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 – 8.0
LSU and Alabama keep marching towards their collision course meeting on November 3rd.
This week Georgia and Florida meet, and the winner gets back in the playoff chase.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama, LSU
In the Playoff Picture
Georgia
2) Big 12 – 6.9
Oklahoma is slowly getting back into the playoff discussion. I’m not sure I believe in Texas, but they are moving up.
Texas goes to Oklahoma State this week, and Oklahoma plays Kansas State.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Texas, Oklahoma
3) Big 10 – 6.8
When your supposed best team Ohio State gets boat raced by a Purdue team with a loss to Missouri and Eastern Michigan, then your conference is dropping on this list.
Michigan is working themselves back into the playoff chase, but still has that Notre Dame loss from early in the season.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Michigan
4) ACC – 6.6
Clemson hammered NC State this past weekend, solidifying themselves as a playoff team right now.
They go on the road to face improved Florida State this weekend.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) Pac 12 – 6.5
The Pac 12 doesn’t have a top 10 team, but Washington is 6-1. This week they play Stanford, and if they keep winning – with a lot of luck might have a chance to reach the playoffs.
It’s not much of a chance, but it’s something.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
The Rest
As long as Notre Dame and UCF are undefeated you have to include them in any playoff discussion – especially Notre Dame. The Irish play Navy this week.
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 – Notre Dame | Alabama | Clemson | LSU
Just Missed – 5) Michigan 6) UCF 7) Georgia 8) Texas
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1 ping
Hokie Mark says:
October 25, 2018 at 11:34 am (UTC -5)
This season has been so frustrating… the ACC remains within striking distance of 2nd place, but opportunities to move up (like ND @ VT) have not come to fruition, while trap games (like VT @ ODU) have caught some teams unprepared. Sum up 2018 season this way: so close, and yet so far…