Welcome to Twelve in the Box. Here, you will see twelve teams making the biggest impact on college football. Is this a ranking? Not really – you won’t find any numbers by the team names. Is this a CFB power ranking? Sort of, kind of. The Judge, here, will use his arbitrary sliding scale of indiscriminate factors to present the twelve teams (and three alternates) that Your Honor thinks you need to be paying attention to.
We knew the Week 7 slate, with three matchups between unbeaten teams and three more ranked matchups, had the potential to deliver one of the better days of college football in recent memory. However, we couldn’t have possibly expected a day full of fireworks like we received. It is why we tune in every week – to see rivalries, upsets, big plays, fan celebrations. College sports are the most predictable unpredictable storylines ever told and we got to witness the apex on Saturday. Let’s see how things shook out after an incredible week.
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Alabama
Sloppy play, uncharacteristic of Nick Saban-led Alabama teams, continues to riddle the Crimson Tide. Bryce Young returned from a shoulder injury to play a Heisman-worthy game but could only cover up so many errors. Alabama faithful enjoyed a 15-year run over rival Tennessee, the longest winning streak in the history between the two teams.
They should celebrate that because it will likely never happen again. As for this season, Saban said it best: this team can still achieve all its goals, including a national championship.
To Win SEC Conference
+140
To Make Playoff
+160
To Win FBS Championship
+450
Next Game: vs. Mississippi State
Clemson
Clemson extended their winning streak over Florida State to seven games after handling a late Seminole push. After the game, Dabo Swinney took time to praise quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. He highlighted the consistency he has shown over the course of this season. That consistency has been a difference-make this year for the Tigers and has allowed them to climb to 7-0. It also has them in the conversation for the playoffs.
There is still room for improvement for Clemson, including getting healthy. However, the Tigers have made it through the meat of their schedule unblemished.
To Win ACC Conference
-450
To Make Playoff
-120
To Win FBS Championship
+1000
Next Game: vs. Syracuse
Georgia
Georgia will get a bye week before getting the challenging backstretch of their schedule. They are sitting pretty at 7-0 and atop the AP Poll. However, they should have progressed a little more in the passing game by this point in the season. Does this team have room to grow in the passing game, or are they limited by quarterback Stetson Bennett? If there is room to improve, they will need to get it figured out over the bye week.
Over the following four weeks, the Dawgs will face Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Kentucky. Each of those teams can knock off Georgia if Georgia plays like they did against Missouri.
To Win SEC Conference
-115
To Make Playoff
-650
To Win FBS Championship
+180
Next Game: BYE
Michigan
Michigan made light work of a top-10 Penn State team, winning 41-17 in Week 7. Michigan fans can officially look ahead to November 26th because The Game will be deciding the Big Ten East. The Penn State game was supposed to be the test that tripped up the Wolverines, or at least exposed them. However, Michigan passed with flying colors and looks ready for a bigger test.
They will get a bye week to regroup and get ready for a very manageable final stretch. Until its game against Ohio State, the only team that can beat Michigan is Michigan.
To Win Big Ten Conference
+425
To Win FBS Championship
+1600
Next Game: BYE
Ohio State
Ohio State really needed a bye week to get key players healthy before a tough second half of the season. The Buckeyes have handled the adversity well thus far. They are leading the nation in scoring offense even without one of the best receivers in college football, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The big question is whether the defense has come far enough to make Ohio State a championship-caliber team. We might not find that out until November 19th when the Buckeyes play Maryland. Until then, the offense should be able to cover for any mistakes and keep Ohio State rolling.
To Win Big Ten Conference
-380
To Make Playoff
-650
To Win FBS Championship
+180
Next Game: vs. Iowa
Ole Miss
Ole Miss rushed for a gaudy 448 yards in a 48-34 victory against Auburn. The Tigers counted on shutting down the Ole Miss passing attack. However, Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss offense took what was given and pounded the rock. The Rebels improved to 7-0 and after Week 7, absolutely have a chance to win the SEC West. They could even make it to the SEC Championship game, something the Rebels have never done. Ole Miss will need to shore up the defense to fulfil its championship aspirations. Giving up 441 yards to a horrid Auburn offense is not going to get it done.
