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The debut College Football Playoff rankings are out, and typical to most instances, fans were left confused. Since the inaugural CFP field was unveiled, many have had questions surrounding the committee’s selection criteria.
Is the eye test (blowouts) the most important factor? Is strength of schedule the key rating? Does status and past performance aid in the standings?
No one’s been able to get a clear picture on the process as those criteria seem to be weighted differently with each passing season.
That was again the case with the first College Football Playoff ranking, which was revealed on Halloween night.
Below are the top six teams in the standings, according to the committee.
- Ohio State
- Georgia
- Michigan
- Florida State
- Washington
- Oregon
Now, those rankings would be similar to what’s seen in most major polls to this point, though a few of the wackier systems show varying results.
But how did the committee get to this particular order?
.@CFBPlayoff selection committee rational for its top 4:
1-Ohio State (2 Top 25 wins, best resume)
2-Georgia (eye test, no Top 25 wins)
3-Michigan (eye test, no Top 25 wins)
4-FSU (1 Top 25 win, but it happened in season opener, we already forgot about it)— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 31, 2023
With Ohio State at the top, it would seem strength of schedule is the most weighted attribute. The Buckeyes have already taken down a pair of Top 10 foes in Notre Dame and Penn State.
But with Geogia and Michigan following at No. 2 and No. 3, that theory goes out the window.
The Bulldogs have been chastised throughout the season for a lack of competition. The lone ranked win on the schedule thus far is a blowout of Kentucky. The Wildcats haven’t won a game since that meeting, falling far from a Top 25 standing in that time.
Of course, if you ask Kirby Smart, it could be the most difficult slate in the country.
The Wolverines are in a similar boat, having yet to play a ranked team. Yes, they’ve blown their competition out by an average score of 41-6, but the combined record of Michigan’s opponents is 31-33. It won’t get any better after next week’s meeting with 2-6 Purdue.
Still, both hopped a Florida State team with wins over ranked LSU and Duke squads, as well as a victory over a preseason Top 10 Clemson.
Washington and Oregon come in just outside the Top 4 despite both owning wins over highly ranked foes.
Many on social media were perplexed by the debut College Football Playoff rankings.
“Michigan should NOT be rewarded by being in the Top 10 for the schedule they play. Haven’t played a team in the Top 25… Michigan’s current SOS is 51, Ole Miss’s is 4, Bama 3, Texas 5… HUGE difference in literally one of the most important variables!”
“If you’re basing Ohio St off ‘strength of schedule,’ why is Michigan in the Top 5? They’ve played NOBODY this year.”
“Don’t really understand Michigan above FSU or Washington. They’ve played NOBODY.”
“Says UGA isn’t No. 1 because of strength of schedule… Puts Michigan at No. 3 with one of the worst schedules in college football.”
“So, FSU is dinged for one tight game against Boston College, but Georgia gets props for 4th quarter comebacks over 2-6 Auburn and 2-6 South Carolina?”
The top spot didn’t come without criticism, either.
Lol….no one thinks Ohio State is the best team in the country – including myself – but we’re all just okay with them being ranked #1??? What a system.
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) October 31, 2023
Below is committee chair Boo Corrigan’s explanation of the order.
Hear now from Boo Corrigan, chair of the #CFBPlayoff selection committee, as he chatted with @ESPN‘s @ReceDavis after the reveal of the first College Football Playoff Top 25 rankings of the 2023 season.
— College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) November 1, 2023
We’ll see how this compares to future CFP rankings.