College Football Playoff: Projected rankings entering Week 8

Two top-10 teams are no longer undefeated as this week’s projected College Football Playoff field starts to see teams separating from the field.

The Ohio State Buckeyes may have made a permanent quarterback change after inserting J.T. Barrett into the lineup for the struggling Cardale Jones in their 38-10 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions, but do they get the No. 1 spot?

Ohio State hasn’t played their best football yet this year but a switch back to Barrett should spark this offense that will ride Ezekiel Elliott to peak in late November. I’ve never had them out of the playoff mix, but I don’t think they’re the best team, yet.

The best team in the country is LSU who also has the best player in the country in Leonard Fournette who had 180 yards on 31 carries and two touchdowns against the No. 12 rush defense in the country in the 35-28 win over No. 8 Florida.

Quarterback Brandon Harris had another encouraging performance, completing 13 of 19 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns to Malachi Dupre who had 115 yards on four catches.

The third spot goes to the Baylor Bears who have the nation’s most dangerous offense. Corey Coleman had 10 catches for 199 yards and three more touchdowns to give him 16 on the season.

Utah gets the fourth spot after a strong fourth quarter performance pushed Devontae Booker and the Utes who have a stranglehold on the Pac-12 South.

He’s on pace to break the Troy Edwards record of 27. Seth Russell threw for 380 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 160 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. They get the edge over Trevone Boykin, Josh Doctson and the TCU Horned Frogs to round out the Playoff field.

It’s a fluid situation because Alabama could beat LSU, Michigan or Michigan State could beat Ohio State, Stanford could beat Utah and TCU can beat Baylor, but after seven weeks these are the four best teams.

Next four out: Alabama, TCU, Clemson and Florida State

Next: 50 Greatest College Football Rivalries of All-Time

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