Pool Poll: How to Find Hidden Gems in a Bummer Weekend of Games

 

Alabama was knocked out of the top 10 after a loss to Oklahoma.

    Last week gave us some fantastic games including a wild 28-point comeback by Texas A&M, and two big SEC showdowns with Oklahoma upsetting Alabama and Georgia knocking off Texas. Michigan needed a late field goal to beat Northwestern, Georgia Tech had to rally against 1-win Boston College, and Memphis lost again to finally knock them out of playoff contention. With all that excitement last week, this week gives us a rather lacking schedule in the penultimate week of the regular season.  Before we look at that, here's a quick look at this week's Top 25.

Like the Top 3 in this week's CFP, the Pool Poll stays the same.

1. Texas A&M (10-0, Last Week 1)

2. Ohio State (10-0, 2)

3. Indiana (11-0, 3)

4. Ole Miss (10-1, 4)

5. Texas Tech (10-1, 5)

6. Georgia (9-1, 7)

7. BYU (9-1, 8)

8. Oregon (9-1, 9)

9. North Texas (9-1, 10)

10. Georgia Tech (9-1, 11)

11. James Madison (9-1, 12)

12. Virginia (9-2, 14)

13. Alabama (8-2, 6)

14. USC (8-2, 17)

15. Notre Dame (8-2, 18)

16. Oklahoma (8-2, 19)

17. Michigan (8-2, 23)

18. Tulane (8-2, 22)

19. Utah (8-2, 25)

20. Vanderbilt (8-2, 13)

21. Miami (8-2, 26)

22. San Diego State (8-2, 29)

23. WKU (8-2, 27)

24. Houston (8-2, 16)

25. Navy (8-2, 33)

Dropped Out: Memphis, Texas, USF, and Louisville

Watch list: UNLV, Memphis, UConn, Arizona State, Texas, USF, Washington, Louisville, Tennessee, Fresno St, Nebraska, Illinois, Cincinnati, Missouri, and Southern Miss

Now, with all of this laid out, most of these teams are playing some real bottom barrel teams, as is SEC tradition in the final weeks. With a victory, OSU will leapfrog Texas A&M for the top spot as the Aggies will face one of the lowest possible teams in Samford. Thanks to my weekly updated FCS rankings this year, the 1-10 Samford Bulldogs are ranked 258th out of a possible 265 teams. Georgia takes on Charlotte (133), Alabama faces Eastern Illinois (232), and Notre Dame has Syracuse (119). 

Still, there's hope for excitement just yet. These bummer weeks can lead to wild upsets and 24 teams  are trying to become bowl eligible. Some of those teams have it easy like Clemson (5-5) is facing Furman (192), while others are like Rutgers, who tries to become bowl eligible against the Buckeyes. Akron (4-7) finishes its season Tuesday night and UConn (8-3) will be done with the regular season on Saturday There are also nine games this week that are between teams with winning records, so let's hyperfocus on those matchups.

1. Hawaii (7-3, 4-2 MWC) vs UNLV (8-2, 4-2) Friday (FS1 10:30 PM)

What's exciting: These two meet up late on Friday for a Mountain West showdown for a chance to see who will play San Diego State in the Mountain West Championship, if things remain the same. Look for lots of passing and points in this one.

2. Missouri (7-3, 3-3 SEC) vs Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2) Saturday (ABC 12:00)

What's exciting: Oklahoma gets a chance to bolster their playoff resume with a win over a ranked opponent. Missouri can try to spoil their former Big 12 foe and potentially salvage an outside chance at the playoffs.

3. Louisville (7-3, 4-3 ACC) vs SMU (7-3, 5-1) Saturday (ESPN 2 12:00)

What's Exciting: The Mustangs have a chance to make an appearance in the ACC Championship, but the Cardinals can play spoilers. Louisville is also hoping to snap a two-game skid that knocked them out of playoff contention.

4. Missouri State (7-3, 5-1 CUSA) vs Kennesaw State (7-3, 5-1) Saturday (ESPN+ 2:00)

What's Exciting: In year one in the FBS the Bears are already bowl eligible, but they'll need a waiver from the NCAA to participate. The Owls are in year two and have already rebounded from a disastrous first season in the FBS. Both have a shot at CUSA crown, but neither would be close enough to make the playoffs.

5. USC (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) vs Oregon (9-1, 6-1) Saturday (CBS 3:30)

The Trojans and Ducks square off in a Pac-12 battle that won't actually do much to decide the Big Ten unless Indiana or Ohio State stumble in their final games. Still, it should be fun to watch, and both can jockey for a playoff spot to help bolster the Big Ten's representation.

6. TCU (6-4, 3-4 Big 12) vs Houston (8-2, 5-2) Saturday (FOX 4:00)

What's Exciting: Houston has a distant chance to make the playoffs, but TCU would love to play spoiler and get to a better bowl game.

7. Pitt (7-3, 5-1 ACC) vs Georgia Tech (9-1, 6-1) Saturday (ESPN 7:00)

What's Exciting: Both teams have a shot to make the ACC Championship with a win and that could lead to an automatic berth. The Yellow Jackets can seal the deal this week as they play some Good Old Fashion Clean Hate against Georgia next Saturday.

8. Western Kentucky (8-2) vs LSU (6-4) Saturday (SEC Network 7:00)

What's Exciting: An upset of the Tigers and a CUSA title could give the Hilltoppers the boost they need to sneak into the playoffs, but those are some pretty big what ifs.

9. BYU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) vs Cincinnati (7-3, 5-2) Saturday (FOX 8:00)

What's Exciting: BYU needs this win to stay alive in the playoff picture since the Big 12 has been absolutely disrespected by the CFP committee. UC has an outside chance to make the Big 12 Championship and a victory in that game is their only path to the playoffs.

SICKO MODE OPTIONS: The Bottom 10 has two marquee matchups, both featuring CUSA bottom feeders. First, Middle Tennessee State (1-9) takes on Sam Houston State (2-8) who are riding a two-game win streak. Next, New Mexico State (3-7) take on UTEP (2-8) for a chance to win the silver spade in the Battle of I-10.