{"id":10376,"date":"2017-11-05T10:46:05","date_gmt":"2017-11-05T15:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=10376"},"modified":"2025-09-13T15:08:49","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T19:08:49","slug":"last-word-on-college-football-top-25-week-10-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2017\/11\/05\/last-word-on-college-football-top-25-week-10-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Last Word On College Football Top 25 (Week 10)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Last Word on College Football <\/strong><\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Top 25 Week 10<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>With each passing week, the stakes get higher. We still have five undefeated teams, but there&#8217;s sure to be a shake-up in the polls after eight teams from last week&#8217;s poll lost. That includes surprisingly losses by <strong>Ohio State<\/strong> and <strong>Penn State<\/strong> in the <strong>Big Ten<\/strong>. Those losses were coupled with statement wins from <strong>Miami<\/strong>, <strong>Wisconsin<\/strong>, and <strong>USC<\/strong>. How will that affect the Last Word on College Football Top 25?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Wisconsin<\/strong> and\u00a0<strong>Miami<\/strong>\u00a0each inched closer, but still trail three one-loss teams. <strong>Memphis<\/strong> closed the gap to <strong>UCF<\/strong> for the top Group-of-Five position. And our voters have a clear top four, led by undefeated <strong>SEC<\/strong> powers <strong>Alabama<\/strong> and <strong>Georgia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>A reminder to our mobile readers to turn your devices for a better reading view.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>LAST WORD ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL\u00a0<\/strong><strong>TOP 25 <\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>WEEK 10<\/strong><\/h2>\n<table width=\"453\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"40\"><strong><strong>Rank<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\" width=\"292\"><strong><strong>\u00a0Team<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"55\"><strong><strong>Points<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" width=\"66\"><strong><strong>Previous<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>1.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9694 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Alabama-Thumbnail-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Alabama-Thumbnail-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Alabama-Thumbnail-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 60px) 100vw, 60px\" \/>ALABAMA <\/strong>(9-0) \u00a0<strong>(16)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">447<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Tide handled business against a resurgent LSU team. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jalen-hurts-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Hurts<\/a><\/strong> was the difference as he stretched a very athletic Tigers defense. Alabama lost two defensive starters to injury, including<strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/shaun-dion-hamilton-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shaun Dion Hamilton<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>2.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9697 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/UGA_logo.svg_-300x194.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"84\" height=\"54\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>GEORGIA\u00a0<\/strong>(9-0) <strong>(2)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">434<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">\u202aThe Bulldogs clinched the SEC East with a tougher than expected 24-10 win over South Carolina. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jake-fromm-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Fromm<\/a><\/strong> threw two touchdown passes in leading <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kirby-smart-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirby Smart<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s club to its first 9-0 start since 1982. Up next the Bulldogs travel to Auburn for the annual rendition of the SEC\u2019s oldest rivalry.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>3.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9709 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/NotreDameFightingIrish.svg_-300x254.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"64\" height=\"54\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/NotreDameFightingIrish.svg_-300x254.png 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/NotreDameFightingIrish.svg_.png 657w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 64px) 100vw, 64px\" \/><\/b><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>NOTRE DAME\u00a0<\/strong>(8-1)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">403<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Irish continue their march towards the playoffs with another impressive win against an ACC foe. This weekend they travel to Maimi to renew one of the great modern rivalries of the game.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>4.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9695 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Clemson_University_Tiger_Paw_logo.svg_-300x287.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"60\" height=\"58\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>CLEMSON\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(8-1)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">393<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">Clemson beat a strong, senior-led NC State team 38-31. NC State led most of the game. Although the Tigers depth coupled with Wolfpack penalties ultimately sealed the fate of NC State. Up next Clemson hosts Florida State.\u202c<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>5.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9707 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Oklahoma_Sooners_logo.svg_-217x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"41\" height=\"57\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>OKLAHOMA\u00a0<\/strong>(8-1)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">371<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">\n<div class=\"clearfix _o46 _3erg _29_7 direction_ltr text_align_ltr\">The Sooners outlasted Oklahoma State in the highest scoring Bedlam game of all-time, 62-52. The Sooners will return home next week for a top 10 battle against TCU.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>6.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9700 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/wisconsin-badgers-logo-300x285.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"58\" height=\"55\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>WISCONSIN\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(9-0)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">354<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">\u202aThe Badgers continue winning. They wore down Indiana over four grueling quarters. Their schedule might not be the strongest, but they&#8217;ll get their chance if they&#8217;re an undefeated Big Ten champion.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>7.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9704 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Miami_Hurricanes_logo.svg_-300x185.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"76\" height=\"47\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4>\u00a0<b>MIAMI\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0(8-0)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">350<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Hurricanes finally have the country on notice after throttling Virginia Tech. This Miami team continues to show that it&#8217;s a contender for the CFP. That contention will be tested against the Irish next Saturday.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>8.