With Clemson's victory over Alabama last night, the Tigers now have the most impressive resume in the nation. Alabama owns wins over the #3, #5, #18, #19, #20 & #21 teams, which would be enough to take #1 in most years.
However, Clemson has beaten the #2, #7, #10, #21, #24 and #25 teams. They have thus beaten 3 of the nation's Top 10 teams, and of course, own a head-to-head win over Alabama.
We should note that Blue Through and Through is the only ranking in the nation that has had Clemson ranked #1 during the season, not one week, but several weeks. Last night's Clemson win over Alabama was a total shock to every coach and media person who voted Alabama #1 every single week this season.
The more-published polls had Navy still ranked at #25 prior to the bowl season despite a 28-14 loss to Air Force and two other losses. The polls made the classic mistake of ranking Navy ahead of South Florida, when South Florida not only had a better record than Navy but beat them on the field. Blue Through and Through did not have Navy ranked for the reasons stated above, and lo and behold, which Top 25 ranking was more accurate regarding Navy?
Navy lost to five-loss Louisiana Tech 48-45 in their bowl game. Not only that, but the American proved to be one of the worst conferences in the nation in the bowl season.
Similarly, Michigan, with its loss to Florida State, must fall below the Seminoles, as both have the same record.
In the SEC, Tennessee has to be ahead of Florida by virtue of a win, and the Gators must be ahead of LSU because of a win over the Tigers.
The Pac-12 and the SEC are the biggest beneficiaries of the head-to-head matchups above. Tennessee, Utah and Washington State are all more impressive than Air Force.
Because of these rankings, the difference between #2 Ohio State and #3 Washington is now much closer. Both have four Top 25 wins and only one loss to a Top 10 team.
(Note: the rankings are based on logic rather than hype or potential. Teams with the same record are judged by their biggest wins and their losses, if any. Impressive wins over Top 25 teams are more important than other wins, and losses to Top 25 teams hurt far less than other losses.
The "Biggest Win" refers to the highest-ranked win; generally, only ranked teams and teams being considered are listed. Sometimes, as in the case of Western Michigan, they don't have a win over teams in these rankings, and it is unknown at this time which of their listed wins is the biggest.)
5-1 Clemson (14-1) beat #7 Ohio State 31-0 and topped #2 Alabama 35-31; Biggest Wins: #2 Alabama 35-31, #7 Ohio State 31-0, #10 Florida State 37-34, #21 Auburn 19-13, #24 Louisville 42-36 and #25 Virginia Tech 42-35; Lost to Pittsburgh 43-42
1-2 Alabama (14-1) rocked #3 Washington 24-7, but lost their first game of the season to #1 Clemson 35-31; Biggest Wins: #3 Washington 24-7, #4 USC 52-6, #18 Tennessee 49-10, #19 Florida 54-16, #20 LSU 10-0 and #21 Auburn 30-12; Lost to #1 Clemson 35-31
3-3 Washington (12-2) lost to #2 Alabama 24-7; Biggest Wins: #14 Stanford 44-6, #15 Colorado 41-10, #23 Utah 31-24 and Washington State 45-17; Lost to #2 Alabama 24-7 and #4 USC 26-13
10-4 USC (10-3) won a 52-49 thriller over #6 Penn State; Biggest Wins: #3 Washington 26-13, #6 Penn State 52-49 and #14 Colorado 21-17; Lost to #2 Alabama 52-6, #13 Stanford 27-10 and #23 Utah 31-27
6-5 Oklahoma (11-2) ripped #21 Auburn 35-19: Biggest Wins: #13 Oklahoma State 38-20, #18 West Virginia 55-28, #19 Kansas State 38-17 and #21 Auburn 353-19; Lost to #7 Ohio State 45-24 and Houston 33-23
7-6 Penn State (10-3) lost to #4 USC 52-49; Biggest Wins: #7 Ohio State 24-21, #8 Wisconsin 38-31 and Temple 34-27; Lost to #4 USC 52-49, #11 Michigan 49-10 and Pittsburgh 42-39
