College Football Playoff Shakeups and the Rise of Miami

By Kyle Kardell

11/17/17

College football is a beautiful thing. Just when you think everything is going to play out nice and easy at the end of the season wild things start to happen. Last weekend the biggest takeaway was the fall of Georgia the #1 team in the rankings. Not only did they lose, they lost bad to a two loss Auburn team. Georgia fell from #1 to #7 in the playoff rankings. Oklahoma took care of TCU fairly easily and this was enough to put OU into the playoff race at #4. Clemson beat up on a struggling Florida State team and this vaulted them up to the #2 spot in the rankings. 

Probably the most impressive showing of the weekend came from the Miami Hurricanes. Miami was #7 at the time and played host to #3 Notre Dame. This had been a heavily advertised game that has a lot of history. There was hype around this game like nothing yet this year. Miami quieted the talk early as they put a beat down on the Irish 41-8. I think it is safe to say that Miami is back. The Canes have been struggling to find themselves the last ten years or so as their last national title was in 2002. Under first year coach Mark Richt they have found a new identity and have things rolling in South Beach. If there was any question about this team's ability they were answered on Saturday against the Irish. 

Wisconsin is another team that continues to prove itself as they quietly are undefeated and #5. Their schedule is pretty weak no doubt, but on Saturday they handled a pretty good Iowa Hawkeye team with ease. They have another challenge this week as they play host to Michigan, but if they can win out and win the Big Ten championship game there will be no arguing that they belong in the playoffs. Elsewhere in the Big Ten, #9 Ohio State and #10 Penn State round out the top ten.  

Buckle up for a wild finish to the college football season as always. Conference championship pictures will fall into place soon and bowl season will be here before you know it.