College Football’s Conference Power Rankings (Week #6)
By Corey Hunter
#5 – Big East (6, ↑):
As much as it is paining me to do so, the Big East teams have been playing relatively well this season. The upper echelon teams, Louisville, Cincinnati, Rutgers, are all undefeated and in the top-25, the first time 3 Big East teams have been in the top-25 since the final polls of 2009. Other teams like Temple, Syracuse, and Pitt are no pushovers either. No doubt many in the country, including me, will remain skeptical that the league is really this good until they can beat another top team in a bowl game.
The games this week are headlined by Louisville at Pittsburgh. The Panthers have chance to show that their early-season doldrums have worn off and they can beat another respected team (beat VA Tech in week #3). Pitt needs this game to avoid dropping to 0-3 in the conference while Louisville is trying to remain on track to a BCS game.
Top 25 Teams: 3 (both polls)
Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 13-9
Nonconference record (Total): 20-10
As it stands now, I would expect 3-4 teams to be bowl eligible: Rutgers, Louisville, Cincinnati, Connecticut (possibly)
Way Too Early Conference Title Game Projections:
No Conference Championship Game!
Conference Champion – Louisville
#4 – Big Ten (5, ↑):
The Big Ten has spent the last two weeks finally showing signs of life! Could you imagine if Ohio State had played California and UAB the way they did against Nebraska and Michigan State? There wouldn’t be any argument that they were one of the best teams in the country. Penn State is playing like the Big Ten’s second best team. The job that Bill O’Brien has done in Happy Valley is nothing short of remarkable considering all that has happened since last November.
Michigan is still very much one-dimensional, but watching Denard Robinson run all over the place is still fun and exciting. Northwestern, while coming off a tough loss at Penn State, is still a team to be reckoned with in the conference.
To me, the Big Ten has been playing about as well as they have since the start of the season. While they aren’t in the class of the SEC or Big 12 or even the PAC-12 for that matter, they have been steadily playing better each week.
Top 25 Teams: AP: 2, Coaches: 0
Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 26-13
Nonconference record (Total): 34-13
As it stands now, I would expect 6-8 teams to be bowl eligible: Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan, Purdue, Northwestern, Michigan State, Minnesota (possibly), Iowa (possibly) [NOTE: Penn State and Ohio State are ineligible for postseason play due to NCAA sanctions]
Way Too Early Conference Title Game Projections:
Legends Division – Nebraska
Leaders Division – Wisconsin
Conference Champion – Nebraska
#3 – PAC-12 (3, –):
Just as Oregon State has cracked the top-10 this week, comes word that their starting QB Sean Mannion will be out with knee surgery. They will be facing a BYU squad that will be getting their signal caller back this week, Riley Nelson. This could have potential upset written all over it!
The PAC-12 features some of the most exciting offenses in the league. Teams like Oregon, Arizona State, USC, and Arizona have the potential put large amounts of points on the board. It should be interesting to see how the entire conference shakes out in the next couple of weeks.
The marquee game of the week features Stanford traveling to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. A Cardinal win will certainly help the cause of the conference. The Cardinal is coming off a shootout victory in OT over Arizona.
Top 25 Teams: 4 (both polls)
Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 16-8
Nonconference record (Total): 23-9
As it stands now, I would expect 7-8 teams to be bowl eligible: Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington, USC, UCLA, Arizona State, Arizona (Possibly)
Way Too Early Conference Title Game Projections:
North Division – Oregon
South Division – USC
Conference Champion – USC
#2 – Big 12 (2, –):
West Virginia solidified its high national ranking by going down to Texas and putting a hurting on the Longhorns. Teams like Texas Tech and TCU took steps backwards as they were defeated over the weekend. The news that TCU’s veteran QB, Casey Pachall, will be out for the rest of the year is suddenly putting a bowl trip for the Horned Frogs in jeopardy. While I think they can win at least 2 more games to become bowl eligible, what once was looking like a prime bowl games might now become any that will take the team.
The Red River Rivalry is renewed this weekend as both Oklahoma and Texas enter the contest badly needing the win. Texas after coming off the Mountaineer Machine needs to be able to regroup and regain their defensive ways while Oklahoma, coming off a lopsided win against the #1 rated defense in Texas Tech, wants to continue their run.
Top 25 Teams: AP: 4, Coaches: 6
Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 17-3
Nonconference record (Total): 26-3
As it stands now, I would expect 9 teams to be bowl eligible: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, West Virginia, TCU, Iowa State, Kansas State, Baylor
Way Too Early Conference Title Game Projections:
No Conference Championship Game!
Conference Champion – West Virginia
#1 – Southeastern Conference [SEC] (1, –):
Our friends at CBSsports.com provided the best insight into why the SEC is, and continues to be the clear-cut #1 team.
"The SEC has seven teams in the Top 25, accounting for more than 25% of the ranked teams in college football. The conference has three of the top four teams in the nation, while no other league has more than four teams in the Top 25. With domination at the top and throughout the polls this week, the suddenly deep SEC is a clear cut No. 1."
The big game of the weekend has South Carolina traveling to Death Valley to take on the LSU Tigers. The grinder that is the SEC continues for South Carolina. Coming off their emotional blowout home victory, they get to go to one of the most hostile environments in the nation…a night game in Baton Rouge. If they can win that game, it sets up a showdown with Florida to most likely determine the SEC East Division winner.
Top 25 Teams: 7 (both polls)
Nonconference record (vs. FBS): 21-8
Nonconference record (Total): 29-8
As it stands now, I would expect 9 teams to be bowl eligible: Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, Texas A&M
Way Too Early Conference Title Game Projections:
East Division – South Carolina
West Division – Alabama
Conference Champion – Alabama
I look forward to hearing everyone’s comments. Please keep them civil and clean! Until next time, when I unvail my initial top-25, take care and so long!