Welcome in to a new feature we are trying out here on SoBros Network because we were recently approved to be on Google News (YUGE win, LFG), and I am testing whether or not it’s worth doing these sorts of power rankings for the SEO. Yes, that’s the entire basis for this set of College Football Power Rankings.
For me, the premise is simple – it’s about who’s had the most impressive body of work. Like Mose mentioned on an earlier episode of the College Football Roundup, it seems a tad whack that preseason rankings are factored into the College Football Playoff discussion at all. Just because someone was ranked #1 before the season started doesn’t mean they’re actually the best team in the country. My rankings will be based largely on quality wins. You’re about to see why I’m prefacing you to read that…
COLLEGE FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 14 2019
1. LSU Tigers (11-0) – Another week, another comfortable win for the Tigers. This time, it was Arkansas who fell victim to that relentless offense, losing 56-20. I still say this is the most battle-tested team in the top 10, but Ohio State is narrowing that gap. I don’t expect a whole lot of opposition from Texas A&M during rivalry week, but man – what would an upset do to the Tigers?!?!
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0) – The big question all season thus far for the Buckeyes was, “how would they fare in a close game against a quality opponent?” Well, that was answered definitely against Penn State on Saturday. Some folks think they’re the best team in the country. It certainly seems like we’re heading towards an LSU-Ohio State National Championship. The Buckeyes wrap up their regular season with Michigan this week.
3. Clemson Tigers (11-0) – The Tigers have rolled since that narrow win against North Carolina. I expect ’em to keep rolling past South Carolina and either Virginia or Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship. This team is a virtual lock for the playoffs.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1) – Any hope that this Tide team has of getting back to the playoffs begins with winning the Iron Bowl this weekend. There’s more to this team than Tua Tagovailoa, but even with him, the Tigers defense was going to be tough.
5. Georgia Bulldogs (10-1) – The stage is set for the Bulldogs to head to the SEC Championship in Atlanta, but man – some of these wins are bowling shoe ugly. What about that Texas A&M win inspires confidence that this team can hang with LSU? Crazier things have happened, and that’s what Georgia fans will have to hope for on 12/7/19. They surely won’t have much trouble with Georgia Tech this weekend.
6. Utah Utes (10-1) – Well, it’s officially Utah or bust for the Pac-12’s playoff hopes. Are they good enough to do it? Sure. It certainly looks like they’re the favorite to win the conference now. But, they’ll still need a few dominos to fall their way if they’re going to be a legitimate contender for the playoffs. Also, Oregon’s loss hurts them in that a potential win over the Ducks isn’t going to look as impressive as it would have had Arizona State lost.
7. Oklahoma Sooners (10-1) – I have the Sooners here because I think the Utes would beat ’em on a neutral field. I just hate the way they’ve been struggling these last few weeks. They should’ve lost to Iowa State and Baylor, and kept it close with TCU. It won’t get any easier with Oklahoma State on deck this week and a Big 12 Championship rematch with Baylor.
8. Minnesota Golden Gophers (10-1) – If Minnesota can beat Wisconsin and somehow beat Ohio State, they’re going to present a compelling case for one of the four playoff spots. That’s a tall task, but this group has proven capable.
9. Florida Gators (9-2) – Two losses puts the Gators out of the playoff conversation, but a New Year’s Six bowl still appears likely for this team assuming they don’t collapse against Florida State this weekend.
10. Baylor Bears (10-1) – Lest we forget, this team should be 11-0. They’re going to have a chance to unseat Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship, but I think they might be ranked too low to climb into the CFP race. They wrap up their regular season on the road at Kansas this week.
Best of the Rest
ACC – The Virginia Tech Hokies and Virginia Cavaliers will play for the right to get slaughtered by Clemson in the ACC Championship. There’s really no use talking about the rest of the ACC…
Big 12 – The Oklahoma State Cowboys are the only other Big 12 team ranked in the AP Top 25 right now. They’ve had an impressive season, but at this point in the year, they can do little more than play spoiler for Oklahoma’s playoff chances.
Big Ten – They got smoked by Ohio State earlier in the season, but the Wisconsin Badgers have quietly crept back into a position in which they can really effect the outcome in the Big Ten. If they beat Minnesota this week, they’ll get another crack at the Buckeyes, and who knows what could happen then?
Pac-12 – What happened to the Oregon Ducks? It’s like they couldn’t get anything going against Jayden Daniels and the Arizona State Sun Devils. Are they still the second best team in the conference? Sure. But, their playoff hopes are officially over. Like I said earlier, it’s officially ‘Utah or bust’ for the Pac-12.
SEC – I’ve been saying the Auburn Tigers in this spot for what feels like two months now, and I still think they’re going to have a big say in this thing before it’s all said and done. But, how about the Tennessee Volunteers sneaking up in the SEC and getting a shot at one of the Florida bowls?!?! Y’all still want to fire Jeremy Pruitt?! This team could be 8-3.
Group of Five – The Memphis Tigers look like the best team out of the Group of Five and they’ll get a chance to prove it against Cincinnati this week. If they win out, they’re going to the Cotton Bowl.
Wild Card – At this point, I don’t know that any one team is really going to shake up the College Football Playoff race. So, I’m going to make this spot a little different this week. I think the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have kind of quietly salvaged their season after that ugly loss to Michigan. Assuming they go on the road and rock Stanford to finish 10-2, I think they’re going to sneak back into a New Year’s Six bowl game.
CURRENT BOWL PROJECTIONS
Cotton Bowl: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Memphis Tigers
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Florida Gators
Sugar Bowl: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Rose Bowl: Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Utah Utes
Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Clemson Tigers
Peach Bowl: LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
National Championship: LSU Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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