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Earlier in the week, Canes fan were getting ready for a ACC showdown with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons . However that matchup, and the two games that follow (North Carolina Tar Heels and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets), were unfortunately postponed. A Canes-free weekend didn’t stop the college football action over the past few days. Spencer Rattler and the Oklahoma Sooners took down the No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys, the Auburn Tigers and Smoke Monday’s 100-yard pick-6 blew past the Tennessee Volunteers, and the Northwestern Wildcats continued their undefeated streak against the Wisconsin Badgers.
The on-field fireworks were so good (six games with Top 25 teams had one-touchdown differentials) that the Florida State Seminoles decided to stay home and watch. With JT Daniels breathing life back into the Georgia Bulldogs’ offense and the N.C. State Wolfpack beating the Liberty Flames on a blocked FG, there was plenty of craziness for them to enjoy.
With the playoff ranking set to be released on Tuesday, let's see how the AP and Coaches Poll ranked the teams ahead of its release.
AP Top 25
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16.Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
19.USC Trojans
23.Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Other teams receiving votes: Washington 35; Liberty 31, Nevada 23; SMU 17; Iowa 15; Boise State 6; Florida Atlantic 5; Buffalo 3; San Jose State 3
Coaches Poll
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11.Oregon Ducks
17.Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
18.USC Trojans
22.Oklahoma State Cowboys
23.North Carolina Tar Heels
24.Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Other teams receiving votes: Nevada 39; Liberty 27; Missouri 24; Washington 17; San Jose State 13; Maryland 13; NC State 12; Boston College 12; Boise State 11; Southern Methodist 10; Memphis 9; Army 6; Appalachian State 6; Louisiana State 3; Purdue 2; Iowa 1.
Analysis
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Indiana intercepted Justin Fields three times and had the ball with a chance to tie on the game’s last full possession. Fields’ performance on Saturday was not entirely bad. The Heisman hopeful threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Indiana quarterback, and also Heisman hopeful, Michael Penix Jr. also shined. He threw for 495 yards and five touchdowns. Both teams were virtually unscathed in the polls after their battle. Ohio State sits at 3 and Indiana fell just from 10 to 12.
Northwestern’s 17-7 win over Wisconsin puts them in the driver’s seat of the West division. It also sets up a heightened matchup with Ohio State next month. The game will essentially determine the Big Ten championship and who will represent the conference in the playoffs. The victory boosted Northwestern to 11th in the AP Top 25.
In the SEC, Kyle Trask and the No. 6 Florida Gators demolished the Vanderbilt Commodores 38-17. It was a score that should be expected when you’re playing an 0-7 team. The Gators remain on schedule for an SEC championship game appearance. Looking at another dominant performance in the conference, Alabama’s extended time off did not hinder their execution. They defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 63-3. Junior quarterback Mac Jones threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns.
The 13th ranked Georgia Bulldogs have to feel very good about quarterback JT Daniels’ 401 yards and four scores this weekend. The USC transfer helped uplift a critically stagnant passing offense. However, barely surviving Mississippi State by the score of 31-24, isn’t ideal for a team who want to be a part of the New Year's Six.
In the Big 12, the Cyclones continued their march to potentially securing a spot in the Big 12 championship game. They destroyed the Kansas State Wildcats 45-0. Running back Breece Hall and his eighth straight 100-yard plus game helped land Iowa State at in the 15th the the AP Top 25.
Oklahoma’s 41-13 win over Oklahoma State marks their sixth win in a row in the rivalry. Spencer Rattler’s 301 yards and four touchdowns helped give OU their fifth consecutive win this season. The win also keeps them in the conversation for a spot in the Big 12 title game and boosted them to 14.
The UCF Knights had Cincinnati fans biting their nails. The Bearcats had wake up after going into a 14-3 hole at the end of the first quarter. They also headed into the fourth quarter down 3 points. Eventually the comeback prevailed and they won 36-33. The Bearcats remain a dark horse sleepers in Tuesday’s playoff rankings.
In other conferences, The Chanticleers scored the last twelve points in their game and 34-23 win over Appalachian State. They remain unbeaten and appear to be circling a bid for a possible New Year’s Six bowl game. And, as though it has to be said, BYU is till good and still blowing dismantling teams. Zach Wilson and the Cougars are now 9-0 and ranked 8th.
The Canes will be watching the rest of the ACC action for the next few weeks before taking the field. How things shake out in Clemson and Notre Dame’s schedules during their time off will be critical for their ACCCG status.