While the playoff committee doesn’t rank the power 5 conference, there is no way conference strength – which means OOC results doesn’t figure in to a committee members thought process.
Let me point out on my philosophy on these rankings – your most recent OOC results count a lot, and you’ll see me reference that throughout the season.
We’ll give each conference a relative strength value 1-10.
Let me explain my relative rankings
0-5 : Conference lacks depth no elite teams
6-7: Conference lacks depth, and there are 1-2 elite teams, and 1-2 quality teams
7-8: At least 2 elite teams, and at least 2 quality teams.
8-9: 3 elite teams, and at least 2 quality teams
9-10: 1/2 of conference is elite and/or quality teams.
1) Big 10 – 8.2
The Big 10 gets a slight lift with Michigan pounding Notre Dame this past weekend. They have 6 ranked teams, and Ohio State looks like the nation’s best team. That’s enough to keep the Big 10 at the top of this list.
There are no games of note next week in the Big 10.
Playoff Contenders
Ohio State, Penn State
In the Playoff Picture
Minnesota
Week 9 Key Games
NONE
2) SEC – 8.0
LSU picks up a resume win against this past weekend, and is firmly in the top 4. Their win over Texas though carries less and less weight with each passing week. A playoff elimination game will be played between Florida and Georgia this weekend.
Week 9 Key Games
Auburn at LSU
Playoff Contenders
LSU, Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
Florida
3) Big 12 – 7.3
The Big 12 took a devastating loss when Kansas State knocked off Oklahoma. Texas also lost to TCU. Is the Big 12 now down to rooting for Baylor to win out?
Week 9 Key Games
None
Playoff Contenders
None
In the Playoff Picture
Baylor
4) Pac 12 – 7.0
The Pac 12 waited and waited and now they are on the fringes of the playoff discussion with Oregon and Utah. One of them needs to win out for the Pac 12 to have a shot at a playoff. In particular if Oregon can win out, I really like their chances
Week 9 Key Games
Utah at Washington
Oregon at USC
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Utah, Oregon
5) ACC – 6.6
Clemson… There’s nothing else to say about the ACC.
Week 9 Key Games
NONE
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
The Rest
Good Bye Notre Dame
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
My Current Playoff Teams
As my personal criticism of the playoff committee, I don’t think the top 4 seeds order should be released until the final rankings. The playoff committee’s inconsistent and ever changing criteria is causing unnecessary frustration and confusion. It’s one of the improvement points I’d have for them.
If I had a vote this is who I would put in the playoff right now.
In – Ohio State | Alabama | Clemson | LSU
Just Missed – 5) Penn State 6) Florida 7) Oregon 8 ) Utah
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