October 2 NFL MVP Chase and FBS Playoff Chase

Photo credit: Torsten Bolten

In this issue:

• NFL MVP Chase Update After Week 3

• FBS Playoff Chase Update

NFL MVP CHASE

Quarterbacks, backs, and receivers can earn MVP points every week that a) the player's team got a victory and b) he played a very good or great game in that victory. 

I revised the standings slightly from last week. Before, I had the requirement of 20 pass attempts for a quarterback to qualify for earning MVP points. Then Jared Goff went 18 for 18 for 292 yards and two touchdowns. I've changed the requirement to 20 pass attempts or 200 yards. I made the change for the first four weeks of the season and it's reflected in these standings.

1. Sam Darnold, QB, Vikings (4-0) 4.649 MVP Points

2. Nico Collins, WR, Texans (3-1) 4.203

3. Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings (4-0) 4.060

4. Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders (3-1) 3.471

5. James Cook, RB, Bills (3-1) 3.350

6. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings (4-0) 3.290

7. David Montgomery, RB, Lions (3-1) 3.250

8. C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans (3-1) 3.215

9. (TIED) 

Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles (2-2) 3.166

Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens (2-2) 3.166

Jordan Mason, RB, 49ers (2-2) 3.166

FBS Playoff Chase

It is typical for a team in the "Power 4"*  conferences to have a non-conference schedule consisting of another Power 4 team, a "G5" conference** team, and a lower-division FCS team. There are business reasons for playing FCS teams, but in the Playoff Chase, which considers dominance over the schedule and strength of schedule (SOS), beating an FCS team is equivalent to defeating a winless FBS team. It doesn't help SOS.

Texas is one of the few P5 schools that didn't play an FCS school in non-conference games. This helps its SOS and is a reason the Longhorns are leading the Chase. Alabama hasn't yet played its FCS game (Mercer on Nov 16) so its schedule looks better so far and the Tide lead the teams that have played only four games instead of five.

As a reminder, the five highest-ranked conference champions are in the playoffs and then there are seven at-large teams. I have put the leaders of each conference in bold. (The MAC leader isn't on the list; too far behind.) Teams with the same number of  Playoff Chase Points are listed alphabetically. 

PTS

21 Texas - SEC (5-0)

17 BYU - Big 12 (5-0)

17 Indiana - Big Ten(5-0)

16 Alabama - SEC (4-0)

15 Miami FL - ACC (5-0)

15 Ohio St - Big 10 (5-0)

14 James Madison - (Sun Belt) (4-0)

13 Duke - ACC (5-0)

13 Kansas St - Big 12 (4-1)

13 Missouri - SEC (4-0)

13 Navy - AAC (4-0)

12 Army - AAC (4-0)

12 Boise St - Mountain West (3-1)

12 Iowa St - Big 12 (4-0)

12 Nebraska - Big Ten (4-1)

12 Notre Dame - no conference (4-1)

12 Penn St - Big Ten (4-0)

12 Tennessee - SEC (4-0)

12 Sam Houston - C-USA (4-1)

12 SMU - ACC (4-1)

11 Illinois - Big Ten (4-1)

11 LSU - SEC  (4-1)

11 Michigan - Big Ten (4-1)

11 Ole Miss - SEC (4-1)

11 Oregon - Big Ten (4-0)

11 UNLV - Mountain West (4-0)

11 Washington- Big Ten  (3-2)

10 Boston College - ACC (4-1)

10 Clemson - ACC (3-1)

10 Georgia - SEC (3-1)

10 Rutgers - Big Ten (4-0)

10 USC Big Ten (3-1)

*  ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, SEC

** AAC, C-USA, MAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt

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.