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
Alabama and Georgia had a couple of unimpressive 24-10 home wins over average LSU and South Carolina teams, but they are still firmly playoff teams at the moment.
Auburn is playing well enough to beat one or both at home and really throw a wrench in the SEC’s playoff hopes. Georgia plays at Auburn next week. Alabama goes to Mississippi State, and the Mississippi State is capable of providing a scare for the Tide, if Alabama isn’t paying attention.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama, Georgia
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
2) ACC – 7.3
Miami shut a lot of critics up Saturday with a resounding win over Virginia Tech. The Canes host Notre Dame next week, and if they beat the Irish I’ll move the ACC into the top conference spot.
Clemson won at NC State, and is in great playoff shape. They face Florida State next week, and they can’t overlook the struggling, but talented Noles.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson, Miami
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
3) Big 12 – 7.2
Oklahoma got a resume boosting win over Oklahoma State this weekend, but Ohio State’s 31 point loss to Iowa puts a dent in one of their best wins. TCU beat Texas and can still get to the playoffs because….
they play at Oklahoma next week. This is basically a playoff elimination for Oklahoma and TCU. The loser is out, but the winner is the Big 12’s best shot at a playoff team.
Playoff Contenders
Oklahoma
In the Playoff Picture
TCU
4) Big 10 – 7.0
What a disastrous weekend for the Big 10. Ohio State got destroyed at Iowa, and they are finished as a playoff team. Michigan State beat Penn State, and Penn State is finished too as a playoff team.
That leaves only Wisconsin as a playoff candidate and they haven’t beat a ranked team the entire season. They host dangerous Iowa next week. We thought the Big 10 was overrated before the season and it was.
Can you believe all those top 10 teams, and just about all were complete frauds?
Playoff Contenders
Wisconsin
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) Pac 12 – 6.8
Washington beat Oregon to stay on the fringes of the playoff discussion, but they need help and a lot of it. They head to Stanford next week. If they lose there is virtually no way a Pac 12 team can reach the playoffs.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Washington
The Rest
Notre Dame gave up 37 points to Wake Forest, but the game was never in doubt. The Irish are squarely in the playoff chase, and play at Miami next week in an absolute monster of a game.
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) Miami 7) Wisconsin 8) TCU
