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CFB Crash Course Week 10: And then were five undefeateds
Jabrill Peppers and Michigan are giving Wolverines fans visions of Charles Woodson and the 1997 national title team. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

CFB Crash Course Week 10: And then were five undefeateds

Four unbeaten teams went down, and all of them were teams we didn't figure would be undefeated at this point in the season. The Big 12 lost both its undefeated teams, Baylor and West Virginia, and made that conference's race so much more interesting. The conference may now be pretty much out of the College Football Playoff, but that doesn't mean that the Big 12 will be uninteresting to pay attention to this last month of the season.

Wisconsin finally knocked off one of the Big Ten's elite teams by toppling Nebraska, ending the Huskers' undefeated mark. Then there is Boise State, who suffered its first season loss at Wyoming.

Only five undefeated squads remain: Alabama, Michigan, Clemson, Washington and Western Michigan. The first four of those teams seemingly control their own destinies to get to the Playoff, though that doesn't mean there's an absence of landmines awaiting them.

So with the losses, what's the shakeup look like?

1-Southeast Conference

Favorite: Alabama
After Alabama cruised through that hellish part of the schedule, it got a week off before getting back to the grind. While the Tide has looked like easily the best team in the country, it still must travel to LSU and has that season-ending game with rival Auburn.

Game of the Week: Alabama at LSU
With Les Miles removed as LSU's head coach, this loses a bit of its luster. Still, Baton Rouge is always a tough place for a road team to pick up a win ... even more so when it's a prime-time game. Since Miles was fired, the Tigers haven't lost and have climbed their way back up the rankings. Granted, they've done so with a relatively weaker part of their schedule. After the Tide, LSU goes to Arkansas, hosts Florida and goes to Texas A&M. Good luck.

Under-the-Radar Game: Florida at Arkansas
How about this? Florida is a team that needs to get some consideration as a College Football Playoff team. The Gators had that bad second half at Tennessee that gave them their loss, but they've been playing well and passing every other test. With the Vols losing their third straight game last week, the SEC East is there for the Gators' taking. Arkansas should get all our sympathy. This is the stretch the Razorbacks are in the middle of: Texas A&M (loss), Alcorn State (win), Alabama (loss), Ole Miss (win), Auburn (loss), Florida and LSU.

Heisman Watch: Jalen Hurts, Alabama
When you are the quarterback for the top team in the land, your name tends to be on the Heisman watch list. Well, here it is.

Storyline
This week we are going to look at what we think the conference championship games in each conference will look like. As we all know, we can make assumptions, but one game could switch that up very quickly. In the SEC it is a tale of two divisions. Alabama is the best team and all of that, but getting to the SEC Championship game is far from a done deal. The Tide is 5-0 in league play, but there are three teams behind Alabama with just one loss. Now, the Tide has beaten Texas A&M so it has the tiebreaker there, but LSU and Auburn have yet to face the Tide and a win would put them over Alabama in the standings. It is extremely fluid as we head down the stretch.

In the SEC East, it is Florida's to lose. The Gators are 4-1, and only Kentucky has less than three conference losses — and Florida has already beaten the Wildcats. Honestly, the only way Florida doesn't pull this out is if it loses to both Arkansas and LSU (a real possibility) and Kentucky wins out (which could happen, given the way Georgia and Tennessee are playing). Yes, Kentucky could actually play in the SEC Championship Game.

2-Big Ten Conference

Favorite: Michigan
The Wolverines got by rival Michigan State in a closer-than-expected game. We all know about the season-ending game with Ohio State, but Michigan still must travel to Iowa, which is never an easy task. The Wolverines, obviously, own their own destiny for a playoff spot.

Game of the Week: Nebraska at Ohio State
This is an absolutely huge game for both schools. Nebraska is coming off its first loss at Wisconsin and now must travel to Ohio State. The Buckeyes followed up their loss to Penn State with a rather difficult win over Northwestern. Both are limping in here. A loss is devastating to a Big Ten title (more on that later).

Under-the-Radar Game: Wisconsin at Northwestern
OK, the Badgers have climbed back into this thing with that big win over Nebraska that followed losses to Michigan and Ohio State (not fair, Big Ten schedule makers). Wisconsin still trails Nebraska in the standings, but obviously the hard part of the schedule is over. Northwestern put a scare in Ohio State last week and would love that momentum to continue. I mean, the Wildcats are still part of this Big Ten West race, and smacking the Badgers would be huge.

Heisman Watch: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Peppers did a little bit of everything against Michigan State, including that two-point conversion return for a touchdown that ended that game. Like I said last week, I don't think he can actually win the Heisman, but sometimes just being a finalist is a win in itself.

