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 12 2019
1. LSU Tigers – I get that Ohio State has looked impressive. But, at this point, how could you possibly put them ahead of LSU? After beating Alabama, the Tigers put their stamp on this season with four wins against teams that were ranked in the top 10 at the time they played. That’s insane – I’m ready to call it. This is a team of destiny – the Tigers travel to Ole Miss this weekend, but it should be a cakewalk to the SEC Championship with games against Arkansas and Texas A&M after that.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes – The Buckeyes “made a statement” on Saturday?!?! Against MARYLAND?!?! Some of y’all need to chill. Ohio State looks like a National Championship contender. But, there’s no way their resumé stacks up next to LSU’s. They should hit 10-0 this weekend when they travel to Rutgers.
3. Clemson Tigers – They’re the first team to hit 10 wins. Like I’ve said for the last month, this team is going to sleepwalk into the playoffs undefeated because of how bad the ACC is. They host Wake Forest on Saturday in what is sure to be yet another bloodbath.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide – The Tide showed that they’re a lot better than I thought they were in that loss to LSU. But, at this point, all they can do is try to win out and hope for the best. They get Mississippi State this weekend, but it’s the Auburn Tigers and the Iron Bowl that now present the biggest threat to the Tide’s playoff chances.
5. Oregon Ducks – The Ducks were off this week, but there’s still not a lot of love for their playoff chances. Would a one-loss Pac-12 Champion get in ahead of a one-loss Alabama? That’s the question. The Ducks get Arizona this weekend.
6. Georgia Bulldogs – We’re going to learn a lot about this Bulldogs team this weekend when they travel to Auburn. Winning the SEC may be their only ticket into the playoff, and that’s going to be a tall order with Auburn, Texas A&M, and a championship matchup against LSU on deck.
7. Minnesota Golden Gophers – I don’t know what the likelihood is that this team is going to end the season atop the Big Ten West with both Iowa and Wisconsin on deck. I don’t know that Minnesota is going to hold a candle to Ohio State even if they do. But, let the fine people of Minnesota enjoy this big win – first time the Golden Gophers are 9-0 since 1904.
8. Penn State Nittany Lions – Don’t tell Minnesota fans, but I still think Penn State’s the second best team in the Big Ten per the eye test. And, just because they lost this one, it doesn’t mean they’re out of the playoff race. They play Indiana this weekend before traveling to Ohio State next weekend. IF they win out, they should still be in the playoffs.
9. Utah Utes – Long odds for the Utes, but it all starts with them winning out and claiming the Pac-12 title. After a week off, they host a surprising UCLA team that they absolutely cannot slip up against.
10. Oklahoma Sooners – What happened to this team? They started the season looking like an absolute juggernaut. They’re fortunate not to be 8-2 after a scare against Iowa State. Now, they travel to Baylor in a game that could be the season for the Sooners.
BEST OF THE REST
ACC: It looks like the Virginia Cavaliers and Virginia Tech Hokies could end up playing for the right to get slaughtered by Clemson in the ACC Championship at the end of the year. I’m a broken record, I know, but the ACC is bad.
Big 12: Another week, and I’m still not buying the Baylor Bears. They struggled to beat a subpar TCU team, BUT this weekend is THE game for the Bears, hosting Oklahoma. We’ll see if I’m as wrong about them as I was about Minnesota in the Big Ten.
Big Ten: The Michigan Wolverines have quietly crept back up towards the top 10. They have Michigan State and Indiana before they get their crack at Ohio State.
Pac-12: The answer is obviously USC – but how about the Oregon State Beavers sitting at 2nd place in the Pac-12 North!?! At 4-5, the Beavers will have to play lights out to win two of three against Arizona State, Washington State, and Oregon. But, hey – this program has been the doormat of the Pac-12 for a long time. To be talking about them in November is something else.
SEC: Losses to LSU and Georgia will keep the Florida Gators out of the College Football Playoff this year, but this is a team that will likely finish 10-2 and had a real shot at the SEC Championship.
Group of Five: The Cincinnati Bearcats are sitting in the driver’s seat for the Cotton Bowl right now, but with that schedule, they can’t afford to slip up. Memphis, SMU, and Navy are hot on their heels in the AAC. And, Boise State is still gunning for that New Year’s Six spot.
Wild Card: With games against Georgia and Alabama remaining, the Auburn Tigers will have a lot to say about how the College Football Playoff shakes down.
CURRENT BOWL PROJECTIONS
Cotton Bowl: Baylor Bears vs. SMU Mustangs
Orange Bowl: Virginia Cavaliers vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Sugar Bowl: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Rose Bowl: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Utah Utes
Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Clemson Tigers
Peach Bowl: LSU Tigers vs. Oregon Ducks
National Championship: LSU Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Editor’s note: can someone please answer my question of whether or not the Orange Bowl HAS to pick a team from the ACC? ‘Cause why would they want to if they can’t get Clemson?
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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