Nov 24 CFP Rankings Reaction

Here we go! The first CFP rankings of the season. I personally think they should only release the rankings one time at the end when they have all the information on every team (but then ESPN couldn’t make a whole show about it). I have some thoughts on the rankings, but I think the committee did a decent job this week. The glaring issue this week is having BYU all the way down at 14. That makes no sense.

1. Alabama
The Tide are right where they should be at number 1, I have no qualms.
My rank: 1

2. Notre Dame
I would have the Irish at 3, but once you are in the top 4 it isn’t much of a big deal what number you are.
My rank: 3

3. Clemson
I would have Clemson back at 4. (see Notre Dame for reasoning)
My rank: 4

4. Ohio State
Ohio State is scary good. I would have them up at 1 or 2. I think their small sample size is really hurting them in the eyes of the committee.
My rank: 2

5. Texas A&M
The Aggies have been really strong this season, but they haven’t played since November 7. Their win over Florida is their best win and probably the main reason they are ranked so high. I’m not sure they are the 5th best team in the country, but I’m also not sure they aren’t.
My rank: 5 or 6

6. Florida
Florida’s offense is one of the best in the country. Their defense is not great, and I think that will be their downfall. They score enough points to beat most teams, so I don’t really have a problem with them being ranked so high.
My rank: 5 or 6

7. Cincinnati
Cincinnati is trying to be the first non-Power 5 team to make it into the CFP. I really doubt they will be able to make it all the way into the top 4 unless some crazy things happen. They are a great team and are making a strong case.
My rank: 7

8. Northwestern
The “Fighting Reece Davises” had a heck of a game in their win over Wisconsin last week. Are they the eighth best team in the country? I don’t think so. They haven’t played great competition and they haven’t really blown anyone out except for Maryland. They are a good team, and their defense has been strong. They won’t face another good team until the Big 10 Championship game, and I don’t see them beating Ohio State. I can’t come up with a reason to rank them lower and I don’t think I have confidence in many other teams beating them.
My rank: 8

9. Georgia
This is my first big issue with these rankings. The Bulldogs barely survived last weekend against Mississippi State and have two big losses to Alabama and Florida. Honestly, Georgia seems to have given up a bit on the season. That said, I don’t really blame them. They will not be playing for any championships, and it’s 2020. They might be a top 10 team when they play their best, but they haven’t played their best in a while.
My rank: 13

10. Miami
I don’t think Miami is a top 10 team, but they keep winning close games. I think there are multiple teams ranked below them that would probably beat them on a neutral field.
My rank: 14

11. Oklahoma
Oklahoma has gotten back to form in their last three games. They are still in the running to play for the Big 12 championship game and their last two games are very winnable. I think this OU team would have a better chance to beat Iowa State, and they will probably get the chance to avenge that loss.
My rank: 11

12. Indiana
I don’t see how the committee put this team at 12. They very nearly made a comeback against Ohio State last week. I think the Hoosiers are one of the better teams in the country.
My rank: 10

13. Iowa State
Iowa State had a huge win over Kansas State last week. The Cyclones shut out the Wildcats and scored 45 points. They do have a tough challenge this week at Texas, but they are still the frontrunner in the conference. This is a fun team and they play well.
My rank: 12

14. BYU
I’m not sure the committee has seen BYU play this season. The Cougars are 9-0 and have looked awesome. I’m sure they are being penalized for their strength of schedule, but they have blown out every team they played, including Boise State. As of right now they don’t have another game scheduled until December 12. I think a lot of people hope they end up playing Cincinnati next week. I don’t think it will happen because it could hurt Cincinnati, but I can dream.
My rank: 9

15. Oregon
Oregon is a good team. They have also only played three games so far and had a close call with UCLA last week. I’m not sure you could put them much higher than this.
My rank: 15

16. Wisconsin
The Badgers could not get anything going against Northwestern. Their game this week has also been canceled meaning they are unable to qualify for the Big 10 Championship game. It is a tough situation for this team, but there just isn’t enough info to really know how good they are.
My rank: 16

17. Texas
The Longhorns haven’t played since November 7. They tend to play to the level of their competition, so they have had a ton of close games this season. They are decent but not great. I think they are ranked about right.
My rank: 18

18. USC
USC’s first two games were won by late comebacks. Last week they got a comfortable win over Utah. They might be a very good team, but with only 3 games of info, I don’t think you can rank them very high, especially with the lack of strong competition in the conference.
My rank: 19

19. North Carolina
I think the Tar Heels are ranked a little high by the committee. They are a bit inconsistent as a team. They have shown flashes of brilliance, but I don’t trust them to win on a week by week basis.
My rank: 22

20. Coastal Carolina
Coastal is 8-0 so far this season and are a very good team. I think the committee has them so low because they play in the Sun Belt. Their biggest remaining game will be against Liberty. I think this team would have a chance to beat most teams in the country this year.
My rank: 17

21. Marshall
The Thundering Herd is another very good Group of 5 team. They only have one really good win and that was over Appalachian State at the beginning of the season. They don’t really have a game left that could give them a boost to their ranking.
My rank: 20

22. Auburn
Auburn is a tough team to rank. Their defense has really stepped up in recent games and they look like they have figured a lot out. They still have to play Alabama and Texas A&M, and I think the committee is keeping them low because of that. I have them low because I don’t think they are that good, especially on the road. I don’t have much trust in their offense because Chad Morris is running it.
My rank: 21

23. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are headed the wrong way right now. They will have the chance to end the season on a high note, but it won’t be the Big 12 Champ game. The committee got this one right.
My rank: 23

24. Iowa
Iowa is ok. I don’t really have much more analysis about them.
My rank: 24

25. Tulsa
Tulsa might be the luckiest team in the country. I think they deserve this ranking. They continue to find ways to win and they are super scrappy.
My rank: 25