Should Alabama be looking over its shoulder at Michigan?
— -- Did that really just happen?
Yes, it did, Texas A&M, and you'll be hearing cowbells in your sleep all week. Nebraska received its reality check in Columbus, Ohio, while the best of the ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 flexed their muscles with lopsided victories.
It's time to look back at Week 10 and determine what's real and what will soon be proved imaginary.
Week 10 hypothesis: Michigan is the nation's most dominant team
Verdict: Real
The Wolverines haven't been tested like Alabama, Ohio State and Clemson, but they continue to ravage anyone lining up across from them. A 59-3 win over Maryland marked Michigan's third victory by 50 points or more against an FBS opponent this season, tied for the most nationally with Ohio State. Only two of Michigan's nine wins have been by single digits, and only Wisconsin, the nation's best two-loss team, truly made the Wolverines sweat in crunch time. Michigan's schedule also continues to look better. Penn State, a 49-10 loser Sept. 24 at Michigan Stadium, likely will enter the selection committee's top 10 this week. Colorado, which fell to Michigan in Week 3, still sits atop the Pac-12 South. Alabama had close calls against both Ole Miss and LSU, while Washington went to overtime with an Arizona team that has become historically bad. Michigan still has a big hurdle left at Ohio State, but it shows no sign of slowing down.
Week 10 hypothesis: Texas' D'Onta Foreman is a Heisman candidate
Verdict: Imagined
Foreman is a tremendous talent who has blossomed this season under coordinator Sterlin Gilbert. He had a career-high 341 rushing yards against Texas Tech, the most by a Longhorns player since Heisman winner Ricky Williams in 1998. The 6-foot-1, 249-pound junior has recorded 10 consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, one shy of Earl Campbell's record in 1977. But running backs on 5-4 teams -- even exceptional ones like Foreman -- struggle to gain any traction for the Heisman, especially when they play in a league filled with shaky defenses. This race has been and will continue to be shaped by quarterbacks on championship contenders, namely Louisville's Lamar Jackson and Clemson's Deshaun Watson, who both enhanced their chances Saturday. Washington quarterback Jake Browning also is in the mix -- and Huskies receiver John Ross might soon get some love. Foreman deserves more national recognition, but so does San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey (1,469 rush yards). Both backs will have a tough time getting to New York for the Heisman ceremony.
Week 10 hypothesis: The SEC will have the least competitive Power 5 championship game
Verdict: Real
Remember when the SEC championship was considered a better talent show than the national title game? Oh, for the days of Florida-Alabama in 2008 and 2009, or Alabama-Georgia in 2012. The game has become progressively worse and will bottom out this season as the East Division will throw out some poor squad, likely Florida, to be devoured in Atlanta. You read it here last week:? The SEC East is the worst division in the Power 5, reconfirming its bottom-feeder status with losses from Florida and Kentucky. The Big Ten title game likely will feature Wisconsin against Michigan or Ohio State. Washington will face a test from Utah, Colorado and USC in the Pac-12 championship. And North Carolina or Virginia Tech will challenge Clemson in the ACC title game. But the SEC West winner, likely Alabama or Auburn, should have no trouble securing a playoff berth in Atlanta.
Week 10 hypothesis: Mark Helfrich is done at Oregon
Verdict: Imagined
Helfrich didn't help himself Saturday as Oregon fell behind 17-0 and never challenged USC in a 45-20 loss. All the good vibes from the Arizona State win and quarterback Justin Herbert as a potential coach savior pretty much vanished into the L.A. smog. Oregon's trend line under Helfrich is extremely troubling as the team seems to be fading in talent, performance and certainly coaching. ESPN colleague Darren Rovell's tweet about Phil Knight being willing to spend beaucoup bucks on Helfrich's successor is certainly worth monitoring. But Oregon is, pardon the pun, an odd duck when it comes to football coaches, not firing one in 40 years. Industry sources are still mixed on whether the school actually dismisses Helfrich or instead shakes up a staff that likely could use new blood. Another source said the Oregon State game is the one that could determine Helfrich's future. Will Helfrich be back in 2017? Maybe not, but it's still murky.
Week 10 hypothesis: An ACC team is Alabama's biggest obstacle to another national title
Verdict: Real
As if we needed another reminder, Alabama showed Saturday night that it doesn't lose to teams that resemble itself. Perhaps an opponent like Michigan or Washington changes the story in the playoff, but it doesn't seem likely. The formula to slaying Alabama remains a dynamic, imaginative, tempo-based offense, exceptional quarterback play and difference-makers on defense. It's why ACC leaders Clemson and Louisville have the best chances to take down the Tide. Both teams boast elite quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson, respectively. Both are capable of scoring in bunches, as witnessed Saturday. And both have enough defensive stars to possibly make Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts look his age. Auburn belongs in this discussion, too, but the Tigers play Alabama on the road rather than at a neutral playoff site. Gus Malzahn's team has completely turned around its season, but Auburn doesn't have the quarterback play or the number of elite defenders as both Clemson and Louisville.
Week 10 hypothesis: Bedlam definitely will decide the Big 12 champion
Verdict: Imagined
At the end of September, the Oklahoma schools were a combined 3-4 and already out of the playoff race. Suddenly things are looking sunnier for Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, which are a combined 14-4 entering the stretch run. The rivals appear to be on a collision course for the Bedlam game, which might decide the Big 12 champion. But don't forget about West Virginia, which is very much still in this race. A trip to suddenly surging Texas looms this week, but West Virginia still gets both Oklahoma and Baylor at home, where the Mountaineers have been strong on defense. If West Virginia wins out and Oklahoma State falls to Texas Tech (home), TCU (road) or Oklahoma (road), Dana Holgorsen's team will win the Big 12. Would an 11-1 West Virginia make the playoff? Probably not but it's not impossible. The Big 12 race should crystallize next week but don't write off the 'Eers.
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