Heading into week seven, we still have several teams that still have realistic shots at making the four team playoff. With some intriguing matchups on deck for this weekend, that number could easily shrink. Here we take a look at those teams and what they are up against this weekend.
1. Alabama
The Tide travel to Kyle Field to take on Jimbo Fisher and his 23rd ranked Aggies. The FPI gives Bama an 84% shot of beating the 2 loss Aggies, but that Bama defense has looked suspect at times. The only real question going into this game however, is how is A&M still ranked? I think we all know the answer to that one.
2. Clemson
FSU is coming to town this weekend as 27 point underdogs, the biggest spred they have faced in four decades. The Tigers are coming off a bye week in which much of the talk has centered around them being more of a pretender instead of a contender. When the doubt starts, that is usually when this program is at its best.
3. Georgia
Two win UofSC visits Athens this weekend and the Dawgs are 23 point favorites. The Gamecocks were off last weekend giving them an extra week to prep, but it won’t matter. Georgia is for real, and freshman QB Ryan Hillinski might be in store for a long day.
4. Ohio State
Bye week
5. LSUÂ
The Bayou Bengals host #7 Florida Saturday night. After handing Auburn its first loss last weekend, the Gators will try and do the same against LSU, this time on the road, and night games at LSU are never easy. The LSU offense has been rolling, the defense not so much. The Gator defense has been stingy, and might be one of the nations best, but the offense, not so much.
6. Oklahoma
It’s time for the Red River Shootout…. oops, it’s Red River Rivalry these days. The Sooners face their first real test as they face 11th ranked Texas in Dallas. We finally get to see Jalen Hurts face a team with a pulse. The Longhorns already have a loss and will be playing for their playoff lives.
8. Wisconsin
The Badgers will host 4-2 Michigan State. The Spartans are 10 point underdogs and only have a 25% shot at pulling the upset per the FPI. The Badgers pitched their third shutout of the season last week and have been stout on defense. After getting blown out by Ohio State last weekend, it doesn’t get any easier for Sparty on Saturday.
9. Notre Dame
The Irish play host to the real USC, and having already dropped a game, can not afford another loss. The Irish beat Bowling Green 52-0 last weekend, while the Trojans were doubled up 28-14 by Washington. Conventional wisdom would say the Irish win easily, but this is one of those rivalry games and you never know what might happen.
10. Penn State
The Nittany Lions are 3.5 point road favorites over #14 Iowa on Saturday night. It will be by far their toughest test to date. They have played well offensively against the inferior competition but the Hawkeye defense is allowing just over 8 points per game. The FPI gives them a 67% chance to get the road win, but it won’t be easy.
