As the College Football Playoff committee works through its data points and its own “eye test” to rank the sport’s top 12 teams over the next three weeks, it got me thinking about the best teams I ‘ve seen in person this year. In my 15 years of covering major college football, it’s clear that watching a game in person provides far more context and insight to inform ratings and rankings.
So far, I’ve seen six of the top 12 teams in the CFP. This group includes the three highest ranked teams in the standings: Oregon, Ohio State And Texas. I saw Georgia too, which means I saw the top four teams in the AP and preseason coaches polls. I also watched countless hours of film and, after much thought, decided to sit down, share my findings, and determine, based primarily on my “eye test,” the four best teams I’ve seen in person this season. For what it’s worth, these four teams also have the best chances to win the national championship, according to Césars Sports betting. When you register on Césars Sports betting today you can earn a welcome bonus that unlocks up to one $1,000 first bet returned as a bonus bet. Use promo code “CBS1000” to take advantage of this offer.
Three of these four teams remain in the top four of the CFP rankings today, with only Georgia as the outlier. It’s obviously not a stretch to consider the No. 10 Bulldogs a legitimate title contender with three wins against top 25 teams, including a road win at No. 3 Texas, so we’ll include them in this experience of reflection.
1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4.Texas
My thoughts on Oregon
When I saw them: 10/12 against Ohio State in Eugene (32-31 W)
If you’ve been following my writing since the spring, you know that I long believed that Oregon would win the Big Ten in its first season in the conference. After seeing them hold off Ohio State in a 32-31 thriller in Eugene, the Ducks solidified that position, proving to be the best overall team in the country. They ranked #3 in the preseason and are currently deservedly the consensus #1 ranked team in college football.
As I said in the spring, there are two teams best equipped to navigate a dangerous schedule while staying healthy enough to play multiple playoff games and win a national title: Oregon and Georgia. Dan Lanning has built a team filled with depth in the trenches and a veteran player at quarterback (Dillon Gabriel). Because of this, they were able to survive three weeks of musical chairs along the offensive line (at least 10 different formations were used due to injuries in September), then beat the most talented team in the country despite losing of the ferryman. Jordan Burch just 48 hours before kickoff against the Buckeyes.
The Ducks, however, are unable to beat the Buckeyes in a rematch.
For what? Well, read the next section.
My thoughts on Ohio State
When I saw them: 10/12 against Oregon in Eugene (32-31 defeat)
For as much criticism Ryan Day receives for failing in big matches (mostly against Michigan), the talent level in Columbus is immense. Any other night, maybe Ohio State rallies and beats Oregon on the road. The deciding factor in this game, I still believe, was OSU’s unwillingness to be more creative in the running game. If they relied more on Quinhson Judkins and Co., OSU would win this game in Eugene.
My thoughts on Georgia
When I saw them: 8/31 against Clemson in Atlanta (34-3 victory)
Georgia, like Oregon, is built to win it all — and, make no mistake, Lanning has built his roster with the blueprint of his mentor, Kirby Smart, in mind. However, unlike Oregon, Georgia does not have a veteran player at quarterback, a superstar capable of taking over a game and making three or four big plays in critical moments. Carson Beck was usable, if not completely inconsistent. In week one, the Bulldogs were the best team in the country when I saw them compete. Clemson in Atlanta. The most impressive takeaway was how smart, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo adjusted the offensive game plan after halftime, opting to attack the edges with short throws and speed from the backs to open up the middle of the field. When that happened, Beck calmed down in the pocket and delivered two big passes to the middle of the field, and suddenly more options developed as receivers like Humphreys of London And Colbie Young (now suspended) intervened.
That seemed to disappear in the big games later in the schedule. The 31-17 victory against Tennessee last week, a much-needed return to what I saw during the second half of week 1? Beck was on top again, finding new and varied options, delivering 10 passes to tight ends for 130 of his 347 passing yards. This safety valve could prove the key to restoring Beck’s confidence and increasing the Bulldogs’ chances of winning the national championship.
My thoughts on Texas
When I saw them: 11/16 against Arkansas in Fayetteville (20-10 victory)
Meanwhile, Texas has been mostly stuck in cruise control this season. The Longhorns have just one loss — a double-digit stinker at home to Georgia — but sneakily own seven wins by 19-plus points, tying Oregon for first in the nation. Their greatest victory is undoubtedly against Vanderbilt. The CV is weak, but the talent is incredible. They have surpassed or matched every team in the talent department on the field this season.
As I wrote Saturday after watching the Longhorns in person against Arkansas, they are capable of playing with their food or devouring it. But something is holding them back. It’s the quarterback’s game Quinn Ewerswho seems to give up on games a moment too soon when the pocket collapses? Maybe it’s Steve Sarkisian, who is more reluctant this season to throw deep shots on offense. Regardless, the defense is among the best I’ve seen this season. They sacked Arkansas six times and defensive back Jahdae Barron lived up to the hype with an interception, two tackles for loss and a sack – and should be seriously considered to win the Thorpe Award.
College football has slowly but surely become a more unpredictable sport among powerhouse teams. There is more talent than ever in power conferences, but that talent is also more dispersed within those borders. Coaching still matters, and over time, the best coaches will get the most out of the four aforementioned contenders.
Oregon and Georgia are in a position to do just that, but the path Ohio State is taking seems a bit more favorable.
Analytics can be misleading, just like our eyes. That’s why we play these games.
MORE: Brandon Marcello’s latest power rankings, with Indiana and Notre Dame in the top five