CHAOS! We finally have a year full of pure CHAOS for the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. With three undefeated Conference Champions, two 1-loss Conference Champions, and two very deserving 1-loss teams who did not win their conference (honorable mention to Oregon because I believe they are in the mix for best teams, but they needed a win Friday night), you have the makings of a pure, unsolicited CHAOS for the CFB Playoffs. This post will be short and sweet, but I break down what I think will happen, what should happen and my overall top 4 teams. Here we go!
What do I think will happen?
With so many deserving teams, the CFP Selection Committee has to determine the best four teams. The difference between these words has been difficult to separate over the past few years, but is more important than ever here in 2023. Next year, the problem solves itself. The 12-team playoff opens up and losing in your conference championship or not even playing in it has no matter. But here's what I think happens this year. First and foremost, Michigan and Washington are in. The question is who will be #1? Conventional wisdom says Michigan, but Washington has more ranked wins than the Wolverines, and their conference championship game was actually a challenge. Does that reward the Huskies with the #1 overall seed? This is something to consider because of the potential matchups. The real question comes with Florida State. Are they deserving? Yes, 13-0 with a conference championship has been a consistent standard for the committee to put a team in to the playoffs. However, without Jordan Travis at QB, are they one of the 4 best? This is the catch. They have a championship-caliber defense, but so does Iowa (arguably even my Huskers at times). Texas and Alabama both have the firepower on offense to match their defenses. Yes, Tate Rodemaker would be back for the semifinal/bowl game, but is that enough? He's not Jordan Travis and they struggled against an okay but not great Florida team in his lone start. The Playoff Committee would be head hunted by a mob if they leave out the SEC and you can't put them in with out putting in Texas because of the head-to-head win. Ohio State and Georgia are great teams, but don't have enough to be considered this scenario.
What do I think will happen? They bump out Florida State because of their lack of offense in the last couple games and the committee does not believe they are one of the BEST teams without Jordan Travis. They break their own precedent and put in Texas and Alabama.
1. Michigan
2. Washington
3. Texas
4. Alabama
What should happen?
The deserving and best argument again make this very difficult. Florida State could easily be overlooked because of their QB injuries, but they have had a tremendous season and I've been saying from the onset of the season, they are one of the best four teams. They had a more impressive win against LSU than Alabama did and won a variety of close games both on the road and at home, just like Washington. Michigan looked fairly dominant all season, but had lackluster competition apart from Ohio State and Penn State. Texas' win over Alabama on the road in Tuscaloosa cannot and should not be overlooked. However, Alabama and Texas are playing some of the best football in the country right now. Georgia and Ohio State are both quality teams and could easily be favored in a game against Florida State, Texas or Washington, maybe even Michigan (at least for UGA).
What should happen?
1. Washington
2. Michigan
3. Florida State
4. Texas
Who are my four best teams?
1. Washington
2. Michigan
3. Texas
4. Alabama
I HATE leaving Florida State out, but without Jordan Travis, they are not one of the four best. They are more than deserving of a spot, but I think this is the best slate of 4 teams to get great games in all the semifinals and the finals. Thanks for reading my thoughts on the College Football Playoff Rankings. Anxious to see what happens today!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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