NFL MVP CHASE AND FBS PLAYOFF CHASE Oct 8 2024

 

Photo credit: Torsten Bolten

In this Issue:

NFL MVP Chase
FBS Playoff Chase

NFL MVP CHASE

It was a strange week in the MVP Chase (what is it?). Lots of new people entered the overall list which now has over 100 names. There were no new entries, in the top ten, however, and no change at the top. The much-talked-about rookie Commanders QB Jayden Daniels had a pedestrian 85.1 rating in their victory, keeping him from moving up the list. 

Leader Sam Darnold's team won despite his poor performance. No one was able to pass him, although everyone else in the Top Ten can overtake him this week if he again fails to add to his MVP Points. 

1. Sam Darnold, QB, Vikings (5-0) 4.649 MVP Points
2. Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens (3-2) 4.266
3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings (5-0) 4.210
4. Nico Collins, WR, Texans (4-1) 4.203
5. C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans (4-1) 4.191
6. Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings (5-0) 4.060
7. Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders (4-1) 3.471
8. James Cook, RB, Bills (3-2) 3.350
9. David Montgomery, RB, Lions (3-1) 3.250
10. (Tied) Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles (2-2) 3.166; Jordan Mason, RB, 49ers (2-3) 3.166

FBS PLAYOFF CHASE

Indiana is 6-0 ranked and 18th in the AP Poll. They blew out an FCS team, and their five BSS opponents have won a combined 11 games. The Hoosiers beat four of these teams by three possessions or more and the other by two.

Penn State is 5-0 and ranked 4th in the AP Poll. All their five opponents are FBS and have won a combined ten games. Two were by three possessions or more, two by two possessions, and one was a one-possession game.

AP Poll voters likely consider "who would be favored" and projections for the rest of the season when they rank teams. The FBS Playoff standings, however, are based on what teams have done so far to earn a spot in the playoffs, and Indiana is tied for the lead along with two blueblood programs.

Below are the top 25 leaders in FBS Playoff points earned. Teams with the same number of points are listed alphabetically. For teams with losses, I note the record of who they lost to and in parentheses how badly they lost in terms of possessions. (8 points or less =1 possession; 9-16 points = 2, 17-24 =3).

22 Indiana 6-0 (Big Ten)

22 Ohio St 5-0 (Big Ten)

22 Texas 5-0 (SEC)

20 Miami FL 6-0 (ACC)

18 BYU 5-0 (Big 12)

18 Iowa St 5-0 (Big 12)

18 Oregon 5-0 (Big Ten)

17 Ole Miss 5-1 (SEC) - Loss: 3-2 Kentucky (1)

16 Alabama 4-1 (SEC) - Loss: 3-2 Vanderbilt (1)

16 Army 5-0 (AAC)

16 Navy 5-0 (AAC)

16 Nebraska 5-1 (Big Ten) - Loss: 4-1 Illinois (1)

16 Penn St 5-0 (Big Ten)

16 Texas A&M 5-1 (SEC) - Loss: 4-1 Notre Dame (2)

15 Boise St 4-1 (MWC) - Loss: 5-0 Oregon (1)

15 SMU 5-1 (ACC): Loss: 5-0 BYU (1)

15 Washington 4-2 (Big Ten): Losses: 4-1 Washington St (1), 4-1 Rutgers (1)

14 Georgia 4-1 (SEC): Loss: 4-1 Alabama (1)

14 James Madison 4-1 (SBC): Loss: 4-1 UL-Monroe (1)

14 Pitt 5-0 (ACC)

14 Sam Houston 5-1 (CUSA) Loss: 3-2 UCF (4)

14 Texas Tech 5-1 (Big 12): Loss: 4-1 Washington St (3)

13 Arkansas 4-2 (SEC):  Losses: 3-3 Oklahoma State (1); 4-1 Texas A&M (1)

13 Kansas St 4-1 (Big 12): Loss: 5-0 BYU (4)

13 Washington St 4-1 (Pac): Loss: 4-1 Boise St (3)

James Leroy Wilson writes The MVP Chase (subscribe). Thank you for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for writing, editing, research, and other work: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.