College Football Playoff Rankings Reactions: Did Miami Truly Deserve to Be Ranked So High?
It’s November in college football season, and you know what that means: opinions flying left and right over the latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings! The latest release, marking the third week of the top 25 rankings, has stirred up quite a bit of controversy — and rightfully so! This latest batch of rankings has left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. In particular, Miami seems to be a bit too high up, while BYU is sitting much lower than most people think they should be.
So, what exactly is going on here? Let’s break down the biggest winners, losers, and eyebrow-raising rankings from the CFP top 25, and why you should care about these baffling decisions!
The Miami Hype: Are the Hurricanes Overrated?
The Miami Hurricanes (No. 10) have posted a solid season so far, no doubt about it. With a current 7-1 record, many folks expected the ‘Canes to land somewhere in the top 10 of the CFP rankings. However, several commentators feel they’ve been awarded this lofty position without truly earning it on the field.
Why, you ask? Well, let’s just say not all wins are created equal. Miami’s most significant victory came in Week 1 against Louisville, a team that’s far from being considered a power this season. They lost big-time to Clemson (42-17), exposing gaps in their defense. Unfortunately, yet somewhat predictably, Miami’s schedule is significantly lighter than other top 10 contenders, making their ranking feel a little inflated. Their remaining matchups aren’t ones going to make anyone sit up in their seat either. It seems like the Hurricanes might have benefitted from being the best of the rest in the ACC.
The biggest question is whether the Hurricanes will maintain their momentum. Most analysts are skeptical of their ability to survive a showdown against one of the top teams in the country, like Alabama or Ohio State. Their upcoming game against a decent North Carolina team is really their last chance to make a bolder statement in the eyes of the CFP committee, and they’ll need to bring their A-game if they want to avoid being labeled “overrated.”
BYU Deserves More Love
On the other hand, what’s scratching everyone’s heads is how the BYU Cougars are ranked No. 14 despite going 9-0 this season. It seems like the undefeated team, led by talented gunslinger Zach Wilson at quarterback, just can’t catch a break. Most of their frustration stems from the fact that they’ve blown out nearly every opponent they’ve faced, yet the committee still hasn’t given them much of a bump in the rankings.
One of the more puzzling decisions is how Northwestern sits three spots higher at No. 8 despite having played significantly fewer games and having a much less explosive offense. The Wildcats have a signature win against Wisconsin, but other than that, BYU’s domination week in and week out should arguably outweigh one big victory.
Fans of the Cougars (and non-Power Five teams in general) often feel the system is stacked against them. It’s true that BYU doesn’t play in a high-profile Power Five conference like other top teams do, but their quality of play speaks for itself. They haven’t just been winning; they’ve been demolishing teams. Zach Wilson, the Cougars’ Heisman contender, has been lights out, throwing for 2,724 yards, and 26 touchdowns against only two picks. Those are some gaudy numbers!
If BYU had gotten opportunities to play bigger-name schools that were canceled or avoided due to the COVID-19 schedule reshuffling, we might be having a completely different conversation. For now, it feels unfair to penalize BYU for circumstances they can’t control while simultaneously rewarding other teams who haven’t shown any recent dominance.
Other Teams to Watch Out for in the CFP Rankings
It’s not all about Miami and BYU, though! There are a lot of other interesting developments in the latest CFP rankings. Here are some other teams worth keeping an eye on:
Ohio State sitting pretty at No. 4
The Ohio State Buckeyes are hanging in at the No. 4 spot with a 4-0 record, and while their shortened season is due to the Big Ten’s delayed start during the pandemic, they’ve still looked every bit the title contender. Quarterback Justin Fields has been stellar so far, leading the charge with 13 touchdowns and 1,208 passing yards. Still, not everyone is convinced Ohio State deserves their spot due to the amount of games played compared to other contenders.
Clemson bumped down to No. 3
The Clemson Tigers, sitting at No. 3, dropped down after falling to Notre Dame without star quarterback Trevor Lawrence. However, most pundits expect they’ll be back in top form once the future No. 1 NFL draft pick returns to the field. Clemson’s only loss came in double overtime, and it should be noted that backup QB D.J. Uiagalelei played very well in Lawrence’s absence.
With Trevor Lawrence expected to rejoin the lineup soon, expect Clemson to be a force in the remainder of the season, especially if they get a rematch against Notre Dame in the ACC Championship.
Florida’s rise at No. 6
At No. 6, the Florida Gators look extremely dangerous, especially with quarterback Kyle Trask storming onto the scene. Trask has become a legitimate Heisman contender and leads the country with 31 touchdown passes. If Florida wins out, including a potential SEC title game against Alabama, they could absolutely find themselves breaking into the top four and competing for a playoff spot.
The SEC’s Dominance Continues
The SEC continues to be the dominant force in the rankings, with four teams in the top 10. Alabama, no surprise here, holds the No. 1 spot, continuing to flex their muscle under coach Nick Saban. Florida and Texas A&M are close behind, ranked at No. 6 and No. 5, respectively. Georgia rounds out the top 10 at No. 9 despite a couple of hiccups this season. The SEC’s strength is undeniable, but for now, it looks like Alabama is head and shoulders above the rest.
College Football Playoff Picture: The Big Picture
Looking at the possible contenders for the four coveted playoff spots, it’s clear that several teams are firmly in the hunt, while others are on the outside looking in. Here’s a quick breakdown of the top playoff contenders as of now:
- Alabama (No. 1): They’ve controlled their destiny all season long, and an SEC title could lock up their playoff spot.
- Notre Dame (No. 2): By beating Clemson, they’ve vaulted themselves into legitimate national championship territory.
- Clemson (No. 3): Clemson still controls their fate, and if they win the ACC, they should be in the mix for the playoff.
- Ohio State (No. 4): With fewer games, there’s a bit more uncertainty around OSU, but for now, they look playoff-bound.
- Texas A&M (No. 5): If Alabama slips up or Covid wreaks havoc in the SEC title game, A&M could sneak in.
Of course, anything can still happen in the college football world, and that’s what makes this sport so exciting. Teams like BYU, Cincinnati, or even Georgia, currently on the outside looking in, could make things interesting if their competitors start to falter. Expect the rankings to shift as rivalries and conference championships loom, but the rumblings of controversy won’t go away anytime soon!
Final Thoughts: Let the Chaos Unfold
We’re heading into a thrilling final stretch in the college football season. Every week counts a lot more now, and each game could swing the rankings, especially with so many good teams stacked near the top. Will Miami continue to justify their ranking? Can BYU get the respect it deserves from the CFP committee? And which team is going to fall next from the top four?
No matter what happens, don’t blink. The controversial moments and shocking upsets that are part of the weird and wonderful charm of college football are far from over!
Keep your eye on the rankings, and don’t be surprised if a Cinderella story emerges as the college football playoff picture becomes clearer — or even more chaotic. And as always, fans will be tuning in religiously to see if their favorite teams finally get the respect they think they deserve.
Originally Written by: Ben Kercheval
