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College Football: No Clear Top Team This Season

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Analysts say there is no dominant team in college football this season, as debate continues about who is really on top.

On the show 'Don't @ Me' with Dan Dakich, this idea was discussed in detail.

Dakich argued that, unlike in past years, no single team stands clearly above the rest right now.

Meanwhile, writer Tom Fornelli has published new power ratings, a list that ranks all 138 college football teams.

These rankings come ahead of what is being called the most pivotal weekend of the season, when key games could reshape the standings.

In Fornelli's latest list, Georgia and Miami remain in the top two spots, just as before.

However, Fornelli notes that cracks are starting to appear in both teams' performances.

This means that even the top-ranked teams have shown some weaknesses recently.

The idea of 're-ranking' is important here, since Fornelli regularly updates his list as the season goes on.

This allows fans and analysts to track how teams rise and fall over several weeks.

With so many teams showing some flaws, many believe this season is especially unpredictable.

Fans are now waiting to see how the big games this weekend might change the rankings even more.

If Georgia or Miami lose, the gap at the top could disappear completely.

For now, though, these two teams remain the ones to beat, even if neither looks truly dominant.

Vocabulary7 words

dominant
much stronger than all others
power rating
a ranked list that shows which teams are best
cracks
small signs of weakness or problems
pivotal
very important for what happens next
re-ranking
making a new order for a list
standings
the current order of teams based on results
analysts
people who study and explain something closely

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Quiz

1. What is the main point made on 'Don't @ Me' with Dan Dakich?
2. What does Tom Fornelli's power rating currently show?
3. True or false: Fornelli's rankings include all 138 college football teams.

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Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Analysts say there is no _____ team in college football this season.

On the show 'Don't @ Me' with Dan Dakich, this idea was discussed in _____.

Dakich argued that no single team stands clearly above the _____ right now.

Writer Tom Fornelli has published new _____, a list that ranks all 138 college football teams.

These rankings come ahead of the most _____ weekend of the season.

In Fornelli's latest list, Georgia and Miami remain in the top two _____.

Fornelli notes that _____ are starting to appear in both teams' performances.

This allows fans to track how teams rise and fall in the _____.

If Georgia or Miami lose, the gap at the top could _____ completely.

Discussion questions

  1. Why do you think analysts believe no team is dominant this season?
  2. How do power ratings help fans understand a sport like college football?
  3. What might cause a top team to show 'cracks' during a season?
  4. Do you think rankings should change every week, or stay more fixed? Why?

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