With that in perspective, let’s keep it simple by looking at each of the top four teams in the overall rankings and see where their biggest test lies in the final month of the regular season.
No. 1 Oregon
Led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s efficiency throwing the ball, running back Jordan James (917 rush yards, nine TDs) and wide receiver Tez Johnson (649 receiving yards, eight TDs), the Ducks have arguably the best win in the country against No. 2 Ohio State.
While Oregon’s remaining schedule is not daunting, a road trip to Madison to face Wisconsin on Nov. 16 could present a challenge, but the road to the playoff looks good if you are a Ducks fan.
No. 2 Ohio State
Even though the Buckeyes would not get a first-round bye with Oregon currently ahead of them, Ohio State is ranked No. 2 overall. With their lone loss coming to the top-ranked Ducks, you could argue no other team has a better loss than Ohio State. While quarterback Will Howard has committed some questionable turnovers, his completion percentage (73.2%) and 19 TDs are noteworthy.
Running back Quinshon Judkins leads the team in rushing yards (615) and rushing TDs (six) while wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (39 catches, 678 yards, eight TDs) and Emeka Egbuka (46 catches, 577 yards, seven TDs) pose a threat to anyone covering them.
Coming off their eighth consecutive win over Penn State, and with rival Michigan struggling to score this season, Ohio State’s biggest challenge could be on Nov. 23 when they host eighth-ranked Indiana’s high-scoring offense, which is third in the nation in points per game (42.8).
No. 3 Georgia
Despite an early season loss to Alabama and scares from Kentucky and Florida, Georgia finds itself near the top once again. While this team has not been as flawless as previous Georgia teams under head coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs are still 7-1 and in a logjam at the top of the SEC standings.
Georgia still has two major tests in the next couple of weeks as they travel to face No. 16 Ole Miss in Oxford on Saturday and host No. 7 Tennessee on Nov. 16. If the Bulldogs are going to come out of these two games unscathed, quarterback Carson Beck will need to be more efficient throwing the ball.
Beck has thrown three interceptions in Georgia’s last two games. The team is balanced enough on offense, but with two challenging opponents the next two weeks, Beck may need to be less turnover-prone if the Bulldogs want to come away with a pair of marquee victories.
No. 4 Miami
The Hurricanes, perhaps the biggest wild-card among the top four, round out the top four teams in the rankings. Led by Hesiman-contending quarterback Cam Ward, the Hurricanes have been explosive on the offensive side of the ball. With running back Damien Martinez (595 rush yards, eight TDs) and wide receivers Xavier Restrepo (51 catches, 856 yards, nine TDs) and Isaiah Horton (46 catches, 548 yards, four TDs) giving Ward plenty of options, the Hurricanes offense has been exciting to watch.
With a pair of road games at Georgia Tech on Saturday and Syracuse on Nov. 30, Miami could get tested, especially if their defense does not improve. Despite being undefeated, the Hurricanes have allowed 30 or more points in four of their last five games. If they do finish the regular season undefeated, the struggles on defense could spell trouble for Miami down the line.
