Five weeks into the 2017 CFB season the top teams are rising. Check out where Alabama football stands, as well as other CFB Playoff contenders.
CFB week five is in the books. In less than a month the CFB Playoff committee releases the first 2017 ranking. There are now only 12 undefeated Power Five conference teams. At least one more unbeaten will go down before the first committee ranking. Alabama football and Clemson look to be on a collision course for a rubber match in January.
Nick Saban will gladly lecture anyone who does not realize all the undefeated teams have perilous paths. Upsets happen. A weaker team plays its best game while a stronger team is shackled by mistakes and turnovers. Championship dreams can die any week in college football.
Let’s look at the Power Five conference leaders and take a deeper dive into the SEC.
Atlantic Coast Conference
The ACC has two undefeated teams: Clemson in the Atlantic Division; and Miami in the Coastal Division.
Best Bet for the CFB Playoff – Clemson
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 has two undefeated teams: Oklahoma (4-0); TCU (4-0).
Best Bets for the CFB Playoff – Oklahoma and TCU
Big Ten Conference
Michigan (4-0), Penn State (5-0) and Wisconsin (4-0) are the league leaders.
Best Bets for the CFB Playoff – Penn State and Wisconsin
Pac 12 Conference
Washington (5-0) and Washington State (5-0) lead the North Division. Utah (4-0) leads the South Division. Even with the USC loss to Wazzu the Trojans can get back in the hunt by taking down Utah in two weeks.
Best Bet for the CFB Playoff – Washington
Southeastern Conference
The nation has been calling the SEC, Alabama football, and the also-rans. Georgia is mounting a strong challenge to Alabama football, SEC supremacy. Florida is the East Division leader and may stay that way until the cocktail party. Auburn seems to have found its offensive footing.
Alabama football fans need to follow Nick Saban’s perspective and remember winning a SEC Championship is a big deal. So let’s look at the complete standings for the SEC.
SEC EAST
Florida (3-1 overall) 3-0
Georgia (5-0 overall) 2-0
Kentucky (4-1 overall) 1-1
South Carolina (3-2 overall) 1-2
Tennessee (3-2 overall) 0-2
Vanderbilt (3-2 overall) 0-2
Missouri (1-3 overall) 0-2
SEC West
Alabama (5-0 overall) 2-0
Auburn (4-1 overall) 2-0
Texas A&M (4-1) 2-0
Ole Miss (2-2) 0-1
Mississippi State (3-2 overall) 1-2
LSU (3-2 overall) 0-1
Arkansas (2-2 overall) 0-1
Best Bets for the CFB Playoff – Alabama and Georgia
Biggest Surprises in Week Five
- LSU losing to a Sun Belt team in Baton Rouge. The Tigers appear rudderless. That is an encore performance for Coach O going back to Ole Miss.
- Mississippi State proved again no team can explode and implode faster. So much for those who were anointing Dan Mullin as the SEC’s best coach.
- Speaking of coaches, Tennessee needs one and it appears the only impediment is Butch Jones’ $12 million payout.
- Auburn conjuring up some offensive magic despite Gus.
Biggest ‘Not a Surprise’ in Week Five
- Kevin Sumlin survives for another week. He can save his job this Saturday in College Station.
- Alabama football punished a Rebels-Black Bears team that deserved it.
Next: 10 Alabama Football Records that will never be broken
Check in with us each week as we chart the progress of the top teams. The current guess by most is Alabama and Clemson are at a level beyond all the other contenders. Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac 12 fans have a different perspective.