By: Ryan Smithers

“The selection committee ranks the teams based on conference championships won, strength of schedule, head-to-head results, comparison of results against common opponents and other factors.” – College Football Playoff Committee

 

Lies. You’re lying. We know what you’re doing.

 

The College Football Playoff Committee is trying to play dumb and act like they’re using actual football criteria to create their rankings. We all know their real, devious plan, and they’re shaking in their boots because they know we’re onto them. If you’re a college sports fan and have no clue what I’m talking about, just listen for a minute. I’ll take you into the minds of multiple devils that they call the “College Football Playoff Committee.” Grab some tissues, it may get overwhelming.

 

I’ll get straight to the point. It’s rigged. There’s nothing more, nothing less. But for what, you ask? The teams placed at the top of the rankings are there because they generate a heinous amount of TV ratings. It’s basic math that immense levels of TV ratings equals immense levels of cash.

The highest amount of viewers and money available sits within the SEC (Southeastern Conference), and the committee knows that. Powerhouse football programs such as Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Florida, and Auburn are just a handful of schools that make up the SEC. It’s only right that the committee places Alabama at the #1 spot, which shouldn’t be much of an argument. Georgia (5) and LSU (7) are two other SEC schools that fall within the committee’s top ten. There’s not much to complain about there. Each team rightfully deserves their spot in the top ten, but as we go down the list, a few things come into question. Kentucky, with a record of 7-2, takes the #11 spot. Sure, the Wildcats have had a surprising turnaround, but after a 17-point loss to Georgia, they’re lucky that they stayed in the top 15. That’s not even the half of it. Three SEC teams with three losses (MSST now 6-4) take up spots in the rankings of 25.

 

There, there, you’ll be okay. It’s just some usual SEC bias within the committee.

 

The SEC isn’t the only conference the committee uses to their advantage. The Big Ten Conference has about the same situation. The B1G also generates a high amount of platform ratings out of all Power Five conferences, which could explain why they also have three, three loss teams in the top 25.

 

I know what you’re thinking. These two to three loss teams could’ve lost close games or lost to higher-ranked programs, allowing them to stay in the conversation. Though that’s the case for a team like LSU, not all teams live up to that standard. It’s also important to note that these teams have no chance of winning their conference, and some won’t even get a chance at playing in their conference championship for that matter. The reason for mentioning all of this is that schools with a smaller following don’t get these same opportunities. UCF, for example, is an American Conference team who has been undefeated dating back to last season. Since they’re not in a Power Five conference, the committee treated the Knights like chopped liver, leaving them out of the playoff conversation. #12 UCF matched up against #7 Auburn in the Peach Bowl and won, further proving that non-Power Five teams can compete against the big dogs. This year, UCF has dropped two spots in the rankings after wins and has stayed at #12 in the College Football Playoff rankings for two weeks straight. It’s understandable that they’re not playing nearly the same competition as the teams above them, but UCF has shown that they’re able to compete against high competition. They’d at least be able to put points up against Alabama, and that’s a guarantee.

 

So, to the College Football Committee, are you ready to make sensible rankings that consider actual football? Or will you just stick to money and the same old schools that help you generate it? I know your answer, but it’s time to make things interesting by making them right.

 

UCF 2017 National Champions.