Wasserman's College Football Top 10 Ranking: Texas, Penn State move up

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 (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten)

Oregon is humming right now and the Ducks have one of the best quality wins in college football. Though some put the Ducks on letdown alert each of the last few weeks, Oregon is hitting its stride at the right time. Against a sneaky-good Illinois team Saturday, Oregon blew the Illini off the field. Getting to this stage of the season unbeaten is extremely difficult — especially with the Ducks’ schedule — and Oregon’s remaining slate is very manageable. It seems like all but a certainty Oregon is going to be in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game in December.
Last week’s rank: 1

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

Georgia’s results this season were confusing coming into last weekend. But any reservation about what the Bulldogs are capable of this year went out the window last weekend with a blowout of Texas in Austin. Georgia had an open week this weekend, so you know Kirby Smart has his team focused on getting healthy and ready to dominate the last portion of its SEC schedule. The next three weeks against Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee looks daunting on paper, but the game against the Volunteers should be viewed as the only real threat. When Georgia is playing well, there’s no scarier team in college football.
Last week’s rank: 2

3. Texas (7-1, 3-1 SEC)

Two weeks ago, most analysts thought this Texas team was the best squad in college football. Then the Georgia game happened last weekend. Texas, though, got back into the win category Saturday with a 27-24 win over Vanderbilt. It seemed like a close game on the scoreboard, but anyone who watched it saw a Longhorns team that was better than the Commodores everywhere on the field. Texas was never in real danger of losing. Texas fans were probably wanting a blowout, but Quinn Ewers threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Texas still has a really good shot at the SEC Championship Game. The season-finale at Texas A&M — who beat up on LSU on Saturday night — is going to be electric.
Last week’s rank: 4

4. Penn State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten)

Penn State found itself in a dog fight in Madison. Quarterback Drew Allar left the game at the end of the first half with the Nittany Lions trailing Wisconsin by three. Backup quarterback Beau Pribula came into the game and Penn State’s offense became more efficient. After a third quarter pick-six turned the game, Pribula and Penn State’s offense added two more scores to turn the game into an easy 28-13 win. Penn State looks for real, even though it lost Allar and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. It has a chance to prove it next weekend when it hosts Ohio State.
Last week’s rank: 5

5. Ohio State (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten)

Ohio State had a bye week after losing a heart-breaker on the road at Oregon. Fans expected an angry team to emerge at home against Nebraska this weekend. Instead, the Buckeyes fans just got angry. Boos rang out in Ohio Stadium in the second half as Ohio State struggled to run the football and nearly lost to Nebraska. The Buckeyes, who beat Nebraska 21-17, have one of the most talented teams in the country. They are as dangerous as anyone when playing well. But with offensive line issues and a program that’s struggled to win big games, is it fair to expect Ohio State will find its way this season?
Last week’s rank: 3

6. Miami (8-0, 4-0 ACC)

For so many years, Miami became known for dropping games in the ACC it shouldn’t drop. That, plus the fact the Hurricanes defense has been prone to giving up points, has the entire country waiting for Miami to slip up. This team just isn’t losing. Miami blew out Florida State on Saturday to remain unbeaten and the Hurricanes’ remaining regular season schedule makes them a near lock to play for the ACC Championship. Behind Cam Ward, receiver Xavier Restrepo, a great offensive line and a stable of reliable running backs, Miami has one of the best offenses in college football. The Hurricanes are for real.
Last week’s rank: 6

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

The loss at Arkansas three weeks ago sticks out on Tennessee’s resume like a sore thumb, but the Volunteers beat Alabama the last time they played. Tennessee had its second bye week of the year over the weekend, so it has the opportunity to build on the moment before traveling to Georgia on Nov. 16. Tennessee didn’t play its best football against the Crimson Tide, but you could see how good this team could be if Josh Heupel gets the pieces to come together. Promising young quarterback? Check. Elite-level running back? Check. Best defensive lineman in the country? Check. This team has a ton of potential. Last week’s rank: 8

8. BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) 

The Big 12 is a truly impossible conference to navigate, but it did seem like a cross-country trip to Orlando would be a reasonable place to expect the Cougars to slip. BYU was, after all, a three-point underdog coming into the game against UCF. Nope. BYU continues to prove week after week why it is the favorite to win the conference, beating up on the Knights, 37-24. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff passed for 228 yards and two touchdowns and ran 14 times for 38 yards and another score. Next up for BYU is a road trip to Utah in two weeks for The Holy War.
Last week’s rank: 9

9. Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) 

Indiana has officially arrived as a fixture in the College Football Playoff race. Though it did feel like Saturday’s game at Washington could be a potential hiccup for the Hoosiers, they cruised to a 31-17 win. Backup quarterback Tayven Jackson — who was playing in place of the injured Kurtis Rourke — threw for 124 yards and a touchdown and the Hoosiers ran for almost 200 yards. We know Indiana is good given this is its best start since 1967. We’re going to find out in the next few weeks how dangerous this team can be.
Last week’s rank: 10

10. Notre Dame (7-1) 

Texas A&M fans probably thought the Aggies were going to find the top-10 this week after knocking off LSU at home. Texas A&M has a case for it, sure. But Notre Dame slides into this final spot because not only did the Fighting Irish blow out a very good Navy team Saturday, they also opened the season with a win over those very good Aggies. Though people will continue to roll their eyes at Notre Dame after it lost to Northern Illinois, this Irish team has now won six-straight, five of which came in blowout fashion. The win over Texas A&M also has become very valuable. The Irish are firmly in the Playoff race.
Last week’s rank: NR