College Football Predictions: Who Will Survive the Season Undefeated?
Another Saturday, another Goliath (or two) falls. After watching Nebraska get shocked at home by a struggling Texas team, Ohio State fell to Wisconsin in Madison (a game I did call correctly). With two-top five teams (and now defeated) losing on Saturday, there are only 11 undefeated teams left. Let's break down the remaining eleven unbeaten teams to see who has the best chance of running the season unscathed.
Boise State Broncos
1 of 11
The Broncos are a team I love, as I'm one of the few who actually buy into this team as being legit. The fact is, they beat whoever they play, wherever they play. Their victory over Virginia Tech lost meaning when Tech lost to James Madison at home the next week, but Va. Tech has rebounded since.
Boise State's remaining schedule:
| Tue, Oct 26 | Louisiana Tech | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | Hawaii | |||
| Fri, Nov 12 | at Idaho | |||
| Fri, Nov 19 | Fresno State | |||
| Fri, Nov 26 | at (19) Nevada | |||
| Sat, Dec 4 |
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Of course, the game that stands out is a road match at 19th ranked (and undefeated Nevada). Nevada has lived off their Pistol offense, focusing on a menacing run offense. Again, Nevada is a team that doesn't get respect because of their conference, and because of their lack of pedigree (first time they're ranked since the 1940's). But if Boise is able to get by Nevada, in what will be a very tough road test, Boise will be in the BCS National Championship. In my mind, this is the team with the best shot at running the table- as they are a dominant team, and have a fairly easy schedule.
Oregon Ducks
2 of 11
Oregon has burst onto the scene with an explosive offense, lead by RB LaMichael James and QB Darron Thomas. Oregon's big wins come over Stanford at home, and Arizona State and Tennessee on the road.
Oregon's Remaining Schedule:
| Thu, Oct 21 | UCLA | |||
| Sat, Oct 30 | at USC | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | Washington | |||
| Sat, Nov 13 | at California | |||
| Fri, Nov 26 | (17) Arizona | |||
| Sat, Dec 4 | at (24) Oregon State |
A look at their schedule leads me to believe- no matter how good their offense has looked so far- that this team is bound to trip up. There's not one easy game left on the schedule. UCLA has already upset Houston and Texas this year, USC is a dangerous team, and Washington is lead by one of the best quarterback's in the country (Jake Locker). California is a dangerous team, especially at home, and the final two are against a 1-loss Arizona team, and a Oregon State team that plays everybody tough (their 2 losses were to undefeated top-5 teams (Boise State and TCU)). Plus, that's an inter-state rivalry game to end the season, meaning OSU will have extra motivation for the match-up. Oregon's defense just doesn't give me enough confidence to not fail their fantastic offense once this season, and I'd be very surprised to see them run the table unscathed.
Texas Christian Horned Frogs
3 of 11
TCU was undefeated through the regular season last year before falling in their bowl game against (undefeated) Boise State. Lead by senior QB Andy Dalton, the Horned Frogs are an experienced football team with a winning pedigree. In the last three games, they've allowed a total of 3 points. Their D has only looked better as the season has gone on.
TCU's Remaining Games:
| Sat, Oct 23 | (23) Air Force | |||
| Sat, Oct 30 | at UNLV | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | at (11) Utah | |||
| Sat, Nov 13 | San Diego State | |||
| Sat, Nov 27 | at New Mexico |
TCU's big win this season came against Oregon State on a neutral field- though the game was much closer to TCU than OSU. Outside of that, they've played only two road games against Colorado State and SMU, and they didn't look too dominant in either. Luckily their next game, against a very tough Air Force team comes at home. Air Force nearly knocked off Oklahoma in Norman a few weeks back, and rely on their triple-option offense to kill the clock and energize their offense. But TCU should be able to slow them down. After that, they get tested two weeks later by undefeated Utah on the road. This will be their toughest game of the season, but remember, Utah was unranked coming into the season. It isn't as if pundits and analysts really bought into them. Granted, pre-season rankings are about as helpful as anything Joe Morgan has ever told us during a Sunday Night Baseball telecast, but Utah, for the most part, has beat up on a bunch of weaker teams. I like TCU's chances the rest of the way, and to end the season undefeated, but I'm not as confident in them as I am in Boise State.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oklahoma Sooners
4 of 11
Oklahoma will move into the top-5 when the polls are released after losses by Ohio State and Nebraska. They've already beat Air Force, Florida State, and Texas so far this season, so they've proven that they can beat top competition.
