The College Football Playoff rankings have finally arrived, and the regular season is nearing the finish line. These are tense times for programs across the country as they jockey for CFP position.
Week 11 is highlighted by a pair of ranked SEC matchups and a few rivalries renewed. Here are Yardbarker’s 10 most important people of the week.
Jake Retzlaff | BYU quarterback
Retzlaff and the Cougars (8-0) are currently holding a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. An undefeated season is in sight, but a trip to rival Utah (4-4) is the latest barrier. The Utes have struggled at the quarterback position due to injuries. If Retzlaff can keep the BYU offense moving Saturday it should hold off any thoughts of an upset for Utah.
College Football Playoff committee
The 13-member committee is the most powerful voice in college football. The first rankings of the season came out Tuesday, and the committee’s opinion of teams is all that matters from here on out. Teams like Indiana (8-0) must convince the committee weekly it deserves a higher ranking. Others outside of the top 12 have work to do.
Billy Napier | Florida head coach
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin released a letter Thursday saying Napier would continue to coach the Gators (4-4). Stricklin has been unwavering in his support of Napier and said that he is “confident that Billy will meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.” Napier’s team has showed progress, losing a close game to No. 7 Tennessee. An opportunity at No. 5 Texas (7-1) awaits.
Ole Miss defensive line
The 16th-ranked Rebels (7-2) desperately need a win at home against No. 3 Georgia (7-1) Saturday to keep their CFP hopes alive. Putting pressure on UGA quarterback Carson Beck is key. He’s thrown six interceptions in the last two games. Get after him and force him to make quick decisions.
Jalen Milroe | Alabama quarterback
The Tide (6-2) are 2-2 since winning a thriller over Georgia Sept. 28. It’s been a tale of two seasons for Milroe. He accounted for 18 touchdowns with his arm and legs in the first four games of the season. In the last four, he’s accounted for just seven. If Alabama is to beat No. 15 LSU on the road it will need one of Milroe’s best efforts.
Colorado offensive line
There’s more that goes into a game than just sack numbers, but it does seem awfully simple for Colorado (6-2). Keep quarterback Shedeur Sanders on his feet and the Buffaloes will win the game. In Colorado’s two losses, Sanders was sacked a combined 11 times. In its six wins, he’s been sacked 14 times and that includes one game with eight. The Buffs have a tough one at Texas Tech (6-3) Saturday.
Eli Drinkwitz | Missouri head coach
Drinkwitz and the Tigers (6-2) were a dark-horse CFP candidate, but they’ve been anything but this season. Yes, the 6-2 record isn’t bad, but Mizzou has looked poor offensively. Was Drinkwitz able to fix anything during the bye week? Missouri has thrown only seven touchdown passes this season. Only seven teams in the country have fewer. Former Big 12 rival Oklahoma (5-4) comes to town Saturday. Drinkwitz needs his offense to be better.
Carson Beck | Georgia quarterback
As mentioned above, Beck has struggled the last two weeks. He’s thrown three interceptions in each of the past two games. It hasn’t led to a loss, but how soon before it does? Georgia travels to No. 16 Ole Miss Saturday and Beck must protect the ball better. All 11 of his interceptions have come in the last five games.
Mike Gundy | Oklahoma State head coach
Gundy is in hot water for comments he made earlier this week. The Cowboys (3-6) are 0-6 in Big 12 play with three games remaining. The biggest cure to controversy is winning. Gundy could sure use a W Saturday at TCU (5-4). It may cool the sentiment surrounding him.
ESPN and Fox
ESPN and Fox could be a weekly nominee for this article. As CFP talk heats up, it’s important to watch how ESPN and Fox talk about programs. After Florida State’s snub from the CFP last season, the school seemed to point the finger at least partially at ESPN. As discussion ramps up, make no mistake that Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” and ESPN’s “College GameDay” will both hold powerful influence over people’s opinion of the bracket.
