Media reacts to third College Football Playoff rankings
The top seven teams in the College Football Playoff selection committee remained the same from Week 12. While there were no big shakeups, media members were closely watching to see how certain teams would be ranked due to Week 12 wins (Oklahoma), losses (Minnesota) and injuries (Alabama).
With no big changes, the emerging narrative is that Alabama and the Pac-12 Champion are likely battling for the same spot. If Georgia loses the SEC Championship Game, it would presumably be for the No. 4 ranking in the final poll. The Bulldogs, of course, can change that discussion by beating the Tigers in Atlanta.
Here’s a small sample of what college football media members are saying on Twitter after the third rankingS:
CFP Knee Jerk:
–Committee has all but spoken. @Utah_Football @oregonfootball winner is in.
–7 of top 8 control their destiny. Only one that doesn't — @AlabamaFTBL
–Speaking of which, the committee stayed neutral on Tua injury by leaving Tide at No. 5.
–Memphis now NY6 fave— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) November 20, 2019
Basically, “four best teams” is gonna favor Bama, and if they decide to get deep into more traditional resume stuff, 11-1 Bama having a win over the team that beat 12-1 Oregon is going to > Oregon having a conference title, I bet
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 20, 2019
Takeaways:
-No surprise in Top-7
-Minnesota beat Penn St… but 2 spots lower?!
-Fine w/ OU at #9, great comeback, but still found themselves in 25-point hole for 2nd time this year
– #11-#13 good
-ND underrated at #16, IMO
-ISU (6-4) at #22 for moral victories + Texas? pic.twitter.com/ckDQEvNjNa— Greg McElroy (@GregMcElroy) November 20, 2019
Committee did what I thought it should do with Alabama: wait and see what the post-Tua Tide looks like. https://t.co/ZIunCWAdBX
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 20, 2019
Glad the #CFP committee is taking a "wait and see" approach with #Bama in the wake of the Tua injury. Let's see how the offense looks with Mac before assuming anything… it's the right way to approach their ranking.
— Dari Nowkhah (@ESPNDari) November 20, 2019
The one thing LSU has on Ohio State is resume. Add Penn State to Wisconsin and if the Buckeyes win big, that's not really an argument anymore.
Also, Ohio State beat Rutgers last week so it was sort like they were off. https://t.co/4D0YZRXvtu
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 20, 2019
But this goes to show you how some people will twist their mind into pretzels to stan for Alabama no matter what. It’s breathtaking. https://t.co/3zv22MGE2F
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) November 20, 2019
It will get worked out but the Oregon-Utah debate is fascinating.
Non-con: Oregon
More dominant: Utah
Metrics: Dead even
Better Loss: Oregon
Coaching: Utah
Talent: Oregon
QB: Dead even— Braden Gall (@BradenGall) November 20, 2019
If Ohio State pounds Penn State i'd guess it will be No. 1 next week. https://t.co/pfYr6vxuaV
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 20, 2019
The only scenario I see is: LSU, Ohio State & Clemson win out. Bama loses to Auburn. Pac-12 champ has 2 losses & Minnesota loses in the B1G title game.
That would leave:
LSU 13-0
OSU 13-0
Clemson 13-0
OU/Baylor 12-1
Georgia 11-2
Bama 10-2
Minnesota 11-2
Oregon 11-2
Utah 11-2— CFB Blitz (@BlitzCfb) November 20, 2019
HUGE news in the @CFBPlayoff rankings for the PAC-12.
With USC moving into being ranked, it’s big for Utah’s resume and with Oklahoma not getting much love after the Baylor win…..it all but looks like Pac-12 has a spot if chalk wins out and no real chaos.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) November 20, 2019
Status quo at the top this week, which makes sense for now. It's going to change. Ohio State can make a case for No. 1 vs. PSU. Pac-12 still a factor. Bama same in spite of Tua injury, needing chaos/help to get back in. Big 12 still in worst shape of P5.
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) November 20, 2019
RIDICULOUS that Virginia Tech isn't ranked in the #CFPRankings
— Pete Fiutak (@PeteFiutak) November 20, 2019
On the one hand, Oklahoma is pretty far back.
On the other hand, if No. 8 Penn State loses to Ohio State this week they're basically neck-and-neck with the Pac-12 contenders. https://t.co/LEK4806rpT
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 20, 2019
-Minnesota is behind Penn State
-Oklahoma barely moved up after beating unbeaten BaylorThe committee cares more about if they think you’re good than what your resume says. I believe this will culminate in Bama making it over Oregon/Utah and Oklahoma, even without Tua
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) November 20, 2019
Relax about Minnesota at being 10 … win out, get into the College Football Playoff
— Pete Fiutak (@PeteFiutak) November 20, 2019
Sure seems like Oklahoma/Big 12 champ is behind the Oregon/Utah combo even with way more top 25 wins.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 20, 2019
Florida at 11 is chronically underrated in the #CFPRankings … two losses in battles to LSU and Georgia
— Pete Fiutak (@PeteFiutak) November 20, 2019
I know resumes and stuff, but I think Utah is better than Oregon. Just my IMO, and we'll see what happens in a couple of weeks.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 20, 2019
Oklahoma goes on the road and beats an undefeated team while allowing 0 points in the second half, largely cruised and lost to a decent team on the road. No respect at all.
— Braden Gall (@BradenGall) November 20, 2019
Finally got the AAC teams right
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) November 20, 2019
