CONFERENCE RANKINGS/ CFP RANKINGS/ CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK PICKS

RANKING THE CONFERENCES BY TEAMS THAT ARE BOWL ELIDGEABLE
If you look at bowl eligibility, you will be surprised who the best conference is. (Hit: it’s not a conference that signed a near billion-dollar TV contract). If you were to judge a conference solely on how many teams had six wins or more, C-USA would not be at the top. In their defense they only have nine members, but they only put four teams into bowl eligibility.

The MAC did slightly better placing half of their members in the position of going bowling. The American only put six of their fourteen members in. The Mountain West put in seven of their twelve members. The PAC12 put in eight of their twelve members in their final year as we know them.

The Big10 is a week conference. For getting a near billion-dollar TV deal, the former home of leaders and legends could only put in eight of their fourteen teams. There is a drop off in the quality after you get past Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. Iowa and Wisconsin are notable but let’s face it, the rest of the Big10 is there to prop up the top three teams, job to them, and get paid to do so.

It may Just Mean More in the SEC, but the second highest paid conference only got in one more team than the Big10. Five SEC teams are not eligible to go bowling unless they are thrown a lifeline by the NCAA. The Big 12 is not any better only getting nine of fourteen teams in.

The ACC is the best of the Power 5 getting eleven of their fourteen teams to six wins and bowl bids. The conference that does it the best is the Sun Belt. This season the Group of Five conference will place twelve of their fourteen teams with six wins or more leaving only two teams sitting at home because of their records.

Here is a more in-depth look:

SUN BELT: Twelve Teams (James Madison, Troy, App State, Coastal Carolina, South Alabama, Georgia Southern, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Texas State, Old Dominion, Marshall, Louisiana)
ACC: Eleven Teams (Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, NC State, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, FL, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Syracuse)
BIG12: Nine Teams (Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Kansas, West Virginia, Iowa State, Texas Tech, UCF)
SEC: Nine Teams (Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, Ole Miss, LSU, UTK, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Auburn)
BIG10: Eight Teams (Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Maryland, Northwestern, Rutgers)
PAC12: Eight Teams (Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Oregon State, Utah, UCLA, USC, Cal)
MOUNTAIN WEST: Seven Teams (UNLV, Fresno State, Air Force, Wyoming, San Jose State, Boise State, Utah State)
AMERICAN: Six Teams (Tulane, SMU, Memphis, UTSA, USF, Rice)
MAC: Six Teams (Toledo, Miami, OH, Ohio, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan)
C-USA: Four Teams (Liberty, New Mexico State, Jacksonville State, Western Kentucky)


MY CFP RANKINGS/ THE PICKS
Next week is my final CFP Ranking which will set the table for who goes into my sixteen simulated playoff. Here are my CFP rankings for the week:

MY CFP RANKINGS
Here are my playoff rankings for the week: (Record is the projected record)
1. Georgia (13-0) Projected SEC Champion
2. Florida State (13-0) Projected ACC Champion
3. Michigan (12-0) Projected Big 10 Champion
4. Alabama (11-2) (Projected Championship Game Loss)
5. Washington (12-1) (Projected Championship Game Loss)
6. Texas (12-1) Projected Big 12 Champion
7. Tulane (12-1) Projected American Champion
8. Liberty (13-0) Projected C-USA Champion
9. Oregon (12-1) Projected PAC 12 Champion
10. Ohio State (11-1)
11. Toledo (12-1) Projected MAC Champion
12. Missouri (10-2)
13. Oklahoma (10-2)
14. Ole Miss (10-2)
15. Louisville (10-3) (Projected Championship Game Loss)
16. Penn State (10-2)

OUT IN THE COLD:
17. James Madison (12-1) NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE PLAYOFF
18. SMU (10-3) (Projected Championship Game Loss)
19. Troy (11-2) Projected Sun Belt Champion
20. Iowa (10-3) (Projected Championship Game Loss)
21. LSU (9-3)
22. Miami, OH (10-3) (Projected Championship Game Loss)
23. Oklahoma State (9-4) (Projected Championship Game Loss)
24. New Mexico State (10-4) (Projected Championship Game Loss)
25. Memphis (9-3)
26. Arizona (9-3)
27. NC State (9-3)
28. Ohio (9-3)
29. Notre Dame (9-3)
30. UNLV (9-4) (Projected Championship Game Loss)


CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK PICKS:
C-USA Championship: New Mexico State at Liberty
For the first time in school history, Liberty has run the table going undefeated in the regular season. Now they have a chance to be the champions of C-USA after playing as independents and before that in the FCS. New Mexico State knows the independent scene very well. For years teams paid them to come and job for a million-dollar paycheck. It helped the athletic departments funds. Winning was not the usual. Insert Jerry Kill and now for the first time in school history, the Aggies have a ten-win regular season. The numbers point to the Flames winning. They won on September 9th. But New Mexico State is on an eight-game winning streak with wins over Jacksonville State, Western Kentucky, and Auburn. Not the University of Auburn-Montgomery. We are talking about the toilet paper throwing… “War Eagle” crying almost Alabama beating Auburn Tigers. The numbers could be wrong. New Mexico State for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: New Mexico State
Charlie’s Pick: Liberty
Dustin’s Pick: New Mexico State


