Post Week 10 Title Hopefuls

By my calculations, we have 10 teams left that have a shot at playing in the title game in January.  Here are the 10, along with why I still think they have a shot.  And I added a few more on why I don't think they have a shot at all. 

Rankings Per AP Poll on 11/3...

1. ALABAMA
Obviously they are the best team and if they win out, they'll be playing for the title.

2. OREGON
Closest game has been 21 points.  They have #6 Stanford remaining and a PAC12 Title Game if they win out. So if they win out, they are at least in the conversation.  Not saying they are in for sure because FSU could leap them, you never know.

3. FLORIDA STATE
Wins over two Top 10 teams will get you this high.  If they win out, they'll either be in the game, or in the conversation against Oregon.

4. OHIO STATE
Let me start this out by saying that I think the Buckeyes are very good.  Ok, now the bad part.  Opponents record is 35-41.  Only one team they have played is ranked, Wisconsin.  Their "biggest" win is against Northwestern (4-5).  They don't play anyone left that is ranked.  Michigan isn't going to help them out.  They need some help.  But they have received help in the past, so it's not totally out of the question.  Their best shot is to have Michigan State win out and then OSU beats them in the BIG10 Championship Game, that would boost them up to at least be in the conversation if only one team ahead of them lost.



5. BAYLOR
Undefeated in the BIG12, but their biggest games are ahead of them.  They need some serious help, not having a Conference Title game is going to be the end of them if they end up winning out.

6. STANFORD
The Cardinal have already beat four teams that were ranked when they played them.  They have #2 Oregon on Thursday and still play a ranked Notre Dame team at the end of the season.  If they were to win out, they would play a PAC12 Title game which could only help.  I really think that if they won out and FSU lost, Stanford would jump OSU for the title game.  I'm sure you don't agree, but that's fine.

7. AUBURN
Only one loss and undefeated in the SEC.  If they were to beat Georgia, and then Alabama they would be in the SEC Title Game.  If they then beat a one loss Missouri, you better believe they would be right there in the conversation.



9. MISSOURI
The Tigers still have Texas A&M on the schedule and if they were to win out, they would get Alabama in the SEC Title Game.  One loss SEC team with a win over Alabama will always have a shot at the title.

14. MIAMI
The Hurricanes are a longshot, but if they win out, they'll get FSU again in the ACC Title Game.  If a few things fell their way, like OSU and Oregon losing, they could be in the convo with a win over FSU and their only loss being at FSU.

18. MICHIGAN STATE
This is the longest of longshots.  Undefeated in the BIG10 and their only loss was by 4 at Notre Dame.  If they win out they will be in the Top 10.  If they then could beat an undefeated OSU in the BIG10 Title game they could have a look at it if a few of the top dogs lost.  Longshot?  Absolutely, but I feel like they still have better than a 0% chance.

TEAMS THAT SOME THINK HAVE A SHOT, BUT THEY REALLY DONT...

8. CLEMSON
Florida State would have to lose to Syracuse and Wake Forest to get Clemson into the ACC Title game.  The chances of that happening is 0.  Without an ACC Title game win over Miami, they can't make it.  So they don't have a prayer.

12. OKLAHOMA
Only one loss, and still have at Kansas State and Oklahoma State on the schedule.  But without a Big12 Title game, there is just no shot at all.

10. LSU, 11. TEXAS A&M, 13. SOUTH CAROLINA
With two conference losses each, almost impossible to get to the SEC Title game.  Without that win, they got nothing.

17. FRESNO STATE AND 22. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Undefeated doesn't guarantee you a title shot, ask OSU in a month or so.

Big games in Week 11...

#2 OREGON at #6 STANFORD
Doesn't get much bigger than this.  Stanford wins and we got ourselves a mess up top.

#12 OKLAHOMA at #5 BAYLOR
Baylor wins this one big and they will probably jump OSU.  Ha, maybe.

#10 LSU at #1 ALABAMA
Always a great game.  You better believe LSU thinks they can beat them.

My Championship Vegas Bets

#6 STANFORD
Still have a real shot.

#8 CLEMSON
Need a ridiculous amount of help.

#13 SOUTH CAROLINA
Already threw this slip away.

#15 OKLAHOMA STATE
Haven't thrown it away, not sure why not.

Let's hear some agreements and disagreements.  How do you Buckeyes fans honestly feel this is going to turn out for your team?  Thanks for reading.

Curt