Alabama’s Winning Streak and the Committee’s Dilemma
Alabama’s 11th straight win came against the top-ranked team in the country, Florida State, making the College Football Playoff committee’s job even more challenging. Florida State finished the season undefeated with a third-string freshman quarterback, leaving the committee with a difficult decision.
The Impossible Task of Choosing Four Teams
In the final year of the four-team playoff, the committee faced the impossible task of selecting the four best teams in the nation. Deserving teams would inevitably be left out, and this year, it was Michigan, Washington, Texas, and Alabama who made the cut, leaving Florida State on the outside looking in.
The Grievances of Florida State and Others
Florida State, with its impressive season and only loss to Alabama, had a legitimate claim to be included in the playoff. However, they were not the only team feeling aggrieved. The Power 5 champions who didn’t make the cut also questioned the committee’s decision-making process.
SEC Commissioner Argues for Two SEC Teams
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey argued that leaving out the Southeastern Conference entirely would not reflect the reality of college football. He pointed out that the SEC had five teams in the top 15 and had consistently performed well in the postseason.
The Issue with Selecting the “Best” Teams
The concept of selecting the four “best” teams is flawed because it’s challenging to define what makes a team the best. Teams evolve throughout the season, and Alabama is a prime example. They lost in Week 2 with a different quarterback situation but improved significantly as the season progressed.
The Seminoles’ Case: Without Travis, Are They Deserving?
After Florida State’s quarterback suffered a season-ending injury, the conversation shifted to whether the Seminoles were still one of the best teams without him. This raises questions about projecting a team’s future performance and whether the criteria should focus on deserving teams and winning despite obstacles.
The Lack of Consistency and Hidden Excuses
ESPN analyst Dan Mullen criticized the lack of consistency in the committee’s decisions and the excuses they use to justify them. He believes that the best teams are the ones that win, and the win column should play a more significant role in the committee’s decision-making process.
The Need for a 12-Team Playoff
The flaws in the current selection process highlight the need for a 12-team playoff, as it would allow for a more inclusive and fairer system. By relying solely on selecting the four “best” teams, the committee disregards the results of the season and undermines the value of playing the game.
