Talk about complete chaos Saturday! Let’s see how this affects the playoff rankings.
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 – 7.6
Michigan took a look a loss at Iowa, but that really affect their playoff hopes. If they win out they are in. There’s a big problem for the committee looming though, and it’s Ohio State. If Penn State wins out then Ohio State doesn’t win it’s division. Will the committee put in a 2 loss Penn State team with a OOC loss to Pittsburgh and a blowout at the hands of the Michigan in?
It became a messy situation after Michigan lost to Iowa.
Next week Wisconsin plays Purdue Ohio State plays Michigan State. Michigan plays Indiana, and Penn State plays Rutgers. I don’t see any upsets there. The Big 10 is deep, and wide open. Maybe too deep for it’s own good.
Playoff Contenders
Michigan, Ohio State
In the Playoff Picture
Wisconsin, Penn State
2) Alabama/SEC – 7.3
Reporting on the SEC is basically reporting on Alabama. They won big against Mississippi State, and are by far the nation’s best team. They’ll cruise into the playoffs as the number 1 seed by a very wide margin.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
3) ACC – 7.2
The ACC took a slight hit this week with ranked teams Virginia Tech and North Carolina going down to unranked Georgia Tech and Duke. That hurt the ACC’s ranking depth at the moment. Clemson also lost to Pittsburgh. The Panther have wins over Clemson and Penn State. The Tigers loss honestly didn’t affect their playoff hopes much. If they win out they are in. Louisville is now in very good position after the rash of upsets.
The Cardinals are definitely in play for a playoff spot.
They play Houston Thursday night. The nation will be watching. Clemson plays at Wake Forest and can’t afford another slip up.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson, Louisville
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
4) Pac 12 – 6.5
Clemson could afford a loss. Michigan could afford a loss. Washington could not afford a loss, and USC beat them by double digits at Washington. The Huskies thin resume was already suspect, and now the Pac 12 is not in a good position. Washington has to win out, and they have to hope for the best. 1 loss non-power 5 champions like Ohio State or Louisville could be selected over the Pac 12 champ.
Washington plays Arizona State this weekend and a loss would sink the Huskies.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Washington
5) Big 12 – 5.6
The Big 12 is still taking a beating for getting trounced during the OOC portion of their schedule, but they are starting to get back into the fringes of the playoff discussion. Oklahoma and West Virginia win this past week, and now face each other this week in a top 15 matchup.
The winner is still in pretty bad playoff position, but with another week of chaos like this past week could sneak back into things… maybe.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Oklahoma
The Rest
There were no games outside the Power 5, that have any bearing on the playoff chase.
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 | Louisville
Just Missed – 5) Michigan 6) Wisconsin 7) Washington 8) Penn State
Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page
Leave a Reply