College Football Rankings: The State Of The Conference Races

A brief rundown of the major conference races by level of interest and drama.

1. THE BIG TEN. It’s a mess and that’s just the way everyone not invested in a particular Big Ten team likes it. Michigan State is 9-1 but lost to Iowa. Wisconsin is 8-1, but lost to Michigan State, who lost to Iowa, who is 4-1 in conference but currently trailing to Northwestern. Ohio State has just one conference loss to Wisconsin, who has the highest BCS ranking but also that pesky head-to-head loss to Michigan State. In short: no one is in control of their own fate, and there will be much pained rooting for teams to beat other teams based on allegiances and complex elimination scenarios.

2. THE SEC. Mostly interesting in the SEC East today, where South Carolina and Florida will fight it out for the divisional slot in the title game. The West is likely Auburn’s, though whether they get there with Cam Newton or not provides additional drama.

3. THE ACC. Probably the most interesting mathematically, but this does take “interest” into account, and the ACC and its championship game are historically short on this element. Knock knock! Who’s there? The real, horrible, and mathematically possible scenario of a five win Clemson team in the ACC Championship game, and a six win ACC Champion Tigers team in the Orange Bowl.

Stop screaming. Life requires fortitude.

4. THE PAC-10. An undefeated Oregon has the keys and is driving comfortably and at an unsafe rate of speed toward Glendale.

5. THE BIG EAST. In complete chaos after UConn scuttled Pitt’s lead in the conference on Thursday night. Additional fun fact: The Big East, a BCS member and automatic qualifier, has no eligible bowl teams in the first week of November.

6. THE BIG 12. Barring a complete disaster, we’re nicely on track for a Nebraska/Oklahoma State Big 12 Championship Game. Projected over/under: 593 points (at the half.)