Oklahoma's Remaining Games:
| Sat, Oct 23 | at (21) Missouri | |||
| Sat, Oct 30 | Colorado | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | at Texas A&M | |||
| Sat, Nov 13 | Texas Tech | |||
| Sat, Nov 20 | at Baylor | |||
| Sat, Nov 27 | at (20) Oklahoma State |
While I like Oklahoma a lot, I just don't think they're running the table. It's not as if they have an amazingly difficult finish to their season- they don't. But Missouri and Oklahoma State are both undefeated, and they play both of them on the road. Plus I think a Robert Griffin-led Baylor team is very dangerous at home. And while they've won some big games, they haven't blown out their opponents (beat Air Force at home by 4, Texas by 8, and Cincinnati by 2). This team will make a BCS Bowl, but not the national championship, as they won't last the season unbeaten.
Auburn Tigers
5 of 11
This team has really surprised me. Honestly, I just didn't buy into them early in the season, and I'm not sure if I totally buy into them now. Their OT win against Clemson doesn't look as good as Clemson has struggled in recent weeks, their win over South Carolina doesn't look as good as they just lost to SEC doormat Kentucky, and their win over Arkansas was tainted as star QB Ryan Mallett was out most of the game. Still though, they're 7-0, QB Cam Newton has emerged as a very viable Heisman candidate, and they have found ways to win week after week.
Auburn's remaining schedule:
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| LSU has yet to impress me this year, and they're bound to lose. But again, Auburn hasn't exactly looked dominant either. My guess is Auburn falls last week of the season to Alabama. Alabama is simply a much better football team in nearly every aspect, and I can't imagine Auburn going into Tuscaloosa and knocking off the Crimson Tide. But the game that I think people overlook on their schedule is in two weeks at Ole Miss. Yes, Ole Miss has struggled this season, but they're a very talented team, with an experienced head coach (Houston Nutt) and an experienced, proven QB (Jeremiah Masoli). Auburn has only played two road games all season- 3-point wins over SEC doormats Mississippi State and Kentucky. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to see Ole Miss knock them off. |
The point is, Auburn will NOT run the table, and I'd be shocked if they even made a BCS bowl.
Louisiana State Tigers
6 of 11
LSU is very similar to Auburn- they haven't really impressed me, but they also haven't lost. Granted, Tennessee gifted them a win with their 12-men on the field penalty on the last play, but LSU has already knocked off UNC, West Virginia, and Florida ( at UF). Granted, West Virginia hasn't beaten anybody, UNC was without about half their team, and Florida has now lost three in a row (including a shocking home(coming) loss to Mississippi State), but LSU has still done enough to win all those games.
LSU's remaining schedule:
| Sat, Oct 23 | at (7) Auburn | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | (8) Alabama | |||
| Sat, Nov 13 | Louisiana-Monroe | |||
| Sat, Nov 20 | Mississippi | |||
| Sat, Nov 27 | at (12) Arkansas |
LSU has already played four games that have been decided by 6 points or less. It's tough to think that they'll be able to run the table while playing down to their competition week after week. I just can't imagine them beating Auburn and Arkansas on the road AND Alabama at home. LSU basically has no passing game, and Alabama will be able to shut them down. Les Miles may be one of the worst clock managers in college football, and Jordan Jefferson is hardly a passable QB. The "L" in LSU should stand for lucky, because that's what they've been all season. This team is not going undefeated.
Utah Utes
7 of 11
The Utes have been on quite a roll since knocking off then-ranked Pitt at home to open the season. Outside their 3-point victory over Pitt (who has looked well, not too impressive since), Utah has blown out the rest of their opponents, putting up over 50 points thrice, and having scored at least 30 in every game.
Utah's Remaining Schedule:
| Sat, Oct 23 | Colorado State | |||
| Sat, Oct 30 | at (23) Air Force | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | (4) TCU | |||
| Sat, Nov 13 | at Notre Dame | |||
| Sat, Nov 20 | at San Diego State | |||
| Sat, Nov 27 | Brigham Young |
Like some of the other teams on this list, it's tough to see if Utah is more of a product of their relatively easy schedule, or actually a good team. I think it's a combo of both, but not a team that will run the table. Air Force is a very gritty team, and a very tough team at home. TCU will be another challenge, and having to play those two teams back-to-back weeks is an absolute killer. Even Notre Dame usually plays teams tough at home. I like Utah, as I like mid-majors upsetting the natural order of the BCS rankings. But I can't see them getting by both Air Force and TCU.
