Lucas's Power 5 Conference Rankings - Week 3

[Eco]

Wait...what has Bama done this year?

Beaten USC and Ole Miss. Also, we dominated Western Kentucky which ended last year in the top 25 and going into the game had the #1 rated QB in terms of QBR in the nation. A defense which returns a majority of their starters, an elite WR, and an O-line that is quickly improving.

Is that how Liufui was injured I didn't watch the Michigan game? I was checking online while another game was on. I read he was hurt here didn't see the play

No - he injured his ankle, and then while sitting on the bench, this happened.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

That might be his view of ranking the SEC lower but it actually does make sense. Not the fact Bama is better than the rest of the SEC but bc the rest of the SEC has looked weak early. Ole Miss, Tennessee, and LSU have all looked overrated. That has nothing to do with Bama, but the fact they have only one great team when they projected the some of these SEC teams to be top ten and championship contenders is the reason why they are 3rd in the rankings...which is valid.

I would add georgia to that list. They struggled vs Nichols. And barely got past Mizzou . Baja and A&M have been the most impressive teams in the SEC imo. Florida may take the east again

 

[Shanemansj13]

Wait...what has Bama done this year?

IMO nothing but they are still the superior. I am not impressed but they are still much better than the rest of the SEC. Overall, the SEC is pretty weak

 

[Across The Field]

I would add georgia to that list. They struggled vs Nichols. And barely got past Mizzou . Baja and A&M have been the most impressive teams in the SEC imo. Florida may take the east again

Thankfully they won't have to face UMass again... what a sad statement, and you're very possibly right.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Beaten USC and Ole Miss. Also, we dominated Western Kentucky which ended last year in the top 25 and going into the game had the #1 rated QB in terms of QBR in the nation. A defense which returns a majority of their starters, an elite WR, and an O-line that is quickly improving.



No - he injured his ankle, and then while sitting on the bench, this happened.

You're right that definitely didn't help. Not sure about you.But i'm getting the feeling the PAC is chaotic again this year. Its getting that same feel things get unpredictable when conference play hits. Like it was last year.

 

[Clayton]

Beaten USC and Ole Miss. Also, we dominated Western Kentucky which ended last year in the top 25 and going into the game had the #1 rated QB in terms of QBR in the nation. A defense which returns a majority of their starters, an elite WR, and an O-line that is quickly improving.

Two 1-2 teams and a team that is a bit of an unknown. I don't think thats enough to say that Alabama has proven they are head and shoulders above the other SEC contenders because some have looked rusty early. Bama isn't as strong as a front runner as Ohio St was last year and we all saw how that worked out.

I'd say Bama has about a 45% chance of winning the SEC. Easily the frontrunner but not nearly the forgone conclusion that you make it out to be.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Beaten USC and Ole Miss. Also, we dominated Western Kentucky which ended last year in the top 25 and going into the game had the #1 rated QB in terms of QBR in the nation. A defense which returns a majority of their starters, an elite WR, and an O-line that is quickly improving.

USC was a blowout and impressive but USC lost their QB. Ole Miss tore apart your secondary and they have a ton of injuries and no RB depth and a bad secondary. Game should have been tied bc Judd was in on that TD but things could have went different. The fact is Bama is undefeated though and the reat of the SEC should be no threat to them bc it is pretty weak.

 

[7Samurai13]

Beaten USC and Ole Miss. Also, we dominated Western Kentucky which ended last year in the top 25 and going into the game had the #1 rated QB in terms of QBR in the nation. A defense which returns a majority of their starters, an elite WR, and an O-line that is quickly improving.



No - he injured his ankle, and then while sitting on the bench, this happened.

In no way shape or form did you dominate Western Kentucky. That was an ugly game all around. You dominated USC who is now 1-2 and looks like there is 40 gallons of gas in a dumpster and Helton is just looking for matches. Bama's offense did not look that great against Ole Miss as the defense/special teams put up nearly as many points as the offense. Ole Miss made huge mistakes and Bama capitalized. It was the antithesis of the game last year.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Thankfully they won't have to face UMass again... what a sad statement, and you're very possibly right.

I think this was a great write up and the rankings are on point.The BIG X is looking like they are by far the strongest conference so far imo.The ACC's top teams have been on point aside from FSU's loss but that was to Louisville.Who is looking very impressive. The SEC east has looked very weak. I was expecting a lot more from Georgia and Tennessee. I could see the Gators taking the east again.The BIG XII took some major hits. And the PAC may be ready to implode again with conference play starting.