2-7 Ohio State (11-2) lost to #1 Clemson 31-0; Biggest Wins: #5 Oklahoma 45-24, #8 Wisconsin 30-23 in overtime, #11 Michigan 30-27 in two overtimes and #22 Nebraska 62-3; Lost to #1 Clemson 31-0 and #6 Penn State 24-21
9-8 Wisconsin (11-3) tripped #9 Western Michigan 24-16; Biggest Wins: #9 Western Michigan 24-16, #20 LSU 16-14 and #22 Nebraska 23-17 in overtime; Lost to #6 Penn State 38-31, #7 Ohio State 30-23 in overtime and #11 Michigan 14-7
8-9 Western Michigan (13-1) lost its first game of the year to #8 Wisconsin 24-16; Biggest Win: Toledo 55-35; Lost to #8 Wisconsin 24-16
----10 Florida State (9-3) beat #11 Michigan 33-32; Biggest Wins: #11 Michigan 33-32, #19 Florida 31-13 and #20 South Florida 55-35; Lost to #2 Clemson 37-34, #24 Louisville 63-20 and North Carolina 37-35
4-11 Michigan (10-3) lost to #10 Florida State 33-32; Biggest Wins: #6 Penn State 49-10, #8 Wisconsin 14-7 and #15 Colorado 45-28; Lost to #7 Ohio State 30-27 in two overtimes, #10 Florida State 33-32 and Iowa 14-13
19-12 Oklahoma State (10-3) crushed #14 Colorado 38-8; Biggest Wins: #14 Colorado 38-8, #15 West Virginia 37-20 and #17 Kansas State 43-37; Lost to #5 Oklahoma 38-20, Baylor 35-24 and Central Michigan 30-27
12-13 Stanford (10-3) squeaked by North Carolina 25-23; Biggest Wins: #4 USC 27-10 and #17 Kansas State 26-13; Lost to #3 Washington 44-6, #14 Colorado 10-5 and Washington State 42-16
11-14 Colorado (10-4) was whipped by #12 Oklahoma State 38-8; Biggest Wins: #23 Utah 27-22 and Washington State 38-24; Lost to #3 Washington 41-10, #4 USC 21-17, #11 Michigan 45-28 and #12 Oklahoma State 38-8
13-15 West Virginia (10-3) fell to Miami of Florida 31-14; Biggest Wins: #17 Kansas State 17-17 and BYU 35-32; Lost to #5 Oklahoma 56-28, #12 Oklahoma State 37-20 and Miami of Florida 31-14
14-16 South Florida (11-2) beat South Carolina 46-39; Biggest Win: Navy 52-45; Lost to #10 Florida State 55-35 and Temple 46-30
20-17 Kansas State (9-4) tipped Texas A&M 33-28; Biggest Win: Texas A&M 33-28; Lost to #5 Oklahoma 38-17, #12 Oklahoma State 43-37, #13 Stanford 26-13 and #15 West Virginia 17-16
23-18 Tennessee (9-4) downed #22 Nebraska 38-24; Biggest Wins: #19 Florida 38-28 and #25 Virginia Tech 45-24; Lost to #2 Alabama 49-10, Texas A&M 45-38 n 2 OT's, Vanderbilt 45-34 and South Carolina 24-21
----19 Florida (9-4) beat Iowa in a total mismatch, 30-3; Biggest Win: #20 LSU 16-10; Lost to #2 Alabama 54-16, #10 Florida State 31-13, #18 Tennessee 38-28 and Arkansas 31-10
16-20 LSU (8-4) flew by Louisville 29-9; Biggest Wins: Louisville 29-9 and Texas A&M 54-39; Lost to #2 Alabama 10-0, #8 Wisconsin 16-14, #19 Florida 16-10 and #21 Auburn 18-13
15-21 Auburn (8-5) lost to #5 Oklahoma 35-19; Biggest Win: #20 LSU 18-13 ; Lost to #1 Clemson 19-13, #2 Alabama 30-12, #5 Oklahoma 35-19, Texas A&M 29-16 and Georgia 13-7
17-22 Nebraska (9-4) lost to #18 Tennessee 38-24; Biggest Win: Wyoming 52-17; Lost to #7 Ohio State 62-3, #8 Wisconsin 23-17 in overtime, #18 Tennessee 38-24 and Iowa 40-10
24-23 Utah (9-4) edged Indiana 26-24; Biggest Win: #4 USC 31-27; Lost to #3 Washington 31-24, #14 Colorado 27-22, Oregon 30-28 and California 28-23
----25 Virginia Tech (10-4) beat Arkansas 35-24; Biggest Win: North Carolina 34-3; Lost to #1 Clemson 42-35, #18 Tennessee 45-24, Georgia Tech 30-20 and Syracuse 31-17
However, Clemson has beaten the #2, #7, #10, #21, #24 and #25 teams. They have thus beaten 3 of the nation's Top 10 teams, and of course, own a head-to-head win over Alabama.
We should note that Blue Through and Through is the only ranking in the nation that has had Clemson ranked #1 during the season, not one week, but several weeks. Last night's Clemson win over Alabama was a total shock to every coach and media person who voted Alabama #1 every single week this season.
