Just one more week in the regular season and the rankings here at 18 Stripes remain as steady as they have all season. Thanks primarily to a large buffet of cupcakes but this weekend brings rivalries a’plenty for your viewing pleasure.

Top 11

1 Alabama (E, 11-0, 56-0 W vs. Mercer)

Poor, Mercer.

2 Oklahoma (E, 10-1, 41-3 W at Kansas)

Baker Mayfield’s crotch was the top storyline after the Sooners visit to Lawrence.

3 Miami (E, 10-0, 44-28 W vs. Virginia) 

Most called a sleepy noon performance and it almost cost the Hurricanes.

4 Clemson (E, 10-1, 61-3 W vs. Citadel)

5 Wisconsin (E, 11-0, 24-10 W vs. Michigan)

The Badgers haven’t given up 20 points since playing Northwestern, now the only ranked team they’ve faced.

6 Auburn (E, 9-2, 42-14 W vs. Louisiana-Monroe)

Only a 14-7 lead at halftime but set it to cruise in the second half.

7 Georgia (E, 10-1, 42-13 W vs. Kentucky)

The Dawgs finish the SEC season at 7-1 their best since 2012.

8 Ohio State (E, 9-2, 52-14 W vs. Illinois)

38 first half points buried Illinois in J.T. Barrett’s Columbus farewell.

9 Notre Dame (E, 9-2, 24-17 W vs. Navy)

Guaranteed not to be a 8-4 season, thank you very much.

10 USC (E, 10-2, 28-23 W vs. UCLA)

This was really quiet back-to-back 10-win seasons for Clay Helton.

11 TCU (E, 9-2, 27-3 W at Texas Tech)

Traveled without QB Kenny Hill and still took care of business.

Next 2

Penn State (+1, 9-2, 56-44 W vs. Nebraska)

Gave up a lot of garbage point to the Huskers but still cruising for a major bowl appearance.

Washington State (NR, 9-2, Bye)

Very smart move to take the week off prior to the Apple Cup.

G5 Top 3

1 UCF (E, 11-0, 45-19 W at Temple)

They’ve killed all but 2 of their opponents this season.

2 Memphis (E, 10-1, 66-45 W vs. SMU)

Just a classic futuristic Big 12 matchup.

3 USF (E, 10-1, 27-20 W vs. Tulsa)

Not the best effort from the Bulls on Senior Day ahead of the season’s most important game.

You Were Bad

Nebraska

Diaco isn’t doing too well in Lincoln, the Huskers are approaching 400 points given up on the season.

UCLA

Mora’s final game ends in a defeat at USC. He finishes his career 10-17 over 2+ seasons.

NC State

Fumbled late near the Wake Forest goal line in a devastating loss.

Tennessee 

Home loss to LSU moves the Vols to 0-7 in the SEC.

Minnesota

The P.J. Fleck era isn’t looking too hot this year with a 39-0 loss at Northwestern added as their 6th loss.

Cincinnati

A 28-point loss to East Carolina drops the Bearcats down to a tie for last place in the AAC.

Syracuse

4 straight losses since beating Clemson, the last 2 by allowing 120 points.

Houston

Major Applewhite drops his 4th game in his debut, this time to Tulane.

Week 13 Preview

Enemy Watch

Miami, Ohio (-17.5) at Ball State
#2 Miami (-13.5) at Pittsburgh
Navy (+4.5) at Houston
#16 Michigan State (-13.5) at Rutgers
#7 Georgia (-11) at Georgia Tech
Boston College (-3.5) at Syracuse
Duke (+12) at Wake Forest
North Carolina (+16.5) at NC State
Temple (-3.5) at Tulsa

This is a weekend for road favorites, including 4 teams as double-digit faves in this section and a couple more below. We had a smell of upset briefly in the air for the Canes last week are we absolutely sure they come out of Heinz Field with a win? I like to think the playoff committee put a bit of a jinx on them tonight after speaking quite highly of their win over Virginia this past week.

Georgia keeping its slim playoff hopes alive in Atlanta this weekend is mildly interesting.

I can’t believe I’m about to type this…can Syracuse handle the Boston College offense?

I’m always throwing out super dumb upsets that never happen. The Heels over NC State is another one of those super dumb ones that would be highly satisfying the way Dave Doeren has handled himself this season.

Too Close for Comfort

Colorado (+10.5) at Utah

Both of these teams have been disappointing this season (both 5-6) and this is a lot of points to carry around for the Utes.

Upset Pick of the Week

Missouri (-10.5) at Arkansas

It’s going to be Bert’s Swan Song for 2017.

National Spotlight

USF (+10.5) at #15 UCF
#13 Washington State (+10) at #17 Washington
#9 Ohio State (-12) at Michigan
#1 Alabama (-4.5) at #6 Auburn
#23 Boise State (-7) at Fresno State
West Virginia (+22.5) at #4 Oklahoma
#3 Clemson (-14) at South Carolina

USF has kind of faded into the background in recent weeks–they kind of should maybe be ranked in the playoff poll–yet this is a huge game against UCF that may determine the G5 bowl representative.

Our pair of double-digit road favorites feel like quality bets. Has anyone paid attention to the Gamecocks sitting at 8-3 right now? That’s the quietest 8 wins in SEC history.

Lot of talk out there about how Nick Saban struggles to beat “good” Auburn teams. That’s enough #ratpoison for the Tide locker room to discuss.

I included the Boise-Fresno game because those teams are a combined 17-5, which is pretty good. I believe if Fresno wins these teams will meet again in the Mountain West title game. If Boise wins, they should face San Diego State.