They don’t call it Shakeup Saturday for nothing. In a weekend, where four of the top five teams in last week’s rankings lost, the most impressive team was arguably the Florida Gators. In the past couple of years, of the post-Urban Meyer era, the Florida Gators have lost a lot of that chomp that made them one of the nation’s elite teams. No longer was it as intimidating to play the Gators at The Swamp, and it just wasn’t very intimidating to play the Gators, period. The number of top-level skill players from the quarterback on down was way down, and almost non-existent. There’s still much work to be done in Gainesville, but things are changing. Just ask the Ole Miss Rebels, who ran into an absolute buzzsaw at The Swamp. The previously undefeated and previously 4th-ranked Rebels were never in it. The Rebels’ loss, was one of several from teams who look like contenders for the College Football Playoff. The win for the Gators, keeps Jim McElwain’s bunch on a surprising 5-0 roll that virtually no one expected, and that contributed to another weekend of chaos in this college football world that all we love. The rankings have changed significantly. But, before we get into the College Football Power Rankings and Stock Report – Week 6, starting with a very different Top 4 including a NEW NUMBER ONE TEAM, lets take a look at the Stock Up, Stock Down Report.
STOCK UP:
FLORIDA – This one was easy. The Gators are possibly two years ahead of schedule with the way they’re playing. I’m still not buying them as a legit Playoff contender, but you have to say they’re in the driver’s seat of a mediocre SEC East.
CLEMSON – The Tigers came through in a spot where they usually fall flat on their face. With the undefeated Fighting Irish in their building, the Tigers made the plays when they had to. Dabo Swinney, has this program in a better state than when he took it over. Right now, Clemson is clearly the best team in the ACC. Now, can they finish the deal and win the ACC like they’re supposed to?
STOCK DOWN
Urban Meyer and OHIO STATE – The Buckeyes have issues, and a lot of them have to do with how Urban Meyer has handled the QB situation. J.T. Barrett, looks to be the best man for the job, but Cardale Jones was picked to lead the offense, instead. The biggest problem came when Meyer became content to not announce a starter, and pretty much conceded to both players getting playing time. That choice has backfired. The other problem seems to be a lack of chemistry on and off the field, but especially, on offense. Former offensive coordinator and current Houston head coach, Tom Herman has been sorely missed. The Buckeyes will more than likely get things going. But, will it be enough to not drop a game in conference? An undefeated season may be necessary for a run to the Playoffs.
The BIG TEN – Ohio State isn’t the only team having issues in this league. Penn State, is having huge problems scoring, Wisconsin has been a bit disappointing, Michigan State looked good early but they haven’t looked like a top-5 team since they played Oregon. The Ducks aren’t even currently ranked. The bottom of the league which includes Nebraska, has been terrible. If, the Buckeyes or Spartans make noise in the playoff, all will probably be forgotten. Sure, Northwestern, Michigan, and Iowa have been a bit of a surprise, but none of those teams are legit Playoff contenders. Right now, a national title run by any Big Ten team is looking a little less likely.
Now on to the Rankings…….
THE TOP 4
1. UTAH: 4-0 The Utes were off last week, but with every team in front of them playing lackluster football, there was really no choice. Utah, is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But, the Michigan win looks better and better each week, and the 62-20 win at Oregon speaks for itself.
2. OHIO STATE: 5-0 The Buckeyes won. I guess. But, there is nothing to boast about in a 7-point win over an Indiana Hoosiers team that was playing their backup QB. Even if the Buckeyes get things together, the road to repeat looks a little tougher now with the emergence of Jim Harbaugh and Michigan.
3. TCU: 5-0 I’m still trusting TCU a bit more than Baylor right now. Horned Frogs handled their business and dominated the Longhorns. Now, a dangerous K-State team awaits in the Little Apple. If, Frogs come out and handle their business there, then things may just be back on track for Trevone Boykin and company.
4. CLEMSON: 5-0 The Tigers were quite impressive in the rain against a very good Notre Dame squad. The Tigers almost let a three-score lead get away, but was able to salvage the game by taking advantage of four Irish turnovers and a terrible play call on the two-point conversion, that would have tied the game. Tigers D looks legit, but can DeShaun Watson get enough help on offense?
The Rest of the Rankings
5. BAYLOR 4-0
6. MICHIGAN STATE 5-0
7. LSU 4-0
8. OKLAHOMA 4-0
9. ALABAMA 4-1
10. TEXAS A&M 5-0
11. FLORIDA STATE 4-0
12. NORTHWESTERN 5-0
13. FLORIDA 5-0
14. OLE MISS 4-1
15. NOTRE DAME 4-1
16. STANFORD 4-1
17. MICHIGAN 4-1
18. OKLAHOMA STATE 5-0
19. UCLA 4-1
20. IOWA 5-0
21. GEORGIA 4-1
22. USC 3-1
23. CALIFORNIA 5-0
24. TOLEDO 4-0
25. BOISE STATE 4-1
Bowing OUT: Wisconsin, Mississippi State
Making their Entrance: Toledo, Boise State
Next In Line: Memphis, Temple, Houston, Indiana, Kansas State, West Virginia
Thanks for reading!
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