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ESPN’s SP+ has 7 B1G teams in top 25 following Week 7
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Coming out of Week 7, ESPN’s SP+ ranking system is high on a number of B1G teams.
In fact, the SP+ had a new No. 1 team with Ohio State taking the top spot away from Alabama. While both teams are currently undefeated, the Buckeyes hold a slim edge in overall rating on the system.
As always, ESPN’s Bill Connelly provided a brief explanation of how the SP+ functions:
SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing. That is important to remember. It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is. It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise.
The Buckeyes are not the only B1G team recognized. Wisconsin checks in at No. 4, begging the question if it’s possible for two B1G teams to make the Playoff? A lot has been made about two SEC teams in the final four, but the longer Wisconsin remains undefeated, the longer this question will persist.
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Ohio State, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin are the current top four teams. LSU, despite a No. 2 AP ranking, falls in at No. 5 while defending champ Clemson checks in at No. 8. Georgia, after being upset by South Carolina, is at No. 7.
Penn State (No. 6), Michigan (No. 13), Minnesota (No. 17), Iowa (No. 19), and Indiana (No. 25) were the other B1G teams to crack the top 25.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.