Ranking the Power 5 Football Conferences after week 10 with Playoff Analysis.

Chaos in the first week of November!

Let me point out on my philosophy on these rankings – you’re 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 12 – 7.1

TCU was exposed this weekend, with a disastrous 49-29 loss to Oklahoma State. That knocks TCU out of the playoff chase, but puts Oklahoma State right in it. Baylor struggled with a bad Kansas State team, but as I’ve said before, there are 4 top 20 caliber teams in the Big 12. 40% of the conference is quality teams. That’s a higher percentage than any other conference. I still don’t like the lack of elite non-conference wins, but the Big 12 holds on to the top spot by a hair.

Next week Oklahoma plays Baylor, and I have a feeling that will be end of the line for Baylor’s playoff chances.

Playoff Contenders

Baylor, Oklahoma State

In the Playoff Picture

Oklahoma

2) SEC – 7.05

Not a strong week for the SEC. Mediocre teams Arkansas and Auburn, beat ranked SEC opponents Ole Miss and Texas A&M. An awful Vanderbilt squad nearly beat the highest ranked SEC East Florida.

LSU’s one dimensional team wilted at Alabama.

Frankly this is a one team league – Alabama. It’s hard not to place the Tide in the top 4 now. I would say they’ve earned their spot. Next week they head to Mississippi State, who have a QB good enough in Dak Prescott to beat the Tide. A 1 loss SEC Champ other than Alabama is not ensured to make the playoffs. The results just aren’t there.

Playoff Contenders 

Alabama

In the Playoff Picture

Florida

3) Pac 12 – 7.04

The Pac 12 keeps treading water. This is probably the nation’s deepest top to bottom league, but lacks an elite team.

Stanford and Utah have 1 loss, and need help. LSU, TCU, Michigan State losses do help though.

Next week Stanford faces an improving Oregon team, and Utah plays Arizona.

Playoff Contenders

NONE

In the Playoff Picture

Stanford, Utah

4) Big 10 – 6.9

The Big 10 is sinking fast. Michigan State’s loss to a bad Nebraska team was a real blow to the conference. Ohio State continues to look unimpressive, but Iowa keeps winning.

The Big 10’s lead over the ACC is razer thin, but they are still a little deeper at the top.

Nothing really noteworthy next week, but keep an eye on Minnesota/Iowa. The Gophers pushed Ohio State Saturday.

Playoff Contenders  

Ohio State

In the Playoff Picture

Iowa

5) ACC – 6.8

Clemson continues it’s march towards the playoff after beating Florida State 23-13. The Noles are officially eliminated from playoff consideration. UNC is looking like worthy Coastal Division team. They smashed Duke 66-31. The Heels quietly are playing top 20 caliber football, and give the ACC some much needed depth.

The Heels can lock up the Coastal Division if they beat Miami next week. Clemson should have no problem at Syracuse.

Playoff Contenders

Clemson

In the Playoff Picture

NONE

The Rest 

Notre Dame cruised over Pittsburgh and looks very strong, but is there enough there to overtake a power 5 conference champion? For now I have them in the top 4. Memphis took a shocking loss to Navy. Houston is the last remaining group of 5 undefeated team.

Playoff Contenders 

Notre Dame

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 –   Notre Dame | Alabama | Clemson | Ohio State

Just Missed – 5) Oklahoma State  6) Iowa 7) Baylor 8) Oklahoma