He’s bought the Hoosiers off to a 5-0 begin and at No. 23 within the AP Ballot. Indiana is in a troublesome Massive Ten convention trying to get at the least three groups into the expanded playoff. He’ll should hope his crew doesn’t look previous Northwestern on Saturday and falter in this system’s finest alternative at postseason success within the playoff period.
4. Kalen DeBoer | Alabama head coach
The now No. 1 Crimson Tide can have a goal on their backs as they journey to Nashville to face a Vanderbilt crew that gave Missouri all it may deal with final week. Alabama shouldn’t have hassle getting the win however all eyes might be on how the crew 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 preventing 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 misplaced seven of the final eight conferences with the Tigers.
6. Brock Glenn | Florida State quarterback
Talking of a quarterback change, Norvell’s determination to begin 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 variety of stress 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 can have his boys centered on a floundering Florida State program that will love nothing greater than to be discounted and hand the Tigers a second loss that will successfully finish their playoff hopes. His seat might not be scorching but, however Swinney will really feel it getting an entire lot hotter if the crew can’t deal with 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 may very well be a difficulty for the undefeated Hurricanes, with the ten:30pm ET kickoff being the newest in program historical past, however Ward is returning to a well-known environment. The Washington State switch performed within the Pac-12 for 2 years earlier than arriving in Coral Gables, maybe night the enjoying discipline 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 copy 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 wouldn’t get rid of it from playoff competition however it could in all probability be the start of the tip for the Tigers with a stacked SEC vying for a similar bids.
10. Ryan Day | Ohio State head coach
The No. 3 Buckeyes have thus far lived as much as the hype their proficient roster garnered all offseason, remaining undefeated and making a 38-7 assertion within the crew’s Massive Ten opener in opposition to Michigan State. Now, Day faces the following hurdle in what looks like a nationwide championship or bust form of season. Iowa hasn’t gained 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.