Football expert Phil Steele is the owner and publisher of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, regarded as the college football bible. Get in-depth coverage of college and pro football 24/7/365 at PhilSteele.com.

Syracuse (+26) over CLEMSON: The College Football Playoff committee put out its rankings this week. Last year, the top five teams combined to go 0-5 against the spread after the first release. All Clemson has to do is win out and it will be in. The Tigers are off a big, emotional win at Florida State, while Syracuse is fresh off a bye. Clemson has five wins by a touchdown or less and the Orange will keep this closer than expected.

STANFORD (-14¹/₂) over Oregon State: I went with Stanford to cover at Arizona last week, and the Cardinal made a switch at quarterback and came up big, winning by more than three touchdowns. I’m going back to them this week. Last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up Christian McCaffrey is back to nearly 100 percent healthy and had his first 100-yard effort last week since opening the season with three straight. The Beavers are allowing 239 rushing yards per game in Pac-12 play and Stanford will get another blowout win.

Last week (NCAA): 2-0
Season: 9-8-1