This week’s US LBM Coaches Poll is likely to see four Big Ten teams occupying the top five positions, while several two-loss SEC teams scramble to secure spots in the top 10.

Oregon will keep its No. 1 ranking after narrowly defeating Wisconsin, followed by Ohio State in second place. Texas takes the third spot as the only SEC team with less than two losses, while Penn State and Indiana round out the top five. The Hoosiers and Buckeyes are set to face off next Saturday.

Beyond these top teams, the comparison among Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee poses a challenge for voters.

The Tide earned a win against the Bulldogs but faced a defeat against the Volunteers. Conversely, the Volunteers triumphed over Alabama but fell short against Georgia. Meanwhile, the Rebels defeated Georgia but suffered a surprising loss to Kentucky at home.

Here’s what we predict the top 10 will look like in this week’s poll, which will be released later today:

1. Oregon (11-0)

After a tight victory over Wisconsin (16-13), Oregon will take a week off before facing their rival Washington at the end of November. They are gearing up for a showdown against either Ohio State, Indiana, or Penn State to determine the Big Ten champion. This marks the Ducks’ first 11-0 season since 2010.

2. Ohio State (9-1)

The Buckeyes initially struggled against Northwestern but accelerated scoring late in the second quarter, achieving three touchdowns within the last seven minutes of the half, leading 21-7 at halftime. Running back Quinshon Judkins contributed two short touchdown runs, enhancing his scoring performance in Big Ten games. Their next opponent is Indiana.

3. Texas (9-1)

Texas secured a 20-10 victory over Arkansas, paving the way for a highly anticipated rivalry game against Texas A&M to conclude the regular season. The outcome of this match will likely determine who plays in the SEC championship, with the losing team likely losing their shot at an at-large playoff bid. Quarterback Quinn Ewers recorded two touchdown throws this month, marking seven in total without an interception.

4. Penn State (9-1)

The Nittany Lions cruised to a 49-10 win against Purdue, which is encouraging for a couple of reasons. First, they didn’t fall into a trap against a weaker team ahead of significant games against Minnesota and Maryland. Second, it marks their second consecutive game with a commanding victory after facing tough opponents like Southern California, Wisconsin, and Ohio State.

5. Indiana (10-0)

Indiana did not play last Saturday, giving them an additional week to prepare for what could be their most crucial regular-season game ever. Their remarkable start and probable playoff appearance led them to extend first-year coach Curt Cignetti’s contract to eight years at an average of $8 million annually, along with a $1 million yearly retention bonus.

6. Notre Dame (9-1)

By defeating Virginia, Notre Dame secured six victories against teams with non-losing records ahead of their upcoming neutral-site clash with No. 17 Army. The Irish are almost guaranteed a playoff spot should they end the season with just one loss, even if that one loss was a surprising defeat against Northern Illinois.

7. Alabama (8-2)

The Crimson Tide’s momentum continues positively after impressive wins over Missouri and LSU. Following a decisive 52-7 victory against Mercer, they now look to upcoming games against Oklahoma and Auburn. Quarterback Jalen Milroe threw three touchdown passes within just over two quarters on Saturday, bringing his season total to 32 touchdowns.

8. Georgia (8-2)

Georgia is expected to move up in this week’s poll and potentially see a larger increase in Tuesday’s playoff rankings. Their victory over Tennessee showcased their capabilities, particularly as quarterback Carson Beck performed efficiently with 340 yards and two touchdowns while avoiding turnovers, something he struggled with earlier this season.

9. Mississippi (8-2)

There’s a strong argument to place Ole Miss ahead of Georgia since they defeated the Bulldogs earlier this month. However, Georgia’s win over Tennessee hinders the Rebels’ chances to rise in this week’s rankings. Nevertheless, their solid performance after losing to LSU last month justifies their spot in the top 10.

10. Miami (9-1)

Miami is likely to rank higher than Tennessee due to the Volunteers’ lackluster roster of wins aside from their victory against Alabama. Although Miami hasn’t faced teams comparable to Alabama, they have achieved victories against six teams with non-losing records, while the Volunteers have four such wins.