Add zHouston to the mix with an impressive win to open vs Oklahoma.And Louisville on the schedule.If they beat Louisville I think its very hard not to make a case for Houston.Alabama controls the SEC. LSU isn't out just yet imo and A&M could be a big surprise. With OSU,MSU,Wisconsin and Nebraska holding big OOC wins.And Michigan looking very good.

Given the dynamics of the PAC and state of the BIG XII. Along with the play of the B1G ,ACC and SEC as well as Houston. Its looking like the winner of the B1G,SEC and ACC get in. And I've the potential to see Houston or a second team from the B1G,SEC or ACC to get a second team in. Are higher than they have been since the inception of the college football playoffs imo.

With the play off system SOS is plays a role. Its almost a double edged sword. If you don't schedule quality opponents it hurts. When you do you run the risk of losses that kill your season. High risk high reward.In this case we may very well see it pay off with an Indy team or 2nd team from a conference earning a playoff spot.I agree with the article and I think thats how it plays out imo.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

In no way shape or form did you dominate Western Kentucky. That was an ugly game all around. You dominated USC who is now 1-2 and looks like there is 40 gallons of gas in a dumpster and Helton is just looking for matches. Bama's offense did not look that great against Ole Miss as the defense/special teams put up nearly as many points as the offense. Ole Miss made huge mistakes and Bama capitalized. It was the antithesis of the game last year.

At this point SC is in the role of spoiler tops. Their ceiling is getting lucky winning the PAC. And gaining a higher bowl game. A possibility with the PAC but still a stretch. The next few weeks will be make or break for the PAC's play off chances

 

[Wamu]

At this point SC is in the role of spoiler tops. Their ceiling is getting lucky winning the PAC. And gaining a higher bowl game. A possibility with the PAC but still a stretch. The next few weeks will be make or break for the PAC's play off chances

I told you before the season started USC should have gotten rid of Clay Aiken. Also Lynn Swann's a shittty AD. All hail Jimmy Jam!

 

[Across The Field]

I think this was a great write up and the rankings are on point.The BIG X is looking like they are by far the strongest conference so far imo.The ACC's top teams have been on point aside from FSU's loss but that was to Louisville.Who is looking very impressive. The SEC east has looked very weak. I was expecting a lot more from Georgia and Tennessee. I could see the Gators taking the east again.The BIG XII took some major hits. And the PAC may be ready to implode again with conference play starting.

Add zHouston to the mix with an impressive win to open vs Oklahoma.And Louisville on the schedule.If they beat Louisville I think its very hard not to make a case for Houston.Alabama controls the SEC. LSU isn't out just yet imo and A&M could be a big surprise. With OSU,MSU,Wisconsin and Nebraska holding big OOC wins.And Michigan looking very good.

Given the dynamics of the PAC and state of the BIG XII. Along with the play of the B1G ,ACC and SEC as well as Houston. Its looking like the winner of the B1G,SEC and ACC get in. And I've the potential to see Houston or a second team from the B1G,SEC or ACC to get a second team in. Are higher than they have been since the inception of the college football playoffs imo.

With the play off system SOS is plays a role. Its almost a double edged sword. If you don't schedule quality opponents it hurts. When you do you run the risk of losses that kill your season. High risk high reward.In this case we may very well see it pay off with an Indy team or 2nd team from a conference earning a playoff spot.I agree with the article and I think thats how it plays out imo.

Great points. I'm still not 100% sure I'm ready to say the B1G is by far the strongest. Wisconsin's win over LSU was extremely strong with all that talent on the Tigers' side, but Les Miles is an absolutely horrible coach. If they lose another 3-4 games this year he has to be long gone.

Sparty's win was good on the road, as well, but that was almost a huge collapse on their part. With their performance against Furman week 1, I'm not sure how great they are.

I think Ohio State is clearly the most dominant team in the conference and the favorite to win it right now, and I think michigan has the potential to make a ton of noise, though you can't be thrilled with them having to play both at MSU and at OSU this year. I think we'll wind up seeing 5-6 B1G teams ranked by season's end with OSU in the top 2, perhaps even at #1.

These next few weeks are going to be huge in showing just who's who in the SEC and B1G, with a lot of big time H2H matchups.

 

[fishinabarrel]

I agree. Just because Ohio State fans don't want to hear that Colorado may in fact be good this year with Liufau doesn't make it so.

We don't want to hear it bc it's simply not true. Colorado might not be terrible this year but they certainly won't be good. Had Michigan started out a game against a good team the way they did against Colorado, they would have gotten rolled.

