Talk about complete chaos Saturday! Let’s see how this affects the playoff rankings.
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 – 7.6
Ohio State was on the ropes at 3-8 Michigan State, and probably should have lost. Michigan didn’t play well against Indiana either, but won. Penn State and Wisconsin cruised over Rutgers and Purdue.
Next week is one of the matchups of the year when Michigan goes to Ohio State. I think if Ohio State wins, they will be the first non-power 5 champion to reach the playoffs. I’m ok with this. They will have wins over Michigan, Wisconsin, and at Oklahoma.
Wisconsin and Penn State could meet in the Big 10 Championship and the winner probably makes the playoff. They face Minnesota and Michigan State next week.
Playoff Contenders
Michigan, Ohio State
In the Playoff Picture
Wisconsin, Penn State
2) Alabama/SEC – 7.3
Florida beat LSU and gets to be Alabama’s warm-up to the playoffs in the SEC Championship game. Alabama plays Auburn in the Iron Bowl, but I doubt this is a single digit game.
There’s the annual ACC/SEC rivalry games between FSU/Florida, Clemson/South Carolina, Georgia/Georgia Tech, and Kentucky/Louisville. I can’t leave the SEC ahead of the ACC if the SEC doesn’t at least get a split, , as ACC will win the regular season series.
Florida if they beat FSU, could see the fringes of the playoff – so keep an eye on that.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
3) ACC – 7.1
Louisville went on the road to the Houston and lost in an embarrassing fashion 36-10. That ended the Cardinal’s playoff hopes, and is a black eye on the ACC. Virginia Tech did win at Notre Dame, and Boston College beat UCONN. Even if Notre Dame is down, that’s a good road win for the Hokies.
There’s the annual ACC/SEC rivalry games between FSU/Florida, Clemson/South Carolina, Georgia/Georgia Tech, and Kentucky/Louisville. I can’t leave the SEC ahead of the ACC if the SEC doesn’t at least get a split, as ACC will win the regular season series. (sound familiar?)
Clemson must beat South Carolina to remain in playoff position.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
4) Pac 12 – 6.5
Utah going to down to a bad Oregon team, doesn’t help the Pac 12. Washington has just 1 loss, and needs to keep winning. They are the Pac 12′s best chance at a playoff team.
Washington plays Washington State next week. The Huskies cannot afford a loss. Colorado is under the radar, but now in the top 10 can be a playoff factor if they win out.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Washington
5) Big 12 – 5.6
West Virginia has proven to be a fraud by getting blown out by Oklahoma. Oklahoma can at least the see playoffs, but they still need a lot of help. Had they beat either Houston or Ohio State they would be in great shape. It also doesn’t help that the Big 12, performed so poorly in the OOC this year.
They do face Oklahoma State in two weeks, and if there is a chance for the Sooners to make the playoffs we will know by then.
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 – Ohio State| Alabama | Clemson | Michigan
Just Missed – 5) Wisconsin 6) Washington 7) Penn State 8) Oklahoma
