State Buckeyes later in the season (11-9 and 11-23).
4. Alabama 7-0
Tua Tagovailoa is in a position to win the Heisman trophy this season, along with another college football playoff championship. Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide have had no problem reaching 7-0 for the season, due to the lack of quality teams they have played. Tua is a big part of the success that Alabama has had, so it’s crucial that he heals completely from the high ankle sprain that he suffered this past Saturday, against the Tennessee Volunteers. Alabama will be tested against LSU, November 9th, so we’ll see which team is poised and suited best for the Playoff out of the SEC West.
On the brink:
- Oklahoma 7-0
- Clemson 7-0
On the side:
- Florida 6-1
- Baylor 7-0
- Auburn 6-1
10.) SMU 7-0
11.) Georgia 6-1
12.) Wisconsin 6-1
13.) Minnesota 7-0
14.) Oregon 6-1
15.) Notre Dame 6-1
16.) Utah 6-1
17.) Cincinnati 6-1
18.) Iowa State 5-2
19.) Texas 5-2
20.) Michigan 5-2
21.) Wake Forest 6-1
22.) Appalachian State 7-0
23.) Boise State 6-1
24.) Memphis 6-1
25.) Iowa 5-2