Michigan better figure out their run game and run defense before Nov 26 or else they are going to see a repeat of last year

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Great points. I'm still not 100% sure I'm ready to say the B1G is by far the strongest. Wisconsin's win over LSU was extremely strong with all that talent on the Tigers' side, but Les Miles is an absolutely horrible coach. If they lose another 3-4 games this year he has to be long gone.

Sparty's win was good on the road, as well, but that was almost a huge collapse on their part. With their performance against Furman week 1, I'm not sure how great they are.

I think Ohio State is clearly the most dominant team in the conference and the favorite to win it right now, and I think michigan has the potential to make a ton of noise, though you can't be thrilled with them having to play both at MSU and at OSU this year. I think we'll wind up seeing 5-6 B1G teams ranked by season's end with OSU in the top 2, perhaps even at #1.

These next few weeks are going to be huge in showing just who's who in the SEC and B1G, with a lot of big time H2H matchups.

Ohio State has a big win over Oklahoma.MSU has a big win over Notre Dame. Whisky has a big win over LSU.Nebraska has a big win over Oregon. Michigan has a win over an under rated Colorado. Aside from an Iowa disaster. The B1G is looking strong going into conference play.

With wins over top tier OOC opponents. And several B1G teams ranked some very high. They may be in the best position to get a second team in . Than we have seen since the inception of the play offs. The B1G has several teams that could have a very solid case for the last spot. Depends how it all plays out. OSU has looked the most impressive. The tough OC wins could hold a lot of weight later. The B1G took a lot of risks that may pay off later.Gotta give them credit for the OOC scheduling.Even more credit for the execution. and winning the tough games. If there was a solid strategy to get two teams in that was it.

Could still see 2 ACC teams in if it plays out right as well as the SEC. Clemson and Louisville are in great position. And I wouldnt count FSU out yet. Early loss to a great team early. And we still have Houston lurking with Louisville still on the schedule. I wouldnt put anything past Houston. They have a knack for winning games not many people give them a chance in. Lets not forget they finished last year with wins over 21 Memphis,15 Navy,22 Temple an 9 FSU. Already have a win over Oklahoma this year. And they did beat Louisville last year in a close game.Herman has a way of getting the most out of the cougars in big games

 

[Across The Field]

Ohio State has a big win over Oklahoma.MSU has a big win over Notre Dame. Whisky has a big win over LSU.Nebraska has a big win over Oregon. Michigan has a win over an under rated Colorado. Aside from an Iowa disaster. The B1G is looking strong going into conference play.

With wins over top tier OOC opponents. And several B1G teams ranked some very high. They may be in the best position to get a second team in . Than we have seen since the inception of the play offs. The B1G has several teams that could have a very solid case for the last spot. Depends how it all plays out. OSU has looked the most impressive. The tough OC wins could hold a lot of weight later. The B1G took a lot of risks that may pay off later.Gotta give them credit for the OOC scheduling.Even more credit for the execution. and winning the tough games. If there was a solid strategy to get two teams in that was it.

Could still see 2 ACC teams in if it plays out right as well as the SEC. Clemson and Louisville are in great position. And I wouldnt count FSU out yet. Early loss to a great team early. And we still have Houston lurking with Louisville still on the schedule. I wouldnt put anything past Houston. They have a knack for winning games not many people give them a chance in. Lets not forget they finished last year with wins over 21 Memphis,15 Navy,22 Temple an 9 FSU. Already have a win over Oklahoma this year. And they did beat Louisville last year in a close game.Herman has a way of getting the most out of the cougars in big games

Here's another team in the ACC to keep an eye on - Miami. They're unbeaten and have been playing some really solid football, with that big win against Appy State looking impressive. I will say this, it would appear the B1G and ACC are trending in the right direction for sure, while the Big 12 and Pac 12 have not been. Speaking of the Pac 12, what the hell happened to Arizona State???

 

[Wamu]

Ohio State has a big win over Oklahoma.MSU has a big win over Notre Dame. Whisky has a big win over LSU.Nebraska has a big win over Oregon. Michigan has a win over an under rated Colorado. Aside from an Iowa disaster. The B1G is looking strong going into conference play.

With wins over top tier OOC opponents. And several B1G teams ranked some very high. They may be in the best position to get a second team in . Than we have seen since the inception of the play offs. The B1G has several teams that could have a very solid case for the last spot. Depends how it all plays out. OSU has looked the most impressive. The tough OC wins could hold a lot of weight later. The B1G took a lot of risks that may pay off later.Gotta give them credit for the OOC scheduling.Even more credit for the execution. and winning the tough games. If there was a solid strategy to get two teams in that was it.

