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 – 7.5
I’m elevating the SEC this week, because I’m starting to buy that they have 3 legit top 12 teams in Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn. Beyond that the conference has little depth. Though Texas A&M and South Carolina may be decent.
Auburn has an interesting game at LSU next week. Alabama and Georgia get SEC pushovers Arkansas and Missouri.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama, Georgia
In the Playoff Picture
Auburn
2) ACC – 7.4
Clemson cruised to a win over Wake Forest. Miami got a big victory over Florida State to get into darkhorse playoff position. NC State and Virginia Tech give the ACC their other two ranked teams.
The Tigers go to Syracuse this week, and Miami hosts tricky Georgia Tech.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
Miami
3) Big 10 – 7.3
Michigan took a bad home loss Michigan State, that dropped it out of playoff contention for now. We’re not paying attention to Ohio State until they beat a ranked team.
Wisconsin hosts Purdue this week, but they should be fine in that one.
Playoff Contenders
Penn State
In the Playoff Picture
Wisconsin
4) Pac 12 – 7.2
Utah dropped from the playoff chase after losing at home to Stanford. Washington State looked impressive winning at Oregon, and Washington continues to roll.
Washington State plays a dangerous game at Cal, and Washington is at Arizona State in a game that they can’t overlook.
Playoff Contenders
Washington
In the Playoff Picture
Washington State
5) Big 12 – 7.1
The Big 12 took a devastating loss when Oklahoma lost to Iowa State. The Sooners went from playoff lock to needing a lot of help. TCU is the Big 12’s only remaining viable playoff candidate at the moment as they beat West Virginia.
TCU faces a test Kansas State this week.
Playoff Contenders
TCU
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
The Rest
Unless a Group of 5 or independent team can reach the top 15, there’s not much to note outside the Power 5 in terms of the playoff.
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 – Penn State | Alabama | Clemson | Washington
Just Missed – 5) Georgia 6) TCU 7) Wisconsin 8) Washington State
