Wasserman's College Football Top 10 Ranking: Georgia moves up after defeating Texas

It’s a new era of college football. 

When the College Football Playoff committee starts releasing rankings later this season, they aren’t going to be the end-all, be-all given the new seeding rules of the 12-team field. But the rankings are still fun and people are still going to fight over them. They still matter. 

So, every weekend, after the dust settles from the games, I’m going to unveil my updated top 10. Here is the latest edition: 

1. Oregon (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten)

Dan Lanning got his first signature win as Oregon’s coach last weekend when the Ducks beat Ohio State. So when Oregon flew across the country for a game against Purdue on Friday night, it seemed like a classic letdown spot. Oregon, instead, dominated the Boilermakers en route to a 35-0 win in a game that lacked the drama we’ve come to expect from Friday night games. Oregon should be considered a national title favorite as the Ducks are hitting on all cylinders down the stretch of the season. It seems like all but a certainty Oregon is going to be in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game.
Last week’s rank: 1

2. Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC)

Georgia’s results this season were confusing coming into the weekend. The Bulldogs started the season by blowing out Clemson, then it struggled against Kentucky before losing to an Alabama team that now looks pretty shaky. It caused many of us to question whether Georgia should be considered a favorite to win the national title this year. Then the Bulldogs walked into Austin on Saturday night and dominated a Texas team we all thought was the most complete squad in America. If you were hoping to see a 12-team Playoff without Georgia, that’s probably not going to happen. The Bulldogs are back.
Last week’s rank: 4

3. Ohio State (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten)

Ohio State had a bye week this week, which means the Buckeyes had to sit and stew on the heartbreaking loss it suffered at Oregon last weekend. There have been a lot of questions about Ryan Day and whether he can win the big game, which makes many question whether this Ohio State team could actually win the Big Ten and/or the national title. The Buckeyes still have plenty of opportunity to prove they are one of the nation’s best teams, not just one of the most talented ones. There is a big game at Penn State looming on Nov. 2.
Last week’s rank: 3

4. Texas (6-1, 2-1 SEC)

Texas came into the weekend viewed by many as the best, most complete team in college football. It’s crazy what playing Georgia can do to humble a squad, isn’t it? Georgia absolutely mauled the Longhorns in the first half, so much that Steve Sarkisian even went to Arch Manning to try to spark some life into his squad. Though the Longhorns fought tough in the second half and it felt like they were back in the game, Georgia suffocated them like the Bulldogs have done to so many teams over the years. Texas, though, still has plenty of life in it. This is a team that could still make the SEC title game.
Last week’s rank: 2

5. Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)

Penn State is coming off an overtime win against USC and rested up during its bye this week as an undefeated team. The Nittany Lions have a lot of really good pieces in important places and the emergence of Tyler Warren has been fun to watch. You could make a case that Warren, who was basically Penn State’s entire offense in Los Angeles, should be in the Heisman Trophy conversation. But there is still some doubt that James Franklin can’t beat Ohio State. Nov. 2 can’t come soon enough. While we wait, Penn State is a top-five team in America.
Last week’s rank: 5

6. Miami (7-0, 3-0 ACC)

Is it time to start a dialogue about whether Miami has the best offensive in college football? Electrifying quarterback? Check. Great receivers? Check. Good offensive line? Check. Powerful, reliabile running back? Check. The problem? Miami has plenty of defensive issues that could cost the Hurricanes on their quest for winning the ACC title. It was an entertaining 52-45 win over Louisville on Saturday, but Miami has been flirting with disaster for the entire previous month. Miami, though, has won all of its seven games and seem on a collision course with Clemson in Charlotte.
Last week’s rank: 6

7. Clemson (6-1, 5-0 ACC)

Clemson keeps winning games comfortably, so it’s getting easier and easier to forgive the blemish on the Tigers’ resume — a blowout loss to Georgia in the season-opener. Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns and Clemson has seemed to figured it out offensively. Though it’s hard to tell whether Clemson should scare the big dogs of the sport after what happened against the Bulldogs, it should be considered the favorite in the ACC. There is a real chance this team has transformed enough in the past six weeks to push the best teams in college football, especially because most of the titans in the sport don’t look quite as unbeatable as they did a month ago.
Last week’s rank: 8

8. Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC)

Tennessee beat Alabama at Neyland Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It may not feel as impactful as the 2022 win over the Crimson Tide, but this as a monumental victory for the Volunteers. Though there is no question the Alabama team Tennessee just beat is inherently flawed, the Volunteers didn’t play their best game, either. And it won. Nico Iamaleava had some accuracy issues, but he got stronger as the game went on. Tennessee’s remaining schedule gives it a real chance to make the College Football Playoff. If it it gets hot, it’s good enough to go on a run.
Last week’s rank: NR

9. BYU (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) 

BYU found itself in a tough spot. A Big 12 game against Oklahoma State on a Friday night? What could go wrong? The Cowboys actually scored a go-ahead touchdown with 1:13 remaining in the game. It seemed like the Cougars were about to lose and throw the Big 12 race back into a state of utter confusion. Then BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff led a thrilling, last-minute drive that ended with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Darius Lassiter with 10 seconds left. BYU escaped with the close victory at home to remain unbeaten. The Cougars are such a fun team this year.
Last week’s rank: 9

10. Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) 

Indiana has been on the national radar for the last three weeks, but a large portion of the country can’t take these Hoosiers seriously because of the program’s history. Yes, Indiana has had a fairly easy schedule this season, but teams don’t get to 7-0 on accident. Curt Cignetti has become the hottest coach in America and the Hoosiers absolutely dominated Nebraska, 56-7, at home Saturday. Indiana has to play Ohio State on the road on Nov. 23, but the Hoosiers will be expected to win every other game they play this year. Do the math. That means this is a legitimate College Football Playoff contender.
Last week’s rank: NR