CFP Anger Index: Miami, Ole Miss, and Others Left Fuming Over Alabama’s Controversial Ranking
At this point in the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection process, you’d think the committee’s job would be nearly complete. After all, 92% of the field seems locked in. The top teams—Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and likely SMU and Indiana—are all but guaranteed spots. Add in the winners of the Big 12 and Mountain West championship games, and there’s just one spot left to fill. But that one spot? Oh, it’s causing chaos.
Unless Clemson wins the ACC title and claims the final spot, the committee is left with a tough decision. And let’s be real: the No. 12 team in the rankings is always going to have flaws. That’s why they’re No. 12. But this year, the debate over who deserves that last playoff spot has reached a fever pitch, and the committee’s decision to favor Alabama has left plenty of programs feeling slighted.
So, let’s break it down. Why are Miami, Ole Miss, South Carolina, and even BYU so angry? And does Alabama really deserve the benefit of the doubt? Let’s dive into this week’s CFP Anger Index.
1. Miami Hurricanes (10-2, No. 12)
Let’s start with Miami, a team that has every reason to feel snubbed. The Hurricanes are 10-2, and their resume includes dominant wins over Florida (a team that beat Ole Miss) and USF (which pushed Alabama to the brink in Tuscaloosa). Their two losses? Both came on the road, by a combined nine points, to No. 22 Syracuse and a solid Georgia Tech squad that just took Georgia to eight overtimes.
Here’s the kicker: Miami’s record is better than the 9-3 SEC teams vying for the same spot. The committee could’ve taken the easy route and said, “This team has more wins.” Instead, they docked Miami more for a road loss to Syracuse than they did Ohio State for losing to a 7-5 Michigan team. Make it make sense!
Miami’s offense, led by the electric Cam Ward, is one of the most exciting in the country. Their losses aren’t bad, and they’ve proven they can hang with anyone. Yet, the committee chose Alabama, leaving Miami fans wondering what more their team could’ve done.
2. Ole Miss Rebels (9-3, No. 13)
If the committee’s goal was to reward the team with the most impressive wins, Ole Miss should’ve been the pick. The Rebels and Alabama both beat South Carolina, but Ole Miss dominated their matchup while Alabama squeaked by with a two-point win. Both teams also beat Georgia, but Ole Miss did it in style, winning by 18 points in a game that was never close. For context, the last team to beat Georgia by that much was the 2019 LSU Tigers, arguably the best college football team ever.
Statistically, Ole Miss is a juggernaut. They’re ranked higher than Alabama in SP+ (No. 3 vs. No. 5) and boast one of the top offenses and defenses in the country. Even their losses, to SP+ Nos. 17, 22, and 48, are less egregious than Alabama’s losses to SP+ Nos. 8, 31, and 58.
So why isn’t Ole Miss in the No. 11 slot? The Rebels have every right to be furious.
3. South Carolina Gamecocks (9-3, No. 14)
South Carolina’s case is less about logic and more about the “eye test.” The Gamecocks have won six straight games, including victories over Texas A&M, Missouri, and Clemson. They’re playing as well as anyone in the country right now.
In the four-team playoff era, a late-season surge like South Carolina’s wouldn’t have mattered. But in the 12-team format, why not reward the hottest team? The Gamecocks’ inclusion would celebrate growth, perseverance, and the ability to peak at the right time. Instead, the committee stuck with Alabama, leaving South Carolina fans to wonder what might’ve been.
4. BYU Cougars (10-2, No. 18)
Here’s a fun comparison:
- Team A: 10-2, No. 12 strength of record, losses to SP+ Nos. 39 and 51, best win against SP+ No. 12.
- Team B: 10-2, No. 14 strength of record, losses to SP+ Nos. 50 and 59, best win against SP+ No. 18.
Team A is BYU. Team B is Miami. Yet, Miami is the first team out, while BYU isn’t even in the conversation. The Cougars’ losses to Arizona State and Kansas are no worse than Alabama’s losses, and their resume is arguably just as strong. So why is BYU being overlooked?
5. Boise State Broncos (10-1, No. 10)
Boise State’s situation highlights another issue with the CFP process: the treatment of conference championship games. The Broncos are currently in line for a first-round bye, but if they lose a rematch to UNLV—a team they’ve already beaten—they could fall out of the playoff entirely. Is that fair?
Consider this comparison:
- Team A: 11-1, No. 13 strength of record, loss to a top-10 team by 3, four wins vs. bowl-eligible opponents, one win vs. a ranked foe.
- Team B: 11-1, No. 8 strength of record, loss to a top-10 team by 23, three wins vs. bowl-eligible opponents, no wins vs. ranked foes.
Team A is Boise State. Team B is Indiana, which is safely in the playoff. So why isn’t Boise State?
What About Alabama?
So, what’s the case for Alabama? Strength of schedule? South Carolina’s is better. A big win over Georgia? Ole Miss beat the Dawgs by more. Strength of record? That’s just a function of schedule strength, and Alabama’s losses to Oklahoma and Vanderbilt don’t scream “playoff team.”
The real reason Alabama is in? The committee believes, without hard evidence, that Alabama is just better. It’s a gut feeling, and it’s a slap in the face to teams that fought hard all season. If the games don’t matter, why play them at all?
In the end, the committee’s decision to favor Alabama over teams like Miami, Ole Miss, and South Carolina undermines the integrity of the sport. And that’s a shame.
Originally Written by: David Hale