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4>\u00a0<strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9699 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/imgres-300x152.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"87\" height=\"44\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/imgres-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/imgres.png 316w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 87px) 100vw, 87px\" \/><\/strong><strong>TCU\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(8-1)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">337<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">TCU took down a struggling Texas team 24-7. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/kenny-hill-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kenny Hill<\/a><\/strong> seems to have recovered after the debacle that was Iowa State. Next up, TCU travels to Norman to take on Oklahoma.\u202c<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>9.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9698 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/University_of_Washington_Block_W_logo.svg_-300x207.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"73\" height=\"50\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>WASHINGTON\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(8-1)\u00a0<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">309<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Huskies destroyed fierce rival Oregon, as expected. Next, UW heads to the Bay Area to take on Stanford Friday night.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>10.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9703 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/2000px-Auburn_University_Athletics_logo.svg_-300x264.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"72\" height=\"63\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4>\u00a0<strong>AUBURN\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(7-2)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">270<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">\n<div class=\"cm-post__featured-paragraph\" data-first-paragraph=\"\">\n<p>Auburn&#8217;s offense was in rhythm again as <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jarrett-stidham-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jarrett Stidham<\/a><\/strong> had a career day and the Tigers put up 52 against the Aggies in College Station. Consistency is what alludes Auburn. The host second-ranked Georgia this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>11.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9702 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/2013_Ohio_State_Buckeyes_logo.svg_-300x295.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"74\" height=\"73\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4>\u00a0<b>OHIO STATE<\/b>\u00a0(7-2)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">248<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">An up-and-down season for the Buckeyes continued on Saturday as the pink locker rooms at Kinnick Stadium struck again. The Buckeyes defense was shredded by the Hawkeyes, although <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jt-barrett-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">J.T. Barrett<\/a><\/strong> didn&#8217;t help them.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>12.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9705 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Interlocking_USC_Logo.svg_-209x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"47\" height=\"67\" \/><b>USC<\/b> (8-2)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">225<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The\u00a0<span style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;\">Trojans got two late fourth-quarter TDs to beat Arizona 49-35 Saturday. USC had 642 total yards of offense, including three TDs and 194 yards rushing from <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=ronald-jones-2,ronald-jones-4&amp;search=Ronald+Jones&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ronald Jones<\/a><\/strong> II. USC needs one win in its last three games to secure the Pac-12 South title.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>13.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9696 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/500px-Penn_State_Nittany_Lions_svg-300x210.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"88\" height=\"62\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>PENN STATE\u00a0<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>(7-2)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">224<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">A three-hour weather delay on the road was an omen of things to come. Penn State just couldn&#8217;t get their offense in gear against Michigan State and have now lost two straight after being the second-ranked team three weeks ago.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>14.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9713 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/BrandAsset_athletics-stackedUCF.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"84\" height=\"71\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>UCF\u00a0<\/strong>(8-0)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">213<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">This is the plight of the Group-of-Five. Undefeated and coming off of a win, the Golden Knights still drop a spot on our poll this weekend. All that matters, however, is that they stay above all of the other G5 teams.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>15.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9706 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Osu_ath_brand-300x163.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"98\" height=\"53\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>OKLAHOMA STATE\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(7-2)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">212<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">Bedlam is an appropriate name for this rivalry. Oklahoma State&#8217;s comeback attempt faltered with a minute remaining. There&#8217;s a lot of math involved, but the Pokes&#8217; hopes of championships are Slim Pickens to none.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>16.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9716 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Michigan-State-logo-block-s.svg_-218x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"49\" height=\"67\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><b>MICHIGAN STATE<\/b> (7-2)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">189<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">For the second time this season, the Spartans won in a weird weather game. Michigan State was able to frustrate and contain the Penn State offense all day on Saturday. A long weather delay extended this game several hours.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>17.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9701 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/WashingtonStateCougars-300x298.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"68\" height=\"68\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/WashingtonStateCougars-300x298.png 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/WashingtonStateCougars-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/WashingtonStateCougars.png 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 68px) 100vw, 68px\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>WASHINGTON STATE\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(8-2)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">152<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Cougars bounced back with a quality win against Stanford in less than ideal conditions. A Pac-12 Championship isn&#8217;t out of the picture yet, but Washington State will need be perfect from here on out.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>18.