College Football Playoff Hopefuls That Have Not Been Tested Yet
The 2015 college football season is still in its relative infancy. By and large, teams haven't been challenged too much just yet since they haven't gotten into the meat of their schedules. As a result, we're still trying to learn what to make of many teams, including a number of playoff hopefuls.
We'll figure out more about teams like Baylor, Ole Miss and USC in time. But for now, it's been smooth sailing for those three, plus a handful of others. These are the playoff hopefuls who haven't yet been challenged through two games.
Taken into consideration first and foremost is margin of victory. It matters less if opponents are of the Power 5 variety or FCS teams. Additionally, we're sticking with preseason Associated Press/USA Today Amway Coaches Poll Top-25 teams on the list of contenders.
Baylor
1 of 7
First Two Opponents: SMU, Lamar
First Test: Texas Tech (Oct. 3)
For as outstanding as Baylor has been over the past few years, the Bears are the poster children for soft non-conference schedules. Playing SMU—though the Mustangs are clearly on the up and up with head coach Chad Morris—and FCS Lamar doesn't help that narrative at all.
How easy has it been for the Bears? They've outscored their first two opponents by 35 points each despite missing defensive end Shawn Oakman (suspension), offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and wide receivers coach Tate Wallis (NCAA penalty) for a game each.
Even when they're not at full strength on the sidelines, Baylor is cruising without problem.
Clemson
2 of 7
First Two Opponents: Wofford, Appalachian State
First Test: Notre Dame (Oct. 3)
Clemson entered the season as preseason ACC favorites. With quarterback Deshaun Watson finally healthy, there was some Heisman hype to boot. There's been no reason to believe those goals still can't be realized, but the Tigers haven't been tested yet. Wins over Wofford and Appalachian State were both over before halftime.
If there's a benefit to these early non-conference games, it's that they provide an opportunity for an inexperienced defense to grow together as a group before taking on bigger challenges. So far, Clemson has given up just 20 points on the year.
A Thursday night game at Louisville could be interesting. At 0-2, the Cardinals are desperate for a win. However, the home game against Notre Dame in early October still looms as Clemson's first major test of the season.
Florida State
3 of 7
First Two Games: Texas State, South Florida
First Test: Boston College (Sept. 18)
On paper, Florida State has played two easily winnable games. The results, though, have been dramatically different.
The Seminoles had no problem with Texas State in Week 1, and Notre Dame transfer quarterback Everett Golson looked sharp with 302 passing yards and four scores. The USF game was a different story. The offense's best weapon was running back Dalvin Cook, and the game was tied 7-7 at the half. In that sense, Florida State was tested, but it speaks more to the inconsistencies they may face this year than anything specifically related to USF.
"That was the worst ball we have ever played," Noles offensive tackle Roderick Johnson said, per Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times.
So keep an eye on the Friday night game at Boston College. The Eagles gave FSU all kinds of fits last year and absolutely obliterated their FCS opponent in Week 2. If FSU plays like it did against USF, it could be a long night against Boston College.
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Georgia
4 of 7
First Two Games: Louisiana-Monroe, Vanderbilt
First Test: Alabama (Oct. 3)
With Tennessee's heartbreaking loss to Oklahoma and South Carolina's loss to Kentucky, Georgia assumes the top spot in the SEC East. And with the deepest, most talented running back unit in the conference, if not the country, the Bulldogs have a real identity on offense.
Louisiana-Monroe was a cake walk, but Vanderbilt's stingy defense provided a tougher test than expected. Still, neither game was in doubt, and Georgia has yet to face a true test this season. The South Carolina game sets up to be a classic Bulldogs blunder, but if we're being honest, the stiffest test comes in early October against Alabama. Assuming Georgia is still undefeated, that's when we'll find out if the Bulldogs are a legitimate playoff contender. A win over the Tide could make Georgia the team du jour of October.
Georgia Tech
5 of 7
First Two Games: Alcorn State, Tulane
First Test: Notre Dame (Sept. 19)
How easy have Georgia Tech's first two games been? The Yellow Jackets have outscored Alcorn State and Tulane by an average score of 67-8. It's not quite the 1916 game against Cumberland, in which the Yellow Jackets famously won 222-0, but it's close.
Those wins certainly answer some questions as to whether Georgia Tech could replace all its running backs from a year ago without any drop-off, but we'll find out for sure against Notre Dame next Saturday. The Irish are allowing just 3.17 yards per rush and have given up just two touchdowns.
Georgia Tech is a fascinating playoff dark horse. Perhaps no team other than Ohio State finished last season with more momentum. However, the schedule is particularly daunting. Even though Notre Dame has lost three key players—quarterback Malik Zaire, running back Tarean Folston and defensive tackle Jarron Jones—to season-ending injuries, this is still a top-15/top-20 matchup.
Ole Miss
6 of 7
First Two Games: Tennessee-Martin, Fresno State
First Test: Alabama (Sept. 19)
How dominant has Ole Miss been through two weeks? The Rebels have averaged about 18-19 points...per quarter. And, they haven't had offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil, who missed both games due to an NCAA investigation.
Just a hunch, but that points-per-quarter rate is probably going to take a hit against Alabama in Week 3. The Tide are not only proving to be dominant as well, but there's the revenge factor from last year's upset win in Oxford. "Play time is over," as Davis Potter of the Oxford Eagle wrote.
Ole Miss is just as talented as anyone in the SEC and could have a huge draft day next spring. These are the types of games head coach Hugh Freeze was hired to win. A loss against the Tide won't officially end Ole Miss' playoff hopes, but a win would certainly propel them forward.
USC
7 of 7
First Two Games: Arkansas State, Idaho
First Test: Stanford (Sept. 19)
USC has been on a late-night slate for the first two weeks. Since the Trojans have played Arkansas State and Idaho, not many people have been able to watch them. Still, USC has averaged 57 points per game and kept both opponents to single-digit scores. The offense is as-advertised.
The Stanford game could be tricky, though. The Trojans won a close, low-scoring slug-fest last year. The Cardinal have their fair share of problems but defensively could disrupt USC's offense. The Trojans, after all, gave up five sacks in Week 1 to Arkansas State.
The Cardinal don't shape up to be USC's toughest opponent of the year—not with Oregon, Notre Dame and UCLA on the schedule—but a tight game could tell us how good USC really is.
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.
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