First Thoughts on the College Football Playoff Rankings

The first CFP Rankings dropped this week as we near the conclusion of this wild 2020 college football season. There’s plenty to break down, with such a variety of resumes. Let’s get into it

What I Liked

The Top Four

The committee has definitely had a harder time choosing the top four in the past. The top four teams in the country have been set for a few weeks now, and there aren’t enough ‘what ifs’ to overturn this. Alabama has been a pretty clear No. 1 since Clemson fell in South Bend to Notre Dame. The Tigers remaining in the top four at No. 3, the committee clearly liking the eye test of Clemson with Trevor Lawrence over Ohio State. Apparently, the Buckeyes looked a little too suspect against Indiana to put the Buckeyes at No. 3 like they were in the AP Poll. Notre Dame has the resume and the eye test to remain at No. 2.

Where Cincinnati was ranked

This is right where the Bearcats should be ranked. They have looked ultra-impressive running through the AAC, but now need an extra push to get into the top four. Both Cincy and BYU have Dec. 5 open, I don’t know why that game hasn’t been scheduled yet, it seems too convenient for both schools (I’ll get to BYU later on). Cincinnati NEEDS to beat a power conference opponent to have a chance. 

What I Didn’t Like

Georgia

What in the world did Georgia do to be ranked in the top ten? Was it the two times they were blown out in their two biggest games of the year against Alabama and Florida? Or their best win against a very average Auburn team that are a couple of missed calls by refs to being under .500? Or maybe it has been the terrible quarterback play in Athens all year. If it was a Pac-12 team with the same resume, would they still be in the top ten? Probably not. Be consistent committee!

BYU

Nobody got screwed more in scheduling due to the pandemic than BYU. The Cougars had to redo their entire schedule and get who they could. They did that and have convincingly taken care of business, yet they get punished for it? I’m not saying they should be in the top four (If they scheduled and beat Cincinnati convincingly, I would definitely consider them for it), but now they won’t even get a chance to play in an NY6 bowl game. I think there should be no question about them playing in an NY6 bowl. They need to schedule Cincinnati, and the committee needs to rethink their logic on the Cougars.

Oregon

Again, not a playoff team, but I don’t understand how three different two-loss teams are ranked ahead of the Pac-12 frontrunner. Oregon doesn’t control who else is in their conference or who they play, all they can do is take care of business. That gets them No. 15? I’m not sure there are 14 better teams in the country. This doesn’t bode well for the Ducks going undefeated and making the playoff, and I’m sure the conference would not be happy about that.

Writer

-By: TJ Mathewson