To Win SEC Conference
+1800
To Win FBS Championship
+7000
Next Game: vs. LSU
Oregon
Since a 49-3 blowout loss to Georgia, Oregon has rebounded with five straight wins, scoring 40+ points in each. The Ducks have shown gradual improvement under first-year coach Dan Lanning. A lofty preseason ranking was unfair to expectations, but a hard reset following the Georgia game has done the Ducks good. With the offense clicking, we will now look for Dan Lanning to get the defense in good shape. We won’t have to wait long as UCLA rolls to town this weekend in what is sure to be a great matchup.
To Win Pac-12 Conference
+160
To Win FBS Championship
+6000
Next Game: vs. UCLA
Southern Cal
USC dropped its first game of the Lincoln Riley era in Week 7, losing in a shootout to Utah. It took a late drive and two-point conversion for the Utes to send the Trojans back with a loss. The Trojan offense was not the issue, scoring on its first three possessions and in each quarter. The defense, however, could not get the stops when they counted most. A unit that counts on turnovers was only able to recover one fumble on the night. USC still has a path to the playoffs but would need some help from other teams losing on the way.
To Win Pac-12 Championship
+270
To Make Playoff
+5000
Next Game: BYE
Syracuse
Syracuse beat NC State 24-9 in Week 7, bringing them to 6-0 and vaulting them into Twelve in the Box. Unfortunately for the Orange, it appears that their stay will be brief. Syracuse will travel to Clemson for Week 8. Their success thus far should be celebrated, even though a battered NC State team was the first opponent of true note that Syracuse defeated.
We will see just how good this team is soon. They will play Clemson, Notre Dame, Pitt, Florida State, and Wake Forest before the season’s end. For now, ‘Cuse should enjoy the attention.
To Win ACC Conference
+1500
To Win FBS Championship
+25000
Next Game: at Clemson
TCU
In another fantastic Week 7 finish, TCU defeated Oklahoma State 43-40 in double overtime. The Horned Frogs erased a 24-7 deficit and won the 4th quarter 14-0 to send it to extra time. Sonny Dykes now has his team 6-0 and the lone undefeated team in the Big 12. They will have the chance to claim sole possession of the top spot in conference standings this week with a win over Kansas State. For the Horned Frogs to really make a push at a championship, they will need their defense to prevent so many points.
To Win Big 12 Conference
+220
To Win FBS Championship
+5000
Next Game: vs. Kansas State
Tennessee
The moment of the year may have taken place in Knoxville, Tennessee in Week 7. A 40-yard field goal traveled through the uprights and a sea of orange flooded the field amidst fireworks from above. Goal posts were carried out and dumped in the river, along with a fifteen-year losing streak. If you can’t appreciate that, then maybe college football is not for you. Hendon Hooker, who should be on your list for Heisman, connected with Jalin Hyatt for 207 yards and five touchdowns. This was on the way to putting up a 50-spot on the Tide.
To Win SEC Conference
+650
To Win FBS Championship
+1600
Next Game: vs. UT Martin
UCLA
UCLA answered the bell against Washington and Utah but will now get another big test in Week 8. After a bye week, the Bruins will travel to Oregon to face a team that’s been on the rise since Week 1. Chip Kelly has his best team since arriving on campus and the offense is certainly producing.
The question for this Bruins team is whether they can get enough stops against a team like Oregon. If so, UCLA will be looking down the barrel at a Pac-12 championship and possibly more.
To Win Pac-12 Conference
+270
To Win FBS Championship
+6000
Next Game: at Oregon
Week 3 Alternates: Illinois, Kansas State, Oklahoma State