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 – 7.7
Ohio State finally remembered how good they could be by destroying an overrated but decent Nebraska team 62-3. Michigan rolled mediocre Maryland, and Wisconsin is probably the best 2 loss team in the country. Penn State is much better than they were earlier in the year and is a legit top 15 team.
Next week Michigan goes to Iowa, but I don’t suspect they’ll have much issue there. Ohio State should have a stat-padding game against Maryland. Those two team are firmly in the playoff chase.
Playoff Contenders
Michigan, Ohio State
In the Playoff Picture
Wisconsin
2) ACC – 7.4
Clemson finally played like they are capable of destroying Syracuse 54-0. Louisville also was impressive with a 52-7 win over Boston College. All of the other ACC’s ranked teams UNC, Virginia Tech, and Florida State won as well.
Clemson and Louisville who play Pittsburgh and Wake Forest should not have many problems taking care of those teams.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
Louisville
3) SEC – 7.3
I had to drop the SEC this week because the overall results were not good. Texas A&M losing to a bad Mississippi State team is not a good look. The Bulldogs were 3-5 with OOC losses to South Alabama and BYU. Arkansas that was coming off a 56-3 beatdown from Auburn defeated a top 15 ranked Florida team. The SEC East is considered by some to be the worst division in college football.
Alabama is still Alabama of course, and remains the #1 team in the country, and is the only playoff relevant team in the SEC.
They won’t have any problem with Mississippi State next week.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
4) Pac 12 – 6.7
Washington easily handled a Cal team, that I thought would give them a game. The Pac 12 finally seems to be exhibiting a little depth to at least approach the first 3 conference. Utah, Colorado, and Washington State look like solid top 25 teams.
USC has been rolling recently and could give Washington a test this week.
Playoff Contenders
Washington
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) Big 12 – 5.4
Oklahoma beat Iowa State as they try to get to the fringes of the playoff chase. West Virginia beat Kansas.
The Big 12 is not on the national radar, and the rash of upsets they need is not happening.
Oklahoma faces Baylor this week, and West Virginia gets dangerous Texas.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Oklahoma
The Rest
There were no games outside the Power 5, that have any bearing on the playoff chase.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
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 – Washington | Alabama | Clemson | Michigan
Just Missed – 5) Ohio State 6) Louisville 7) Wisconsin 8) Oklahoma
