Teams that are Playoff locks if they win out
| Team | vs 1-10 | vs 11-25 | vs 26-40 | vs 41-80 | vs 81+ | SOS Range | Wins over
+.500 |
Off YPP
(rank) |
Def YPP
(rank) |
| LSU | 2-0 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 3-0 | 4-0 | 4-50 | 6 | 7.7 (3) | 5.2 (41) |
LSU’s resume is excellent. Solid SOS, four Top 40 wins, and a whopping six wins over teams with winning records. The SOS numbers took a hit this week after playing Arkansas (except in Massey, who loves LSU’s schedule), but they will skyrocket back up after playing Texas A&M and Georgia. The defensive numbers could use a bit more improvement, but LSU’s defense has always got the stops it needed when necessary. LSU is likely in with one loss, let alone undefeated.
| Team | vs 1-10 | vs 11-25 | vs 26-40 | vs 41-80 | vs 81+ | SOS Range | Wins over
+.500 |
Off YPP
(rank) |
Def YPP
(rank) |
| Ohio State | 1-0 | 2-0 | 0-0 | 5-0 | 3-0 | 15-45 | 6 | 6.9 (6) | 3.3 (1) |
The Buckeyes are almost unmatched in the combined metrics. The SOS numbers are strong, as are the six wins over teams with winning records. This resume is just behind LSU’s right now, but there’s no one else close to it. The Tigers and Buckeyes are very clearly a cut above the rest of the country right now.
| Team | vs 1-10 | vs 11-25 | vs 26-40 | vs 41-80 | vs 81+ | SOS Range | Wins over
+.500 |
Off YPP
(rank) |
Def YPP
(rank) |
| Clemson | 0-0 | 0-0 | 3-0 | 3-0 | 5-0 | 60-90 | 4 | 7.1 (4) | 3.6 (2) |
Clemson’s resume is improving, but still awful by usual Playoff standards. Louisville and Wake Forest are both currently Top 40 wins, though a loss by either this weekend would change that. This resume has an ugly five cupcakes and bad SOS numbers, which won’t get significantly better over the next two weeks. Of course, the metrics show why Clemson is a top team and why the Tigers are likely to go 13-0.
| Team | vs 1-10 | vs 11-25 | vs 26-40 | vs 41-80 | vs 81+ | SOS Range | Wins over
+.500 |
Off YPP
(rank) |
Def YPP
(rank) |
| Georgia | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1-0 | 4-1 | 2-0 | 15-30 | 6 | 6.0 (36) | 4.1 (4) |
This resume is excellent, and keeps getting better. The loss to South Carolina is bad, but is easily outweighed by a resume that is really only matched by LSU’s and Ohio State’s. It makes perfect sense that the committee ranked Georgia at No. 4, and the Bulldogs are a Playoff lock if they can win out. If we get a bit of chaos, Georgia should be considered for the No. 4 spot for keeping it close against LSU. No other potential bubble team has a collection of wins this good.
| Team | vs 1-10 | vs 11-25 | vs 26-40 | vs 41-80 | vs 81+ | SOS Range | Wins over
+.500 |
Off YPP
(rank) |
Def YPP
(rank) |
| Minnesota | 1-0 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 4-0 | 5-0 | 50-95 | 3 | 6.3 (19) | 4.5 (12) |
The stats on this resume will surprise some, especially with how close Minnesota’s early-season games were. But this is a very solid team on both sides of the ball. Only one win against Top 40 teams means there is no meat here, but if the Gophers win out that would add wins over Wisconsin and either Ohio State or Penn State. The SOS numbers are rapidly rising, and will continue to do so. This isn’t a Playoff resume yet, but it will be if Minnesota can go 12-1.