Kramer's College Football Notebook: Committee Setting Very Dangerous Precedent
The transparency between selection committee and fans was supposed to enhance the College Football Playoff experience. At the very least, it was poised to allow access to information that was once sealed and tucked away.
However, as the weeks have progressed and the reasoning behind various moves has been justified in detail, one can’t help but be concerned with the glaring inconsistencies and deficiencies in the public portion of the process. We have been granted access but no clarity.
If anything, we're more confused than we have ever been.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
It's not the latest Top 25 College Football Playoff rankings that are generating the concern. There is debate to be had in and outside of the first four positions but nothing glaringly amiss.
The concern comes in the comments that selection committee chairman Jeff Long made on ESPN while discussing Mississippi State's strange, evolving playoff resume. Long provided the following explanation on the current value of the Bulldogs' wins over teams who are no longer ranked in the Top 25:
"Jeff Long said the committee factors in that some of Miss St wins came against teams previously ranked. Seems like a new talking point.
— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomonCBS) November 26, 2014"
As the masses proclaimed foul in this logic—connecting the dots of how preseason rankings and other factors could impact their decisions—Long clarified his point once the cameras had been turned off.
You may now get off your preseason rankings ledge, at least for the time being.
"Jeff Long clarified his statement to mean CFP-ranked. Meaning nothing before Oct. 28. ND was No. 10 in that one btw.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 26, 2014"
Although the clarification helped, there are issues with this entire thought process in general.
Even if preseason rankings aren't included, were the committee's initial rankings influenced by where teams started before the season began?
And if teams are truly being judged on their entire season, why should ranking at any point in the process be factored in this discussion? Patience has been stressed throughout this entire process, so what good does it do to assess a matchup from the past without truly knowing what the matchup means?
The final product is all that matters, so shouldn't this same logic be applied for hopeful teams' playoff resumes along the way? This part seems most obvious of all.
Beyond these potential logic flaws, Tuesday night’s vocal misstep identified an issue with the process of revealing these rankings along the way. Although these weekly releases are a network’s dream—a way to fit roughly 30 seconds of information into a 30-minute opening, laughing to the bank the entire way—it also leaves the committee open to these types of situations.
It generates conversation from the masses, but it also leaves this group vulnerable to criticism, some of which is warranted. There is growing concern—at least out in the open—that the consistency with the selection committee has already been lost. Tuesday night didn’t help alleviate these stances. If anything, it only drove them home further.
Confidence in this group is already starting to dwindle, and the important part of the process hasn't even begun. The weekly releases have generated interest as planned, although they have also revealed significant flaws and confusion in this process along the way.
Here are some other observations regarding the latest playoff rankings.
Ohio State Getting Some Help
This all looks to be setting up brilliantly for the Buckeyes.
Although Ohio State struggled for much of its contest against Indiana on Saturday, it didn’t budge from the No. 6 spot. Given the shrinking amount of time to make an impression—either positive or negative—this was a solid development for Urban Meyer’s team.
Perhaps more importantly, the teams crucial to the Buckeyes’ final playoff push also saw plenty of love from the committee. Minnesota jumped from No. 25 to No. 18 following its win over Nebraska, and Wisconsin jumped up two spots to No. 14 after beating Iowa in Iowa City.
The Badgers and Gophers will meet up this week with a spot in the Big Ten championship on the line, which means Ohio State’s overall resume—if it wins out—will only improve. The ideal situation for the Buckeyes is a convincing Wisconsin win and losses from teams hovering around the Top 10. If that’s the case, the Big Ten championship could end up being an even brighter Buckeye showcase.
That’s also an extra game neither Big 12 team will have. And if Alabama beats Auburn, Mississippi State's season will end with the Egg Bowl.
Regardless of what transpires, Ohio State has done what it had to do. It has distanced itself as far as it possibly can from its lone loss against Virginia Tech and held onto the label as the nation’s hottest team.
Welcome to the Party, Group of Five
It took a while, but the group of five was finally allowed access to this exclusive club. It might have bribed a bouncer to get there, although it makes no difference now. Two teams outside of power-five conferences finally cracked the latest Top 25.
It's about time.
Boise State was the first team to hear its named called at No. 23, and undefeated Marshall followed directly at No. 24. The Broncos just dismantled Wyoming on the road, and they’ve been fabulous since losing to Air Force back in September. Marshall, meanwhile, almost suffered its first loss of the season against UAB, although the Thundering Herd sneaked past UAB, 23-18.
The arrival of teams outside of the power conferences has been a long time coming. You could make the argument—and a good one for that matter—that 10-1 Colorado State warrants inclusion as well. If the Rams take care of business against Air Force on Saturday, it wouldn’t be shocking to see another group-of-five team added to this mix.
Keep in mind: One of these teams will be granted access to a marquee bowl. Now that multiple group-of-five teams have cracked the rankings, keep an eye on the team on top. That's the place you want to be.
UCLA vs. Georgia in the Battle for No. 8
Although the battle between UCLA (currently No. 8) and Georgia (currently No. 9) may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, this could change rather quickly.
If UCLA beats Stanford on Saturday, it will head to the Pac-12 Championship Game. If Missouri loses to Arkansas, Georgia will win the SEC East and play in the SEC Championship Game. While their playoff chances aren’t nearly as defined as the teams directly in front of them, each could state its case for a playoff spot by winning out.
No, they’re not directly competing with one another just yet, but the possibility of either team entering the playoff picture warrants consideration, especially with huge potential matchups looming.
There is still so much football to be played and more losses to come. The closer you are to the top four positions, the better. UCLA has a slight, critical advantage for the time being.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
