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Ranking college football is a difficult task to tackle after a week in which 12 PA Top 25 teams did not play either due to previously scheduled weeks or because matches were canceled / postponed due to COVID-19. But things get especially interesting when a team comes back from a long absence with an impressive victory which, under normal circumstances, would trigger a big change in the standings.
Wisconsin’s case in the AP’s Top 25 is totally unique in 2020 and in the circumstances surrounding the football season. The Badgers started the year 12th in the preseason, then were retired along with the rest of the Big Ten and Pac-12 teams as the season was postponed at that time. Once the Big Ten teams were again made available for the standings, Wisconsin regained seven spots lower at No.19. There was a slow move to No.14 even before the Badgers played. one game, then a five-place jump in the top 10 to No.9 after beating Illinois in the season opener.
Next, Graham Mertz and a host of Wisconsin players and coaches tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the squad’s next two games being canceled. The Badgers lost one spot after week one and three more after week two, dropping four places in the standings without losing (or even playing) a game. Voters can deny that Wisconsin has been punished for its COVID-19 issues, but there is a penalty for not having scores on the scoreboard when sharing hair between teams in the standings. So, after Wisconsin’s impressive win over Michigan, are we destined for an adjustment?
We believe the Badgers will be jumping in both Oregon and Georgia after their 49-11 win over Michigan, which not only kept them in the mix for the Big Ten Championship Game, but also confirmed the instant reactions to it. Mertz and the attack of 2020 after a second consecutive performance with a high score. Ducks or Bulldogs fans may cry foul for the 2-0 Badgers jumping online, but when you consider it’s a return to their preseason status, the move doesn’t seem so dramatic.
Elsewhere in the rankings we see Florida move up to No.5 over Texas A&M after a resounding victory over Arkansas and some minor reshuffles in the 1920s following Tulsa’s win over SMU and another narrow victory for the South. Florida.
Here’s what we think the new Top 25 AP will look like on Sunday. Ranking last week in parentheses.
1. Alabama (1): The Crimson Tide has seen its Week 11 clash with LSU postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Tigers program.
2. Notre Dame (2): The Fighting Irish will get more consideration for No.2 of those who had them a layer and maybe up to two more votes for the top spot after a very impressive performance in a 45-31 victory at Boston College.
3. State of Ohio (3): This week’s date with Maryland has been canceled due to the COVID-19 protocol in the Big Ten.
4. Clemson (4): The Tigers were to be out in Week 11.
5. Florida (6): Even if Texas A&M clinches the head-to-head victory, there will be a natural tendency to drag the Gators before beating Georgia last week and rolling Arkansas to a 63-35 victory on Saturday. If the Aggies had played and put an equally impressive result on the scoreboard then maybe they would retain their top-five advantage, but the breathtaking nature of the Gators’ victory could give them an edge in the ballot. Sunday.
6. Texas A&M (5): Aggies with Tennessee Week 11 date postponed due to COVID-19 protocol.
7. Cincinnati (7): There isn’t much room for Cincinnati to move up the standings, but the Bearcats probably deserve it after another impressive win in the AAC game, overtaking ECU in a 55-17 victory. The only thing between Cincinnati and an unbeaten season is complacency as they get better every week and play on a different level compared to the competition.
8. BYU (8): The Cougars were out of week 11.
9. Indiana (10): The Hoosiers were two voting points behind Miami last week (958-956) and could get a slight boost thanks to the shutout win at Michigan State. Think of this as the final quality admission of the last Indiana skeptics who weren’t quite ready to commit to the Hoosiers idea as a top-10.
10. Miami (9): Down by nearly a dozen due to COVID-19 protocol for the second week in a row, Miami continues to find ways to win. A late touchdown helped seal the victory and reverse recent trends in late-game struggles for the Hurricanes, keeping them in the mix for the ACC title should Clemson or Notre Dame stumble down the home stretch.
11. Wisconsin (13): Mertz was the scenario for the season opener over Illinois, but Saturday night at Michigan was all about the rushing game with the Badgers 341 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns at 6.7 yards per attempt. in the 49-11 win. It was a comeback performance only after Wisconsin took control of the competition with a 28-0 lead, which only further confirms the quality and dominance of the victory.
12. Oregon (11): There was an upset fear in Washington state, but the Ducks emerged with a 43-29 victory thanks to three second-half touchdowns from Tyler Shough to come back from a halftime deficit.
13. Georgia (12): Bulldogs v Missouri Week 11 date postponed due to COVID-19 protocol.
14. State of Oklahoma (14): The Cowboys were gone at week 11.
15. Coastal Carolina (15): Chanticleers vs. Troy Week 11 date postponed due to COVID-19 protocol.
16. Marshall (16 years old): A slow start was quickly overcome by the Thundering Herd, who took a 42-14 victory over Middle Tennessee to move to 7-0.
17. State of Iowa (17): The cyclones were out of week 11.
18. Oklahoma (18): The Sooners were out in Week 11.
19. Freedom (22): After the first 8-0 start in school history after beating West Carolina 58-14, the Flames have a huge statement opportunity ahead with a prime-time game against NC State November 21.
20. North-West (23): A relentless victory at Purdue puts the Wildcats in an excellent position to fight for the division title in the Big Ten West. Northwestern was favored to win by punters, but I still think the road win will inspire some confidence from voters who believe in the Wildcats as a Top 25 team.
21. USC (20): I don’t know how many AP voters can be satisfied with the strength of the Trojans profile beyond “undefeated”. Arizona State and Arizona both had those games in hand before late touchdowns secured victory for USC. Now the team to beat in the division, the Trojans have the Pac-12 championship on the table but the sight test isn’t doing them much favor in terms of playoff standings or the polls.
22. Texas (21): The Longhorns were out of Week 11.
23. Auburn (24): The date for the 11th week of the Tigers v Mississippi State has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
24. Louisiana (25): The Ragin ‘Cajuns won the Sun Belt West and a berth in the league title game with a 38-10 victory over South Alabama. There is a date with Appalachian State looming in December, but the next winnable games against central Arkansas and Louisiana-Monroe.
25. Tulsa (NR): A close tally between the Golden Hurricane and North Carolina is expected for this No.25 spot. The Tar Heels recorded huge offensive numbers in a shootout victory over Wake Forest that could win over some voters who didn’t already have them on their ballot, but Tulsa improved to 4-0 in conference and secured their victory over a previously ranked. the team (SMU) with its only loss comes out of the conference against another top 25 team (Oklahoma State).
Dropout project: SMU (19)
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