The College Football Playoff Selection Committee added another data point this week to its process — a metric evaluating conference strength. This essentially gives leagues like the SEC and Big Ten, which entered the weekend with 17 combined teams inside the AP poll, greater influence in the at-large conversation later this season. It couldn't have come at a better time for the SEC coming out of Saturday's record-setting slate, which included four matchups featuring ranked teams and three new teams falling from the ranks of the unbeaten.
The new metric clears the path for the SEC to potentially boast five selections in the 12-team bracket a few months from now as long as national perception and league strength hold. This comes in the wake of several SEC coaches this week complaining about the league's move to a nine-game conference schedule and how much it increases the likelihood of a multi-loss finish. Top-ranked Texas upended No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday and already toppled then-No. 1 Ohio State earlier this season.
The Longhorns still have to play resurgent Florida — who will move into the top 15 after beating fourth-ranked Ole Miss — Mississippi State, Missouri, LSU, Texas A&M and the Rebels. "It starts with Texas playing seven top-25 teams left," LSU coach Lane Kiffin said prior to the Tigers' win over Texas A&M on Saturday night. "Then you have other conferences — and I'm not ripping on any school.
I'm just saying these are the facts. You have a Big 12 school that doesn't play one ranked team the rest of the year, and you have an ACC team that plays zero ranked teams the rest of the year." We've updated our playoff bracket projections and full list of bowl games after Week 4. Significant changes include the Big 12 now being a one-bid league in the CFP, a fifth SEC team added to the mix and a new projected top-four seed from the Big Ten.
Projection: South Carolina State vs. Alabama State The real season begins for Louisiana Tech next weekend against Army before Sun Belt play starts on Oct. 10 at home against Louisiana. The Bulldogs scored 80 points against Northwestern State in the opener before getting dump-trucked by LSU and Baylor on the road entering Week 4's open date.
We'll know more about this squad's postseason hopes over the next two games against comparable opponents. Thursday night's win at Coastal Carolina pushed Jamey Chadwell and Liberty to 3-1 entering Conference USA play in Week 5 against Delaware in a special Friday night road tilt. The Flames' only loss came in the fourth quarter of the opener at JMU, which remains unblemished through four games under first-year coach Billy Napier.
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