Storyline
The Big Ten Champions Game was once thought of as Ohio State or Michigan vs. Wisconsin or Nebraska. Well, now it's a bit more complicated than that. In the East, it is still likely that the winner of the Ohio State-Michigan game will win the division. Penn State is right there but needs some help to win the division. If, say, all three teams end the year 8-1 (that would mean Michigan lost to Ohio State), then the tiebreakers favor Ohio State. If Michigan and Penn State tie, Michigan gets the nod. If Ohio State and Penn State tie, it's Penn State.

In the West, Nebraska still leads despite its loss to Wisconsin. It is a mess over there as Nebraska has the lone loss, but Wisconsin, Northwestern, Iowa and Minnesota all have two losses. There is a myriad of possible tiebreakers here, but know that Minnesota has to play both Nebraska and Wisconsin. Also consider that there will be no way that Iowa can win this division, as the Hawkeyes still have to play Penn State, Michigan and Nebraska. Barring some unlikely awesome run by Iowa or Minnesota, this is down to Nebraska, Wisconsin and Northwestern. Let's do this!

3-Atlantic Coast Conference


Favorite: Clemson
Clemson has had to sweat a lot this season. The Tigers squeaked by Auburn (which looks all the better each week), Louisville and Florida State. Those are all good teams, but people also have the image of N.C. State screwing up a game-winning kick at Clemson as well. The rest of the schedule should be a breeze.

Game of the Week: Georgia Tech at North Carolina
I'm gonna be honest: The ACC slate is a bit dry this week. Unlike other conferences, the ACC has already had its big dogs face off for the most part. However, the Coastal Division race is still open, and Georgia Tech has a chance to stake its claim. The Yellow Jackets travel to North Carolina this week and Virginia Tech next week, both co-leaders of the division. This is usually a fun game to watch as Tech's running attack faces off against the Tar Heels' aerial assault. Five of the last six meetings between the two have been decided by eight points or less ... with the one that didn't being a 68-50 Yellow Jackets win in 2012.

Under-the-Radar Game: Florida State at N.C. State
Again, let's choose a historically good game. N.C. State has played Florida State so well over the past 15 years. Remember how FSU dominated the ACC when it entered the league in 1992? Well, the Wolfpack has done well, going 7-11 against the 'Noles since 1998. That's impressive when you think about an original ACC school's record against the football power. However, four of the last five have been Florida State blowouts so we could see a mismatch.

Heisman Watch: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Jackson added to his résumé with that comeback victory over Virginia. He's got the stats, the swagger and the clutch. With a month remaining, it seems as if he has it in the bag.

Storyline
Clemson has all but clinched the Atlantic Division. The Tigers have beaten everyone in the division (except Syracuse, whom they still must play) so that gives them all the tie-breakers even if they lose a game. Over in the Coastal Division, Virginia Tech and North Carolina lead with 4-1 records (Tech won the head-to-head game). Everyone but Duke seems to have a shot at this, but really, Miami is done with losses to both the Hokies and Tar Heels.

Pittsburgh also lost to both UNC and V-Tech but is only one loss behind the two in the division, so if Pitt gets on a roll and both those schools lose multiple games, the Panthers could sneak in to the ACC title game. The problem is that Pitt has to travel to Clemson, and that would be a major upset to snag that game.

So, it seems as if this is really between Virginia Tech and North Carolina. I'd lean to the Hokies. They have a game at Duke and home dates with Georgia Tech and Virginia, while the Tar Heels have rivals N.C. State and Duke as well as Georgia Tech this week. The Heels would need to run the table and hope the Hokies slip up at some point. I just don't see it.

4-Pacific 12 Conference

Favorite: Washington
There is still work to do, but winning at Utah was a huge deal. The Utes are really good so going into Salt Lake City and getting a win is a huge feather in Washington's hat. Add in the Big 12 losses, and the Huskies must be feeling like they truly control their fate.

Game of the Week: Washington at California
Washington's game at Berkeley feels like a trap game. Cal isn't great, but the Bears can put up some points and bite you if you aren't paying attention. Still, the Huskies should go into the Bay Area and establish their dominance.

Under-the-Radar Game: Oregon at USC
It's a shame that these two face off during the regular season when they are both having subpar seasons. Maybe we can wax nostalgic and get a good ol' fashioned game.

Heisman Watch: Jake Browning, Washington
Again, he's having a solid season despite no one noticing.

Storyline
The Pac-12 Championship Game will be the winner of the Apple Cup against Colorado, Utah or USC. Washington and Washington State's finale will most likely determine the North champion. The South is still up in the air, but it looks as if the Colorado-Utah game that same weekend will determine the South title.

USC beat Colorado, Utah beat USC, plus Utah and Colorado close the season together. That Utah-Colorado game will most likely determine the South champion unless Colorado loses a game before then, which would get USC back into the mix. That's all good in theory, but USC would also have to win out to stay alive (the Trojans would need to win out and have Colorado beat Utah but lose to someone else to win the division). Considering the Trojans have a game in Seattle against Washington, it's a slim chance that plan works out.