Could still see 2 ACC teams in if it plays out right as well as the SEC. Clemson and Louisville are in great position. And I wouldnt count FSU out yet. Early loss to a great team early. And we still have Houston lurking with Louisville still on the schedule. I wouldnt put anything past Houston. They have a knack for winning games not many people give them a chance in. Lets not forget they finished last year with wins over 21 Memphis,15 Navy,22 Temple an 9 FSU. Already have a win over Oklahoma this year. And they did beat Louisville last year in a close game.Herman has a way of getting the most out of the cougars in big games

Just saw this on espn.com: the Browns will start Cody Kessler @ QB next weekend. The other QB injured his shoulder yesterday.

 

[Eco]

You're right that definitely didn't help. Not sure about you.But i'm getting the feeling the PAC is chaotic again this year. Its getting that same feel things get unpredictable when conference play hits. Like it was last year.

Pac-12 is likely to cannibalize itself, leaving the door open for Houston if they can remain undefeated.

Two 1-2 teams and a team that is a bit of an unknown. I don't think thats enough to say that Alabama has proven they are head and shoulders above the other SEC contenders because some have looked rusty early. Bama isn't as strong as a front runner as Ohio St was last year and we all saw how that worked out.

I'd say Bama has about a 45% chance of winning the SEC. Easily the frontrunner but not nearly the forgone conclusion that you make it out to be.

Not saying I'm completely disagree with you, but the only other team that was impressed me in A&M. Good win against UCLA, good win one the road to Auburn (whom they were not favored against).

UGA is undefeated, but they have glaring weaknesses, that I think could hurt them bad this weekend against Ole Miss.

Tennessee hasn't lived up to the hype yet, and their game against Florida is one that Butch HAS to win now that UF's QB is not playing. No way Butch can lose to UF...again.

And then Florida is not looking so hot themselves, and outside of the UGA's game against UNC, I'm not sure any team in the SEC East has played anybody that can really tell us how good or not they are.

That leaves an LSU team that could find themselves with 3-4 losses, Arkansas that has looked good, and A&M that has looked really good. Difference between Arkansas/A&M and Alabama is the fact that Bama has a giant target on their back as the SEC and National Champions, and every once Alabama to lose which just adds more pressure.

Our defense is still top notch, and while I also agree that Ole Miss should of had a TD on the run, they should not of had a TD on the return fumble due to the block in the back, and I still thought that was targeting on the initial hit.

Alabama is the back-to-back SEC Champions, and early on is when their slip ups have occured, and I don't think there is a team in the nation that gets better as the season progresses as a Saban coached team. This leads me to think that Alabama will only get better, and we know that they have the talent, coach, and the history of it, so I'm not sure where the problem lies with my thinking that it looks like this is another year that the SEC is Alabama's to lose.

USC was a blowout and impressive but USC lost their QB. Ole Miss tore apart your secondary and they have a ton of injuries and no RB depth and a bad secondary. Game should have been tied bc Judd was in on that TD but things could have went different. The fact is Bama is undefeated though and the reat of the SEC should be no threat to them bc it is pretty weak.

Alabama has a injuries themselves, RB questions since neither really played last year, a new o-line, and a true freshman QB.

Ole Miss has the best QB in the SEC, the best (used) TE in the conference, and were at home.

Ole Miss is still a good team, and I have no answers to what happens in their locker room at half time, but they need to get it sorted.

USC was a blowout, but again, we are starting a true Freshman at QB...so the QB excuse just doesn't work for me, with this Alabama team.

In no way shape or form did you dominate Western Kentucky. That was an ugly game all around. You dominated USC who is now 1-2 and looks like there is 40 gallons of gas in a dumpster and Helton is just looking for matches. Bama's offense did not look that great against Ole Miss as the defense/special teams put up nearly as many points as the offense. Ole Miss made huge mistakes and Bama capitalized. It was the antithesis of the game last year.

If I said Alabama dominated WKU, I meant that we dominated their passing attack, and that's on me.

USC has only 2 losses, both against Top 10 teams. What separates them from Oklahoma who can say the same thing?

Bama's offense is going to remain the big question mark until we truly see what's at RB. Kiffin didn't like running the RB's on Saturday, and so we are still unsure what exactly they have to offer. Our defense definitely struggles against Ole Miss, as this isn't the first year we've seen this, but this time the mistakes were on both sides of the ball (fumble return for a TD (Ole Miss) and an interception for TD (Bama). I think what got Ole Miss was poor coaching at the end (why not either onside kick it again or at least pouch kick it since we had 10 players 15 yards from the ball and a lot of grass in-between them and the returner.) and untimely turnovers.

