It is time to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Teams that were in the top 10 in preseason are still hanging around for the most part except for teams like the Florida State Seminoles, who are sitting at 1-6 with five games left on the schedule. Likewise the defending champion Michigan Wolverines were viewed as a preseason contender and after Saturday’s loss are very much out of the Big Ten title picture.
There are roughly 23 teams that are vying for their respective conference title, more could still be in the picture if chaos ensues over the next six weeks. For now the focus will be on these teams.
Here is how the title pictures are shaping up in each of the Power Four conferences after Week 8:
ACC Title Picture
It’s just the Clemson Tigers’ world and we are all just living in it. After watching the Florida State Seminoles take over the ACC last season, the Tigers have reclaimed the throne this season so to speak. The Miami Hurricanes will clearly have something to say about who wins it all, but all signs point to a Clemson-Miami showdown in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, don’t forget about the SMU Mustangs and Pitt Panthers, who are still very much in this race.
ACC Picture:
| Team | ACC Record | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|
| Clemson | 5-0 | 6-1 |
| Miami (FL) | 3-0 | 7-0 |
| SMU | 3-0 | 6-1 |
| Pittsburgh | 2-0 | 6-0 |
Big 12 Title Picture
Despite both of the remaining undefeated teams in the Big 12 facing scares in Week 8, BYU and Iowa State remain at the top of the pecking order. Given that they won’t face each other in the regular season the Cougars and Cyclones could be on a collision course in Arlington, Texas, for the Big 12 championship. The only problem is that there are four more teams only one game out. Of the four chasing only Texas Tech lost in Week 8. This race could be a tight one down the stretch.
Big 12 Picture:
| Team | Big 12 Record | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|
| BYU | 4-0 | 7-0 |
| Iowa State | 4-0 | 7-0 |
| Kansas State | 3-1 | 6-1 |
| Texas Tech | 3-1 | 5-2 |
| Cincinnati | 3-1 | 5-2 |
| Colorado | 3-1 | 5-2 |
Big Ten Title Picture
Please stand up if you had both the Oregon Ducks and Indiana Hoosiers at the top two in the new-look Big Ten. That is exactly what we have at the moment and potentially that could be the title game matchup. Especially since neither team faces each other in the regular season. Behind the top teams we still have the Penn State Nittany Lions, Illinois Fighting Illini, Wisconsin Badgers, and Ohio State Buckeyes lurking behind them.
Big Ten Picture:
| Team | Big Ten Record | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 4-0 | 7-0 |
| Oregon | 4-0 | 7-0 |
| Penn State | 3-0 | 6-0 |
| Illinois | 3-1 | 6-1 |
| Wisconsin | 3-1 | 5-2 |
| Ohio State | 2-1 | 5-1 |
SEC Title Picture
The Georgia Bulldogs had the biggest win of the week but it is the Texas A&M Aggies and LSU Tigers who are at the top of the standings, for now. LSU and Texas A&M will face off at Kyle Field in Week 9 to determine the top spot in the SEC. Much like the Big 12 and Big Ten, the SEC is quite crowded at the top with three others joining Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M at the top. The most unlikely contender is Vanderbilt at 2-1 in the conference with wins over Alabama and Kentucky. They now face Texas in Week 9.
SEC Picture:
| Team | SEC Record | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|
| Texas A&M | 4-0 | 6-1 |
| LSU | 3-0 | 6-1 |
| Georgia | 4-1 | 6-1 |
| Tennessee | 3-1 | 6-1 |
| Missouri | 2-1 | 6-1 |
| Texas | 2-1 | 6-1 |
| Vanderbilt | 2-1 | 5-2 |
There is still plenty of action to unfold as we march to the first-ever 12-team playoff field.
