Wednesday, November 03, 2021
The CFP Rankings, Revealed!
Politics? Ugh. Yeah-- we will get to that tomorrow.
But today, let's talk about some football! The first CFP rankings-- the ones that really count in determining who will go to which bowl and the national championship games-- came out last night, and there are some real surprises in there!
Sure, Georgia at number 1 is no surprise. But here are some of the outcomes that jump out at me as unexpected:
1) Michigan State at #3! It's a great outcome (well, partial outcome) for State. I suspect, though, that when they play Ohio State on November 20, Ohio State will be a prohibitive favorite. But... Michigan State controls its own destiny-- win out, and they can't be denied a ticket to the national semifinals.
2) Cincinnati fans-- and pretty much anyone outside the "Power 5" conferences-- must be upset at the 6 slot for their unbeaten team. Because they have a weak schedule and no strong teams left to play, it will be hard for them to fight their way into the top 4. Unlike Michigan State, they probably do not control their own destiny.
3) Wake Forest is undefeated and in the 8 slot. That's something no one saw coming!
4a) A one-loss Michigan team (a close loss to Michigan State) is ahead of undefeated Oklahoma.
4b) In fact, the Michigan ranking means there are three Big 10 teams in front of the first Big 12 team (and the first ACC team, Wake Forest). That probably means that the ACC and Big 12 won't have a representative in the semifinals, unless things take an unexpected turn (like Oregon and Cincinnati losing once or twice).
5) Baylor is at 12-- and they have to be happy with that. However, it would seem very difficult to get into the top 4 given the disrespect the selectors seem to have for the Big 12. Beating Oklahoma twice probably would raise their stock, but not enough.
6) Minnesota is at 20! That's a little crazy. They lost to a last-place MAC team (Bowling Green), after all-- but since then, they have been chugging along and winning games against good-but-not-great teams. Upcoming games against Iowa and Wisconsin will show where they should be, for good or bad.
7) Clemson is nowhere to be seen. That's kind of shocking. But... I suspect they will be back in the next few years.
