Week 10 of the college football season did not disappoint. Kicking off the month of November strong with countless thrilling games that helped further set the stage for what the postseason could look like ahead of conference championship games and the 12-team College Football Playoff.
On Tuesday, the first College Football Playoff Rankings will be released, giving a glimpse of what the highly anticipated expanded playoff bracket could look like. But that didn’t stop analysts like Joel Klatt from once again sharing who he believes are the current top 10 ranked teams in the nation.
Klatt made several big-time changes in his latest Top 10 following the results of the Week 10 schedule. Check out his top 10 teams in the country, along with a couple of honorable mentions, below.
Oregon remains at the top of Klatt’s rankings once again following yet another dominant performance. Defeating the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines in a 38-17 win on the road in The Big House.
Klatt and others consider Oregon to be the most complete team in the nation and one that’s continued to grow and improve throughout the season following a slow start. One of the few undefeated teams remaining in the country that now have a relatively easy path to end the regular season unbeaten.
The Buckeyes jump up one spot in Klatt’s Top 10 after their hard-nosed victory against Penn State on Saturday. Beating the Nittany Lions for an eighth straight season in a 20-13 win that dropped them several spots in the rankings.
Following their narrow loss on the road to the Ducks, Ohio State has won two straight one-score games. One of the most talented rosters in college football that still has a ranked matchup against Indiana and a date with rival Michigan on their schedule.
Georgia may have beaten rival Florida this weekend in Jacksonville, but they did not do so convincingly. Dropping one spot in Klatt’s rankings after pulling away late in a 34-20 win over the unranked Gators who were down to their third-string quarterback.
The Bulldogs have had extreme highs and lows this season, and it’s no secret their quarterback Carson Beck has not looked like himself with eight interceptions in his last three games. But Georgia’s culture, defense, and championship pedigree still undoubtedly make them a force and one of the nation’s top teams.
Texas had a bye in Week 10, but still managed to jump up one spot in the Top 10 after how the weekend shook out. Getting a much needed week of rest ahead of hosting Florida in Week 11.
Like Beck, Longhorns’ quarterback Quinn Ewers has also not looked quite the same after missing some time with an abdominal injury. Losing to the Bulldogs at home and narrowly beating Vanderbilt as they now face the home stretch of their first regular season in the SEC.
The Hurricanes were the biggest risers in Klatt’s rankings following yet another shootout win. Remaining undefeated and at the top of the ACC after outlasting Duke in a 53-31 victory in Coral Gables.
Once again, Miami’s defense did not have its strongest performance but their offense was firing on all cylinders, led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Cam Ward. Who threw for 400 yards for a third time this season and five touchdowns for a second time on Saturday.
The underrated and undefeated Hoosiers continue to climb up Klatt’s rankings and others in their first season under Curt Cignetti. Securing their first 9-0 start in program history after dominating Michigan State in a 47-10 win.
Indiana returned starting quarterback Curtis Rourke from injury on Saturday, who threw for four touchdowns. With Indiana notably now leading the nation in point differential with an average margin of victory of 27.8.
The Volunteers put together their third straight win this weekend following their upset loss to Arkansas. Taking down Kentucky on Saturday at home in what has their most impressive offensive performance in conference play this season.
Tennessee’s defense has been undeniable this season, but their offense has struggled at times. But when quarterback Nico Iamaleava is completing 73.7% of his passes and Dylan Sampson is rushing for 142 yards and two touchdowns like they were this weekend, the Vols will be very hard to beat.
The Nittany Lions fall the furthest in Klatt’s rankings, along with a Clemson team who fell completely out of the Top 10. Both teams suffering from tough losses at home that definitely impact their own conference championship and CFP hopes.
Penn State was just a few plays away from getting a signature win over the Buckeyes after starting out Saturday’s game with a 10-0 lead. But missed opportunities in the red zone will now haunt the Nittany Lions until they face off against the Buckeyes once again.
Alabama remains in Klatt’s No. 9 spot following their most dominant SEC win to date and a bye week. Which gave them extra time to prepare for a must-win matchup on the road this weekend against LSU in a hostile enviroment.
This Saturday’s game against the Tigers essentially represents a College Football Playoff elimination game. As both teams look to avoid their third loss of the season and keep their postseason hopes alive, especially the Crimson Tide in year one under Kalen DeBoer with high expectations.
10. BYU (HM)
BYU cracks into and rounds out the Top 10 after almost making the cut last week as an honorable mention. One of three teams on the list that did not play last weekend thanks to a bye week.
The Cougars are one of five remaining undefeated teams in the FBS and the only unbeaten now remaining in the Big 12 following Iowa State‘s loss this weekend. Controlling their own destiny with a clear path to their conference title game and the College Football Playoff.
