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
No change in the SEC. Alabama and Georgia are squarely in the playoff chase. Auburn might be OK, but after it’s a complete mish-mash of teams. I’m really not sure why LSU is ranked, but I don’t expect Alabama will have any problems with them.
Georgia should cruise against a decent, but nothing special South Carolina team.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama, Georgia
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
2) Big 10 – 7.3
Ohio State got a big win over Penn State this weekend, which puts them back in the playoff chase. Penn State is not out, but their lack of quality wins is a killer. They play Michigan State next week, but even if they run the table they won’t have a ranked team win.
Wisconsin lurks at 8-0, but they also have zero quality wins. They face Indiana next week while Ohio State plays at dangerous Iowa.
Playoff Contenders
Ohio State, Wisconsin
In the Playoff Picture
Penn State
3) ACC – 7.2
Clemson returned to playoff form with a victory over Georgia Tech. They controlled the game from start to finish. Miami stayed undefeated with a shaky win over UNC, and Virginia Tech quietly is in position to make some playoff noise with just the one loss to Clemson.
NC State’s blowout loss to Notre Dame didn’t help the conference’s overall perception.
Next week are two ACC games with major playoff implications. Clemson heads to NC State, and Miami hosts Virginia Tech. The winner of that game will be right in the thick of the playoff chase.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson, Miami
In the Playoff Picture
Virginia Tech
4) Big 12 – 7.1
Poor Oklahoma – They trounced Ohio State in Columbus, but the pollsters don’t seem to care. I hope the college football playoff committee doesn’t ignore that result. I won’t as the Sooners have the best one of the best wins of the year.
TCU losing to Iowa State doesn’t completely eliminate them from the playoffs, but it is a damaging result.
Next week Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have a huge game. The winner continues their playoff chase. The loser is out. TCU has to beat Texas to stay alive.
Playoff Contenders
Oklahoma
In the Playoff Picture
Oklahoma State, TCU
5) Pac 12 – 6.8
The Pac 12 has big problems. There just aren’t any quality wins, and their best teams keep losing. Washington State lost this past weekend. Only Washington is even on the fringe of the playoffs and I’m not sure even if they win out they will make the playoffs.
If Washington loses to Oregon next week, the Pac 12’s playoff chances go down with it.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Washington
The Rest
Notre Dame routed NC State, and are now building a nice resume. They get a decent Wake Forest team at home this week.
Playoff Contenders
Notre Dame
In the Playoff Picture
None
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 | Notre Dame | Georgia
Just Missed – 5) Oklahoma 6) Ohio State 7) Wisconsin 8) Miami
