Top 10: Oregon, Utah Keep Pac-12 Playoff Hopes Alive

The Ducks and Utes got big conference wins in Week 10, working toward a possible top-10 Pac-12 championship game down the line.

Did you enjoy the stuffed mushrooms, cheese dip and glazed chicken wings? Well, get ready for the filet mignon, lobster tail and veal cutlet.

This Saturday served us some juicy appetizers ahead of next week’s main entrées. Let’s be honest: Memphis-SMU, Georgia-Florida and Utah-Washington are no LSU-Alabama, Penn State–Minnesota and Kansas State–Texas. Next Saturday features two games pitting unbeaten Power 5 programs!

But enough about next week. Let’s get to our Top 10 teams after this week’s slate of game.

TOP 10… Teams

1. LSU

Last week: 1
Last game: Beat Auburn 23–20 in Week 9
Next game: Saturday at Alabama

There is a big game next weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, featuring LSU. You may have heard of it. The Tigers and Crimson Tide were off this week before their unbeaten top-three clash.

2. Ohio State

Last week: 2
Last game: Beat Wisconsin 38–7 in Week 9
Next game: Saturday vs. Maryland

The Buckeyes rested up this week ahead of their titanic matchup against the Terrapins. We kid, of course. Maryland has lost four straight. The real question here is just how long Ryan Day will leave in QB Justin Fields.

3. Alabama

Last week: 3
Last game: Beat Arkansas 48–7 in Week 9
Next game: Saturday vs. LSU

Tua Watch is in full force down there in Alabama, and it is testing coach Nick Saban’s patience. Tagovailoa returned to practice last week after having surgery on a sprained right ankle two weeks ago.

4. Clemson

Last week: 4
Last game: Beat Wofford 59–14
Next game: Saturday at NC State

The Tigers will be large favorites in their final trio of regular season games, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll be easy. A road game at South Carolina caps the season after a test at home against 7–1 Wake Forest.

5. Penn State

Last week: 5
Last game: Beat Michigan State 28-7 in Week 9
Next game: Saturday at Minnesota

The Nittany Lions are participants in the other unbeaten game next weekend. Sure, it’s not LSU-Alabama, but the Gophers and Lions meet with serious Big Ten title hopes at stake—as well as a potential playoff spot.

6. Oregon

Last week: 6
Last game: Beat USC 56–24
Next game: Saturday vs. Arizona

The Pac-12 remains alive for a playoff spot! The Ducks and the Utes are the conference’s last hope. Oregon has won eight straight since the season-opening loss to Auburn in Arlington.

7. Georgia

Last week: 8
Last game: Beat Florida 24–17
Next game: Saturday vs. Missouri

Did UGA just have a bad day in its loss to South Carolina? At season’s end, that may be one of the more inexplicable defeats of a playoff contender. The Bulldogs are on course to see LSU or Alabama in the SEC title game, most likely a play-in game for the playoffs.

8. Oklahoma

Last week: 9
Last game: Lost at Kansas State 48–41 in Week 9
Next game: Saturday vs. Iowa State

Lincoln Riley and staff got an extra week to 1.) prepare for the Cyclones, 2.) dwell on the loss to K-State and 3.) fix whatever happened in the loss to K-State.

9. Utah

Last week: NR
Last game: Beat Washington 33–28
Next game: Nov. 16 vs. UCLA

The Utes stormed back to beat Washington in their most impressive victory yet this season. They’re heading for a top-10 showdown against Oregon in the Pac-12 title game and, yes, the winner might just advance to the playoffs.

10. Baylor

Last week: 10
Last game: Beat West Virginia 17–14
Next game: Saturday at TCU

Are the Bears the best undefeated team in the nation? No, they’re probably not, but are they worthy of the top 10? Of course. However, the upcoming schedule is brutal. They first travel to TCU before hosting Oklahoma and Texas in back-to-back weeks.