Something had to give.
With two teams in our Top 10 last week (Tennessee and Texas A&M) and several others (Miami, Wisconsin) just on the outside looking in, we expected some changes.
But Houston, a 17-point favorite coming in, losing in Annapolis?
Nope. We didn't see that coming.
Here are our CFB rankings after Week 6, from our usual fantasy perspective (won-loss records in parentheses).
NCAA College Football (CBB) Rankings
1. Alabama, 6-0
Arkansas, a Top 25 team in many polls, was supposed to challenge the Tide at home. They did put up 30 on Nick Saban's defense, but the master's offense scored 49. Sophomore tailback Damien Harris (122 yards on 13 carries; 60 receiving yards on two catches, with a score) has emerged as 'Bama's latest backfield star. But the SEC gauntlet doesn't get any easier...
2. Clemson, 6-0
The Tigers took BC to the woodshed on Friday night, a win made all the more impressive by the fact it came just six days after the showdown with Louisville. We've gushed enough about Deshaun Watson, so let's give some love to his receiving corps. Sophomore Deon Cain seems to have rebounded from off-the-field "issues" and has six TDs already this season.
3. Michigan, 6-0
We're not rewarding the Wolverines for beating Rutgers as much as we're punishing Ohio State for just winning at home. But the Wolverines are trending upward. And so is Jabrill Peppers (above), who had 74 rushing yards on three carries, and two TDs, against the Scarlet Knights, in addition to two tackles on defense.
4. Ohio State, 4-0
The Buckeyes struggled a bit with IU, but what J.T. Barrett couldn't get done through the air, he accomplished on the ground (137 yards on 26 carries, with one TD)--impressive at the collegiate level, but NFL scouts may already have him penciled in at DB as a result. Worse, the bloom may fall off our Ohio State rose--literally: as in Rose Bowl--next week when they visit Wisconsin.
5. Washington, 6-0
What can you say after a 70-point performance, on the road no less, at Oregon? QB Jake Browning had six TD passes on the day, puffing up his NFL draft resume.
6. Texas A&M, 6-0
Houston's loss (at Navy) is the Aggies's gain, as they put an end to Tennessee's late-game mojo. QB Trevor Knight may wait too long to call pop star Katy Perry, but he doesn't hesitate to call on senior wide receiver Josh Reynolds (five catches, 89 yards), who has 25 grabs for 488 yards on the season.
7. Baylor, 5-0
Jim Grobe's team was idle last weekend after a big win at Iowa State, but the Bears benefit from the failings of some other bubble teams (Miami!). Running back Shock Linwood has a great name, and he's a stud (454 yards, 67 carries) in a pass-first offense.
8. Tennessee, 5-1
Josh Dobbs came so close to pulling another rabbit out of another hat, making up a 14-point deficit in the final moments of regulation to force OT at Texas A&M. But close only counts in... Well, you get the idea. Dobbs finished the day with nearly 400 yards passing, but junior running back Alvin Kamara had more than 100 yards each rushing and receiving in the loss.
9. Boise State, 5-0
The Broncos' time in our Top 10 may be drawing to a close, thanks to strength-of-schedule issues. But we still like them as a "fly in the ointment" (then again, we thought the same of Houston) in the BCS playoff mix. We also like senior wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck, who, thanks to a big day at New Mexico (nine catches, 198 yards, two TDs) already has 33 grabs for 629 yards and five scores. He already looks like an NFL receiver.
10. Louisville, 4-1
How do you stay in the rankings picture (Miami)? You make like Louisville and schedule a bye week. We'll see if the Cardinals can play and stay next week at home against Duke.
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