The more-published polls had Navy still ranked at #25 prior to the bowl season despite a 28-14 loss to Air Force and two other losses. The polls made the classic mistake of ranking Navy ahead of South Florida, when South Florida not only had a better record than Navy but beat them on the field. Blue Through and Through did not have Navy ranked for the reasons stated above, and lo and behold, which Top 25 ranking was more accurate regarding Navy?
Navy lost to five-loss Louisiana Tech 48-45 in their bowl game. Not only that, but the American proved to be one of the worst conferences in the nation in the bowl season.
Similarly, Michigan, with its loss to Florida State, must fall below the Seminoles, as both have the same record.
In the SEC, Tennessee has to be ahead of Florida by virtue of a win, and the Gators must be ahead of LSU because of a win over the Tigers.
The Pac-12 and the SEC are the biggest beneficiaries of the head-to-head matchups above. Tennessee, Utah and Washington State are all more impressive than Air Force.
Because of these rankings, the difference between #2 Ohio State and #3 Washington is now much closer. Both have four Top 25 wins and only one loss to a Top 10 team.
(Note: the rankings are based on logic rather than hype or potential. Teams with the same record are judged by their biggest wins and their losses, if any. Impressive wins over Top 25 teams are more important than other wins, and losses to Top 25 teams hurt far less than other losses.
The "Biggest Win" refers to the highest-ranked win; generally, only ranked teams and teams being considered are listed. Sometimes, as in the case of Western Michigan, they don't have a win over teams in these rankings, and it is unknown at this time which of their listed wins is the biggest.)
5-1 Clemson (14-1) beat #7 Ohio State 31-0 and topped #2 Alabama 35-31; Biggest Wins: #2 Alabama 35-31, #7 Ohio State 31-0, #10 Florida State 37-34, #21 Auburn 19-13, #24 Louisville 42-36 and #25 Virginia Tech 42-35; Lost to Pittsburgh 43-42
1-2 Alabama (14-1) rocked #3 Washington 24-7, but lost their first game of the season to #1 Clemson 35-31; Biggest Wins: #3 Washington 24-7, #4 USC 52-6, #18 Tennessee 49-10, #19 Florida 54-16, #20 LSU 10-0 and #21 Auburn 30-12; Lost to #1 Clemson 35-31
3-3 Washington (12-2) lost to #2 Alabama 24-7; Biggest Wins: #14 Stanford 44-6, #15 Colorado 41-10, #23 Utah 31-24 and Washington State 45-17; Lost to #2 Alabama 24-7 and #4 USC 26-13
10-4 USC (10-3) won a 52-49 thriller over #6 Penn State; Biggest Wins: #3 Washington 26-13, #6 Penn State 52-49 and #14 Colorado 21-17; Lost to #2 Alabama 52-6, #13 Stanford 27-10 and #23 Utah 31-27
6-5 Oklahoma (11-2) ripped #21 Auburn 35-19: Biggest Wins: #13 Oklahoma State 38-20, #18 West Virginia 55-28, #19 Kansas State 38-17 and #21 Auburn 353-19; Lost to #7 Ohio State 45-24 and Houston 33-23
7-6 Penn State (10-3) lost to #4 USC 52-49; Biggest Wins: #7 Ohio State 24-21, #8 Wisconsin 38-31 and Temple 34-27; Lost to #4 USC 52-49, #11 Michigan 49-10 and Pittsburgh 42-39
2-7 Ohio State (11-2) lost to #1 Clemson 31-0; Biggest Wins: #5 Oklahoma 45-24, #8 Wisconsin 30-23 in overtime, #11 Michigan 30-27 in two overtimes and #22 Nebraska 62-3; Lost to #1 Clemson 31-0 and #6 Penn State 24-21
9-8 Wisconsin (11-3) tripped #9 Western Michigan 24-16; Biggest Wins: #9 Western Michigan 24-16, #20 LSU 16-14 and #22 Nebraska 23-17 in overtime; Lost to #6 Penn State 38-31, #7 Ohio State 30-23 in overtime and #11 Michigan 14-7
8-9 Western Michigan (13-1) lost its first game of the year to #8 Wisconsin 24-16; Biggest Win: Toledo 55-35; Lost to #8 Wisconsin 24-16
