Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit Urge Overhaul of Weekly College Football Playoff Rankings
Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit are advocating for significant changes to the weekly College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings format. Their proposals come in light of ongoing debates regarding the fairness and accuracy of the current ranking system.
Concerns Over the Current Ranking System
During a recent edition of College GameDay, Saban and Herbstreit criticized the weekly CFP rankings show that airs on ESPN every Tuesday. They argue that this show creates unnecessary confusion and debate without providing conclusive data.
Key Issues Highlighted
- The show offers insights into the selection committee’s opinions, which often disappoint fans and teams.
- Recent discussions have centered around Notre Dame and Miami, two teams with identical records but differing rankings.
- The committee recently dropped Notre Dame in favor of Alabama, raising questions about their criteria.
Herbstreit noted that evaluating teams weekly before all pertinent data is available is problematic. He stated, “Honestly I think we should remove, with all due respect, the Tuesday night show.” He emphasized that the rankings should only reflect the complete picture once the season concludes.
Impact of Weekly Rankings
Saban echoed Herbstreit’s sentiments, expressing concern that the weekly rankings impose limitations on decision-making. He remarked, “I agree with you, because you put yourself in a box.” This highlights the challenges presented by premature evaluations.
Historical Context
These concerns echo past controversies in CFP ranking history, such as the debate surrounding Ohio State’s rise in the 2014 rankings. Issues of fairness have persisted, affecting perceptions of the playoff selection process.
Looking Ahead
The discourse surrounding the CFP rankings is crucial, as fans eagerly anticipate how the committee will ultimately evaluate teams like Notre Dame and Miami for potential playoff positions. The situation will continue to unfold as the season progresses, with decisive rankings expected soon.
