The Pac-12 put a matchup between ranked teams in front of the nation for the third straight week.
This time, No. 10 Oregon took advantage with a 45-30 victory against No. 9 UCLA at Autzen Stadium on Saturday. Bo Nix continued to surprise with a 22 of 28 passing performance that included 283 yards, five TDs and no interceptions. The Bruins fell from the undefeated ranks, and now the Pac-12's best chance to get back to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2016 hinges on one potential matchup.
Oregon (6-1) needs to play No. 12 USC (6-1) in the Pac-12 championship game. From a perception standpoint, that matchup would carry more weight than a rematch with UCLA (6-1). Those are the three one-loss teams left in the conference, and it might be a while before the conference is back in the spotlight.
MORE: Don't forget about Bryce Young in Heisman race
Circle Nov. 19. That's when USC meets UCLA in a potential elimination game if both teams take care of business. No. 15 Utah – a two-loss team with one conference loss – travels to Oregon on the same day.
Given that no two-loss team has made the CFP, it's tough to imagine a Pac-12 team getting that benefit of the doubt. An Oregon-USC matchup, however, would capture the nation's attention. First-year coaches Dan Lanning and Lincoln Riley could make that happen.
The first College Football Playoff rankings will be unveiled Nov. 1. Here is an early look at what that top 10 might look like heading into Week 9:
College football rankings 2022
Four in College Football Playoff
1. Georgia (7-0)
Up next: vs. Florida
The Bulldogs are one of three teams with an average margin of victory better than 30 points along with Ohio State and Michigan. The defense remains elite (9.1) ppg., and quarterback Stetson Bennett leads a balanced supporting cast that includes three running backs with at least 45 carries and three receivers with at least 25 catches. The back-half of the SEC schedule isn’t easy – not with No. 3 Tennessee and No. 19 Kentucky on the November schedule. The rivalry matchup with the Gators comes first, and the Bulldogs are 4-2 against Florida under Kirby Smart.
2. Ohio State (7-0)
Up next: at No. 16 Penn State
Ohio State hammered Iowa 54-10 with a complementary performance. The defense forced six turnovers, and limited the Hawkeyes to 158 total yards. Iowa had just 12 yards in the first quarter. C.J. Stroud (20 of 30, 286 yards, 4 TDs, INT) hit 10 of 13 passes for 171 yards and all four scores after halftime. He shook off a fumble which led to Iowa’s only touchdown and a third-quarter interception. Jaxon Smith-Njigba left with an injury again, but the trio of Julian Fleming (2-105, TD), Emeka Egbuka (6-80, TD) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (7-62, TD) found holes in the Iowa secondary. It wasn’t pretty at times, but it’s still a 44-point victory against one of the nation’s best defenses.
3. Tennessee (7-0)
Up next: vs. No. 19 Kentucky
UT-Martin tied the score on its second possession against the Vols, but there were no hangover signs after that. Tennessee scored 52 first-half points in a 65-24 blowout against the Skyhawks, and Hendon Hooker (18 of 24, 276 yards, 3 TDs) and receiver Jalin Hyatt (7 catches, 174 yards, 2 TDs) resumed one of the best connections in the FBS. The Vols rolled up 696 yards and were an incredible 15 of 20 on third down against a FCS opponent. Now the two-week referendum begins. Kentucky visit Neyland Stadium before the showdown at No. 1 Georgia – a stretch that will determine whether Tennessee’s emergence as a playoff contender will stick in November.
4. Michigan (7-0)
Up next: vs. Michigan State
The Wolverines rank fifth in the FBS in scoring defense (12.1) and seventh in scoring offense (42.7), and they had a bye week to prepare for the rivalry matchup against Michigan State in Week 9. This is not one to overlook considering Michigan is 3-4 against the Spartans under Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines have lost the last two meetings, and they averaged 149 rushing yards in those two losses. That will be the key in the prime-time matchup at Michigan Stadium. That running game will be the key to settling J.J. McCarthy in his first start in this always-heated contest.
First two out
5. Clemson (8-0)
Up next: at Notre Dame (Nov. 5)
The Tigers beat No. 14 Syracuse 27-21, but it was not easy. Clemson had four turnovers before Dabo Swinney took DJ Uiagalelei (13 of 21, 138 yards, 2 INTs) out and put freshman Cade Klubnik (2 of 4, 19 yards) in facing an 11-point deficit. The pinch-hit performance worked, and running backs Will Shipley (27-172, 2 TDs) and Phil Mafah (18-94, TD) keyed the comeback victory. Swinney made it clear afterward Uiagalelei will remain the starter, but Klubnik’s pinch-hit performance could lead to more playing time. The bad news for other playoff contenders? Clemson closes the season with three more home games after Notre Dame, and they have now won 38 straight at Death Valley.
MORE: How long will Klubnik stay a backup QB | Swinney backs Uiagalelei
6. Alabama (7-1)
Up next: at LSU (Nov. 5)
The Crimson Tide had their get-well game against Mississippi State in a 30-6 victory. Bryce Young (21 of 35, 249 yards, TDs) led a first-half barrage, and the defense bounced back after allowing 52 points in the Week 7 loss to Tennessee. The offense stalled in the second half, but it's still a blowout victory that comes before a much-needed bye week. Alabama will start November with back-to-back road games at LSU and Ole Miss. How do we know this team listened to coach Nick Saban's message? The Crimson Tide had just three penalties for 20 yards against the Bulldogs.
TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA!
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) October 22, 2022
Bryce Young finds JoJo Earle to put the Crimson Tide on the board. pic.twitter.com/oghWYXeVZG
Four to watch
7. TCU (7-0)
Up next: at West Virginia
The Horned Frogs pulled off a fourth straight victory against a ranked team with a 38-28 comeback victory against No. 17 Kansas State. Quarterback Max Duggan (17 of 26, 280 yards, 3 TDs) and running back Kendre Miller (29-153, 2 TDs) pulled the Horned Frogs back from a 28-10 first-half deficit against the Wildcats, who were without quarterback Adrian Martinez for much of the game. TCU is the lowest-ranked unbeaten team, but when Texas drops out of the poll the Horned Frogs will not have a ranked team left on their regular-season schedule.
8. Oregon (6-1)
Up next: at Cal
Nix was brilliant, but the Ducks also rolled up 261 rushing yards behind the tandem of Bucky Irving (19-106) and Noah Whittington (12-74). The 49-3 loss to Georgia in Week 1 is a sore spot, but Oregon has done everything right since that blowout loss under Lanning. Nix's efficient play has been a pleasant surprise, and back-to-back road games against Cal and Colorado are very manageable. The Ducks are very-much alive in the playoff hunt.
9. Oklahoma State (6-1)
Up next: at No. 17 Kansas State
The Cowboys pulled out a 41-34 victory against No. 20 Texas in a standard Big 12 shootout. Oklahoma State trailed by double digits in the first half, but Spencer Sanders (391 passing yards, 2 TDS, INT) put together another remarkable performance. The Cowboys also had no penalties while the Longhorns had 14 penalties for 119 yards. That was a gotta-have-it-performance under Mike Gundy, and Oklahoma State is still hanging among the one-loss crowd of contenders.
10. USC (6-1)
Up next: at Arizona
The Trojans had a bye week to recover from the 43-42 loss to No. 15 Utah, and they watched the rival Bruins lose to Oregon. More good news – the Utes and Ducks play on Nov. 19, meaning all the Trojans have to do is win out to get to the Pac-12 championship game and rekindle their playoff hopes around Riley and Heisman contender Caleb Williams. For USC, it is about staying focused the next three weeks before the final two games against UCLA and Notre Dame.