5-Big 12 Conference

Favorite: Oklahoma
Baylor and West Virginia both lost, and that opens the way for Oklahoma to reclaim its spot as the best team in the Big 12. Also, Oklahoma actually sits ahead of undefeated Western Michigan in the Playoff chase because I think there is no way that WMU will make the Playoff, but there is a small shot the Sooners could. They won't, though.

Game of the Week: Oklahoma State at Kansas State
Oklahoma State is a team that people need to pay attention to. The Cowboys are a game back of Oklahoma and have the Bedlam battle down the line. K-State has been tough to peg. The Wildcats barely win the ones they are supposed to win and lose the ones they are supposed to lose. But are they supposed to lose this one?

Under-the-Radar Game: TCU at Baylor
Baylor was supposed to be reeling after a scandal rocked the football program. TCU was supposed to challenge Oklahoma for Big 12 supremacy. Instead, Baylor rolled to an undefeated mark that ended last week while TCU just hasn't gotten off the ground. This is an interesting crossroads game. The Frogs need to prove they are as good as we thought they were, and the Bears need to win a game like this to stay alive for a Big 12 title.

Heisman Watch: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Welcome back, Baker! Mayfield was the Big 12's Heisman favorite during September, but losses to Houston and Ohio State knocked his candidacy back. Well, quietly Mayfield and Oklahoma,have crawled their way back to the top. Mayfield has thrown at least four touchdowns in each of his last four games (including seven against Texas Tech) and at least two touchdowns in each game this season.

Storyline
The Big 12 obviously has no championship game this year, but this is a four-team race in which they all face off against each other down the stretch. Baylor, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are all sitting with just one loss. So let's look at those remaining schedules:

  • Oklahoma: Baylor, at West Virginia, Oklahoma State
  • Oklahoma State: at K-State, Texas Tech, TCU, at Oklahoma
  • Baylor: TCU, at Oklahoma, K-State, Texas Tech, at West Virginia
  • West Virginia: Kansas, at Texas, Oklahoma, at Iowa St, Baylor


Well, the Sooners get all three coming up while Baylor and West Virginia have already played Oklahoma State. So don't sleep on Oklahoma State. The Cowboys' one loss was to Baylor, and they beat West Virginia. Relatively speaking, the Cowboys have the easiest schedule with the Bedlam game at the end. They have a legitimate shot at winning in Norman and winning the Big 12 title.

6-Group of Five

Favorite: Western Michigan
Houston has lost twice and Boise State has now lost, so we are down to Western Michigan. The Broncos won't make the College Football Playoff, but a New Year's Six game isn't out of the question.

Game of the Week: BYU at Cincinnati
This could have been a Big 12 game, but the league wasn't expanding.

Under-the-Radar Game: Notre Dame vs. Navy
This is not really an under-the-radar game with this rivalry, but with Notre Dame's struggles and Navy's loss last week to South Florida, the shine is off this one. Still, it is one of the great spectacles of college football, and this year it will take place in Jacksonville. The Irish have won five straight over the Midshipman after Navy won three of four contests. Always worth a watch.

Heisman Watch: Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
Pumphrey is continuing to rack up huge numbers with nearly 1,500 yards rushing at 13 touchdowns already.

Storyline
With the Group of Five, there are five conference championship games. Let's do a quick sweep:

American: In the East, South Florida and Temple are tied for the lead with Temple winning the head-to-head matchup. Temple also has a much easier schedule to navigate. Navy still leads the West but has a pivotal game against Tulsa looming. I see a Navy-Temple title tilt.

Conference USA: Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss meet in Hattiesburg to end the season and should decide the West Division. In the East, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion and Western Kentucky are tied at the top, though WKU has already beaten the others. I have Western Kentucky-Southern Miss.

MAC: Western Michigan is still undefeated and all, but a finale against Toledo will determine the West title. In the East, it's all about Ohio, who has already beaten Miami and owns the tiebreaker. Ohio-Western Michigan in the MAC title game.

Mountain West: Wyoming's win over Boise State gives the Cowboys the Mountain Division lead and tie-breaker, though their game against New Mexico at the end of the season could determine the champion. However, Wyoming has a tough schedule to close out and could lose multiple games. San Diego State most likely wins the West Division. Boise State-San Diego State.

Sun Belt: The Sun Belt doesn't have a championship game, but there are some great games down the stretch. Right now, Troy, Appalachian State and Arkansas State are all undefeated in conference play. Troy faces off against both in consecutive weeks on Nov. 12 and 17, while App State and Arkansas State don't play at all.

More must-reads:

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