Where did Oregon Rank in CBS Sports’ Top 130?

CBS Sports released their annual top 130 programs list today.

The top ten of the list should be familiar to most college football fans as they consist of the powers that have ruled football for the better part of the past two decades. They are as follows:

1. Clemson

2. Alabama

3. Oklahoma

4. Georgia

5. Ohio State

6. LSU

7. Michigan

8. Florida

9. Texas

10. Notre Dame

Where does Oregon rank?

Like the Amway Coaches poll, CBS Sports views them as a top 15 team, placing them in the 12th position overall. It’s a fair assessment given the talent that is returning to the program for one last ride and ascendancy of its recruiting. Oregon’s first opponent, Auburn, is ranked 15th.

What about the rest of the conference?

Washington placed 11th just above Oregon while Utah landed in 13th. Behind those three programs, eight other programs placed in the rankings. Those schools are: Washington State (27), Stanford (33), USC (36), Arizona (50), Arizona State (53), UCLA (67), Cal (68) Colorado (82), and Oregon State (108).

How does each conference fare?

SEC: 14 (11 in the top 65)

ACC: 14 (8)

Big Ten: 14 (11)

Big 12: 9 (5)

Pac-12: 12 (8)

• The SEC, ACC, and Big Ten dominate the other power conferences by taking a 68% share of the Power 5 programs. The Big 12 proves to be top heavy with only 9 programs in the Power 5. The Pac-12 has a respectable 12 programs in the 130.
• 78% of the SEC (who placed all 14 teams in the 130, by the way) is located in the top 65 of the rankings. The Big Ten tied for first with 78% of that conference as well. The ACC edges out the Big Ten for lowest programs in the top 65 (57% to 55%).
• The Power 5 conferences have a 48% share + Notre Dame of the 130 teams while the Group of Five teams own a 51% share.
• According to the rankings, the SEC and Big Ten combine for 12 of the top 25, which is good for 48%.

What does it all mean?

• It means that the status quo is still the status quo among the national power teams. The teams not situated within this select group will have a tough time trying to break through.
• Unless the powers that be falter, the Pac-12 will have a tremendously difficult path to sway voters into the playoff in December.
• Sorry, UCF. It’s not happening.
• Essentially, the Pac-12 will have to avoid cannibalizing itself and prop up an undefeated team from the North (Oregon or Washington) or USC to have a chance to reach the playoff.