Updated

Updated · Sports Illustrated · Sep 14

SEC Reclaims No. 1 Power Ranking With 28-2 Start as Big Ten Slips to 3-7 vs Power 4

Updated

Updated · Sports Illustrated · Sep 14

SEC Reclaims No. 1 Power Ranking With 28-2 Start as Big Ten Slips to 3-7 vs Power 4

Q: As a rebuilt Pac-12 shifts the landscape, which dark horse contender will ultimately snatch the highly coveted Group of 6 playoff berth?

Boise State remains the best bet, but the most credible dark horse to snatch the Group of 6 playoff berth is Tulsa. The case starts with résumé. Tulsa already owns one of the strongest non-power wins in the country after beating Oklahoma State, and both the original report and follow-up coverage identify the Golden Hurricane as the American’s clearest early playoff threat. In a race where the committee will compare limited elite wins across the Group of 6, that result gives Tulsa a head start few peers can match. The rebuilt Pac-12 has changed the map by creating a new western power center around Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State. That likely strengthens Boise State’s profile if it wins that league, especially with Maddux Madsen, Dylan Riley and a brand-name schedule that includes Oregon, Memphis and Western Michigan. But it also means Boise State must survive a tougher weekly path, and its recent questions against stronger opponents still matter. That opens the door for a dark horse from outside the Pac-12. Tulsa’s path is cleaner than that of Mountain West hopefuls such as New Mexico or UNLV, the latter already carrying damaging nonconference losses. Navy, Tulane and UTSA remain viable, but none has matched Tulsa’s early headline win. If Boise State stumbles even once or twice in the new Pac-12 gauntlet, Tulsa is the team best positioned to capitalize. Right now, the Broncos are the favorite; Tulsa is the most dangerous alternative.

3 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Sep 14

The SEC moved back atop the conference power rankings in mid-September after going 28-2 against outside competition, including an 8-2 mark against Power 4 opponents.
Texas supplied the league’s signature result by rallying past No. 1 Ohio State, while Mississippi State’s road win at Minnesota pushed the SEC to a 2-1 head-to-head edge over the Big Ten on Saturday.
The Big Ten fell to second despite a 26-8 overall nonconference record because it is just 3-7 against Power 4 teams, with home losses by Minnesota, Illinois and Purdue hurting its case.
The ACC ranked third at 20-6, followed by the Big 12 at 24-7, while the American led the Group of 6 leagues even after Memphis was routed by Boise State.
With most nonconference games already completed, the rankings suggest an early shift in national conference strength, though more ACC-Notre Dame and SEC rivalry tests still lie ahead.