October 10, 2021
(Photo courtesy Athens Online)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- After what happened deep in the heart of Texas Saturday night, we approach living in a world with a new team atop the mountain in college football.
Everybody say hi to the Georgia Bulldogs and head coach Kirby Smart, who will likely lead this program to its first No. 1 ranking in both polls for the first time since 2008. Georgia was ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings for a week in 2017 before losing in blowout fashion the following week at Auburn.
And now the question becomes what to do with Alabama? I decided on fifth because the loss to a Texas A&M team who has barely survived at Colorado while also losing to Mississippi State and Arkansas in the previous two weeks should have ramifications. However, I do think Iowa, Cincinnati or Oklahoma is a better football team than Alabama. Those three schools are just having better seasons than Alabama. Also, the win by Texas A&M explodes the Aggies (4-2, 1-2 in SEC) up the rankings to No. 18 and while I fear I’m being reactive, I just can’t ignore that kind of resume win for a program that desperately needed something good to happen.
The Kentucky at Georgia next weekend on CBS is going to answer a lot of questions because it will either end the idea that the Wildcats are being disrespected as an undefeated team or it will make them have a legitimate case for a No. 1 ranking because an upset will give them an inside track to its first SEC Championship Game appearance with wins over Florida and Georgia.
I also have to recognize that Wake Forest, for a team that is 6-0 right now, is probably ranked too low and head coach Dave Clawson has done a remarkable job remaking this program but there’s a reality that the Demon Deacons could go through the entire regular season and possibly a ACC Championship Game undefeated without having faced a single ranked opponent.
Without further ado, here are my rankings for Oct. 10….
Illinois Fighting Illini Win 86-80 versus Wisconsin Badgers - #441
ListenCollege Football Playoffs, Coach Collins Quote, Play Morez Johnson More & Has Drew Allar Arrived & Sturdy Stops In to Talk Illini BB & FB with CFP
ListenDec 6 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4Ep17
ListenDec 6 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4Ep17
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini Lose in OT at Northwestern - #440
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini Football National Signing Day - #439
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini Football Legend Kurt Kittner Talks Illinois & B1G Football #438
ListenHeat Checks & Hail Marys – Ryan Day, High School Football Playoff Solutions & An AD's Response & B1G Football Team Rankings
ListenKed's Recruiting Roundup - Ked interviews Top JUCO Linebacker & Illini Commit Ismael Kante
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini 38-28 Win Over the Northwestern Wildcats – Post Game Analysis #437
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini 38-28 Win Over the Northwestern Wildcats #436
ListenNov 29 Weekend - Hour 2 - S4Ep16
ListenNov 29 Weekend - Hour 1 - S4Ep16
ListenIllinois Fighting Illini 90-77 Win Over Arkansas Razorbacks - #435
ListenIlliniGuys Halftime LIVE - Interview with Grant Beerman 4-Star LB Commit #434
Listen