He is bought the Hoosiers off to a 5-0 begin and at No. 23 within the AP Ballot. Indiana is in a tricky Large Ten convention trying to get at the very least three groups into the expanded playoff. He’ll should hope his staff does not look previous Northwestern on Saturday and falter in this system’s greatest alternative at postseason success within the playoff period.
4. Kalen DeBoer | Alabama head coach
The now No. 1 Crimson Tide could have a goal on their backs as they journey to Nashville to face a Vanderbilt staff that gave Missouri all it might deal with final week. Alabama should not have bother getting the win however all eyes might be on how the staff responds to a season-defining win within the post-Nick Saban period.
5. Mike Norvell | Florida State head coach
Regardless of lastly incomes this system’s first win of the season in opposition to California in Week 4, Norvell might be combating for his job in opposition to No. 15 Clemson after a dismal Week 5 loss to SMU. A tall ask, for positive, however the fifth-year head coach is hoping a quarterback change might be sufficient to shift the season’s disappointing fortunes. The unhealthy information? Florida State has lost seven of the last eight meetings with the Tigers.
6. Brock Glenn | Florida State quarterback
Talking of a quarterback change, Norvell’s decision to start freshman passer Brock Glenn was extra pressured by DJ Uiagalelei’s damaged finger than it was poor play. Glenn changed Uiagalelei within the 42-16 thumping by SMU final week, finishing none of his 4 passing makes an attempt. There’s positive to be a whole lot of strain on the younger quarterback, now carrying the heavy expectations of this system in a high-profile matchup.
7. Dabo Swinney | Clemson head coach
No. 15 Clemson has quietly clawed its approach again into the playoff dialog, biding its time to pounce on No. 8 Miami if and when it falters. However Saturday, Swinney could have his boys centered on a floundering Florida State program that may love nothing greater than to be discounted and hand the Tigers a second loss that may successfully finish their playoff hopes. His seat may not be hot yet, however Swinney will really feel it getting a complete lot hotter if the staff cannot handle enterprise.
8. Cam Ward | Miami quarterback
Talking of No. 8 Miami faltering, Ward might be main this system into its first recreation in Berkeley, California since 1990. The time distinction could possibly be a problem for the undefeated Hurricanes, with the ten:30pm ET kickoff being the latest in program history, however Ward is returning to a well-recognized environment. The Washington State switch performed within the Pac-12 for 2 years earlier than arriving in Coral Gables, maybe night the taking part in subject only a bit.
9. Eli Drinkwitz | Missouri head coach
No. 9 Missouri barely escaped two straight weeks with wins in opposition to inferior opponents, failing to duplicate the dominating performances of its first two contests. Drinkwitz should re-spark his offense that outscored foes 89-0 earlier than Week 3. A loss to No. 25 Texas A&M on Saturday would not remove it from playoff rivalry however it could in all probability be the start of the top for the Tigers with a stacked SEC vying for a similar bids.
10. Ryan Day | Ohio State head coach
The No. 3 Buckeyes have up to now lived as much as the hype their gifted roster garnered all offseason, remaining undefeated and making a 38-7 assertion within the staff’s Large Ten opener in opposition to Michigan State. Now, Day faces the subsequent hurdle in what appears like a nationwide championship or bust sort of season. Iowa hasn’t received in Columbus since 1991, so for that streak to finish on Saturday it could be a stunning blow to Day’s legacy and Ohio State’s nationwide title aspirations.
