By Dean Lowery '27, Alex Jessey ‘28, and Benjamin Ross ’28
Introduction
Well, we told you so. Upsets did happen. Alabama fell. Tennessee fell. Michigan fell. Southern
Cal fell. Like dominoes, the upsets seemingly compounded one after another last Saturday. The
AP Poll shuffled all over the place, with undefeated teams as hot a commodity as milk during a
hurricane—another big week upcoming, folks
Three big games
#1 Texas @ #18 Oklahoma, Dallas, Texas, Cotton Bowl
Ah, the Red River Rivalry. Can the ‘Horns prove themselves as worthy #1s? Or will the Sooners
spoil their fun and hop back into playoff contention?
Keys for the Longhorns: Quinn Ewers is back and looking to show why he’s the Longhorns
starting QB. Receivers Bond and Wingo will be looking to wreak havoc, and linebacker Colin
Simmons will want to keep the pressure on the backfield with 4 sacks this season.
Keys for the Sooners: Defense, defense, defense. The Sooners need to make this a grimey,
defensive battle to have a chance in this one. Bad news for the Sooners: A team has scored at
least 30 in the last seven years of this rivalry.
#2 Ohio St. @ #3 Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, Autzen Stadium
#2 against #3. That about says it all. Whoever takes this one is going to have a huge leg up in
the B1G race down in the stretch.
Keys for the Buckeyes: Ohio State has been nothing short of dominant. With arguably the
nation’s greatest receiver in true freshman Jeremiah Smith, a strong running game with
Quinshon Judkins, and a stellar defense, will OSU struggle in their first real challenge, or
continue to cruise?
Keys for the Ducks: Home-field advantage, a solid offense, and their first ranked B1G game.
Will Oregon prove that they’re one of the nation’s best teams, or will their first challenge prove
too much for them?
#9 Ole Miss @ #13 Louisiana St., Baton Rouge, Louisana, Tiger Stadium
Huge implications here. Both of these teams are very solid, playoff material even, but taking a
second loss this early in the campaign would be an eyesore for the committee down the road.
Keys for the Rebels: Forget all about that Kentucky loss. Losing two SEC games before playing
any of the Big Three (Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee) would be devastating for their playoff
hopes. Lane Kiffin, stay off Twitter!
Keys for the Tigers: Establish the ground game early. The Rebels lead the country in tackles for
loss, and they can wreak havoc all over the place.
Three Big Players
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State Broncos @ Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
This man is a beast. He now leads the Heisman conversation, considering he’s already cleared
the millennium mark for rushing yards and has racked up 16 touchdowns through just five
games. This man is truly one of a kind. Look for him to put on another show at Hawai’i this week
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado Buffaloes vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Deion’s second coming? This guy’s playing both sides of the ball better than almost anyone in
the country who’s playing on one side. Six touchdowns in five games isn’t too shabby, but his
team is going to need a big effort against Kansas State.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami Hurricanes
This man has defied all of the odds. The comebacks. The heroics. What more can he do? Lucky
enough for him, he might have a steamship which has it’s course set for an undefeated record.
20 passing touchdowns in six games doesn’t hurt his case either.
Three Teams to Watch
Well, well, well. Who is going to occupy the coveted five seed? We might start using the term “Cinderella” in football.
Boise State Broncos (4-1) vs. Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors
This squad, far and away, is the favorite to win the last bid. They just need to take care of
business and win the Mountain West.
Navy Midshipmen (5-0) OFF
Navy has snuck up on everyone’s radar after an impressive 5-0 start. They have an impressive
win over Memphis and will have a prime opportunity to prove themselves on a national stage
when they host Notre Dame of the 26th of this month.
Army Black Knights (5-0) vs. UAB
Army tells a similar tale to the Midshipmen. Army-Navy this year might be as hyped as we’ve
seen this century. They will go to South Bend in November, but need to take care of UAB at
home this week.
Three Value Bets
5-1 on the season
Ohio State (-3) @ Oregon
Boise St (-20.5) @ Hawaii
Pitt(-3) vs California
The “Dartmouth” Poll
Well, the AP Poll stinks. And the CFP poll is still weeks away. Here’s what we think.
1. Texas (5-0)
2. Ohio State (5-0)
3. Oregon (5-0)
4. Georgia (4-1)
5. Penn St. (5-0)
6. Alabama (4-1)
7. Tennessee (4-1)
8. Miami (FL) (6-0)
9. Ole Miss (5-1)
10. Iowa St. (5-0)
11. Notre Dame (4-1)
12. Texas A&M (5-1)
13. Clemson (4-1)
14. Boise St. (4-1)
15. BYU (5-0)
16. Louisiana St. (4-1)
17. Utah (4-1)
18. Indiana (6-0)
19. Kansas St. (4-1)
20. Oklahoma (4-1)
21. Missouri (4-1)
22. Southern Methodist (5-1)
23. Illinois (4-1)
24. Navy (5-0)
25. Pittsburgh (5-0)