How will the top five look? US LBM Coaches Poll projection after Week 11 upsets

How voters handle Georgia and Miami after Saturday’s losses is the biggest question heading into this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.

The Bulldogs were No. 2 before losing 28-10 to Mississippi. Now with two losses in SEC play, Georgia needs help to reach the SEC championship game and cannot afford another loss to earn an at-large bid to the College Football Playoff.

Previously No. 4, Miami was finally burned in ACC play with a 28-23 loss to Georgia Tech. After pulling out narrow wins against California, Virginia Tech, Louisville and Duke, the Hurricanes were unable to mount a late comeback after quarterback Cam Ward was sacked and lost a fumble with two minutes left.

Miami shouldn’t fall too far thanks to the dwindling number of unbeaten and one-loss teams in the Power Four. The degree of the Bulldogs’ tumble depends on how voters approach this confusing team: Is Georgia really one of the best teams in the country?

Things will get very complicated when comparing a few of the two-loss teams in the SEC. Alabama beat Georgia. So did the Rebels. How will this shake out?

Here’s our best guess for the top of this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll:

1. Oregon (10-0)

The Ducks continue to make things look easy in the Big Ten. Saturday’s 39-18 win against Maryland was Oregon’s fifth by 21 or more points in conference play, with last month’s 32-31 win against Ohio State the exception. All that’s left before heading to Indianapolis unbeaten are games at Wisconsin and home against Washington.

WINNERS AND LOSERS: Georgia’s loss to Mississippi leads Week 11 storylines

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2. Ohio State (8-1)

The Buckeyes’ 45-0 steamrolling of Purdue included another very nice game from senior quarterback Will Howard, who went 21 of 26 for 260 yards and three scores. The former…

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Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-11-10 10:10:11

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