As we get closer to the end of the season we are beginning to see more teams fall out. There was no big upsets this week so most of the teams remain. But as more undefeated teams remain that makes those one loss teams chances go further and further away. How did this week shape the National Title picture? Let's find out!
Open Road (Undefeated)
Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Week: 45-10 over Tennessee
Key Remaining Games: LSU, at Auburn, SEC Title Game
The upcoming LSU game game doesn't have the same luster as it use to, but the Tigers are very capable of knocking off the Tide. But Alabama does have a bye week before their game which only helps them out.
Oregon Ducks
Last Week: 42-14 over UCLA
Key Remaining Games: at Stanford, Oregon State, Pac 12 Title Game
Oregon got the UCLA game out of the way, but Thursday Night Game against Stanford will be the key. Oregon looks by far to be the better team, but they do have to travel to Stanford and lost last year. Should be fun.
Florida State Seminoles
Last Week: 49-17 over North Carolina State
Key Remaining Games: Miami, at Florida, ACC Title Game
They avoided the slip up game against NC State and now go head to head with the upstart Miami team. But the Seminoles look to be on a different level and don't be surprised to see them cruise through the rest of their season.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Week: 63-14 over Penn State
Key Remaining Games: at Michigan, Big 10 Title Game
Still doubting Ohio State after their 49 point win over Penn State? Better not. Now they still have holes, but they still have some elite pieces that can cover some of those holes. Too bad their schedule is so weak and they may not even get a challenge in their conference title game.
Baylor Bears
Last Week: 59-14 over Kansas
Key Remaining Games: Oklahoma, Texas Tech, at Oklahoma State, Texas
Baylor could be an elite team just itching to face a ranked team, or face a similar fate that Texas Tech did against Oklahoma. The difference is that Baylor's offense has been unstoppable. And in the no defense Big 12 that could be a ticket to an conference title.
Miami Hurricanes
Last Week: 24-21 over Wake Forrest
Key Remaining Games: at Florida State, Virginia Tech, ACC Title Game
Even with them undefeated a loss to Florida State will likely cripple their season. The Hurricanes have been good this year, but two recent come from behind wins may be a sign they aren't on FSU's level.
Debris on the Road (One Loss)
Stanford Cardinal
Last Week: 20-12 over Oregon State
Key Remaining Games: Oregon, Pac 12 Title Game
Out of all the one loss teams, it's Stanford that has the best shot right now to work their way in. But that's gonna take a lot of teams losing. And let's not forget they have to beat Oregon which looks like a machine.
Auburn Tigers
Last Week: 45-10 over Florida Atlantic
Key Remaining Games: Georgia, Alabama, SEC Title Game
Auburn has to hope that Nick Marshall's injury isn't worse, because they'll need him if they want to win out. However even with him that Alabama game is an uphill battle.
Missouri Tigers
Last Week: 24-27 loss to South Carolina
Key Remaining Games: Texas A&M, SEC Title Game
They had the game won, but juts got too conservative in the second half against South Carolina. They need to win out which could happen. But going to their first SEC Title game and likely against Alabama might be too much for this inexperienced team.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Last Week: 30-38 loss to Oklahoma
Key Remaining Games: Oklahoma State, at Baylor, Texas
I almost dropped the Red Raiders out of the race, but they still only have one loss and remaining schedule is strong enough to move them up. But it doesn't look promising.
Road Closed
UCLA Bruins
Last Week: 14-42 loss to Oregon
Two losses in a row end the Bruins chances at the National Title. They were really good chances to begin with mainly because the Bruins are just not to that level yet. But having to play both Oregon and Stanford in back to back weeks was just too much.
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