Bama and Miami Rise, Notre Dame Falls in College Football Rankings
In a surprising turn of events, Indiana has emerged as a frontrunner in this year’s College Football Playoff. This comes after a dynamic season where expectations were reset. The selection committee’s recent announcement concerning playoff pairings has sparked significant debate.
Bama and Miami Rise, Notre Dame Falls
The committee’s decisions led to fierce backlash, particularly from Notre Dame. Despite a remarkable 10-game winning streak, the Fighting Irish plummeted two rankings. They finished their season strongly, winning their final game by 29 points, yet found themselves overlooked.
Key Decisions by the Selection Committee
Alabama and Miami secured the final playoff spots, despite Alabama’s recent loss. The Crimson Tide fell 28-7 to Georgia, but this did not factor into their ranking due to the committee’s cushy policy surrounding conference championship games. Miami, having triumphed over Notre Dame earlier in the season, gained favor during the selection process.
- Notable Rankings:
- 1. Indiana
- 2. Ohio State
- 3. Georgia
- 4. Texas Tech
- 5. Oregon
- 6. Ole Miss
- 7. Texas A&M
- 8. Oklahoma
- 9. Alabama
- 10. Miami
- 11. Tulane
- 12. James Madison
Committee chair Hunter Yurachek noted that Miami’s victory over Notre Dame was crucial in their evaluation. “We had a necessary side-by-side comparison,” he stated. This underscores the role of head-to-head matchups in the committee’s deliberations.
Playoff Structure and Upcoming Games
This year’s playoff consists of 12 teams, featuring a total of six conferences. The opening round of the playoffs is scheduled for December 19-20, with matchups that include:
- James Madison at Oregon
- Tulane at Ole Miss
- Miami at Texas A&M
- Alabama at Oklahoma
The championship game is slated for January 19, outside Miami, promising an exciting conclusion to the season. As the playoffs approach, the spotlight remains on Indiana, while Notre Dame and others analyze their paths forward.
