The second to last college football playoff poll is out, and there are no surprises in the top four. Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Ohio State represent the best of the bunch from three of the five power conferences.
CFP Chairman Gary Barta has told us repeatedly that the games are essential.
Wins and losses matter.
So is strength of schedule…and the eye test.
The truth is, whatever narrative allows a program from the power-5 to remain in striking distance of the top four, while expunging the little guy, is what the committee will hang it’s hat on.
How else does one explain an 8 and 2 Florida team dropping just one spot after a loss to an unranked, depleted, sub-500 LSU team? The Gators rank five spots higher than undefeated Coastal Carolina (11-0).
Florida is 1-1 against ranked teams. Coastal Carolina is 2-0 with both wins coming against teams ranked in the top-20.
Barta’s explanation: Coastal Carolina struggled in a recent win against Troy.
So a near loss is more damaging than an actual loss? Yes…if the losing team is from a power-5 conference.
Also undefeated (8-0), with two wins over ranked teams, are the Cincinnati Bearcats. A team that hasn’t played since November 21 due to COVID-19 related issues, but has dropped two spots in the poll. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes and Texas A&M Aggies (ranked 5th) sat idle last weekend and held steady in the rankings.
College football’s final-four will include teams from the SEC, ACC and likely the BIG Ten. There is an outside chance a Big 12 team could sneak in, but there is no chance a non-power-5 conference team will.
The committee will make sure of it.