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AP Top 25 Week 11 (Nov. 5-11)
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1. LSU Tigers (8-0)
The Tigers spent this past weekend preparing for the game of the year in Tuscaloosa. QB Joe Burrow is having the kind of season that warrants Heisman consideration and if he can lead this high flying LSU offense — including underrated RB Clyde Edwards-Hellaire and WR Ja’Marr Chase — to a win against Alabama this weekend, that’s the kind of thing that will win you a Heisman. However, the defense will be a little thinner after the departure of senior LB Michael Divinity leaves them without their sack leader. Still, they have more than enough fire power on offense to get the job done. It is no wonder they made the AP top 25 placement at the top! Get ready for a showdown for the ages... it’s gonna be fun.
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2. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0)
The counterpart to this weeks Game of the Year, the Tide match up with #1 LSU all across the board and might actually be more talented overall. The Tigers are the best team Alabama has played all year, but this week they’ll have a Heisman candidate of their own back in the lineup as QB Tua Tagovailoa is likely set to return under center. The key will be how Nick Saban’s defense fares against LSU’s offense, because Tua and the offense can match them score for score (48 points per game on 500 yards per game). One stop might be the difference.
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3. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0)
Like most of the top 5 of the AP Top 25, the Buckeyes had the week off last Saturday and this weekend they get to play a Maryland team that was thrashed by Michigan over the weekend. It’s really hard to stop Ohio State on offense, and it’s even harder to get anything moving against DE Chase Young and that ultra-talented defense. QB Justin Fields had a quiet week last game out, but that’s what happens when your running back, J.K. Dobbins can carry an offense by himself. This team is flat out loaded and might be the (real) #1 team in this week’s CFB Playoff Ranks.
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4. Clemson Tigers (8-0)
Momentum is what separates good teams from great teams and no team in the country needs less time to get hot than Clemson. QB Trevor Lawrence is finally looking like the guy who took down Alabama a year ago, and RB Travis Etienne might be the most dynamic playmaker on offense in the country. They’re a well oiled machine on both sides of the ball, regardless of who they play, and they’re going to be defending their title as champs until someone takes them down.
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5. Penn State Nittany Lions (8-0)
One could make the argument that Penn State is actually the best team in the Big 10, not Ohio State. The Nittany Lions are also undefeated and have done so against better opponents (Iowa, Michigan). They employ a defense that’s holding opponents to under 10 a game, and while they don’t have the Saquon Barkley-esque playmaker of years past, their offense is efficient enough to get the ball moving against stiff competition. They’ll face another tough matchup this week against also undefeated #13 Minnesota, an underrated offense waiting to challenge for the Big 10 title race.
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6. Georgia Bulldogs (7-1)
It’s gotta feel pretty liberating to be a Bulldog fan right now. Not only do you beat your rivals, #9 Florida, but you also reclaim your spot at the top of the SEC East — and in doing so, keep your playoff hopes alive. This upcoming game, however, should be treated exactly the same because Missouri is nothing to write off. Georgia truly controls their own destiny, and if last weekend was any indication of what they’re capable of, they’re locked in and ready for whatever challenge awaits.
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7. Oregon Ducks (8-1)
After two tough weeks and two close wins, the Ducks piled on the points and quieted any upset alerts as they beat USC 56-24. Down 10-0 early, QB Justin Herbert (3 TDs) and the defense got Oregon back in it, including a pick six and 100 yard kick return to end the half. With that kind of balance, Oregon can compete with anyone in the country. The question is will the committee look at the PAC-12 when it’s time to pick the final four. If they keep winning like this, they’ll be in the mix. It should be interesting to see where they go moving forward in the AP Top 25.
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8. Utah Utes (8-1)
The Utes defense faced a big test on the road at Washington, but the offense was able to grind it out thanks to RB Zack Moss (two total TDs) to stay alive in the PAC-12. The Utes got another win in the form of USC falling to Oregon, putting them at the top of the PAC-12 South and squarely in contention to face the Ducks in the championship game if they win out. Luckily, their next three opponents give up at least 32 points a game.
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9. Oklahoma Sooners (7-1)
The Sooners got a much needed break after losing 48-41 at Kansas State, and after watching Baylor escape last week with a win, they should still feel confident about their postseason hopes. QB Jalen Hurts is still a sure-bet Heisman candidate and he’ll look to light up the scoreboard against Iowa State this weekend, but the Sooner defense is the key here. They’ve shown this year that they have potential to hold opponents out of the end zone and they will have to as Iowa State averages 35 a game. They control their fate; the defense will need to control the game.
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10. Florida Gators (7-2)
You gotta give credit to this Gators squad for playing 3 top 10 teams in the last month and staying in those games. They might be the best two-loss team in the country, but they were only able to get 21 yards on the ground against Georgia and their offense came back down to earth. If they continue to play strong ball, they can continue the march through the AP top 25 teams. They might be able to get a New Year’s Day bowl if the committee looks at their schedule and credits them for trying, at least. They’ll need to finish the year strong, and playing Vanderbilt is a great way to get back on track.
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11. Baylor Bears (8-0)
Out of all the undefeated team, Baylor has probably been tested the most. Their 17-14 win on Thursday against West Virginia is their 3rd conference win by 3 or less. You like to see that out of a team, knowing that they can close out close games, but it is a little concerning that lesser opponents can stay in the game that long. No matter the case, they keep winning and they’ll probably have another close one this weekend at TCU. Which side of the Bears team will show up is anyone’s guess, though.
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12. Auburn Tigers (7-2)
Auburn hadn’t played a home game since Sept. 29th do they made sure to come away with a win against Ole Miss this past Saturday. Bo Nix probably benefited the most, as the freshman QB threw for 340 yards and ran for a TD in a tight game against the Rebels. They’ll have a week off to rest up for a tough 2 game stretch— rejuvenated Georgia and then rival Alabama to end the season. Luckily for the Tigers, they’ll be playing both games in their own backyard.
