Ohio State continued to march on, passing its second test of the season on Saturday with a win over Penn State.
The Buckeyes put together a defensive performance that squarely puts them in the national title conversation if they weren’t already. The Nittany Lions were averaging over 40 points per game until they ran into the Silver Bullet defense that held them to 12 points and no third down conversions until the final minute of the game.
There are still those in the media and fan base who weren’t pleased with the effort, but it seems at least one person was. Fox Sports analyst, Joel Klatt, was in Ohio Stadium to call the game on Saturday and saw firsthand how dominant this defense was. And Klatt, who knows a thing or two about the game, understands that even if the offense isn’t as explosive as in the past, that defense is good enough to win games.
Last week, Ohio State came in at No. 5 in Klatt’s rankings. With Georgia off this week, Oklahoma squeaking one out over Central Florida, and Michigan once again dominating an inferior opponent in Michigan State, let’s take a look at how the Klatt sees the top 10 this week.
Teams just outside Klatt's rankings
Alabama Crimson Tide
Oregon State Beavers
Ole Miss
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
What we think
It is hard to argue with Klatt’s choices here, although some would say Alabama should be higher. The Tide dominated Tennessee in the second half on Saturday, but it feels like Nick Saban’s team is too inconsistent. Lane Kiffen and Ole Miss keep finding ways to win, hanging on to beat Auburn late Saturday night. Oregon State and Notre Dame were both off this week, but have played solid schedules thus far.
NEXT … Klatt’s top 10 teams
No. 10 - Penn State Nittany Lions
What we think
While we wouldn’t go as far as James Franklin in his postgame press conference calling the Nittany Lions one of the best teams in college football, we do agree that Penn State is a very good football team. One game does not a season make, but two games definitely will. A chance to regain some respect will come on Nov. 11 when Michigan travels to Happy Valley.
No. 9 - Utah Utes
What we think
Utah continues to find ways to win and it continues to do it while undermanned. Going into the Coliseum with a third-string, walk-on quarterback, and taking down Caleb Williams and USC is an impressive victory in our eyes.
No. 8 - Texas Longhorns
What we think
Texas didn’t look particularly good in its win over Houston. Coming off a bye week and playing the Cougars, we’d expect more from the Longhorns. Yes, Quinn Ewers went down with an injury in the third quarter, but Texas benefited from a questionable late-game spot to hang on for the win over the in-state foe.
No. 7 - Oregon Ducks
What we think
It took a little while for Oregon to get going against Washington State, but when the Ducks got rolling, they showed why they are one of the most explosive teams in the country.
No. 6 - Washington Huskies
What we think
Washington must have had a hangover from its win over Oregon a couple weeks earlier. The Huskies had to have some fourth-quarter heroics to avoid the upset at home against Arizona State. Not a good look after a big win.
No. 5 - Oklahoma Sooners
What we think
For much of the season, Oklahoma has looked like a revitalized program … until yesterday when the Sooners struggled with the Big 12 bottom dweller, Central Florida. OU had to make a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Knights. Maybe it was just a hiccup or maybe signs of bigger troubles ahead.
No. 4 - Georgia Bulldogs
What we think
With a bye week, the Bulldogs took a tumble in Klatt’s weekly rankings from No. 1 to No. 4. Maybe he’s starting to see what the rest of the country (outside of the southeast) has been thinking. Georgia doesn’t look like the No. 1 team in the country right now. Losing Brock Bowers doesn’t help things either.
No. 3 - Florida State Seminoles
What we think
Florida State beat Duke, 38-20, on Saturday. However, the score wasn’t as close as it seemed. The Seminoles trailed going into the fourth quarter before rattling off 21 unanswered points. Blue Devils quarterback, Riley Leonard, was clearly not 100% in his first action since suffering an ankle injury against Clemson. If he had been, it may have spelled trouble for FSU.
No. 2 - Ohio State Buckeyes
What we think
The offense still doesn’t look like the Ferrari we’re used to, but that Ohio State defense has us salivating. Kyle McCord is trying to gain his footing, but until then, the Silver Bullets are good enough to keep this team in any game, and even win it for the Buckeyes.
No. 1 - Michigan Wolverines
What we think
Cheating allegations aside, Michigan has done exactly what a title contender should do. The Wolverines have looked dominant over much lesser opponents and haven’t been tested much. Is that because the Maize and Blue have had an unfair advantage? We’ll let due process play out, but until then, Michigan is playing better than anyone right now according to Klatt.
Joel Klatt's opinion rankings after Week 8
My CFB Top 10 (10/22)
1) @UMichFootball
2) @OhioStateFB
3) @FSUFootball
4) @GeorgiaFootball
5) @OU_Football
6) @UW_Football
7) @oregonfootball
8) @TexasFootball
9) @Utah_Football
10) @PennStateFball
Almost: @AlabamaFTBL @BeaverFootball @NDFootball @OleMissFB— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) October 22, 2023
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