The 12-team College Football Playoff was supposed to be the solution to all the chaos, but it seems like we've traded one set of problems for another. Instead of eliminating arguments, it's just given everyone more to argue about.
When the penultimate College Football Playoff rankings are unveiled, you can almost guarantee a chorus of complaints.
The College Football Playoff (CFP) was created in 2014 to bring order to the college football world, replacing the old Bowl Championship Series (BCS). The BCS relied on polls and computer rankings, which often led to confusion. The CFP, initially a four-team bracket, expanded to a 12-team format last season, hoping to create a more straightforward path to the national championship.
However, the committee's decisions have sparked a new wave of controversy, with schools constantly feeling they've been unfairly excluded.
This season is no different. With conference championship games on the horizon, the upcoming rankings will give us a clearer picture of the playoff landscape before the final 12 teams are selected. Let's dive into the biggest issues.
Miami vs. Notre Dame: A Head-to-Head Conundrum
The rivalry between Miami and Notre Dame, infamously known as "Catholics vs. Convicts," has been intense on and off the field. In Week 1, Miami triumphed over Notre Dame with a 27-24 victory, thanks to a late field goal.
Here's the problem: Since the first rankings on November 4th, Miami has consistently been ranked behind Notre Dame. Despite both teams boasting the same 10-2 record and Miami holding a head-to-head win, the Hurricanes have been consistently ranked lower. This is despite the fact that the Hurricanes have a head-to-head win. Miami's losses to SMU and Louisville seem to have hurt them, while Notre Dame's single-point loss to Texas A&M in Week 2 is viewed more favorably.
Miami coach Mario Cristobal believes the head-to-head result should be the deciding factor.
Will the committee agree?
Don't Forget Those Pesky Automatic Bids
The 12-team bracket was designed to include automatic bids for the five highest-ranked conference champions. This was meant to protect the Power Five schools, particularly those in the Big 12, Pac-12, and ACC, who were worried about bias from the SEC and Big Ten.
But the automatic bids have created new problems.
The Power Five became the Power Four after the Pac-12 disbanded. This has led to unbalanced schedules, making it difficult to compare teams.
The ACC's tiebreaker system is also causing issues this season. Duke, with a 7-5 record, is in the conference championship game over Miami, the highest-ranked ACC team in the CFP. If Duke wins the ACC title, there's a chance the ACC could be entirely shut out of the CFP, potentially allowing the Sun Belt Conference's James Madison (11-1) to sneak in over Miami.
What about Ole Miss?
Ole Miss is 11-1 and currently ranked seventh. But the committee has shown it can exclude teams.
In 2023, Florida State was left out of the four-team playoff despite a perfect 13-0 season and an ACC title. The committee cited an injury to quarterback Jordan Travis.
Is it fair to Ole Miss if they are excluded?
Do Conference Championship Games Even Matter Anymore?
The Big Ten championship game between Ohio State and Indiana is essentially meaningless, as both teams are likely in the playoff regardless of the outcome.
The Big 12 and SEC championship games could have more impact, but the expanded field changes the stakes.
The CFP is expected to expand further next season. Get ready for more complaints!
What are your thoughts on the current CFP system? Do you think the committee is making the right decisions? Share your opinions in the comments!
