12-01-2015, 06:22 PM
Well, weren't the 01 DEC committe rankings befuddling? Yes, Oklahoma has clinched. Yes, the B1G champ is in. Yes, SEC's Alabama is in with a win and ACC's Clemson is in with a win. But #4 Iowa, #5 Michigan State, and #6 Ohio State all ahead of #7 Stanford?
My interpretation for non-conference champ tOSU's better ranking is that the committee is hedging should MSU beat Iowa like a rented mule. Then the Shmukeyes could jump Iowa into a prestigious non-championship bowl.
Another take on strength of schedule, topic of this thread, is each remaining Power 5 conference title contender's record against FBS opponents, including number of Power 5 teams played.
ACC
Clemson (12-0) vs OPP's 67-64 (10 P5 foes + FCS Wofford, 5-6)
North Carolina (11-1) vs OPP's 52-66 (10 P5 foes + FCS N.C. A&T, 9-2; FCS Delaware, 4-7)
B1G
Iowa (12-0) vs OPP's 57-75 (10 P5 foes + FCS Ill. State, 9-2)
Michigan State (11-1) vs OPP's 78-66 (10 P5 foes)
BIG 12
Oklahoma (11-1) vs OPP's 78-62 (10 P5 foes)
PAC 12
Stanford (10-2) vs OPP's 78-67 (12 P5 foes)
USC (8-4) vs OPP's 87-57 (!!) (10 P5 foes)
SEC
Alabama (11-1) vs OPP's 80-51 (9 P5 foes + FCS Charleston Southern, 9-2)
Florida (10-2) vs OPP's 74-70 (9 P5 foes)
Even were Iowa and North Carolina to win on Saturday, they will have defeated opponents who
remain below .500 (though unscathed Iowa will get a bid).
If North Carolina and/or Florida pulls the upset, strength of schedule becomes an Excedrin headache for the committee.
Finally, 11-1 Ohio State's FBS foes finished 74-71 (10 P5 teams). Let's just delete the Shmukeyes from the playoff conversation, okay?
Go Cardinal!
My interpretation for non-conference champ tOSU's better ranking is that the committee is hedging should MSU beat Iowa like a rented mule. Then the Shmukeyes could jump Iowa into a prestigious non-championship bowl.
Another take on strength of schedule, topic of this thread, is each remaining Power 5 conference title contender's record against FBS opponents, including number of Power 5 teams played.
ACC
Clemson (12-0) vs OPP's 67-64 (10 P5 foes + FCS Wofford, 5-6)
North Carolina (11-1) vs OPP's 52-66 (10 P5 foes + FCS N.C. A&T, 9-2; FCS Delaware, 4-7)
B1G
Iowa (12-0) vs OPP's 57-75 (10 P5 foes + FCS Ill. State, 9-2)
Michigan State (11-1) vs OPP's 78-66 (10 P5 foes)
BIG 12
Oklahoma (11-1) vs OPP's 78-62 (10 P5 foes)
PAC 12
Stanford (10-2) vs OPP's 78-67 (12 P5 foes)
USC (8-4) vs OPP's 87-57 (!!) (10 P5 foes)
SEC
Alabama (11-1) vs OPP's 80-51 (9 P5 foes + FCS Charleston Southern, 9-2)
Florida (10-2) vs OPP's 74-70 (9 P5 foes)
Even were Iowa and North Carolina to win on Saturday, they will have defeated opponents who
remain below .500 (though unscathed Iowa will get a bid).
If North Carolina and/or Florida pulls the upset, strength of schedule becomes an Excedrin headache for the committee.
Finally, 11-1 Ohio State's FBS foes finished 74-71 (10 P5 teams). Let's just delete the Shmukeyes from the playoff conversation, okay?
Go Cardinal!