Zack Herink

#1 Oklahoma

The Sooners have played three championship contenders in a row, they have truly proved themselves to be the number one team in the country week after week. A Heisman candidate quarterback in Baker Mayfield that combined with the will to win is a national championship recipe for success.

#2 Clemson

The Tigers barely beat a sorry South Carolina team and struggled to score until the 2^nd quarter. They played well in the third but let the Gamecocks come back in the fourth. Clemson won by five but it was a very unimpressive win.

#3 Alabama

The Crimson Tide played the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl which was expected to be a blowout but ended up being a very good game. Auburn was in it until the last five minutes of the game which doesn’t go over so well for Alabama. The Tigers are awful this year and the game should have been a cake walk but Auburn exploited weaknesses in Alabama’s game. They drop this week but will have a chance to prove themselves in the SEC Championship against Florida.

#4 Iowa

The four spot belongs to the Hawkeyes this week due to their impressive win over Nebraska. A lot of people predicted them to lose but they powered through and proved them wrong. Iowa now has to face the Spartans of Michigan State which will be tough but you know Iowa is going to come out with fire and a chip on their shoulder.

Daniel McHale

#1 Alabama

The best team in the country right now. With a big win over Auburn this weekend, they have proven themselves to be the best team in college football. All season long they have played tough team after tough team, and have only gotten better after their loss to Ole Miss. Their defense is not to be messed with, and Derrick Henry is one of the leading contenders for the Hiesman. The Tide is on their way to the National Championship, and they’re not stopping until they win.

#2 Clemson

The Tigers have a very impressive undefeated season. First place in the ACC and a very probable win over UNC in the ACC championship game only help them in their run for the National Championship. The reason they dropped from #1 to #2 is because of their most recent game. They should’ve beat South Carolina by a lot more. South Carolina stinks, and Clemson only beat them by five points. While it was a win none the less, they should’ve blown the Gamecocks out of the water, and that’s why they dropped down from the #1 spot.

#3 Oklahoma

Oklahoma has been on a roll beating three very good teams in a row. They had a tough loss to Texas early in the season, but they’ve only gotten better after that. Every game after their loss resulted in a huge win for the Sooners. Lucky for them they don’t have any more games left, so they’re locked in at the #3 spot.

#4 Iowa

Another undefeated team. Iowa managed to beat Nebraska which was a little shocking. They managed to prove me wrong however, and beat the Cornhuskers in a tough game. While they have had an undefeated season, they haven’t played any really impressive teams this season. But, a season with no losses is something to consider, and that’s why they’re at #4. With the B10 championship against Michigan State coming up, the Hawkeyes need to carry their momentum if they want to make it into the playoffs.

Tucker Strycharz

#1 Clemson: Clemson narrowly held on to beat a wounded South Carolina last weekend, but they are still undefeated. Clemson may be in first place but they cannot look past a dangerous North Carolina team.

#2 Oklahoma:  The Sooners have a good shot to jump Alabama this week after taking down Oklahoma State last week. Oklahoma’s strength of schedule was also improved when TCU took down Baylor. The Committee should reward the Sooners with a #2 ranking.

#3 Alabama:  Alabama beat Auburn last week but the strength of their schedule has been faltering recently. The Tide will have a shot to move up after their game with Florida this weekend.

#4 Iowa: Thankfully for the Hawkeyes, the Playoff committee does not look at margin of victory. Iowa narrowly beat 6 of their past 12 wins. However they, continue to hold on to one of the only undefeated records in college football. Their schedule will be strengthened this weekend against Michigan State and a win seals them into the Playoff.