We could all use a good controversy every now and then. Some days, it appears controversy makes the world spin on its axis.
If you like controversy, you’ll love which league heads up the power rankings this week.
- Big 12
Depth at the top, potency in the middle, dangerous teams toward the bottom, and an embarrassingly bad team bringing up the rear—it sounds like the classic season in the SEC. In fact, if this described the SEC, there would be no doubt which conference was the best.
Instead, it’s the Big 12 that’s setting the tone in college football. Its ninth-best team just credibly pushed unbeaten Oklahoma State. Teams are still winning games in spite of catastrophic injuries. This is also the only league in the country that boasts four teams capable of beating anyone anywhere at any time. I’m finally starting to come around on the Big 12.
- SEC
The SEC won’t ever fall too far, but it’s clear this league was propped up by smoke and mirrors. LSU dropped from the second spot nationally to a relative afterthought in a span of 12 days. The up-and-down nature of the entire West Division has left Alabama’s strength of schedule hurting a bit. Florida is walking away with the East title with absolutely no pushback from anyone else.
Perhaps the most troubling sign for the SEC is the newfound pressure on the head coaches at perennial powers LSU and Georgia. The fact that Les Miles and Mark Richt both seem to be on the hot seat, plus the turmoil at Texas A&M and the enigmatic play at Ole Miss, has done irreparable damage to the middle of this league.
- Big Ten
The Big Ten actually has two matchups of ranked teams on Saturday. That’s two more than the SEC, and it matches the much-anticipated slate in the Big 12. This alone is a testament to the growth of the Big Ten that has come about very quietly this season.
Ohio State will begin to be tested this week with a visit from Michigan State, while Iowa’s heavy lifting is basically done. Michigan has to avoid a stumble at a capable Penn State team if it has any hope whatsoever of winning the East. Northwestern and Wisconsin are playing in Madison with second place in the West on the line, as well.
- Pac-12
The Pac-12 has rendered itself completely irrelevant with regards to the College Football Playoff picture. However, the overall strength of the league is fairly good due to resurgences in conference play from USC and Oregon, both of whom have won four consecutive games.
The North is fairly settled, as Stanford merely needs to defeat Cal at home to sew up the division crown. If the Cardinal falter, the Ducks can step into the void with a pair of season-ending wins. A random successful season for Washington State negates unexpected struggles from the two Arizona schools.
- ACC
The top of this league isn’t the question, obviously. Clemson maintains its number one ranking for the third consecutive week. Other than the Tigers, though, no one besides 6-4 Louisville and Coastal juggernaut North Carolina qualifies as a hot team. In fact, there are four teams sporting losing skids of three or more games in this conference.
Should Florida State continue to win, the Seminoles should give the ACC a nice second-place option in the Atlantic. Pittsburgh is in the same place, although the Panthers have struggled to gain momentum nationally despite a 5-1 league mark. Five teams have already failed to qualify for bowl games, and Virginia Tech is sitting squarely at 5-5 with two league contests remaining.