College Football Power Rankings: See ya, SEC; it's the Big Ten's turn

Time for some end-of-season conference reckoning. The SEC slipped. The Big Ten rebounded. The final regular-season Power Rankings contained as many independents as the Pac-12 (two).

This is news because, for the last decade, we’ve lived under SEC rule. That is, we’ve been battered by how great it was. No more. This year the Big 12 got in the playoff for the first time, placing four in the Power Rankings. The SEC had as many teams as the ACC and American (three each).

The Big Ten, though, became the best conference in the country this season.

It was deep and it was consistent. Four Big Ten teams showed up in the top 15 of the final Power Rankings, five overall. For the second straight year, a Big Ten team is in the College Football Playoff.

For the second straight year, a Big Ten team could win the playoff.

What in the name of Midwestern corn-fed slow, bearded linemen is going on here? For one, Urban Meyer made an immediate impact. So did Jim Harbaugh. Guys like Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern never went away. Iowa returned!

It’s a lesson in overreaction. In other words, don’t. The SEC ruled the earth for years. In many ways, it still does. But it is no longer the standard. A fascinating bowl season waits to extend the discussion into next season.

For now the Big Ten is big time.

RANK	TEAM
1		Clemson (Last week -- 2): Pizza for everyone! The Tigers are the top seed in the playoff. They’re not necessarily the best team, but that’s why they call it a tournament. Deshaun is your All-America quarterback -- or should be. Next stop: Orange Bowl for the national semifinal vs. Oklahoma.
2		Alabama (1): Nick Saban is chasing his fifth national championship with his best front seven and a tailback who should win the Heisman. Derrick Henry may be running on fumes by the time he gets to the NFL. For now, he’s the Tide’s best chance to win for the fourth time in seven years. Next stop: Cotton Bowl for the national semifinal vs. Michigan State.
3		Oklahoma (4): That was different for the Big 12. The league had a playoff spot clinched on Saturday while the world blew up around it. But no trip for Baker Mayfield to New York for the Heisman. Sooners should win the playoff. Next stop: Orange Bowl for the national semifinal vs. Clemson.
4		Michigan State (5): The Drive. The Green. The White. Mark Dantonio has made the Spartans elite. Just don’t ask him about it. The break should be enough time for Connor Cook’s shoulder to heal. Next stop: Cotton Bowl for the national semifinal vs. Alabama.
5		Stanford (6): Christian McCaffrey should win the Heisman, but I’m thinking half the voters don’t stay up long enough to watch his games. Seriously. That’s a Heisman thing, not a McCaffrey thing. Surpassed both Reggie Bush and Barry Sanders in all-purpose excellence. Next stop: Rose Bowl vs. Iowa.
6		Iowa (3): That was the New Kirk on display early in the fourth quarter against Michigan State. It had to be frustrating watching the Spartans ram the ball down the Hawkeyes’ throat. Still, Ferentz for national coach of the year? Next stop: Rose Bowl vs. Stanford.
7		Ohio State (7): Urban Meyer will be kicking himself all offseason. One bad night against Michigan State cost the Buckeyes a chance to defend. Time to rebuild? We know Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliott aren’t coming back. Next stop: Fiesta Bowl vs. Notre Dame.
8		Notre Dame (8): A fantastic job by Brian Kelly considering all the injuries. If not for the Stanford loss, he’d be my national coach of the year. Next stop: Fiesta Bowl vs. Ohio State.
9		Houston (9): The last time Houston looked this good, the space program settled here. The Cougars are American champions. They have a New Year’s Six berth. Coach Tom Herman became the fifth coach in NCAA history to win his first 10 games. He’s returning. So is Greg Ward, Jr. Next stop: Peach Bowl vs. Florida State.
10		TCU (11): A wet, soggy win over Baylor will sustain the Frogs during the offseason. A 10-win season is probably the max that could have been expected considering all the injuries. Next stop: Alamo Bowl vs. Oregon.
11		Florida State (12): FSU’s biggest win of the season was keeping Jimbo Fisher. Thank goodness LSU athletic director Joe Alleva has no idea what he’s doing. Next stop: Peach Bowl vs. Houston.
12		North Carolina (10): The Tar Heels and their coach aren’t going anywhere. Larry Fedora is committed with a seven-year extension. Next challenge is to get past the academic fraud probation. Next stop: Russell Athletic Bowl vs. Baylor.
13		Oklahoma State (14): Look who’s going to the Sugar Bowl for the first time since 1945. Don’t wear your good boots to Bourbon Street, boys. Next stop: Sugar Bowl vs. Ole Miss.
14		Northwestern (15): Linebacker Anthony Walker deserves to be an All-American; 113 tackles aren’t bad -- double digits five times. Next stop: Outback Bowl vs. Tennessee.
15		Ole Miss (16): Incredible highs (Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State). Depressing lows (Arkansas, Memphis, Florida). Last time Rebels won nine in consecutive years was with Houston Nutt in 2008-09. Next stop: Sugar Bowl vs. Oklahoma State.
16		Baylor (13): The regular season ended with Ford’s new subcompact Lynx Hawthrone playing quarterback. Actually, Hawthorne was a receiver-turned-fourth-string-QB against Texas. The Bears lost consecutive games to end the season for the first time since 2010. Next stop: Russell Athletic Bowl vs. North Carolina.
17		Navy (17): Heisman office on Navy target list? Batten down the file cabinets. Keenan Reynolds does not get invite to New York. Next stop: Military Bowl vs. Pittsburgh.
18		Oregon (18): The Ducks this season were a function of Vernon Adams’ health. When he was healthy, they prospered. When he wasn’t, they struggled. Next stop: Alamo Bowl vs. TCU.
19		Michigan (20): Great first season by Jim Harbaugh. Now he has to upgrade talent and athleticism. Ohio State and Michigan State aren’t going away. Next stop: Citrus Bowl vs. Florida.
20		LSU (22): Leverage thy name is Les Miles. If I’m Les, I’d be in Alleva’s office demanding a raise for his coaching staff, the recruiting budget and for him. Next stop: Texas Bowl vs. Texas Tech.
21		San Diego State (24): The Rocky Long Experience is a new ride at Lego Land. You must be able to do 100 push ups to get on it. Next stop: Hawaii Bowl vs. Cincinnati.
22		Memphis (25): Justin Fuente made this job an attractive one for Mike Norvell. The Tigers aren’t going anywhere except perhaps a New Year’s Six bowl next year. Next stop: Birmingham Bowl vs. Auburn.
23		Bowling Green (NR): Dino Babers with a fine walk-off performance before splitting for Syracuse. Falcons win their second MAC title in three years. Next stop: GoDaddy Bowl vs. Georgia Southern.
24		Western Kentucky (NR): Brandon Doughty was the most overlooked player in America -- first nationally in accuracy (71.8 percent), first in touchdown passes (45, 94 in last two seasons) for a conference champion. Next stop: Miami Beach Bowl vs. South Florida.
25		BYU (NR): Overcame devastating injuries to win nine. Lost a fantastic coach (Bronco Mendenhall), clouding the future. It will be fascinating to see who’s next. Next stop: Las Vegas Bowl vs. Utah.