One of the most bizarre finishes in sports history and a startlingly perplexing coach’s decision.
Aside from those things not much happened in college football this week, proving yet again that even dullest Saturdays can be eventful.
Miami’s miracle (or fiasco) and Minnesota’s mishap did not have much effect on the AP Top 25 as half of the top 10 was off.
Before the College Football Playoff selection committee weighs in for the first time this season, Heat check breezes through a mostly unchanged AP Top 25.
No. 1 Ohio State (8-0)
The Buckeyes third-string quarterback is redshirt freshman Stephen Collier from Georgia, just in case you were wondering. He has yet to throw a pass.
Next: Minnesota.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 2 Baylor (7-0)
Freshman QB Jarrett Stidham makes his first start for the Bears.
Next: at Kansas State, Thursday.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 3 Clemson (8-0)
The Tigers’ defense had a bad day against North Carolina State and Clemson still won going away. Good sign.
Next: No. 17 Florida State.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 4 LSU (7-0)
The Tigers have toughest November in the SEC: Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Arkansas.
Next: at No. 7 Alabama.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 5 TCU (8-0)
QB Trevone Boykin is gaining on LSU TB Leonard Fournette in the Heisman Trophy race.
Next: at No. 12 Oklahoma State.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 6 Michigan State (8-0)
Speaking of the Heisman race: Michigan State starting to push QB Connor Cook for the award.
Next: at Nebraska.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 7 Alabama (7-1)
Since Nick Saban took over in Tuscaloosa, no rivalry in the SEC has been more consistently competitive and nationally relevant than Alabama-LSU.
Next: No. 4 LSU.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 8 Notre Dame (7-1)
No, the Fighting Irish did not play their best against Temple. Yes, beating the Owls was a good win.
Next: at Pittsburgh.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 9 Stanford (7-1)
The Cardinal got lucky against Washington State. It happens.
Next: at Colorado.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 10 Iowa (8-0)
For all the grief the Hawkeyes get about their soft schedule, consider: Iowa’s opponents’ record is 36-29. Alabama’s opponents’ record is 37-29.
Next: at Indiana.
Heat check: Still, too hot.
No. 11 Florida (7-1)
Gators beat Georgia about as badly as Alabama beat Georgia and Florida beat Ole Miss, which beat Alabama. So, yes, Gators fans, feel free to complain.
Next: Vanderbilt.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 12 Oklahoma State (8-0)
Heat check is just about ready to start buying in on the Cowboys, but might as well wait a few more days to see how they do against the Frogs.
Next: No. 5 TCU
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 13 Utah (7-1)
We’re not arguing about the Utes anymore, but they are still in great shape to get to the Pac-12 title game.
Next: at Washington.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 14 Oklahoma (7-1)
Having your fate in any way tied to the fortunes of Texas is just not a great place to be. The Sooners are there now.
Next: Iowa State.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 15 Memphis (8-0)
The American Athletic Conference schedule upticks now for the Tigers.
Next: Navy.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 16 Michigan (6-2)
The Wolverines got a little lucky, too. But maybe that was Karma trying to balance out the Michigan State loss.
Next: Rutgers.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 17 Florida State (7-1)
Seminoles rested banged-up stars (TB Dalvin Cook and QB Everett Golson) and still rolled Syracuse. Now they should be ready for Clemson.
Next: at No. 3 Clemson.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 18 Houston (8-0)
The Cougars still have not beaten a team with a winning record.
Next: Cincinnati.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 19 Mississippi (6-2)
QB Chad Kelly plays like a more physically gifted Bo Wallace. Greater upside, but still prone to big mistakes.
Next: Arkansas.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 20 Toledo (7-0)
The Rockets face their MAC nemesis, Northern Illinois, trying to break a five-game losing streak to the Huskies.
Next: Northern Illinois, Tuesday.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 21 North Carolina (7-1)
Welcome to the rankings, Tar Heels. You earned it.
Next: Duke.
Heat check: Just right.
No. 22 UCLA (6-2)
For all the injuries and inconsistency, the Bruins still control their road to the Pac-12 South crown.
Next: at Oregon State.
Heat check: UCLA has Heat Check stumped.
No. 23 Temple (7-1)
If you liked the Owls before Notre Dame, there is no reason to like them less after.
Next: at SMU, Friday.
Heat check: Too cold.
No. 24 Mississippi State (6-2)
The Bulldogs can still be a spoiler in the SEC West with game against Alabama and Ole Miss left.
Next: at Missouri.
Heat check: Too hot.
No. 25 Texas A&M (6-2)
It was a while ago, but the Aggies did beat Mississippi State.
Next: Auburn.
Heat check: Too cold.
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AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org
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Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAp
