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 – 8.2
This is point in the season where the SEC starts eating itself. LSU went down to Florida, and Kentucky that was set to get into the playoff chase lost at Texas A&M. Auburn’s playoff chances are history after losing to Missisippi State.
Alabama led by the Heisman favorite Tua Tagovailoa just continues to cruise. The Tide face Missouri next week.
LSU hosts Georgia, and that could put the Tigers right back into the playoff picture.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama, Georgia
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
2) Big 12 – 7.2
Oklahoma going down to a Texas team that lost Maryland is a bad look for the Big 12. The Big 12 now rests it’s playoff hopes on West Virginia.
The Sooners could get back into the playoff picture, but they’d have to run the table.
West Virginia plays at Iowa State this weekend.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
West Virginia
3) Big 10 – 6.9
Ranked Michigan State going down to Northwestern doesn’t help the Big 10. Ohio State is the conference’s only serious playoff contender at this point.
The Buckeyes play Minnesota this weekend. If Michigan and Penn State win this week over Wisconsin and Michigan State they may reach the fringes of the playoff discussion.
Playoff Contenders
Ohio State
In the Playoff Picture
None
4) ACC – 6.6
Virginia Tech competed hard, but they were out-manned by Notre Dame. Clemson finally played like a playoff team and destroyed Wake Forest.
Miami needs a couple of more wins, before they be discussed on the fringes of the playoff. 5-0 NC State will get their chance when they play Clemson in 2 weeks.
This week Clemson is off. Pittsburgh plays Notre Dame, and I don’t expect it to be close.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
None
5) Pac 12 – 6.5
The Pac 12 did not need Auburn losing this week. That’s a bad look for Washington’s only loss.
Washington plays at Oregon this week. Colorado goes to USC. If Colorado wins, they’ll move to 6-0 with a huge game against Washington looming.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Washington
The Rest
Notre Dame’s win over Stanford looks less impressive after the Cardinals got thumped by Utah, but the Irish took care of business at Virginia Tech in a 2nd half they dominated. UCF just continues to win.
Playoff Contenders
Notre Dame
In the Playoff Picture
UCF
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 | Georgia
Just Missed – 5) Notre Dame 6) West Virginia 7) UCF 8) Washington
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