The Unusual Situation in College Football
It’s hard to wrap your head around the current state of college football, especially when it comes to the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. A team like Duke, with a 7-5 record, is still in the conversation for a playoff spot, while Vanderbilt, which has an impressive 10-2 record, is already out. This situation is baffling, even for those who follow the sport closely.
The Dilemma of the CFP Bracket
The confusion doesn’t stop there. Consider that a five-loss Duke team could still qualify for the CFP if they win their upcoming game against No. 17 Virginia. Meanwhile, a team like No. 13 Texas, which recently upset previously undefeated Texas A&M, is out of the picture. This scenario raises questions about the fairness and logic of the current system.
Duke might need some help to secure an automatic bid, such as James Madison losing in the Sun Belt Championship. However, the fact that a team with five losses can still be considered for the playoff is a clear indicator of how flawed the system has become.
The Impact of Conference Standings
The ACC’s standings and tiebreaker rules have also played a role in this situation. Duke, despite having the worst overall record among teams tied for second in the ACC, is heading to the conference championship game instead of 10-2 Miami. This means that a team that lost to Illinois by 26 points could potentially make the playoff, while a team that beat Notre Dame might end up in an under-the-radar bowl game.
This situation highlights the inconsistencies in how teams are evaluated and ranked. It’s not just about the number of wins or losses; it’s also about the strength of schedule and how tiebreakers are applied.
The Role of Automatic Bids
Automatic bids have long been a part of the CFP system, but their value is being questioned. These bids are given to conference champions, regardless of whether they are the best team in their league. With conferences expanding and eliminating divisions, it’s no longer guaranteed that the conference champion is the top team.
For example, the ACC now has 17 teams, and each team only plays eight conference games. This means that a team could win a 17-team conference and still be eligible for a playoff auto bid after facing less than half the teams in the conference. This raises serious concerns about the fairness of the system.
Potential Solutions
Some argue that the playoff would be better served without conference championship games and automatic bids. Instead, all bids should be awarded via at-large selection. This would ensure that the best teams are selected based on their performance throughout the season, rather than just their conference standings.
Another suggestion is to expand the regular season by one week, giving the committee an additional data point for every team in the first week of December. This wouldn’t lengthen the season but would provide more information for evaluating teams.
Conclusion
The current situation with Duke being alive for the CFP while other strong teams are left out is a clear indication that the system needs reevaluation. The focus should be on selecting the best teams based on their performance, rather than relying on conference championships and automatic bids. As the playoff’s future size and shape are discussed, it’s time to consider changes that will ensure fairness and competitiveness in college football.
