BOK’s Top 10: Week 8
Oregon celebrated a landmark win over Ohio State in its first season in the Big 10. Photo: Ben Lonergan, USA Today
Texas, 6-0
The Longhorns crushed our outmatched rivals in crimson, winning 34-3 over OU. Next up is a highly anticipated top-5 matchup with Georgia with SEC supremacy on the line.
Next: vs. #5 Georgia
Oregon, 6-0
The Ducks!! That’s right, after their slow start to the season, Oregon now possesses one of the best wins in the first half of the year with a 32-31 victory over Ohio State.
Next: @ Purdue
Penn State, 6-0
Quietly creeping up every week, this time the Nittany Lions had to come from behind for a 33-30 win over USC in overtime. This team has real potential to play for a Big 10 championship.
Next: BYE
Ohio State, 5-1
Oh no, Will Howard. The clock ran out on the Buckeyes’ undefeated season with a 31-32 defeat at the hands of Oregon. Everything is still in front of this highly talented roster.
Next: BYE
Georgia, 5-1
The Bulldogs struggled defensively against Mississippi State, giving up 31 points and 300 passing yards to the other Bulldogs. The questions surrounding this team can be emphatically answered with a victory in Austin, however.
Next: @ #1 Texas
Alabama, 5-1
What is going on in Tuscaloosa? A week after the shocking upset to Vanderbilt, the Tide had to hang on with a 2-point conversion stop and a last second interception just to beat South Carolina, 27-25. They’ll have to contend with a strong Tennessee defense if they want to keep their chances alive for an SEC title.
Next: @ Tennessee
Miami, 6-0
Miami had the week off ahead of a tricky road matchup with Louisville. Look for this one to come down to the wire with Cam Ward pulling out some heroics late (heard that script before?).
Next: @ Louisville
Iowa State, 6-0
Will the Cyclones be the darlings of this college football season? That remains to be seen, but Matt Campbell has this group off to its best start since 1938 (woah!) after a 28-16 win in Morgantown.
Next: vs. UCF
LSU, 5-1
The Tigers needed the magic of Death Valley at night in order to hold off Ole Miss 29-26 in overtime. They now find themselves as one of only 3 teams in the SEC without a conference loss.
Next: @ Arkansas
Clemson, 5-1
I’m not going to be completely sold on this Clemson team until they face stiffer competition, but it stands that they are destroying the opposition lately, coming off a 49-14 win at Wake Forest.
Next: vs. Virginia
Notre Dame, 5-1
The Irish continue to roll along since the shocking upset to NIU, and they will need to keep that going in order to make the playoff. Intriguing matchups loom on the schedule now in Army, Navy, and USC.
Next: @ Georgia Tech
