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) SEC – 7.4
No changes in the SEC this week. Georgia, Auburn, and Alabama all easily won.
This upcoming week it gets serious. The SEC needs to at least go 2-2 in rivalry week to stay ahead of the ACC as the country’s top conference. Alabama and Auburn play each other in monster game with huge playoff implications. Winner controls their destiny in. The loser does not. If it is Auburn they are out.
Georgia goes to Georgia Tech but likely won’t find much resistance against reeling a Georgia Tech team.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
Auburn, Georgia
2) ACC – 7.35
Miami and Clemson remain on a playoff collision course in the ACCCG. They both must contend with road games at Pittsburgh and South Carolina. Miami and Clemson should win, but can’t overlook their opponents who are capable of pulling the upset.
If the ACC goes 3-1 against the SEC in rivalry week, I’ll move them to #1.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson, Miami
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
3) Big 12 – 7.2
Oklahoma cruised over Kansas, and this week faces a West Virginia team that’s been a disappointment this year.
The Sooners will make the playoffs if they win out.
Playoff Contenders
Oklahoma
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
4) Big 10 – 7.0
Wisconsin took care of Michigan this week, and they have a Minnesota team they should handle. They win out they are in the playoffs, and suggesting otherwise is insane.
Ohio State though not deserving in any way of being in the top 4, is creeeping back into position due to carnage around them. If they beat Michigan this week, and Wisconsin the Big 10 title, they’ll have a case.
Playoff Contenders
Wisconsin
In the Playoff Picture
Ohio State
5) Pac 12 – 6.8
If the Pac 12 stopped playing this year, would anyone notice? USC I suppose is on the fringes of the playoff discussion, but needs so much help.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
USC
The Rest
Notre Dame plays Stanford this week, but have no chance to make playoffs this week despite being in the top 10. All they can do is boost UGA’s and Miami’s resume at this point.
Central Florida is undefeated, but sadly won’t get a look from the playoff committee. Their game with South Florida could be very entertaining.
Playoff Contenders
None
In the Playoff Picture
Notre Dame
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 – Clemson | Alabama | Miami | Oklahoma
Just Missed – 5) Wisconsin 6) Auburn 7) Georgia 8) Notre Dame
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