POTP College Football Playoff Rankings
After almost a full season of college football I have ranked my top 25 teams. The logic used was based on competition, scores, talent, eye test etc.
TOP 25
RANK | TEAM | RECORD |
1. | Alabama | 12-0 |
2. | Ohio State | 11-1 |
3. | Washington | 11-1 |
4. | Michigan | 10-2 |
5. | Clemson | 11-1 |
6. | Colorado | 10-2 |
7. | Wisconsin | 10-2 |
8. | Penn State | 10-2 |
9. | USC | 9-3 |
10. | Oklahoma | 9-2 |
11. | Florida State | 9-3 |
12. | Florida | 8-3 |
13. | Western Michigan | 12-0 |
14. | Louisville | 9-3 |
15. | Oklahoma State | 9-2 |
16. | West Virginia | 9-2 |
17. | Stanford | 9-3 |
18. | Auburn | 8-4 |
19. | Iowa | 8-4 |
20. | Navy | 9-2 |
21. | Virginia Tech | 9-3 |
22. | Nebraska | 9-3 |
23. | PITT | 9-3 |
24. | LSU | 7-4 |
25. | USF | 10-2 |
Washington and Clemson: Yes, I have Washinton at #3 instead of Clemson. I have more stock in the talent of the PAC 12, than I do the ACC this year. Clemson barely got by NC State and Florida State and took a loss to a rising PITT team. Key wins were Auburn and Louisville. Washington had an easier non-conference, but they had dominating wins within the conference, beating Stanford, Utah, Arizona State, and Washington State. The loss to a USC team has more value than a loss to PITT. I think the game against Colorado will give everyone a good idea as to how good the PAC 12 is, or how good Washington is. If you put the Huskies and Tigers in a neutral site game against each other, I think the Huskies win.
Colorado and the Big Ten Title Game: I have Colorado ahead of both Penn State and Wisconsin. Reason #1, I believe Colorado is a much more talented team than both the Badgers and Nittany Lions, but also more experienced. They gave Michigan a tough test in Ann Arbor, and had a better shot at winning had their QB not got hurt. They're a team that got drastically better as the season went on, and took another loss to a tough USC team. Key wins came late against Utah, Washington State, UCLA and Stanford. I don't think Penn State is as good as Michigan and Ohio State, but since they upset the Buckeyes they get to go to the title game. Wisconsin played in the weaker side of the Big Ten, BUT had to play BOTH the Buckeyes and Wolverines in cross-divisional games. Strength of schedule matters, and if they have 2 losses to what I think are the #2 and #3 most talented teams in the country, they deserve a lot of stock.
Michigan?: I believe Michigan is one of the top 3 teams in the country based on talent, coaching etc. The loss to Ohio State is just a game that could've gone either way on any day. Michigan beat the PAC 12 south champions in Colorado, they beat the Big Ten East Champions in Penn State, they beat the Big Ten west champions in Wisconsin, they lost in OT to the #2 in the country, they lost to a rising Iowa team on a last second field goal. Compare that to Clemson, who lost to PITT who finished 4th in the ACC Coastal division. You can say UM lost to Iowa; but Iowa finished 3rd in the Big Ten East, a better conference from what I have seen.
The Big 12: All of the Big 12 schools ranked, are ranked fairly low in my poll. Teams in that conference just did not have a ton of impressive wins, and some embarrassing losses. The AP poll has Oklahoma State in the top 15, which has got to be just based on their record. The Big 12 is really down this year, so the only win I find credible for the Cowboys is against West Virginia. PITT was a solid win as well, but not a resume worthy one to put them up in the polls. Same goes for Oklahoma, they got beat pretty bad by Ohio State, lost to Houston, and have a credible win against WVU.
