Ohio State, Baylor, Clemson and LSU remain the top four teams in The Associated Press Top 25 as the College Football Playoff selection committee prepares its first rankings. Except this week, Oklahoma State is also one of the top teams in the country – with much at stake.
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That doesn’t mean the rankings show is must-see viewing for Baylor coach Art Briles or Patterson.
In week 9 a lot of the top ranked teams got themselves a bye week, so the big games happened for Clemson in a win over North Carolina State, TCU beating West Virginia, Stanford barely surviving Washington State, Notre Dame coming away from Temple with a win and Iowa rolling over Maryland. Tigers likely will be a top-four team in CFP rankings and can’t afford to slip at home against Seminoles.
I don’t think [play at Oklahoma State is] going to be any more emotional than the other ballgames we’ve had on the road.
A victory in Boone Pickens Stadium by a visiting team, however, changes things dramatically. And the Horned Frogs have perhaps the biggest trump card in the conference with Trevone Boykin as his offensive difference- maker.
“This is what we play the game for”, TCU running back Kyle Hicks said of the Frogs’ November opener on Saturday at unbeaten Oklahoma State.
“It makes for a fun finish for our conference”, Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy said. Washington had touchdown catches of 75 and 73 yards in the fourth quarter as the Cowboys rallied for the win.
The question: Might we see J.W. Walsh as a tailback alongside quarterback Mason Rudolph in the same backfield this season? I think we all want to know what people think. “We have plans for Walsh”. “In my opinion, we don’t need help”. For us not to use it wouldn’t be smart.
#15 Michigan (6-2) 29 Minnesota (4-4) 26: The Golden Gophers got stuffed on the 1-yard line to end the game, not getting a chance to win one for their stepping down coach Jerry Kill. On paper, OSU does not appear as daunting as the other teams in the title mix.
Needless to say, Baylor fans were a little perplexed as to why their team dropped to No. 6 in the first College Football Playoff ranking. But it’s obvious the Big 12 champion will have to stand tall in Stillwater to collect this year’s trophy.
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No. 2 Baylor at Kansas State: The Bears’ playoff hopes begin riding Thursday night on freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham. I’ve watched a few of their young guys play and they make mistakes that a Gary Patterson defense shouldn’t make.
