Midseason Conference Outlooks

By: Kade Padgett (@kadepadgett)

We are officially halfway through Season 21 in the CFSL, and the conferences are starting to take shape. Even with only 1 conference game played, we know which teams are going to continue to show up, and which ones are going to have to fight for every game from here on out. Let’s dive right into it

Big10

Current Standings

The Big10 is the only conference with 2 undefeated teams at this point in the season. And while that bodes very well for both USC and Ohio State, there are still 4 conference games remaining, making this race far from over.

Penn State and Michigan State stand at 2 wins each, but Penn State is 1-0 in conference play while MSU is 0-1. At the bottom of the conference stand Oregon and Michigan. Michigan has been in nail-biters all year outside of last week (a 14-point loss to USC). There is hope that Aaron Ike can right the ship in these last 4 weeks of the season, but there is work to do. Oregon also has work to do, but they have the opportunity to get 1 step ahead of Michigan this week if they can beat the Wolverines on Tuesday night.

I believe this conference’s top 3 teams are going to be much closer than people realize. Reigning champs USC should maintain a top seed in the conference, and everyone will be watching their matchup against Ohio State later in the season. I also believe Aaron Ike and Michigan make a late push at the postseason, but fall just short of the top 3 teams.

Prediction

1. USC
2. Ohio State
3. Penn State
4. Michigan
5. Michigan State
6. Oregon

ACC

Current Standings

Much like the Big10, the ACC also has 2 teams that have yet to add a stat to the win column this season. They also have 3 teams that stand tied at the top at 3-1, and 1-0 in conference play. Currently, North Carolina leads at 3-1 due to net points. Florida State and Miami are right on their tales and are tied in record, conference record, and net points.

New addition Virginia Tech stands 4th at 1-3 on the season and is looking for their first conference win this week against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish and the Clemson Tigers round out the ACC at 0-4. Both teams go on the road this week looking to add a notch to the win column.

Florida State, North Carolina, and Miami are going to be neck and neck down the stretch. The Tar Heels and the Hurricanes meet this week, which will have big implications for the final standings. It would not shock me if there was a 2, or even a 3-way tie for the conference lead that comes down to Head to Head or net points. This one is going to be exciting to watch.

Prediction

1. Florida State
2. North Carolina
3. Miami
4. Virginia Tech
5. Clemson
6. Notre Dame

Big 12

Current Standings

The Big 12 wasn’t close last year, with Texas running away with it down the stretch. And while Texas stands at 3-1, they do not lead the conference. New team and league stunner Oklahoma leads at 4-0 on the backs of Himoteo Del Este and William Avery.

Two teams stand at 2-2 right now with Texas A&M and Colorado. The Buffalos won that head-to-head matchup last week, and look to build on it this week against Texas. Texas A&M started 2-0 but has lost their last 2 games with a total of 8 turnovers. If the Aggies fix that, they can be right in the mix of the top 3. Rounding out the conference is LSU at 1-3, and WVU at 0-4. LSU takes on Oklahoma this week and WVU takes on Texas A&M. Both teams are looking to turn their seasons around right now.

The Big 12 may be top-heavy with Oklahoma and Texas, and everyone will be watching their Week 8 matchup, but there is room for noise in the middle of the pack. Expect at least 2 teams in this conference to close the gap, and make a compelling argument for a vote in team down the stretch.

Prediction

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas A&M
4. LSU
5. Colorado
6. WVU

SEC

Current Standings

Last but not least, the SEC seems to have one of the top 2-3 teams every year. As it stands, Auburn has not lost a regular season game since before Season 20 and stands at 4-0. Kentucky and Florida are right behind them at 3-1 on the year, both 1-0 in conference play.

Alabama sits in 4th at 2-2, and Tennessee and Georgia fill out the SEC at 1-3. The biggest game of the week for the SEC is Florida at Auburn on Wednesday night, which could shake things up at the top of this conference. Should Auburn win and widen the gap, they will be well on their way to winning back-to-back conference titles. If Florida wins, things get interesting.

It may seem like there are 3 teams at the top of this conference but do not discount the bottom 3. Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama can beat anyone on any given week. They do stand in the toughest conference right now, and that will hold weight come to vote in time. It would not shock me if we see 4 teams from this conference make the playoffs.

Prediction

1. Auburn
2. Kentucky
3. Florida
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Tennessee

These final 4 weeks in Season 21 are going to be a wild finish. There are games this week that have massive playoff implications, and with only 4 games remaining, teams are going to need to be on their A-Games. One slip here or there could be the difference between making the playoffs or watching from your couch for a month. Lock in ladies and gentlemen, it is going to be a picture-perfect finish.