- Georgia (46)
- Ohio State (7)
- Oregon
- Texas (1)
- Bama
- Ole Miss
- Notre Dame
- Michigan (1)
- Penn State
- Florida State
- Missouri
- LSU
- Utah
- Clemson
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Kansas State
- Oklahoma State
- Miami, FL
- Texas A&M
- Arizona
- NCST
- USC
- Kansas
- Iowa
So a third of our teams are ranked and there are others with votes:
- 26 Washington
- 34 Wisconsin
- 42 Maryland
- 49 Nebraska
I think the ranked teams can be evaluated as pairs since they are so closely grouped:
#2 Ohio State and #3 Oregon:
These two are expected to make the playoff AND contend for the NC. Missing the 12-team playoff would be a major disappointment. Their game at Autzen on October 12 could end up being the first of two or three meetings this year. Aside from facing each other, their other games against ranked teams are:
- at #8 Michigan for Ore on 11/2
- vs #8 Michigan for tOSU on 11/30
- at #9 Penn State for tOSU on 11/2
- vs #25 Iowa for tOSU on 10/5 (a week before Oregon so could the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead?)
#8 Michigan and #9 Penn State:
These two are expected to contend for the playoff but missing it wouldn't be THAT big of a disappointment. They don't play each other. Michigan has the chances to take down the top ranked teams in the league and that is either a blessing or a curse depending on how those games go. They get the Ducks at home on 11/2 and the Buckeyes on the road on 11/30. Games against ranked teams:
- at #2 Ohio State for M on 11/30
- vs #2 Ohio State for PSU on 11/2
- vs #3 Oregon for M on 11/2
- vs #4 Texas for M on 9/7
- at #23 USC for PSU on 10/12
- vs #23 USC for M on 9/21
Michigan's schedule is tough, no doubt about it. It helps that they host both Oregon and Texas but if HFA isn't enough to win those games, they could have three losses even as a REALLY good team.
#23 USC and #25 Iowa:
These two project as fringe CG contenders and fringe CFP contenders. If they get a few breaks and the tOSU/Ore loser also loses another league game, they could be right in the mix for a spot in the B1GCG. They don't play each other. Games against ranked teams:
- at #2 Ohio State for Iowa on 10/5
- at #8 Michigan for USC on 9/21
- vs #9 Penn State for USC on 10/12
- vs #7 Notre Dame for USC on 11/30
Iowa's schedule is soft. Even if you simply assume that they lose in Columbus they could still take an upset somewhere along the line and end up 10-2. That could be enough to sneak into the B1GCG.