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 – 7.7
College Football’s best conference continues to show it’s depth. We knew Wisconsin was good, but Nebraska proved they were too, nearly knocking off the Badgers on the road. Michigan and Ohio State weren’t all that impressive in their wins over Michigan State and Northwestern, but they won. They remain on a collision course.
Next week Nebraska goes to Ohio State, and with the shaky way the Buckeyes have played recently the Cornhuskers have a shot even on the road to pull the upset. That would get Nebraska back in the playoff picture.
Playoff Contenders
Michigan
In the Playoff Picture
Ohio State, Wisconsin
2) SEC – 7.6
It was a quiet week in the SEC. Auburn’s resurgence continues to enhance Clemson’s resume. They’ve moved into the top 12 now. Tennessee has predictably tanked losing to a bad South Carolina team, which is what normally happens to them after Alabama thumps them each year.
Next week there isn’t much of note in the SEC except for Alabama playing at LSU. Should LSU win, the playoff picture from the SEC becomes very muddled. LSU could win the SEC West with 2 losses, and then what? An LSU win could throw the playoff rankings into chaos.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
Texas A&M
3) ACC – 7.4
With Clemson’s win at Florida State, they possess the best resume in the country and are firmly in the playoffs. Louisville is struggled with Virginia, but remains just outside of the top 4. Wake Forest losing to Army and Miami going to down to Notre Dame hurt the ACC’s overall strength slightly for this week.
Next week Clemson hosts improved Syracuse, and Louisville plays Boston College. Both are heavily favored and should win. With the Big 12 virtually eliminated from the playoff chase, the ACC is basically guaranteed spot even with a loss.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
Louisville
4) Pac 12 – 6.5
Washington won at Utah. This has the Huskies in great position to make the playoffs. They certainly control their own destiny now.
Washington goes to California next week to face that high flying offense. Huskies can’t overlook Cal.
Playoff Contenders
Washington
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) Big 12 – 5.5
It was a disastrous day for the Big 12. West Virginia and Baylor went down to Oklahoma State and Texas. The Big 12 has now zero teams in playoff contention, and none even on the radar screen. With more than a month left in the season, the Big 12 is all but forgotten in terms of national relevance.
There no games of playoff interest in the Big 12 this week. Oklahoma plays Iowa State. As the highest ranked Big 12 team, they need to keep winning and hope a rash of upsets happens across the rest of the country and I do mean a lot of upsets.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
The Rest
Boise State lost to Wyoming. They are no independents or group of 5 teams that can reach the playoff under any circumstance.
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 – Washington | Alabama | Clemson | Michigan
Just Missed – 5) Louisville 6) Ohio State 7) Texas A&M 8) Wisconsin
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