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
The ACC is breathing down the neck of the SEC, but I’ll leave the SEC #1 as they have 3 top 10 teams. Auburn plastered Georgia to get into playoff contention. Georgia still can play their way in, but their resume took a hit after Notre Dame got wiped out by Miami.
Alabama was lucky to escape with a win at Mississippi State.
Auburn and Alabama play cupcakes next week, but Georgia gets a Kentucky team that could cause some issues if the Dogs have an Auburn hangover.
The SEC Champ will make the playoffs.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
Auburn, Georgia
2) ACC – 7.35
Miami’s win over Notre Dame pulls the ACC into a virtual tie with the SEC. The SEC gets the edge as it may be a little deeper. South Carolina still has win over arguably the ACC’s 3rd best team NC State. Tennessee, one of the SEC’s worst teams also has a win over middle of the pack ACC team Georgia Tech. The ACC will have their chances to overtake the SEC during rivalry week, and bowl season.
Clemson struggled, but beat FSU. They control their own destiny into the playoffs.
Next week, the Tigers get a scrimmage against the Citadel, and Miami plays Virginia at home where they’ve been outstanding recently.
Barring any unforeseen upsets the next 2 weeks, the ACC will have a playoff representative.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson, Miami
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
3) Big 12 – 7.2
I’m starting to believe Oklahoma is the best team in the country. Nobody in the top 10 can touch what they bring offensively, and they just crushed a very good TCU team.
The Sooners play Kansas next week.
If Oklahoma wins out they are in playoffs. It could get dicey if there’s a two loss Big 12 champ.
Playoff Contenders
Oklahoma
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
4) Big 10 – 7.0
Wisconsin whooped an Iowa team that struggles on the road. The Hawkeyes can beat anyone on their homefield, but that game was in Wisconsin. That idea that Ohio State is now on the playoff radar is laughable.
They’ve been blown out twice, and the win over Michigan State doesn’t move the needle nearly enough for me.
Wisconsin hosts Michigan next week in the week’s biggest game.
The Badgers are in the playoffs if they win out. Any other scenario, and the Big 10 could get left out of the playoffs.
Playoff Contenders
Wisconsin
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) Pac 12 – 6.8
Washington losing to Stanford was a death blow to the Pac 12’s playoff hopes. The Pac 12 needs so much help to get back into the playoff chase it isn’t even worth considering at this point.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Washington
The Rest
Notre Dame received an absolute beatdown at Miami. Their playoff chances are basically done. If they played in a conference they’d still have an outside chance, but they don’t so they are probably finished.
With Navy next week and then Stanford, the Irish need to look very impressive and need to pray for more weird upsets than they’ll likely get.
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
