NFL
By: Trevor Gibbs
We got the first rankings in the CFP, and the sport is already arguing. Miami comes out number one, but the bigger story is who landed too high, who landed too low, and how much chaos is coming.
The Top Four
Miami (8-0) leads, followed by Georgia, undefeated Utah, and the defending champs Indiana. The Hurricanes have just one ranked win, over Wake Forest, but they control their own destiny, starting with Saturday’s trip to Notre Dame.
The Shocks
Alabama at FIVE?!? This is a head scratcher, as my dad likes to say. The Tide have two losses and sit AHEAD of undefeated UCLA; aren’t they the same team that lost to Tennessee by 16 points? So the Vols land at 13 points. Sure, Bama has a road win at Kentucky, but they are 2-2 against the committee’s top 25.
Notre Dame at No. 11. The Irish debuted seven spots lower than they sit in the AP Poll. Chairman Hunter Yurachek cited the lack of a “signature win.” The Irish have one game left against a ranked team, which happens to be Miami this Saturday. With star WR Malachi Toney out until the CFP, how do the Canes look and continue to play at a high level? If Notre Dame wins, they climb; if they lose, they are done for the season.
Ohio State at No. 12: The Buckeyes are the first team out, even with a win over Indiana ON the road. Yurachek said the committee never got to comparing that head-to-head, a comment that will not sit well with fans in Columbus.
The Good Moves
The committee rewarded the unbeaten teams Utah at No.3 and UCLA at No. 8; both spots are earned, with UCLA hosting a first-round game as things stand. One loss to Kentucky at No. 6 is also one I agree with, and Georgia at No.2 is hard to argue.
Safe to say they leaned heavily on strength of conference. The SEC put 10 teams in the top 25and five in the projected 12-team field, while the Big Ten has just two in the field. Boise State at No. 25 rounded out the projected bracket as the Group of Five representative.
Looking Ahead
Saturday will reshape everything. New look Miami visits Notre Dame, and another 5 top-25 matchups on the slate. Bama goes to LSU; the final rankings are locked Dec. 6th, so we have a lot of play left to play.
Remember last year, when Miami trailed the Fighting Irish on Selection Sunday? These rankings are a snapshot, NOT a verdict. Teams like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and LSU are one big win from changing the picture.
Buckle up. What did week one teach me? That this committee will keep giving us something to write and yell about.
