Wednesday, November 09, 2016

Undefeated After Week 10

All five undefeated teams remained that way.  #1 Alabama earned a hard-fought 10-0 win over #13 LSU in Death Valley, while #2 Clemson, #3 Michigan, and #5 Washington rolled to easy wins.  #23 Western Michigan beat Kent State last night 37-21.  With Washington's win, combined with Texas A&M's loss to Mississippi State, Washington moved up to that coveted #4 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, and Washington all have some tough remaining games, while Western Michigan appears to have the easiest path to finishing the regular season undefeated.

Here the new Top 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings (along with each team's best win and worst loss, where applicable):
1.  Alabama (9-0)
Best win:  #8 Texas A&M (10/22; 33-14)
Worst loss:  N/A
2.  Clemson (9-0)
Best win:  #6 Louisville (10/1; 42-36)
Worst loss:  N/A
3.  Michigan (9-0)
Best win:  #7 Wisconsin (10/1; 14-7)
Worst loss: N/A
4.  Washington (9-0)
Best win:  at #15 Utah (10/29; 31-24)
Worst loss:  N/A

Here is a breakdown of the undefeated teams and each team's remaining games (rankings are CFB Playoff Committee rankings):

#1 Alabama 9-0
11/12 – Mississippi State (4-5)
11/19 – Chattanooga (FCS) (8-1)
11/26 – #9 Auburn (7-2)
12/3 – SEC championship game (Atlanta) - TBD

Remaining opponents' combined record:  19-8 (.704)
Best win:  #8 Texas A&M (10/22; 33-14)

#2 Clemson 9-0
11/12 – Pittsburgh (5-4)
11/19 – at Wake Forest (6-3)
11/26 – South Carolina (5-4)
12/3 – ACC championship game (Orlando) - TBD

Remaining opponents' combined record:  16-11 (.593)
Best win:  #6 Louisville (10/1; 42-36)

#3 Michigan 9-0
11/12 – at Iowa (5-4)
11/19 – Indiana (5-4)
11/26 – at #5 Ohio State (8-1)
12/3 – Big Ten championship game (Indianapolis) - TBD

Remaining opponents' combined record:  18-9 (.667)
Best win:  #7 Wisconsin (10/1; 14-7)

#5 Washington 9-0
11/12 – #20 USC (6-3)
11/19 – Arizona State (5-4)
11/25 – at #23 Washington State (7-2)
12/2 – Pac-12 championship game (Santa Clara) - TBD

Remaining opponents' combined record:  18-9 (.667)
Best win:  at #15 Utah (10/29; 31-24)

#21 Western Michigan 10-0
11/19 – Buffalo (2-7)
11/25 – Toledo (7-2)
12/2 – MAC championship game (Detroit) - TBD

Remaining opponents' combined record:  9-9 (.500)

Best win:  at Northwestern (9/3; 22-21)

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