----10 Florida State (9-3) beat #11 Michigan 33-32; Biggest Wins: #11 Michigan 33-32, #19 Florida 31-13 and #20 South Florida 55-35; Lost to #2 Clemson 37-34, #24 Louisville 63-20 and North Carolina 37-35
4-11 Michigan (10-3) lost to #10 Florida State 33-32; Biggest Wins: #6 Penn State 49-10, #8 Wisconsin 14-7 and #15 Colorado 45-28; Lost to #7 Ohio State 30-27 in two overtimes, #10 Florida State 33-32 and Iowa 14-13
19-12 Oklahoma State (10-3) crushed #14 Colorado 38-8; Biggest Wins: #14 Colorado 38-8, #15 West Virginia 37-20 and #17 Kansas State 43-37; Lost to #5 Oklahoma 38-20, Baylor 35-24 and Central Michigan 30-27
12-13 Stanford (10-3) squeaked by North Carolina 25-23; Biggest Wins: #4 USC 27-10 and #17 Kansas State 26-13; Lost to #3 Washington 44-6, #14 Colorado 10-5 and Washington State 42-16
11-14 Colorado (10-4) was whipped by #12 Oklahoma State 38-8; Biggest Wins: #23 Utah 27-22 and Washington State 38-24; Lost to #3 Washington 41-10, #4 USC 21-17, #11 Michigan 45-28 and #12 Oklahoma State 38-8
13-15 West Virginia (10-3) fell to Miami of Florida 31-14; Biggest Wins: #17 Kansas State 17-17 and BYU 35-32; Lost to #5 Oklahoma 56-28, #12 Oklahoma State 37-20 and Miami of Florida 31-14
14-16 South Florida (11-2) beat South Carolina 46-39; Biggest Win: Navy 52-45; Lost to #10 Florida State 55-35 and Temple 46-30
20-17 Kansas State (9-4) tipped Texas A&M 33-28; Biggest Win: Texas A&M 33-28; Lost to #5 Oklahoma 38-17, #12 Oklahoma State 43-37, #13 Stanford 26-13 and #15 West Virginia 17-16
23-18 Tennessee (9-4) downed #22 Nebraska 38-24; Biggest Wins: #19 Florida 38-28 and #25 Virginia Tech 45-24; Lost to #2 Alabama 49-10, Texas A&M 45-38 n 2 OT's, Vanderbilt 45-34 and South Carolina 24-21
----19 Florida (9-4) beat Iowa in a total mismatch, 30-3; Biggest Win: #20 LSU 16-10; Lost to #2 Alabama 54-16, #10 Florida State 31-13, #18 Tennessee 38-28 and Arkansas 31-10
16-20 LSU (8-4) flew by Louisville 29-9; Biggest Wins: Louisville 29-9 and Texas A&M 54-39; Lost to #2 Alabama 10-0, #8 Wisconsin 16-14, #19 Florida 16-10 and #21 Auburn 18-13
15-21 Auburn (8-5) lost to #5 Oklahoma 35-19; Biggest Win: #20 LSU 18-13 ; Lost to #1 Clemson 19-13, #2 Alabama 30-12, #5 Oklahoma 35-19, Texas A&M 29-16 and Georgia 13-7
17-22 Nebraska (9-4) lost to #18 Tennessee 38-24; Biggest Win: Wyoming 52-17; Lost to #7 Ohio State 62-3, #8 Wisconsin 23-17 in overtime, #18 Tennessee 38-24 and Iowa 40-10
24-23 Utah (9-4) edged Indiana 26-24; Biggest Win: #4 USC 31-27; Lost to #3 Washington 31-24, #14 Colorado 27-22, Oregon 30-28 and California 28-23
----25 Virginia Tech (10-4) beat Arkansas 35-24; Biggest Win: North Carolina 34-3; Lost to #1 Clemson 42-35, #18 Tennessee 45-24, Georgia Tech 30-20 and Syracuse 31-17
Dropped Out: Temple, Boise State, Washington State, Texas A&M
Also Considered:
Air Force (10-3) blitzed South Alabama 45-21; Biggest Wins: Boise State 27-20 and Navy 28-14; Lost to Wyoming 35-26, New Mexico 45-40 and Hawai'i 34-27
Texas A&M (8-5) lost to Kansas State 33-28; Biggest Wins: #18 Tennessee 45-38 in two overtimes and #21 Auburn 29-16; Lost to #1 Alabama 33-14, #17 Kansas State 33-28, #20 LSU 54-39, Mississippi 29-28 and Mississippi State 35-28
Air Force (10-3) blitzed South Alabama 45-21; Biggest Wins: Boise State 27-20 and Navy 28-14; Lost to Wyoming 35-26, New Mexico 45-40 and Hawai'i 34-27
Texas A&M (8-5) lost to Kansas State 33-28; Biggest Wins: #18 Tennessee 45-38 in two overtimes and #21 Auburn 29-16; Lost to #1 Alabama 33-14, #17 Kansas State 33-28, #20 LSU 54-39, Mississippi 29-28 and Mississippi State 35-28
