The Latest College Football Rankings: Who’s Up and Who’s Down
Michigan may be feeling the pressure, but they’re still the favourites at home against Ohio State. The SP+ rankings have them projected to win by seven points, even with a 2.5-point home field advantage. Michigan has been leading the SP+ rankings since Week 5, but lately, they’ve been falling short of expectations. On the other hand, Ohio State has been exceeding expectations and remains in the top three.
What is SP+? It’s a measure of college football efficiency that takes into account the tempo and the quality of opponents. It’s not just about big wins or tough schedules; it’s about sustainable and predictable performance. The rankings are forward-looking and aim to predict future outcomes.
This week’s movers
Let’s take a look at the teams that saw the biggest change in their overall ratings. (Note: We’re looking at ratings, not rankings.)
Moving Up
Jacksonville State, UNLV, and Miami (Ohio) are among the teams that have seen their ratings rise significantly. UNLV’s rise to 46th place is particularly noteworthy, considering they haven’t been in the top 50 since 1984. It’s a big achievement for the 9-2 Rebels.
Moving Down
On the other hand, Wake Forest, Baylor, and Arizona State are among the teams whose ratings have fallen the most. Tennessee’s fall is also worth noting, as they were outscored by a combined 74-17 in their last two games.
Conference rankings
The SEC leads the pack with an average of 9.7 points per team, followed by the Pac-12 and the Big Ten. Surprisingly, the Big Ten has the best defenses but offenses that are not as strong as those in the Mountain West and AAC.
Résumé SP+
As the College Football Playoff rankings approach, Résumé SP+ rankings are also worth considering. These rankings evaluate how teams would perform against a top-five team and compare their scoring margins. Michigan, Georgia, and Ohio State are leading the pack, with Florida State and Oregon not far behind.
The playoff race seems to lack drama at the moment, with the unbeaten teams dominating the rankings. If we end up with four 13-0 teams, the selection process will be a breeze.