College football coaches poll prediction after Week 14 surprises

The rivalry weekend lived up to expectations. Next up are conference championship games across the Bowl Subdivision, most of which have major implications for the College Football Playoff.

Next weekend will feel different without Ohio State. The Buckeyes lost their fourth straight in the series, 13-10 to Michigan, and will be replaced by Penn State in the Big Ten championship game.

This loss was one of two that will change the outlook at the top of the US LBM Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes, ranked No. 2 entering Saturday, will fall at least four spots, maybe even five, depending on how voters view the comparison with Tennessee. Ohio State should be ahead based on wins against the Nittany Lions and Indiana.

One team that is primed for a much steeper decline is Miami. Previously ranked No. 6, the Hurricanes lost 42-38 to Syracuse and missed the ACC title game, replaced by Clemson.

Here’s who to expect in the top 10 of this week’s Coaches Poll:

1. Oregon (12-0)

Oregon defeated Washington 49-21 to move to 12-0 for the second time in program history, joining the 2010 team that lost to Auburn in the national title game. The big win over Ohio State looks a little weaker, but there’s no doubt the Ducks have been the most consistent team in the country.

UP AND DOWN: College Football Week 14 Winners and Losers

2. Texas (11-1)

Texas picked up where it left off 13 years ago, defeating Texas A&M 17-7 in one of the most hyped games in the rivalry’s history. This is the best win of the year for the Longhorns. It’s also extremely important when it comes to giving Texas room for error ahead of the SEC title game against Georgia.

3. Penn State (11-1)

Penn State’s regular season ends with six wins against bowl teams but just one ranked win against No. 25 Illinois. The one loss to Ohio State is also a big blow after Saturday. However, that won’t stop the Nittany Lions from hosting in the first round of the playoffs or even securing the coveted fifth seed, which would mean facing No. 12 seed in the opening round and then potentially facing Boise State in the quarterfinals win.

4. Notre Dame (11-1)

Notre Dame returned fourth-quarter interceptions for 99 and 100 yards for touchdowns in a 49-35 win at Southern California. That’s 10 straight wins since a loss to Northern Illinois in September, making this by far the program’s most successful year under coach Marcus Freeman.

5. Georgia (10-2)

Georgia survived an epic eight-overtime classic to beat rival Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs had already secured a spot in the SEC Championship game before facing the Yellow Jackets and will move into the playoffs as one of the top four seeds with a win against the Longhorns.

6. Ohio State (10-2)

The loss to this Michigan team is the low point in Ryan Day’s tenure after three previous losses to the Wolverines. OSU has some big concerns to address heading into postseason play, starting with its inability to control the line of scrimmage against a one-dimensional opponent that has major issues on offense.

DAY DONE?: Another loss to Michigan puts the Ohio State coach in trouble

7. Tennessee (10-2)

Nico Iamaleava’s four touchdown passes sparked Tennessee’s 36-23 win over Vanderbilt. This secures the Volunteers a spot in the playoffs, although a home game in the opening round is far from certain. What is certain is that Tennessee will be a different team if Iamaleava reaches his full potential. But can he make it on the road?

8. SMU (11-1)

SMU capped off an amazing ACC regular season championship with an easy 38-6 win over California. Picked at the bottom of the conference in the preseason, the Mustangs are one of the year’s great success stories.

9. Indiana (11-1)

Indiana’s 66-0 win over rival Purdue caps off the best regular season in program history, with all due respect to the 1967 team that shared the Big Ten title and reached the Rose Bowl. The Hoosiers set a program record for wins under first-year coach Curt Cignetti and will be the most unexpected member of the playoff field.

Breaking News

Dellupodisabato

College football coaches poll prediction after Week 14 surprises

Leave a Reply Cancel reply