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8966 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/09\/mississippi-state-bulldogs-logo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"78\" height=\"48\" \/>MISSISSIPPI STATE\u00a0<\/strong>(7-2)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">110<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">NR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Bulldogs pulled away from UMASS in the second half behind <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/nick-fitzgerald-2.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Fitzgerald<\/a><\/strong>. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/dan-mullen-2.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dan Mullen<\/a><\/strong> and crew host top-ranked Alabama this Saturday with a chance to thwart the Tide&#8217;s perfect season.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>19.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10191 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/1176px-Memphis_Tigers_logo.svg_-300x261.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"78\" height=\"68\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>MEMPHIS\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(8-1)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">108<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">Mike Norvell&#8217;s Tigers continue to impress. Norvell took his Memphis squad into Tulsa on a Friday night and went up and down the field behind <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/riley-ferguson-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Riley Ferguson<\/a><\/strong> and a potent passing attack.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>20.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10190 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Iowa_State_Cyclones_logo.svg_-300x207.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"70\" height=\"48\" \/><\/b><\/h4>\n<h4>\u00a0<strong>IOWA STATE\u00a0<\/strong>(6-3)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">94<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Cyclones lost to West Virginia just two weeks after entering the Top 25. They&#8217;ll have a chance at redemption with a match-up against Oklahoma State this weekend. Can Iowa State beat the three best Big 12 teams in one season?<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>21.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4>\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-121 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2016\/08\/iu01050mxpzmj4zqegb0vvhgu.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"71\" height=\"47\" \/><strong>IOWA\u00a0<\/strong>(6-3)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">83<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">Kinnick Stadium is the graveyard of empires in the Big Ten. After ending Michigan&#8217;s CFP hopes last season, the Hawkeyes nearly defeated Penn State earlier and effectively ended Ohio State&#8217;s hopes this weekend.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>22.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9711 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/VT_logo.svg_-300x143.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"97\" height=\"46\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>VIRGINIA TECH\u00a0<\/strong>(7-2)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">79<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Hokies young squad couldn&#8217;t muster the resolve for a big win on the road. With the division title effectively on the line, the Hokies offense stalled against the Hurricanes.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>23.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9708 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Michigan_Wolverines_Logo.svg_-300x191.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"77\" height=\"49\" \/>MICHIGAN\u00a0<\/strong>(7-2)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">49<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">NR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Wolverines are back in the Top 25 after a brief hiatus. But how long can they stay among the nation&#8217;s best? They have Wisconsin on the road and host Ohio State in the next three weeks.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>24.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9714 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/636099103571214250-641145225_North_Carolina_State_University_Athletic_logo.svg_-252x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"63\" height=\"75\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4><b>NORTH CAROLINA STATE\u00a0<\/b>(6-3)<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">48<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">The Wolfpack cling to a spot in the rankings after a close defeat at the hands of Clemson. North Carolina State now has a total of three losses to teams with a combined record of 22-5 on the season.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" rowspan=\"2\">\n<h2><strong>25.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\">\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9712 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/lwosoncfb.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/ea663fb6691b5b0fe666e700f448a8a7-300x241.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"75\" height=\"60\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<h4><strong>USF\u00a0<\/strong>(8-1)<\/h4>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">45<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a024<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"4\">South Florida returned to form against UConn. With an extra week to prepare for Tulsa, the Bulls continue to chart their own destiny to a potential conference title and New Year&#8217;s bowl game.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Others Receiving Votes: LSU (30), Stanford (23), West Virginia (16),\u00a0South Carolina (11), Arizona (7), Boise State (7), Northwestern (6), Toledo (3).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n<p>We&#8217;re still not recovered from this weekend and there&#8217;s six &#8212; count &#8217;em, six &#8212; Top 25 match-ups next weekend. Notre Dame travels to Miami in a battle of top ten teams. In the SEC, Alabama makes the short, 80-mile trip to Starkville to play Mississippi State and Georgia and Auburn renew The Deep South&#8217;s Oldest Rivalry on The Plains. The Big 12 has two Top 25 match-ups with Oklahoma and TCU and Oklahoma State and Iowa State. In the Big Ten, Michigan State continues their brutal schedule stretch traveling to Ohio State. And out west, Stanford has a chance to knock Washington out of CFP contention as they host the Huskies on Friday night.<\/p>\n<p><em>About the Poll: Eighteen LWOCFB writers rank the Top 25 teams across the nation weekly to determine the best teams from around the country.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.666667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/504594966?et=YTFlXeSeT7FapSzHBfQuSw&amp;viewMoreLink=off&amp;sig=RmBR9Wdzm9ky6-7Kvn6n9rmoaCXHY7MlCI3xcDoPBQo=&amp;caption=true\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin: 0;\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our 18 writers survey the college football landscape and bring the Last Word On College Football Top 25, ranking the best teams from around the nation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1117,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,35578,2056],"tags":[35,36,79,24,65,259],"class_list":["post-10376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-featured","category-georgia-bulldogs","category-top-25","tag-alabama-crimson-tide","tag-clemson-tigers","tag-college-football","tag-college-football-rankings","tag-georgia-bulldogs","tag-notre-dame-fighting-irish"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1117"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10376"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78382,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10376\/revisions\/78382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}