Happy Sunday! I was hoping to get this posted prior to the playoff announcement, but missed it by a few minutes. It’s been a fantastically wonderful and horrible season. Before I get into the final GCR top 4 (and top 144), let me take a minute to congratulate the conference champions: AAC – Cincinnati (8), ACC – Clemson (2), Big 12 – Oklahoma (11), Big 10 – Ohio State (4), Conference USA – UAB (32), MAC – Ball St (29), MWC – San Jose St (15), Pac 12 – Oregon (41), SEC – Alabama (1), and Sun Belt – Coastal Carolina (6) and Louisiana (9) [note: because the championship game was cancelled, the conference named co-champions]. I also wanted to congratulate Army (27) for winning the Commander in Chief’s Trophy by beating Navy (100) and Air Force (78) this year. Once last congratulatory note to the final set of perfect teams. With Buffalo, Southern Cal, and Notre Dame losing, we have just Alabama, Ohio St, Coastal Carolina, Cincinnati, and San Jose St who have run the table.
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And, now the big reveal of the GCR top 4 which, of course, has no sway at all. In the top spot, Alabama. 11-0 in the SEC with a 35th rank SOS, a 1st Offensive Efficiency Rating (OER), and a 14th Defensive Efficiency Rating (DER). They have scored more than 38 in every game this season. In the number 2 spot and setting up, yet again, a Natty game with the Tide, is Clemson. At 10-1, 9-1 in the ACC, their numbers are SOS (11), OER (3), DER (9). In 3rd, a non-champion is Notre Dame. 10-1, 9-1 in the ACC with the only loss coming in the championship game, the GCR would have a re-rematch in the semis [note: the committee pushed Ohio St to 3 to avoid that and for not much other reason]. Their numbers: SOS (27), OER (26), DER (8). The final spot should go to Ohio St at 6-0 in the Big 10 with SOS (77), OER (2), DER (38). The first two out include 5th ranked Texas A&M at 8-1 in the SEC with their only loss at Alabama in their second game. Their numbers for the Aggies: SOS (37), OER (54), DER (24). Coastal Carolina (6) is the next team out. At 11-0, 8-0 in the Sun Belt, they tie Alabama for most wins including beating two 1-loss teams in Louisiana (9) and BYU (13). Their numbers: SOS (66), OER (19), DER (12). They should get the nod for the Group of 5 New Year’s Six bowl game, but that will probably go to Cincinnati (8) – 9-0, 7-0 in the AAC with these numbers. SOS (69), OER (16), DER (1).
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That’s the scoopage for today. Thanks for reading all season. As soon as we get the bowl games, I’ll start those predictions – speaking of that, the GCR was 13-6 this week with a 4-2 mark when disagreeing with Vegas. Here is the pre-bowl final of the GCR from 1 to 144, G.
