College Football Playoff Rankings reaction: SEC sitting pretty; CFP committee's inconsistent logic

The College Football Playoff selection committee has unveiled its first set of in-season rankings, and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) emerges as the clear winner. Eight SEC teams rank higher in the CFP rankings than their counterparts in the Associated Press (AP) poll, while two two-loss SEC teams outrank undefeated UCLA. This marks a clear statement about the strength of schedule in a conference that often boasts about its own.

The selection committee's announcement on Tuesday night was met with confusion and frustration, as the new and unusual ways in which they've ranked these teams have raised eyebrows among college football fans and pundits. Miami tops the first CFP rankings, followed by Georgia, Utah, and Indiana. Notre Dame sits at No. 11, seven spots lower than its position in the AP poll.

The committee's chairman, Hunter Yurachek, attributed this low ranking to Notre Dame's weak schedule, despite the fact that Indiana, with a similar record, is ranked fourth overall.

The inconsistency in the committee's logic is evident when comparing their rankings with the AP poll. Alabama, the highest-ranked two-loss team at No. 5, received significant credit for beating one-loss Kentucky, while Tennessee, which defeated Alabama by three scores two weeks prior, dropped eight spots to No. 14. This inconsistency is particularly notable for two-loss teams like Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, who all rank above their AP poll counterparts.

The committee's logic appears inconsistent, except for their elevation of SEC teams. Alabama has been ranked four spots above its AP ranking, while Kentucky, Texas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU, Missouri, and South Carolina all rank higher in the CFP rankings than in the AP poll. This suggests that the committee has a rosier view of SEC teams compared to the general public's perception.

The SEC's success in the CFP rankings can be attributed to their wins and the credit given for playing a grueling SEC schedule. The inclusion of South Carolina and Florida in the Top 25 helps bolster the resumes of Alabama and Kentucky, while Florida's inclusion aids Georgia and Missouri. This strategy has proved effective, as Alabama, ranked fifth, looks to be a lock for a CFP spot, even if they were to lose their match against LSU.