JK: 23-25 Sean: 33-14
This week we have a series of games that will shake up the playoff rankings including three top 25 matchups. View accordingly:
#5 Notre Dame (7-1) at Pitt (6-2) 12:00 ABC
The Irish are the first team out of the Playoff currently but with a win over the Panthers, who were ranked last week before they lost to UNC on Thursday night they would likely find themselves slipping in. The only other loss Pitt has is to undefeated Iowa. ND would likely be the number one team in the nation if they didn't lose at Clemson and Pittsburgh is having an excellent year making for a very underrated matchup. If Pitt can score against one of the nation's top defenses, this game will be interesting into the 4th quarter with potentially huge implications.
JK: Notre Dame Sean: Notre Dame
Duke (6-2) at #21 North Carolina (7-1)
This is the first time - maybe ever - that this rivalry game has gotten this much national attention. If Duke hadn't "lost" last week to Miami it would likely be a top 25 matchup. Had they not lost to a terrible South Carolina team to start the season, the Tar Heels would likely be ranked somewhere in or at least close to the top 10. Basketball's biggest rivalry has serious football implications, if UNC wins they will stay in the driver's seat for the Coastal. Also of note: Duke is 8-1 in it's last nine games as an underdog.
JK: Duke Sean: UNC
#16 FSU (7-1) at #1 Clemson (8-0) 3:30 ABC
Where do I start. We still don't know who will start at quarterback or if the 'Noles will have Terrance Smith and Nile Lawrence-Stample for this game (two of their top veteran defenders). Regardless, Florida State is going to have to play its best game by far if it wants to knock off the nation's top team and stay in the playoff hunt. Clemson's offense and defensive front seven are no joke but the Tiger defense did give up 41 points to NC State last week. It will be interesting to see how Jimbo's team plays as a two score underdog, a very unfamiliar spot for the winningest program since 2010.
JK: FSU Sean: FSU
Penn State (7-2) at #21 Northwestern (6-2) 12:00 ESPNU
Both of these teams have only lost to ranked teams and need this win if they have any hope to make it to the Big Ten championship game. That is likely not going to happen but this is still an intriguing matchup involving two teams in the Big Ten's second tier. Christian Hackenberg will likely have himself a huge day against the nation's 120th passing defense. The Nittany Lions have only lost to undefeated teams but Northwestern is the team that has actually beat a ranked team in Stanford.
JK: Penn State Sean: Penn State
#8 TCU (8-0) at #14 Oklahoma State (8-0) 3:30 FOX
TCU will likely be fired up for this one after being left out of the playoff picture. Oklahoma State IS undefeated but they've been involved in three one-score games this season and have not played a single ranked team to date. This game will showcase the 2nd (TCU) and 8th-best (OKSt) scoring offenses in college football so expect a lot of points in this one.
JK: TCU Sean: TCU
Cincinnati (5-3) at #25 Houston (8-0) 3:30 ESPN2
Houston is one of many non-Power 5 conference teams having magical undefeated runs but the best team they have played is 4-4 Louisville. Cincinnati's record may be much worse but they have played much tougher competition including a win over Miami. Cincinnati is another pass-heavy team, ranked 6th in passing yards in the nation with 370.6 per game. How will Houston respond to cracking the top 25?
JK: Cincinatti Sean: Houston
Navy (6-1) at Memphis (8-0) 7:00 ESPN2
Memphis has a legitimate shot at making the College Football Playoff. The two games after this one include #25 Houston and #22 Temple. If they can get by triple-option Navy who is having a stellar season just outside the top 25, and the rest of their schedule, they will have a very respectable argument for a spot in the top four. Behind 6'7" Paxton Lynch (2,709 yards, 18 TD, 1 Int this season), the Tigers are a force to be reckoned with. So is Navy, whose only loss came to #5 Notre Dame.
JK: Memphis Sean: Memphis
#2 LSU (7-0) at # 4 Alabama (7-1) 8:00 CBS
This months version of the game of the century will feature the nations best player against one of the nation's best front seven. Fournette is on pace to shatter the single-season rushing average record and lead his team to their first College Football Playoff appearance. Alabama is somehow still ranked as a top four team despite losing to a two-loss team. This will be a huge collision in Tuscaloosa as the first top 5 matchup of the season takes place in the first weekend of a month that will dramatically change the landscape of college football.
JK: Alabama Sean: LSU
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