CFP Outlook: Week 10

posted October 29, 2018 in CommRadio, Sports by Jake Starr

It was another crazy weekend across the college football landscape. Now, ten weeks into the season, the first official College Football Playoff rankings are set to come out on Tuesday night. How will those rankings shape out? Well, let’s take a gander at how those ranking might look with our week ten College Football Playoff outlook.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama was off this past week, but obviously still stands as the No. 1 team in the
nation. The Crimson Tide have run away from opponents this season, but will get their toughest
test of this season when they travel to Death Valley to take on LSU.

With a win on Saturday, Alabama’s path to the playoff becomes crystal clear. They should have
an easy road to the SEC Championship game and a spot in the playoff. If they lose to LSU, the
outlook gets a bit murkier.

Through 10 weeks, Nick Saban’s team has undisputedly been the best team in the country. But,
they will need to continue to earn that right this Saturday and for the rest of the season.

2. Clemson Tigers

After another dominant effort against Florida State on Saturday, Clemson sees themselves come
in as the No. 2 in the rankings. There could be an argument made to put Notre Dame at
second in the nation given their tougher schedule, but for now Clemson holds the No. 2 spot.

Since switching to Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, Clemson has rolled over its opponents.
Lawrence threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns in the team’s 59-10 win over the Seminoles.
Before that was a dominant effort over then 16th-ranked NC State.

Clemson hosts Louisville on Saturday and has a fairly easy road the rest of the way. Its
toughest test comes against Boston College on Nov. 10. An undefeated record is not out of
the realm of the possibilities for Clemson, and add that to a potential conference championship
and the Tigers will see themselves in the playoff yet again.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame is coming off a dominant 44-22 win over Navy on Saturday night. Sitting at 8-0 and
having wins over Michigan and Stanford, Notre Dame is sitting in very good position to make
its first ever College Football Playoff. An undefeated season for the Irish is very attainable.

Having no conference affiliation, Notre Dame likely needs to avoid a loss the rest of the way to
make the playoff. Its toughest remaining games come against Syracuse and then at USC the
following week.

The Irish travel to Illinois to take on Northwestern Saturday night. Quarterback Ian Book will
look to lead Notre Dame to 9-0 on the season in that game.

4. LSU Tigers

LSU sees themselves come in as the fourth team in the playoff rankings. How long will that last?
The answer to that will be determined this Saturday night as the Tigers play host to number one
Alabama.

A win over Alabama will cement LSU as one of the best teams in the country. A loss though,
would most likely eliminate any chance of the Tigers making their first College Football Playoff,
as they will have two losses. With a legit shot of making the playoff, it will be the biggest game
for LSU in years.

LSU has had some impressive wins this season, most notably over Georgia. They did lose to
Florida though earlier in the season. With a strong resume, beating Alabama and making it to
Atlanta for the SEC Championship and then winning that championship will be enough for LSU
to make it in. It is a tall task for the Tigers, but one that is still possible.

5. Michigan

6. Georgia

 

 

Jake Starr is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email
jas7954@psu.edu.