Michigan State Spartans
8 of 11
This team is quickly becoming America's team, with their heartwarming story of rallying around Coach Mark Dantonio after his heart attack, and a gutsy game-winning fake field goal in OT to beat Notre Dame. Lead by a punishing rushing attack (with the dynamic duo of Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell combining for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns) a veteran QB (junior Kirk Cousins), Michigan State has shocked the nation, and with Ohio State's loss to Wisconsin, have taken over control of the Big 10.
Michigan State's Remaining Games:
| Sat, Oct 23 | at Northwestern | |||
| Sat, Oct 30 | at (15) Iowa | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | Minnesota | |||
| Sat, Nov 20 | Purdue | |||
| Sat, Nov 27 | at Penn State
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Looking at this schedule, Michigan State has a chance to run the table. But I just can't pick them to beat Iowa on the road. Iowa has had 1 bad half all season (at Arizona), and that lead to their one loss. But Iowa is a very well-coached football team, that's very physical, and I can see them really limiting Michigan State's rushing attack. But besides that, Northwestern, Minnesota and Purdue shouldn't give them too big of a threat. Penn State has really struggled this season, and got blown out at home last week by Illinois...who Michigan State just beat by 20 at home. If they find a way to get by Iowa, they'll run the table. But I wouldn't bet on it, as I think Ricky Stanzi and Iowa will be too much for the Spartans.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
9 of 11
The Oklahoma State T. Boone Pickens, er Cowboys, are 6-0, mostly because they've played fairly bad competition. The best teams they've beaten so far are Texas Tech (3-3), Troy (4-2), and Texas A and M (3-3). Lead by a high-scoring offense, they've scored over 50 points three times this season, and have put up at least 34 in every game. But their defense has also allowed at least 28 points four times. Now imagine when they play a juggernaut of an offense.
Oklahoma State's Remaining Games:
Here's the good: their two toughest remaining games are both at home. Here's the bad: the rest of their schedule is brutal. Nebraska is going to be pissed off, and I'd be very surprised if Bo Pelini allows the Huskers to lose two in a row. Kansas State has looked impressive, especially at home so far this season. Baylor is a tough out, and Texas is re-energized with their big win today. Then there's Oklahoma, who will potentially be playing for their BCS lives in that game. Oklahoma State has had a nice run to start the year, but I think they're losing at least two of their remaining games. Their defense is very shaky, and their offense has yet to be tested by a dominant defense.
Missouri Tigers
10 of 11
Missouri impressed a lot of people with their 30-9 thrashing on the road at Texas A and M today. But that's been their most impressive victory so far, as they've played a fairly weak schedule to open the season. Their defense has been spectacular so far, as they've limited opponents to 13 points or less in all but one game (a 27-24 victory at home over San Diego State). And with a good defense, anything is possible.
Missouri's Remaining Games:
| Sat, Oct 23 | (6) Oklahoma | |||
| Sat, Oct 30 | at (5) Nebraska | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | at Texas Tech | |||
| Sat, Nov 13 | Kansas State | |||
| Sat, Nov 20 | at Iowa State | |||
| Sat, Nov 27 | at Kansas |
Well, I'd have to imagine their undefeated season is over by the month. No way they get by both Oklahoma at home and Nebraska on the road. With that said, if they magically find a way to do so, they have a fairly easy road the rest of the way (Texas Tech at home could be difficult, especially as a trap game against two top teams). But Missouri hasn't faced a team near the level of either Oklahoma or Nebraska all season. The Tigers won't have enough bite in them to knock off the Sooners and Huskers. Still, at 6-0, I like their chances to finish the season with 10 wins.
Nevada Wolf Pack
11 of 11
As I type this, Nevada is currently getting blown out by Hawaii 17-0 in the third quarter, making the rest of this slide basically moot. At 6-0, Nevada is off to their best start since the 1940's, but tonight, it seems as if the Warriors are too much for the Wolf Pack. Lead by their Pistol Offense, Nevada is averaging an unheard of 314.3 rushing yards per game, as RB Vai Taua and QB Colin Kaepernick have lead this offense. Their blowout victory against Cal put them on the map, and they've continued to impress since.
Nevada's Remaining Schedule:
| Sat, Oct 30 | Utah State | |||
| Sat, Nov 6 | at Idaho | |||
| Sat, Nov 13 | at Fresno State | |||
| Sat, Nov 20 | New Mexico State | |||
| Fri, Nov 26 | (3) Boise State | |||
| Sat, Dec 4 | at Louisiana Tech |
If Nevada finds a way to come back against Hawaii, then obviously their remaining test comes at home against Boise State. I don't think they're coming back tonight, as their offense isn't built for big plays and quick scores. Still, Boise State is going to be a very tough team. I think Nevada will be a 2-loss team, which is a big step in the right direction for this program.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
