THE POST’S TOP TEN
1. Alabama (9-0) (Last week: 1)
This was supposed to be a challenge? Against LSU in a raucous environment at Tiger Stadium, Alabama outgained its SEC foe 576196, and cruised to a 29-0 rout that wasn’t even that close.
2. Clemson (9-0) (2)
Intrasquad scrimmages would be more useful for Clemson than these ACC contests. It has defeated its past four league opponents by an astounding 240-36.
3. Notre Dame (9-0) (3)
Ian Book’s storybook season, from backup to leader of an undefeated team, continued on Saturday when he threw for a career-high 343 yards and scored three touchdowns in a tough road win at Northwestern.
4. Michigan (8-1) (5)
It’s all coming up maize and blue. Michigan got back stalwarts Rashan Gary and Tarik Black for Saturday’s 42-7 obliteration of Penn State and is clearly one of the best four teams in the country.
5. Georgia (8-1) (6)
Georgia has its swagger back after consecutive dominant wins over SEC East contenders Florida and Kentucky, locking up a second
straight division crown.
6. LSU (7-2) (4)
The defense did its job, limiting Alabama to 29 points, 22 points below its season average. Unfortunately, the pop-gun offense produced even less than expected — limited to 12 rushing yards, LSU’s lowest output since 1999.
7. Oklahoma (8-1) (8)
Oklahoma and West Virginia seem destined to determine the Big 12 champion Nov. 23 in Morgantown. Advice: Take the over. Both teams won Saturday despite allowing a combined 87 points.
8. Ohio State (8-1) (7)
Woeful Nebraska and its 2-7 record nearly left Ohio Stadium victorious after piling up 450 total yards. The bye week did nothing to solve Ohio State’s many problems.
9. Central Florida (8-0) (10)
The nation’s longest winning streak is now at 21, but the Knights will need to win more emphatically than Thursday’s 52-40 victory over Temple to really grab the playoff committee’s attention.
10. West Virginia (7-1) (NR)
Dana Holgorsen coached to win and was rewarded with a dramatic 42-41 victory over Texas after going for two rather than settling for overtime. Kudos.
Dropped out: Kentucky (7-2)