Winning in Oxford isn't easy, and no matter how it's done, it's for sure a quality win. I'll be interested to see what UGA does there this upcoming week.

 

[7Samurai13]

Pac-12 is likely to cannibalize itself, leaving the door open for Houston if they can remain undefeated.



Not saying I'm completely disagree with you, but the only other team that was impressed me in A&M. Good win against UCLA, good win one the road to Auburn (whom they were not favored against).

UGA is undefeated, but they have glaring weaknesses, that I think could hurt them bad this weekend against Ole Miss.

Tennessee hasn't lived up to the hype yet, and their game against Florida is one that Butch HAS to win now that UF's QB is not playing. No way Butch can lose to UF...again.

And then Florida is not looking so hot themselves, and outside of the UGA's game against UNC, I'm not sure any team in the SEC East has played anybody that can really tell us how good or not they are.

That leaves an LSU team that could find themselves with 3-4 losses, Arkansas that has looked good, and A&M that has looked really good. Difference between Arkansas/A&M and Alabama is the fact that Bama has a giant target on their back as the SEC and National Champions, and every once Alabama to lose which just adds more pressure.

Our defense is still top notch, and while I also agree that Ole Miss should of had a TD on the run, they should not of had a TD on the return fumble due to the block in the back, and I still thought that was targeting on the initial hit.

Alabama is the back-to-back SEC Champions, and early on is when their slip ups have occured, and I don't think there is a team in the nation that gets better as the season progresses as a Saban coached team. This leads me to think that Alabama will only get better, and we know that they have the talent, coach, and the history of it, so I'm not sure where the problem lies with my thinking that it looks like this is another year that the SEC is Alabama's to lose.



Alabama has a injuries themselves, RB questions since neither really played last year, a new o-line, and a true freshman QB.

Ole Miss has the best QB in the SEC, the best (used) TE in the conference, and were at home.

Ole Miss is still a good team, and I have no answers to what happens in their locker room at half time, but they need to get it sorted.

USC was a blowout, but again, we are starting a true Freshman at QB...so the QB excuse just doesn't work for me, with this Alabama team.



If I said Alabama dominated WKU, I meant that we dominated their passing attack, and that's on me.

USC has only 2 losses, both against Top 10 teams. What separates them from Oklahoma who can say the same thing?

Bama's offense is going to remain the big question mark until we truly see what's at RB. Kiffin didn't like running the RB's on Saturday, and so we are still unsure what exactly they have to offer. Our defense definitely struggles against Ole Miss, as this isn't the first year we've seen this, but this time the mistakes were on both sides of the ball (fumble return for a TD (Ole Miss) and an interception for TD (Bama). I think what got Ole Miss was poor coaching at the end (why not either onside kick it again or at least pouch kick it since we had 10 players 15 yards from the ball and a lot of grass in-between them and the returner.) and untimely turnovers.

Winning in Oxford isn't easy, and no matter how it's done, it's for sure a quality win. I'll be interested to see what UGA does there this upcoming week.

Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC, Ole Miss are all kind of the same right now. Teams with high expectations that are 1-2 with both losses to quality opponents. USC just looked really bad in its losses.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Here's another team in the ACC to keep an eye on - Miami. They're unbeaten and have been playing some really solid football, with that big win against Appy State looking impressive. I will say this, it would appear the B1G and ACC are trending in the right direction for sure, while the Big 12 and Pac 12 have not been. Speaking of the Pac 12, what the hell happened to Arizona State???

I agree Miami has looked very good.The B1G and ACC are definitely trending in the right direction. While the PAC has either been disappointing.their best chance is Stanford Washington's schedule is pretty weak. 1 or 2 losses in conference play kills them. And the PAC has been a mess when conference play hits. Stanford would need to run the table and I don't think anyone does in the PAC.The Nebraska win was huge. It took another PAC team out of the rankings.ASU is actually looking pretty good. I can see them potentially winning the PAC south. But if the PAC trend continues I could see them very easily left out again. The B1G and ACC are in great position for 2 potential spots. The SEC could be in position.But the east is looking a lot weaker than expected and the Ole Miss losses hurt. Houston has a legit shot if the run the table. With 2 potential top 5 wins.

 

[umichgradfan]

We don't want to hear it bc it's simply not true. Colorado might not be terrible this year but they certainly won't be good. Had Michigan started out a game against a good team the way they did against Colorado, they would have gotten rolled.

Michigan better figure out their run game and run defense before Nov 26 or else they are going to see a repeat of last year

I'm certain that they'll be ready. It's a little early to be so smug, don't you think?