Each week we take a look at Joel Klatt’s rankings as he evaluates teams on a weekly basis. While there’s only one poll that matters at this point in the season, the College Football Playoff rankings, it’s still makes for good banter to see how the rest of the country sees things.
Klatt takes a look at games week by week, or at least that’s what he says. He typically does a good job staying objective, but sometimes it feels like there is some bias.
With a few upsets this weekend, the top 10 looks a bit different, but still boasts the usual suspects toward the top such as Ohio State, Michigan and Georgia. Let’s get to what’s rattling around in Klatt’s head after an exciting Week 10 in college football and see what he thinks of the Buckeyes after the win at Rutgers.
No. 10 - Ole Miss Rebels
Where Things Stand
Record
8-1
Last Result
Won vs. Texas A&M, 38-35
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
N/A (⇑)
What we think
Lane Kiffin’s club keeps finding ways to win. The Rebels’ lone loss came on the road in Tuscaloosa. Next up? A date with Georgia in Athens. If the Rebs can pull off the upset, they’ll rocket up the rankings.
No. 9 - Penn State Nittany Lions
Where Things Stand
Record
8-1
Last Result
Won at Maryland, 51-15
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
N/A (⇑)
What we think
Penn State bounced back in a big way, holding one of the most explosive offenses in the country to just 15 points. The Nittany Lions defense is legit. Now, can James Franklin get that same effort and finally win a big game as Michigan comes to town? Oh, will we ever be watching.
No. 8 - Alabama Crimson Tide
Where Things Stand
Record
8-1
Last Result
Won vs. LSU, 42-28
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
No. 8 (⇔)
What we think
Don’t look now, but Alabama seems to be hitting its stride. The Tide should be favored the rest of the way and primed for another showdown with Georgia in the SEC championship game.
No. 7 - Texas Longhorns
Where Things Stand
Record
8-1
Last Result
Won vs. Kansas State, 33-30 OT
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
No. 7 (⇔)
What we think
Even without quarterback Quinn Ewers, Texas keeps rolling. And now that Oklahoma dropped another game, the path to a Big 12 championship becomes the even easier, although a matchup with an Oklahoma State team hitting its stride could pose potential problems.
No. 6 - Florida State Seminoles
Where Things Stand
Record
9-0
Last Result
Won at Pitt, 24-7
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
No. 4 (⇓)
What we think
Florida State continues to win, but the Seminoles haven’t looked dominant since that opening-week win over LSU. Now they get ready to face a middle-of-the-pack Miami (Florida) team. Never underestimate a team that’s desperate in a rivalry game.
No. 5 - Oregon Ducks
Where Things Stand
Record
8-1
Last Result
Won vs. Cal, 63-19
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
No. 6 (⇑)
What we think
Oregon continues to dominate and put up huge offensive numbers as Bo Nix looks like a legitimate Heisman contender. There will not be much of a challenge to the Ducks the rest of the way as they eye a rematch with Washington in the Pac-12 championship.
No. 4 -Washington Huskies
Where Things Stand
Record
9-0
Last Result
Won at USC, 52-42
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
No. 5 (⇑)
What we think
Kalen DeBour’s club continues to come out on the right side of some high-scoring affairs. As long as Michael Penix Jr. is in the lineup, Washington always has a chance to outscore opponents. However, the defense has been suspect at times and it could come back to bite the Huskies.
No. 3 - Ohio State Buckeyes
Where Things Stand
Record
9-0
Last Result
Won at Rutgers, 35-16
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
No. 3 (⇔)
What we think
The defense continues to carry this Ohio State team. There is reason for concern that the offense doesn’t seem to be progressing as much as we’d like to see. There are just too many weapons on this team not be lighting up scoreboards each week.
No. 2 - Georgia Bulldogs
Where Things Stand
Record
9-0
Last Result
Won vs. Missouri, 30-21
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
No. 2 (⇔)
What we think
Georgia doesn’t seem to get dinged the way Ohio State does when it starts slow and ends up taking over in the second half. The Dawgs have some stiff tests to come in November. They’ll be favored the rest of the way, and as long as they stay focused will have a date with Alabama in the SEC Championship game.
No. 1 - Michigan Wolverines
Where Things Stand
Record
9-0
Last Result
Won vs. Purdue, 41-13
Last Week’s Klatt Ranking
No. 1 (⇔)
What we think
We’re not sure what the infatuation with Michigan is on Klatt’s part. The Wolverines have taken care of business each week while not playing much in the way of actual competition. Next week, Harbaugh’s club will finally have to play a ranked opponent in Penn State. We’ll finally see if Michigan is for real.
Joel Klatt's opinion rankings X threat after Week 10
My New CFB Top 10 (11/5)
1) @UMichFootball
2) @GeorgiaFootball
3) @OhioStateFB
4) @UW_Football
5) @oregonfootball
6) @FSUFootball
7) @TexasFootball
8) @AlabamaFTBL
9) @PennStateFball
10) @OleMissFB— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) November 5, 2023
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