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
I’m still waiting for a conference to really separate from the rest of the country, but it’s not happening. I’ll give the SEC the edge because they Alabama and Georgia are top 5 teams. Auburn losing to LSU takes them out of any playoff consideration. Mississippi State beat BYU but who isn’t these days.
Not much on the schedule next other than Alabama’s scrimmage with Tennessee.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama, Georgia
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
2) Big 10 – 7.3
Just not a lot going this past week in the Big 10. Ohio State won big over Nebraska, and Wisconsin beat Purdue.
This week it picks up as Michigan heads to Purdue. Sportsbook odds for College football games has Penn State at just about a double digit favorite, but I think Michigan can throw a scare in them.
Playoff Contenders
Penn State
In the Playoff Picture
Wisconsin, Ohio State
3) ACC – 7.2
Clemson took a shocking loss to Syracuse. That’s a shot to the conference’s credibility as the Orange were beat by Middle Tennessee early in the year. That takes Clemson out of the top 4 for now. Miami though put itself into darkhorse playoff position with a comeback win over snake bit Georgia Tech. NC State continues to roll, and the early season loss to South Carolina looks not as bad as first thought.
Next week Miami plays a rapidly improving Syracuse team.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
Clemson, Miami
4) Big 12 – 7.1
The Big 12 moves up as the Pac 12 drops from playoff consideration. TCU stays right in the thick of the playoff chase with their win over Kansas State.
Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are on the fringes of the playoff contention, but I’d like to see them take are business for one more week against Texas and Kansas State.
TCU should easily dispose of Kansas.
Playoff Contenders
TCU
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
5) Pac 12 – 6.8
What a damaging week for the Pac 12 as both of their top 10 teams lost – Washington to Arizona State and Washington State to Cal. That completely eliminates the Pac 12 from any form of playoff consideration.
USC is a must win at Notre Dame this week of the Pac 12 will sink even lower.
Playoff Contenders
NONE
In the Playoff Picture
NONE
The Rest
If Notre Dame beats USC this week we will give them a closer look.
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 | TCU | Georgia
Just Missed – 5) Wisconsin 6) Clemson 7) Miami 8) Ohio State
