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) Big 10 – 8.3
Given Georgia’s loss to a bad South Carolina team, I’ve had to drop the SEC below the Big 10 this week. Frankly if the playoff were this week, they’d have more playoff contenders too. The SEC also has the most Group of 5 losses of any other Power 5 conference.
This week Michigan plays at Penn State this week. Ohio State could get a test at Northwestern.
Playoff Contenders
Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
Week 7 Key Games
Michigan at Penn State
Ohio State at Northwestern
2) SEC – 8.0
Georgia losing to team the caliber of South Carolina is a hit for the SEC. That Gamecock team already had a loss to North Carolina. That hurts the top SEC of the that we thought was far and away better than anyone else in the Power 5. The Big 10 can now argue they are as good at the top.
Also UNLV thumped Vanderbilt for another group of 5 win over the SEC.
There are no games of interest next week in the SEC.
Week 7 Key Games
Florida at LSU
Playoff Contenders
LSU, Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
3) Big 12 – 7.5
Oklahoma beat Texas giving the Big 12 a team that would be in great playoff shape if they win out. The Big 12 has no other playoff threats unless Baylor turns out to be way better than the we thought and keeps winning.
Week 7 Key Games
NONE
Playoff Contenders
Oklahoma
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
4) Pac 12 – 6.7
After the ACC lost two of three ranked teams, the Pac 12 moves ahead of them. The conference doesn’t have an elite team like Clemson, but there’s better depth.
The Pac 12 has a couple of intriguing games this week. They are still in the win and hope for a playoff team phase.
Week 7 Key Games
Oregon at Washington
Arizona State at Utah
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) ACC – 6.5
Wake Forest and Virginia getting beat killed any remaining depth the ACC hoped to have. Clemson is the only ranked team in the conference, but at least they are an elite one.
Louisville is one of the few ACC teams better than expected, and hosts Clemson this week.
Week 7 Key Games
Clemson at Louisville
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
The Rest
Notre Dame’s only loss is to a team that couldn’t beat South Carolina and their 3rd string QB. The Irish face 1 ranked team the rest of the way, and the loss to UGA looks worse now. They’ll have a near impossible task of getting to the playoffs.
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 – Ohio State | Oklahoma | Clemson | LSU
Just Missed – 5) Alabama 6) Wisconsin 7) Penn State 8 ) Auburn
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