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
The only conference in the country with a chance at 2 playoff teams is also the country’s best conference. Ohio State beat Michigan and will likely be the first non-power 5 champion to make the playoffs. Michigan is now out the of the playoff chase.
Penn State and Wisconsin play for the Big 10 title next week, and the winner will be in the playoff discussion. It’s been a strong year for the Big 10.
Playoff Contenders
Ohio State
In the Playoff Picture
Wisconsin, Penn State
2) ACC – 7.2
The ACC convincingly handled the SEC on rivalry weekend with Clemson crushing South Carolina, FSU routing UF, and Georgia Tech coming back to win at UGA. Louisville continued their late season collapse and was the lone hiccup against Kentucky. The ACC finishes with a 6-3 record against the SEC during the regular leaving little doubt which is the better top to bottom conference going into the bowl season. That ACC finished 9-6 against the Power 5 this year.
Power 5 Conferences vs. other top leagues:
Pac 12: 5-3 (.625)
ACC: 9-6 (.600)
Big Ten: 5-4 (.556)
SEC: 6-8 (.429)
Big 12: 2-6 (.333)— Rob Daniels (@oriolesfactoids) November 27, 2016
Clemson plays Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship Game, and if they win the Tigers will be in the playoffs.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
3) Pac 12 – 6.8
The Pac 12 moves out of the 4th position for the first time this year. Washington is a playoff caliber team, and if they win the Pac 12 title, they would get my vote over a 2 loss Big 10 champion. Colorado and USC have become legit top 15 teams, and Utah is a quality team as well.
Washington plays Colorado for the Pac 12 title in a top 10 matchup. If Colorado wins they may warrant a playoff look, but they will need a lot of help to get in. Washington will be a committee dependent decision.
Playoff Contenders
Washington
In the Playoff Picture
Colorado
4) Alabama/SEC – 6.7
The SEC is so bad this year outside of Alabama. This weekend was more of the same. A 1-3 mark against the ACC on rivalry weekend is starting to become the norm. As we saw above the SEC had the second worst OOC record against the Power 5. Tennessee losing to Vanderbilt was another black eye. Kentucky upset Louisville which was one bright spot.
Bad QB play and predictable offenses have finally caught up to the once great football conference.
Alabama is still really really good. I doubt the SECCG with Florida will be competitive and should leave the Tide as the the Playoff’s Number 1 seed. Bowl season gives the SEC a chance to move out of 4th position.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) Big 12 – 5.6
The Big 12 is looking to bowl season to try and salvage something out of the season.
Oklahoma plays Oklahoma State this weekend. They need a blowout, and a ton of upsets in the other conference championships to even get to the fringes on the playoff discussion.
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 | Washington
Just Missed – 5) Michigan 6) Wisconsin 7) Penn State 8) Colorado
