The College Football Playoff’s second-ranked rankings could have a short shelf life if Week 11 features several unexpected results among players. The contenders for the PCP.
Defending national champion Indiana hosts USC in a game loaded with Big Ten titles and CFP implications that should have the selection committee’s attention, while elsewhere in the conference, undefeated UCLA kicks off the slate Friday night against Illinois, which knocked off Oregon a few weeks ago.
Then there is the SEC, where three teams in the playoff picture could do it this weekend. Another setback down the stretch for a team already trying to stabilize with two defeats could be fatal. With only a few weekends left to repair a resume, here are five favorites we’re nervous to support this week.
No. 9 Indiana
Opponent: against n°18 USC (+7.5)
When you play with fire, you end up getting burned — and that could happen to the Hoosiers this weekend against a feisty Trojans team. After the win over Ohio State, this is the best USC has had all season, and the chance to control its own destiny in the CFP is the reward here. Indiana has won back-to-back games since losing to the Buckeyes, and both were in overtime. If the inconsistency continues for Indiana at the quarterback position, USC could win this game in Bloomington because we know what the Trojans will get from their signal-caller Jayden Maiava and a young core that will flourish.
USC vs. Indiana: Five things to watch as the Trojans and Hoosiers fight for their lives in the CFP
Robby Kalland
No. 4 UCLA
Opponent: against Illinois (+10.5)
Staying in the Big Ten, the Bruins are aiming for their 10th straight victory this season under first-year coach Bob Chesney – and very few give UCLA a chance nationally in the group of national title contenders. Wasn’t last week’s blowout second-half win over Minnesota telling enough? Aren’t we impressed with UCLA’s defensive strengths? Illinois arrives at the Rose Bowl Friday night with a chance to pull off another major upset after taking on Oregon on October 24. The Fighting Illini have won four straight and would likely be ranked next week with a win.
No. 8 Tennessee
Opponent: at Texas A&M (+2.5)
Will Tennessee’s road problems persist under Josh Heupel? Most of the impact losses during his coaching tenure have come at Neyland Stadium, and that’s the worry this weekend in College Station against a team fighting for its life. The Aggies are on the verge of missing out on bowl eligibility altogether despite a top-10 start to the campaign and, after last week’s 17-9 loss at South Carolina, are trying to find their rhythm offensively. Knocking the Vols out of their CFP journey as a whole would be the best win of the season and would put Tennessee on life support heading into next week’s showdown with LSU. That’s also part of the drama here: Could the Vols find themselves caught looking to the future?
No. 11 Kentucky
Opponent: against Florida (+3.5)
It seems like everyone has jumped off the Kentucky wagon and is assuming the Wildcats will lose one of their final three games this season and miss the program’s first CFP appearance. Analyzes and various playoff projections suggest Kentucky’s chances are fading after its 28-point no-show at Tennessee, but Will Stein will have his team’s attention this weekend. Florida is feeling hurt after losing at home to Oklahoma, and the Gators find themselves in quarterback disarray, unsure how to move forward with trade mistakes from Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr.. Florida leads the all-time series, but the Wildcats have won four of their last five meetings. They hope to get to six to stay in the discussion.
No. 17 South Carolina
Opponent: in Arkansas (+7.5)
This one is dangerous for the Gamecocks for three reasons: what looms next week against top-ranked Georgia, the health of quarterback LaNorris Sellers and the fact that Arkansas has gotten better over time. All of these factors combine to be cause for concern for a team that has won four straight and entered the CFP conversation, as Shane Beamer said at this point last fall, in the midst of a 4-8 mark. Sellers injured his ankle in last week’s win over Texas A&M and was visibly limping in the final moments. His availability will depend on how necessary this offensive team feels he is to beat the Razorbacks before what could be a season-defining matchup with Georgia. However, if you lose on Saturday night, this home opportunity looks a lot different.
Gn sports
