1) SEC
Still the king, but not by much. The SEC has been insanely lucky with many close calls that could have/should have been losses. They are 4-2 against P5 conf teams, with two losses to G5 teams (Western KY, Toledo) and five close calls (UL-Laf, J-vile St, Ark St, East Carolina, UConn).
2) PAC 12
I don't know that they have an elite team the will make the playoff, but they are deep with lots of really good teams. They are 4-4 vs P5 leagues, with three G5/FCS losses (Hawaii, Boise, Portland St) and two close calls (Col St, BYU).
3) Big Ten
I think they have two elite teams that will be in the hunt for a playoff berth (and an outside chance at getting both in), but the bottom half of their league is so, so bad. They are 7-7 against P5 teams, with 4 losses to G5 teams (Temple, BYU, Marshall, Bowl Green) and five close calls (So Illinois, Col St, Kent St, No Illinois, Western KY).
4) Big 12
TCU is shaky and I have zero faith in Baylor carrying the standard. OU may end up being our league's best hope for a playoff contender. The league is 3-3 vs P5 schools, and we have three losses to G5/FCS teams (So Dak St, Memphis, Toledo) and one close call (La Tech).
5) ACC
They are 3-8 against P5 schools, with all three wins against Big 10 bottom feeders. They have one G5 loss (Houston) and four close calls (Younstown St, Army, Cent Mich, Will & Mary).
Still the king, but not by much. The SEC has been insanely lucky with many close calls that could have/should have been losses. They are 4-2 against P5 conf teams, with two losses to G5 teams (Western KY, Toledo) and five close calls (UL-Laf, J-vile St, Ark St, East Carolina, UConn).
2) PAC 12
I don't know that they have an elite team the will make the playoff, but they are deep with lots of really good teams. They are 4-4 vs P5 leagues, with three G5/FCS losses (Hawaii, Boise, Portland St) and two close calls (Col St, BYU).
3) Big Ten
I think they have two elite teams that will be in the hunt for a playoff berth (and an outside chance at getting both in), but the bottom half of their league is so, so bad. They are 7-7 against P5 teams, with 4 losses to G5 teams (Temple, BYU, Marshall, Bowl Green) and five close calls (So Illinois, Col St, Kent St, No Illinois, Western KY).
4) Big 12
TCU is shaky and I have zero faith in Baylor carrying the standard. OU may end up being our league's best hope for a playoff contender. The league is 3-3 vs P5 schools, and we have three losses to G5/FCS teams (So Dak St, Memphis, Toledo) and one close call (La Tech).
5) ACC
They are 3-8 against P5 schools, with all three wins against Big 10 bottom feeders. They have one G5 loss (Houston) and four close calls (Younstown St, Army, Cent Mich, Will & Mary).