PAC 12 Championship Oregon vs Washington
My friend is a Beaver. He and I are upset that the Civil War may be no more. He is angry that it ended like it did. In all honesty, this pick is more about bitterness than who will win. Washington for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Oregon
Charlie’s Pick: Washington
Dustin’s Pick: Washington


Big 12 Championship Oklahoma State vs Texas
I have been a Mike Gundy fan for a while. Much like my PAC12 prediction, my personal feelings are getting in the way of this pick. Texas is due for a fall. Oklahoma State for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Texas
Charlie’s Pick: Texas
Dustin’s Pick: Texas


MAC Championship Miami, OH vs Toledo
Miami, OH lost to Miami, FL to open the season. They also lost to Toledo but not before beating archrival Cincinnati.
Caleb Griffin kicked a 29-yard field goal with five seconds on the clock to keep Toledo from upsetting Illinois in Champaign in front of a little more than 48k at the beginning of the season. That was Rockets’ only loss. Toledo for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Toledo
Charlie’s Pick: Toledo
Dustin’s Pick: Toledo


Mountain West Championship Boise State at UNLV
I struggled with this one. Boise State for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Boise State
Charlie’s Pick: Boise State
Dustin’s Pick: Boise State


American Championship SMU at Tulane
ESPN Analytics likes SMU to win. The numbers like the Green Wave. Tulane for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Tulane
Charlie’s Pick: Tulane
Dustin’s Pick: Tulane


SEC Championship Game Georgia vs Alabama
I could opine a lot on this game but let’s just keep this one simple. Georgia for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Georgia
Charlie’s Pick: Georgia
Dustin’s Pick: Alabama


Sun Belt Championship App State at Troy
Back in July and August, my preseason poll and research told me that both teams were the favorites to play in this game. I said App State would go 10-2 and Troy would finish 9-3. The Mountaineers finished 8-4 and the Trojans 10-2. Troy for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: App State
Charlie’s Pick: App State
Dustin’s Pick: Troy


ACC Championship Louisville vs Florida State
I like Louisville, I really do. Like Florida State, they were a great rival in the old Metro Conference. The Cards led the way into the Big East and advocated for Memphis to have a seat at the table. Tiger fans hate them but know they are also one of our best advocates. Maybe one day Memphis can be reunited with their longtime rival in the ACC. You know that Mike Norvell led Memphis to the AAC title and a Cotton Bowl berth, before leaving for FSU. #GTG! Florida State for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Florida State
Charlie’s Pick: Florida State
Dustin’s Pick: Louisville


Big 10 Championship Michigan vs Iowa
Let’s review the video tape from the stands. It says take the under. Michigan for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Michigan
Charlie’s Pick: Michigan
Dustin’s Pick: Michigan


FCS: Playoffs NDSU at Montana State
Montana State for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: NDSU
Charlie’s Pick: Montana State
Dustin’s Pick: Montana State


D2: Playoffs Kutztown at Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock upset Kutztown in the PSAC title game. Slippery Rock for the win.


Celebrity Guest Picker: Slippery Rock
Charlie’s Pick: Slippery Rock
Dustin’s Pick: Slippery Rock


D3: Playoffs Wisconsin-Whitewater at Wartburg
Wisconsin-Whitewater for the win.

Celebrity Guest Picker: Wisconsin-Whitewater
Charlie’s Pick: Wisconsin-Whitewater
Dustin’s Pick: Wartburg


WEEK THIRTEEN RESULTS
Blake:
Wins: 14 Losses: 6
FBS Total on the Season: Wins: 106 Losses: 44
FCS Total on the Season: Wins 6 Losses 7
D2 Total on the Season: Wins 5 Losses 8
D3 Total on the Season: Wins 8 Losses 5
Overall, on the Season: Wins: 125 Losses: 64

Celebrity Guest Picker:

Wins: 13 Losses: 7
FBS Total on the Season: Wins: 109 Losses: 41
FCS Total on the Season: Wins 7 Losses 6
D2 Total on the Season: Wins 9 Losses 4
D3 Total on the Season: Wins 10 Losses 3
Overall, on the Season: Wins: 135 Losses: 54

Charlie:
Wins: 16 Losses: 4
FBS Total on the Season: Wins: 96 Losses: 54
FCS Total on the Season: Wins 9 Losses 4
D2 Total on the Season: Wins 7 Losses 6
D3 Total on the Season: Wins 9 Losses 4
Overall, on the Season: Wins: 121 Losses: 68

Dustin:
Wins: 11 Losses: 9
FBS Total on the Season: Wins: 96 Losses: 54
FCS Total on the Season: Wins 6 Losses 7
D2 Total on the Season: Wins 8 Losses 5
D3 Total on the Season: Wins 8 Losses 5
Overall, on the Season: Wins: 118 Losses: 71

NOTE: The picks are presented every week for entertainment purposes and for fun. They are not to be used for betting advice. As a matter of fact, the author of the picks strongly discourages any form of sports betting. Again, these picks are made for fun and not for any other reason.