It’s hard to believe, but we are only 2 weeks from being halfway into the college football season, and it seems like just a second ago that Michigan beat Western Michigan on a fairytale hail mary in week 1. Let’s take a look at each power 4 conference and see who resides on the top and bottom of each conference. 

Starting with the Big Ten, at the top, unsurprisingly, are the Buckeyes of Columbus and the Hoosiers of Bloomington. With Heisman candidate Jeremiah Smith, five-star Julian Sayin, and a star-studded defense, a season resulting in anything short of the playoffs would be a massive disappointment for the Buckeyes. Similarly, the Hoosiers are expecting nothing short of the playoffs. Led by many new faces, including Josh Hoover from TCU, Nick Marsh from MSU, and Tobi Osunsanmi on the defensive side from Kansas State, the Hoosiers look to become national champions once again. Surprisingly, UCLA and Wisconsin are both top 4 in the BIG TEN while Oregon, coming off a shocking loss to UCLA, is in 10th place. Michigan, just like Oregon, had BIG expectations but has failed to fulfill these expectations. Coming into the season with a number 16 ranking, a five-star quarterback seemingly poised to make a huge sophomore leap, and a new coach, all signs pointed toward a taste of the playoffs for the Wolverines of Ann Arbor, but that is exactly the opposite, standing at a record of 3-2 and 0-2 in Big Ten play. 

BYU and Texas Tech are dominating the BIG 12 just like last year. Bear Bachmeier is at the helm of BYU’S offense, leading them to an undefeated record. Will Hammond is the starting QB for Texas Tech, though he already has 5 interceptions and the Red Raiders are mainly leaning on their excellent defense to carry them to their undefeated record. At the bottom of the BIG 12, like usual, are the Horned Frogs of TCU and the Buffaloes of Colorado. Colorado, with a 2-3 record, a benched 5 star quarterback, and a 3 game losing streak, must change something quick, and former All Pro Deion Sanders looks like his spot as head coach is in serious jeopardy. 

Now let’s cruise over to the ACC, where the Hurricanes of Miami are dominating this coast! Both their starting quarterback and number one receiver, Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney are both top 10 in the ON3 week 6 Heisman poll. The canes have steamrolled all of their opponents so far, with their closest competition being a 13 point win over the number 21 ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The rest of the ACC has been largely underwhelming: Wake Forest is really the only outsider to this though as their offense, piloted by UNC transfer Gio Lopez has been scorching defenses all season leading them to a 5 and 1 record and second place in the ACC. Clemson, Pittsburgh, SMU, and Virginia are all tied for third place with a 2-1 record in conference play, but neither of these 5 teams look like playoff contenders. Virginia Tech comes in at the bottom of the ACC, which was unexpected, as it is James Franklin’s first year in Blacksburg away from Happy Valley, and he is looking to turn the program around, this first year looks like a good start, but he has ways to go until they can be routine playoff contenders in college football.

It would only be fair to save the best for last, which brings us to the Southeastern Conference. Let’s start off with the bad, of which there are few in the SEC: the Razorbacks of Arkansas, Commodores of Vanderbilt, Gamecocks of South Carolina, and the Aggies of Texas a&m (sorry Caden) hold down the bottom of the SEC. Lannoris Sellers and Marcel Reed’s quality of play every Saturday has fans calling it “the worst thing they have ever seen,” crazy to think just last year both were considered NFL draft prospects! Unlike the Aggies and Gamecocks, the Razorbacks and Commodores have young faces at the helm of their offense, but Jared Curtis and KJ Jackson have shown flashes but have had an overall bad season. Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky stand at the top of the sec. Yes, you heard that right, the Kentucky Wildcats are back under new coach Will Stein! Alabama is led by Heisman candidate former 5 star Keelon Russell. Missouri, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Ole Miss are tied with a 2-1 record in conference play and seem to be just alright but not good enough to get over that hump. Notice how I have not mentioned Texas yet, coming off a shocking loss to OU this past weekend they dropped to number 10 in the SEC. Arch Manning, who is probably throwing interceptions right now as I write this article, is doing anything in his favor to make UT lose as he has already thrown 5 interceptions total and 2 key interceptions against OU. 

Am I forgetting someone? Oh yes, Notre Dame, join a conference and you can have the privilege of being written about.