Verdict: Properly rated
Sure, Miami ranks 49th nationally in strength of schedule (via ESPN’s Football Power Index) and has beaten only one team in the CFP Top 25 (No. 16 Wake Forest Demon Deacons). The Hurricanes will have a chance to earn another in a road game against the No. 11-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday (NBC, 7:30 p.m. ET).
That said, a team with two Heisman candidates belongs in the national championship mix. Entering Week 10, sophomore wide receiver Malachi Toney ranks third in the nation in receiving yards (1,027 on 73 receptions) and is tied for second in touchdown catches (13). Junior quarterback Darian Mensah, meanwhile, ranks eighth nationally in passing yards (2,425) and is tied for first in TD passes (25).
Verdict: Properly rated
A 27-24 Week 8 home loss to the Auburn Tigers (4-4) is the only blemish on Georgia’s résumé. The Bulldogs have dominated their opponents, posting an average margin of victory of +21.3 (No. 4 in the FBS).
Now, the Bulldogs are entering the teeth of their schedule, facing three ranked opponents in their next four games: No. 10 Ole Miss Rebels (Saturday), No. 18 Missouri Tigers (Nov. 14) and No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks (Nov. 21). Georgia, however, shouldn’t collapse during this stretch thanks to its 15th-ranked scoring defense (16.6 PPG).
Verdict: Properly rated
Utah is flying under the radar. The Utes rank fifth in the FBS in ESPN’s strength of rank (a tool that measures how impressive a team’s record is given its schedule). The Utes also boast a prolific offense and defense, ranking 11th nationally in points scored (38.9 PPG) and 15th in points allowed (15.9 PPG).
The Utes’ biggest win thus far is a 21-14 Week 8 road win over the No. 17-ranked Houston Cougars (6-2). If they beat the No. 9 BYU Cougars this upcoming Saturday (ABC, noon ET), that will bolster their CFP case and prove they should be viewed as a legit contender.
Verdict: Overrated
The committee is giving the reigning national champions too much grace. The Hoosiers escaped with a 13-6 Week 8 road win over the 5-3 Michigan Wolverines, led by freshman QB Tommy Carr, who was making his first start. They would’ve lost to the 5-3 Minnesota Golden Gophers in Week 9 if junior WR Charlie Becker hadn’t made two clutch catches in the 23-16 overtime win.
The Hoosiers dropping another regular-season game is unlikely. The No. 20 USC Trojans (7-2) are the only ranked team on their remaining schedule. Indiana hosts USC on Nov. 14. Even then, if the Big Ten school doesn’t find its footing soon, it may continue to lose momentum heading into the CFP and fail to defend its crown.
Verdict: Overrated
The committee clearly loves the Crimson Tide, but really? The Crimson Tide are ranked eight spots ahead of the Tennessee Volunteers (6-2), whom they lost to 26-10 in Week 7.
Alabama also has no wins over teams in the current CFP Top 25. See if it secures its first in a Saturday road clash against the No. 14 LSU Tigers (6-2) on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET. If it doesn’t, that will prove the Crimson Tide shouldn’t be ranked this high.
Verdict: Properly rated
This marks Kentucky’s highest ranking in CFP history, and it’s one it should revel in. The Wildcats boast a strong résumé with wins over LSU (35-34) and South Carolina (35-34). Granted, both were one-possession victories, but a win is a win.
To prove it belongs on the same tier as elite teams, Kentucky must beat more quality opponents soundly. A decisive road victory over Tennessee on Saturday (ESPN, 6:15 p.m. ET) would be a good place to start.
Verdict: Overrated
Yes, the Longhorns are overrated but only slightly. They have signature wins over the No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes (24-23) and Tennessee (20-17). They also have horrible losses to the Oklahoma Sooners (27-24) and No. 24 Florida Gators (27-24).
The Jekyll-Hyde nature of the Texas squad, which matches that of its QB, junior Arch Manning, is the main reason you shouldn’t believe it’s a national championship favorite. If it begins playing to its potential, reconsider that stance.
Verdict: Underrated
Give the basketball school a little more credit. In its first season under new head coach Bob Chesney, UCLA — which has won 12 national championships (11 men’s titles, one women’s title) in basketball — has transformed into a title contender in football. The Bruins are No. 3 in ESPN’s strength of rank behind Miami and Kentucky.
UCLA has also remained undefeated, despite starting QB Nico Iamaleava suffering a season-ending knee injury in a 17-15 win over the Oregon Ducks in Week 6. Ty Dieffenbach has replaced him, tossing three TD passes and one pick in four games. If they can keep winning with the backup QB, the Bruins might dance into the Big Ten Championship Game (Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis).
9. BYU Cougars (7-1, 4-1 Big 12)
Verdict: Underrated
BYU has spent much of the season without star running back LJ Martin, who has missed four games with a leg injury. It remains uncertain when Martin — who has averaged 86 rushing yards per game — will return.
Despite that, the Cougars have only lost one game — a 39-31 Week 8 overtime road loss to the UCF Knights (4-3)— and remain in position to win the Big 12. As of Tuesday night, FanDuel Sportsbook gives them the second-best odds (+320) to win the conference.
Verdict: Properly ranked
The Rebels feature star senior QB Trinidad Chambliss, perhaps the most exciting passer in college football. The QB ranks 13th in the nation in passing yards (2,189) and is tied for 14th in TD passes (18).
Ole Miss’ 63rd-ranked scoring defense (24 PPG), however, is preventing it from becoming a true national title contender. The Rebels better fix it before hosting Georgia on Saturday (ABC, 7:30 p.m. ET).
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-1)
Verdict: Overrated
What’s Notre Dame’s signature win? A 41-13 victory over the 5-3 Wisconsin Badgers in Week 1? That’s unimpressive.
Now, if Notre Dame beats Miami, give the independent its flowers. Until the Fighting Irish win a notable game, however, consider them a CFP pretender.
Verdict: Properly rated
The Broncos are No. 25 in the initial rankings, but they would have the last spot in the current bracket because they’re the highest-ranked Group of Six team. That speaks to the flaws in this postseason format, but let’s not penalize Boise State for that.
The Broncos have cemented themselves as the favorite in the revamped Pac-12 through eight games. Boise State ranks third in the conference in points scored (35.9 PPG) and points surrendered (23.6 PPG).
