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
Goodbye LSU and Goodbye Kentucky from the playoff chase. They went down to Alabama and Georgia.
Why is LSU ranked 7th anyways? They really only have the win over Georgia.
Alabama and Georgia host ranked teams Mississippi State and Auburn, but I doubt they have any issues.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama, Georgia
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
2) Big 12 – 6.9
I’m still not ready to say West Virginia is in the playoff picture, but they are close and they’ll get their chances.
Oklahoma hosts Oklahoma State, and needs to keep winning. The Sooners are right there if anyone ahead of them falters.
Playoff Contenders
Oklahoma
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
3) Big 10 – 6.8
I still don’t consider Ohio State a playoff threat. Ranked 10th they do play at Michigan State. That’s a game they obviously need to win to have any playoff chance.
Michigan gets Rutgers – in other-words a Bye week.
Playoff Contenders
Michigan
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
4) ACC – 6.6
Clemson faces their toughest remaining test when they head to Boston College. The Tigers are the ACC’s only remaining playoff contender.
Who knew Syracuse would add depth to the league? They are ranked 13.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) Pac 12 – 6.5
Washington State is ranked 8th in the playoff poll and is the Pac 12’s only hope. They face Colorado this week.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Washington State
The Rest
Notre Dame gets Florida State this week. Hard to see FSU competing in this one. UCF plays NAVY. Just win and hope for UCF.
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 | Michigan
Just Missed – 5) Georgia 6) Oklahoma 7) UCF 8) Washington State
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