Georgia will be No. 1 after Alabama loss. But how far do the Tide fall?
As it turns out, I was one week too early in questioning whether Georgia, not Alabama, was the best team in the country.
Last week I pondered that legitimate question after watching the Bulldogs dismantle Arkansas. I really felt like Georgia’s elite defense separated them from the rest of the country. Even still, I wasn’t ready to proclaim them the best overall team, though they had a strong case.
Well, thanks to Texas A&M for making the decision easy this week. The Aggies pulled off the upset Saturday night, knocking off No. 1 Alabama 41-38. But here’s the kicker — I still think the Crimson Tide are one of the top two teams in the nation. That’s why Alabama only drops to No. 2 on my Associated Press Top 25 ballot this week (I’m prepared for the backlash), and I stand by this.
Hear me out. Iowa’s home win over Penn State will boost them to No. 2 on a lot of ballots. But they beat the Nittany Lions at home with Penn State’s backup quarterback in the game. Penn State also had plenty of chances to win at the end.
No knock on the Hawkeyes or Cincinnati, but I don’t see either one of those teams beating Alabama straight up. The Tide fell by a field goal on the road, picking the wrong time to have a bad night. I’m OK dropping them just one spot this week.
Keeping it local, N.C. State had an open week, while Wake Forest remained perfect, defeating Syracuse on the road in overtime 40-37. The Demon Deacons keep finding ways to win, which is the name of the game. Part of me can’t help but feel like the Orange would have converted that two-point conversion in regulation. Instead, thanks to a delay of game, Syracuse settled for the tie, sending the game into overtime.
Regardless, Wake Forest left upstate New York with their perfect record intact and head into their off week. Looking at their schedule, I see the Demon Deacons still perfect when N.C. State comes to town Nov. 13. Will that be the game to decide the ACC Atlantic Division title? Only time will tell.
Here’s my AP Top 25 ballot after Week 6.
1 | Georgia (6-0) |
2 | Alabama (5-1) |
3 | Iowa (6-0) |
4 | Cincinnati (5-0) |
5 | Oklahoma (6-0) |
6 | Michigan (6-0) |
7 | Ohio State (5-1) |
8 | Penn State (5-1) |
9 | Oregon (4-1) |
10 | Michigan State (6-0) |
11 | Coastal Carolina (6-0) |
12 | Oklahoma State (5-0) |
13 | Ole Miss (4-1) |
14 | Notre Dame (5-1) |
15 | Kentucky (6-0) |
16 | Wake Forest (6-0) |
17 | Florida (4-2) |
18 | BYU (5-1) |
19 | Arizona State (5-1) |
20 | NC State (4-1) |
21 | Arkansas (4-2) |
22 | SMU (6-0) |
23 | Texas A&M (4-2) |
24 | Auburn (4-2) |
25 | San Diego State (4-0) |
