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) Big 10 – 7.5
I decided to move the Big 10 to the top spot, because with so little separating the conferences I do think the Big 10 is the most top heavy with Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio State.
Next week Michigan faces rival Michigan State, Penn State plays Northwestern, and Wisconsin plays Nebraska. I’m not ready to place Ohio State back in the playoff chase just yet.
Playoff Contenders
Penn State
In the Playoff Picture
Wisconsin, Michigan
2) ACC – 7.4
The ACC didn’t suffer any OOC losses, and has 5 ranked this week teams to lead all conferences. Clemson is firmly planted as one of the country’s elite team after their win at Virginia Tech.
Miami plays at Florida State this week, and if the Canes are serious about being an ACC contender or more they’ll beat a clearly down FSU team. Clemson plays Wake Forest at home.
Playoff Contenders
Clemson
In the Playoff Picture
Miami
3) SEC – 7.3
When one of your ranked teams like LSU loses to Troy at home, your conference is going to take a hit. Right now Alabama is great. Georgia and Auburn look good, but beyond that the conference is a mess.
Alabama plays at Texas A&M this week, and Georgia heads to Vanderbilt. Both will remain right in the playoff chases after those games.
Playoff Contenders
Alabama
In the Playoff Picture
Georgia
4) Pac 12 – 7.2
USC went to down to Washington State which knocked them out of the playoff chase for now. For me that drops the Pac 12 down a few notches. Washington looks like the Pac 12’s best playoff chance.
Washington State plays Oregon this week, and Utah meets Stanford. Washington hosts Cal.
Playoff Contenders
Washington
In the Playoff Picture
Utah, Washington State
5) Big 12 – 7.1
Oklahoma State stayed on the fringes of the playoff discussion by win at Texas Tech. There wasn’t much else of note in the Big 12 this week.
This week Oklahoma plays Iowa State, and TCU hosts a very dangerous West Virginia team.
Playoff Contenders
Oklahoma
In the Playoff Picture
TCU
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 – Oklahoma | Alabama | Clemson | Washington
Just Missed – 5) Penn State 6) TCU 7) Georgia 8) Michigan