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13. Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-0)
Minnesota got the week off to prepare for their toughest test in the season when they host undefeated Penn State this Saturday. The Gophers have made their mark on offense, racking up 39 points a game behind 200 rush yards a game. Penn State one of the best defenses in the country, especially against the run, so the defense will need to play their best outing of the year if they want to keep their dream season alive for just one more week.
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14. Michigan Wolverines (7-2)
Michigan has looked like a completely different team these past two weeks. After a 38-7 thrashing against Maryland there are still some questions about this offense — 331 yards gained against a team that gives up 415 on average — but they’re locked in right now as a team. A strong finish to the season, including the always anticipated Ohio State game, and this team could be playing on New Year’s Day in what could (possibly) be Jim Harbaugh’s last game. It all comes down to the game against the Buckeyes, though.
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15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-2)
A week after getting pounded by Michigan, you’d think Notre Dame would be motivated to turn it around at home but they barely escaped Virginia Tech 21-20. They haven’t been running the ball well lately, and while they have another winnable game ahead of them against Duke, they’re not inspiring much confidence on offense. Perhaps it’s the coaching change rumor? Whatever the case, this Irish team looks like it’s fading a bit.
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16. Wisconsin Badgers (6-2)
The Badgers got exposed last time out against Ohio State and the formula is simple: contain Jonathon Taylor. The junior RB was held to 52 yards against the Buckeyes, a far cry from the numbers he’s put up in his career (over 5,000 yards in just 3 years). While their next opponent, Iowa, has a stingy defense of their own, Taylor should bounce back enough to give Wisconsin that one dimension that makes their team a threat. The defense should also have no problem against a tepid Hawkeyes offense.
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17. Cincinnati Bearcats (7-1)
Cincinnati won a back and forth game against East Carolina, 46-43, but they have reason to be excited this week: they are currently the top dog in a very competitive AAC and are facing a UConn team that is dead last in the conference. Although one should never overlook an opponent, Cincinnati is probably thinking about the title game. The AAC championship is all but set up, all they have to do is win out and let the other 3 teams — Navy, SMU and Memphis — beat each other up in the process.
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18. Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2)
The Hawkeyes aren’t the most exciting team in the country, but they’re good at what they do and that’s play good defense. In this week\'s matchup against Wisconsin, that’s pretty much all you have to do. If Iowa can slow down RB Jonathon Taylor the same way Ohio State did, they have the ability to match Wisconsin at their own pace. It might not be exciting, but it’s efficient and sometimes that’s all that matters.
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19. Memphis Tigers (8-1)
Memphis scored their biggest win of the season in their 54-48 upset of SMU, and not in typical fashion. Tigers WR Antonio Gibson had a historic outing, piling up a school record 386 all purpose yards and scoring a touchdown for receiving, rushing and kick return. It was an impressive win and as a gift the team will take a week off. They’ll need it too, as they still have work to do to make it into the AAC title game. If Navy were to fall, they’re all but certain to make it in.
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20. Kansas State Wildcats (6-2)
A lot of people had the Wildcats on upset alert a week after pulling off a upset of their own. That proved to be laughable as Kansas State took care of in-state rival Kansas 38-10. The team has been steadily improving as of late and is now in play for the Big 12 Championship. They already have a big win against the Sooners on their resume, and next up is a road test against a struggling Texas team that can still put points on the board despite their defensive woes.
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21. Boise State Broncos (7-1)
Hank Bachmeier was back under center and the Broncos survived an upset bid from San Jose State 52-42, but it was another freshman playmaker who stole the show. RB George Holani rushed for 126 yards and four touchdowns, including an 8 yard run to seal the game late in the fourth. The defense was gashed to the tune of 497 yards but made plays when it mattered, like an INT to save the game. They’ll have a similar matchup against a sneaky good Wyoming team this Saturday.
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22. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-1)
After a slew of close games recently, the Demon Deacons offense was on full display thanks to the return of QB Jamie Newman (5 total TDs). The game was essentially over by halftime with Wake up 34-10 over NC State. Despite only scoring ten more points in the second half, the defense shut down the Wolfpack and only allowed 5 first downs. Pretty impressive for a team that gives up 400 yards a game. Next up is a Virginia Tech team that nearly pulled off an upset over Notre Dame last weekend.
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23. SMU Mustangs (8-1)
It was a rough day for SMU as they lost a very close game to to Memphis last Saturday. How close? Despite the loss, the Mustangs actually outgained the Tigers on offense and had half as less penalties. How they managed to lose the game is anybody’s guess but they still look like a force on offense. Their next opponent, East Carolina, is very generous when it comes to points, too. They should be revving again come Saturday.
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24. San Diego State Aztecs (7-1)
The Aztecs got the week off and gave their defense a rest. They’ve been carrying this team all season, allowing only 14 a game to opposing teams. They don’t put up a lot of points but they don’t have to with a defense as good as they have. Still, they’ll need to find a spark on the offensive side of the ball if they want to compete for the MWC title. Next up is a Nevada team that gives up 35 a game, so maybe that breakout performance is right around the corner.
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25. Navy Midshipmen (7-1)
Salute, Navy! Welcome to the AP Top 25! There’s a lot to love about this Navy team and it starts with their old school game plan. Much like the actual military, Navy will run the same play over and over again, executing it to perfection each time. All they do is run the ball, and Senior QB Malcolm Perry leads the way with 16 touchdowns on the ground. Yes, you’ll see it coming but much like our actual Navy, there’s not much you can do to stop them. They have a week off before back to back games against Notre Dame and SMU.
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SF
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