College Football Playoff Watch: Week 3

SEC

Alabama (Win 47-23)- The Tide rolled in their conference opener. Tua went 28 of 36 for 444 yards and five touchdowns! A trip to New York is almost guaranteed barring injury. I just don’t see a stumbling block for them til LSU.

LSU (Win 65-14)- Northwestern St. got a payday and beating Florida October 12th is their next test.

Georgia (Win 55-0)- What a classy move by Georgia honoring Arkansas St. coach Blake Anderson’s late wife Wendy with a Pink Out! Good job Dogs! Notre Dame in prime time between the hedges this week.

Auburn (Win 55-16)- They took care of Kent State and they have the non-conference win versus Oregon, but this offense makes me doubt they can reach the playoffs. They go to Texas A&M this week, which may tell us more.

Florida (Win 29-21)- Florida had no business winning that game at Kentucky. The Wildcats bullied them up front and they lost their starting Quarterback for the year. They have Tennessee and Towson to figure it out before Auburn comes calling.

Big Ten

Ohio St. (Win 51-10)- Justin Fields and JK Dobbins put on an effective and efficient performance against Indiana. Their schedule sets up nicely, with all their tough games at home except Michigan to end the season.

Wisconsin/Michigan (OFF)- Both had the extra week off to prepare for their matchup in Camp Randall this weekend. The winner vaults themselves firmly into the playoff talk, the loser isn’t completely out because they both still have Ohio St. on the schedule, but the task becomes even more difficult.

Penn St. (Win 17-10)- The Lions really struggled with Pitt. They have the week off to figure some things out. They have to travel to Maryland in two weeks, but October is either going to make or break this squad with trips to Iowa and Michigan St. sandwiched between those is a home game with Michigan.

Iowa (Win 18-17)- Rivalry games are just unpredictable and Iowa St. almost gave the Hawkeyes a surprise, but they walked away with the CyHawk trophy and the win. A trip to Michigan on October 5th should gives us a better idea of who they are.

Michigan St. (Lost 10-7)- OUT- A home lose to a PAC 10 squad and an offense that can’t move the ball puts them out of the chase.

ACC

Clemson (Win 41-6)- The Tigers took care of a Syracuse team that has been a thorn in their paws the last few years. I’m running out of things to say about them, they have the easiest path to the playoff and I just don’t see them falling.

Virginia (Win 31-24)- The Cavaliers?! Really?! I know, but I’m also a firm believer in an undefeated power 5 conference champion won’t be held out of the playoffs. A quick glance at the schedule shows a trip to Notre Dame on September 28th, which would put them on the national radar, also Clemson isn’t on it. Run the table and beat the Tigers in the ACC championship game and the Cavs are college football playoff bound!

Big 12

Oklahoma (Win 48-14)- Jalen Hurts is on a mission! He completed 15 of his 20 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns while adding 150 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He wants Alabama in the playoffs and I don’t think anything derails that dream.

Texas (Win 48-13)- They bounced back well after LSU, taking care of Rice. This weeks game versus Oklahoma St. is big for both of them. If Oklahoma St. wins they get into the conversation and Texas becomes just a spoiler.

PAC 12

Utah (Win 31-0)- What a typical yawner from Utah, I’m starting to have real doubts if this offense is good enough for a playoff run. A trip to USC and then home against Washington St. should give us some idea about this offense, cause they are going to have to score to win those two.

Oregon (Win 35-3)- The Ducks took care of Montana. They have a trip to Stanford next week which has historically been a tough place for them to play. They have to run the table to be in the talk so we will just take it Week by week with them.

Independent/Group of 5

Notre Dame (Win 66-14)- Georgia this week in prime time on the road will tell us if they’re contenders or pretenders. A lose doesn’t eliminate them because they will have the best strength of schedule in the committee room, but it makes the task almost impossible.

Central Florida (Win 45-27)- They absolutely blitzed Stanford right out the gate and never took their foot off the gas. They have Pitt this week coming off an emotional lose to their rival. Have a repeat performance and they will be in the talk.

Boise St. (Win 45-10)- The Broncos have a very tricky game against Air Force and their triple option this week. Let’s see what happens, but I’m putting them on upset alert.

Top 6:

1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Ohio St.
5. LSU
6. Georgia

Their you have it! College football playoff watch for week 3. Conference play changes everything and we see it every year, a unstoppable team gets tripped up out of nowhere by a conference opponent. Let the grind of the season begin! Head over to overtimeheroics.net and sign up for the forums and tell us what you think!