Fans, media react to Georgia being ranked No. 1 in first College Football Playoff rankings
The Georgia Bulldogs are 8-0 and have dominated their five SEC opponents so far, so it comes as no surprise that they’re the No. 1 team in the first College Football Playoff rankings.
Right behind the Bulldogs is No. 2 Alabama, also 8-0 and the No. 1 team in the AP Poll.
Bill Hancock, the CFP executive director, explained that Georgia’s win over Notre Dame in Week 2 gave it the edge over Alabama:
Close calls at many levels this week. That victory over Notre Dame tipped No. 1 to Georgia.
— Bill Hancock (@BHancockCFP) October 31, 2017
Media members thought the committee made the right call, as you can see from the reactions and stats below:
The SEC is the first league to ever have both the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in the College Football Playoff poll.
— Chuck Dunlap (@SEC_Chuck) October 31, 2017
Georgia is No. 1 in the College Football Playoff Rankings
Highest-ever rank in committee Top 25 (previous high: No. 9 in 2014)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 31, 2017
The University of Georgia Bulldogs are the No. 1 ranked team in the nation according to the only voters that matter.#CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/gEZSmd1qU8
— Logan Booker (@LoganMBooker) October 31, 2017
Love that Georgia is #1 ahead of Alabama. Road win at Notre Dame is best of any team this season. ND deserves to be #3 as well. If not #2.
— Ryan Schuiling (@RyanSchuiling) October 31, 2017
No brainer Georgia's #1 in CFP's first poll. Dawgs have arguably best non-conf win in country (@ Notre Dame), strong on both sides of ball
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) October 31, 2017
Fans were also thrilled with the news that Georgia was rewarded for its tougher schedule with the No. 1 spot, as you can see in the tweets below:
Ranking means nothing, but if you won’t get a chill when the Sanford PA introduces your #1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs….
— dawgsonline (@dawgsonline) October 31, 2017
Holy smokes Georgia number 1
— joe hegs (@joe_hageman) October 31, 2017
Sign me up for Clemson-Georgia right now, please.
— JAY (@CFBJAY) October 31, 2017
Georgia has earned the #1 spot for sure
— Kevin Bennett (@kvnbnntt15) October 31, 2017
https://twitter.com/JODYWADDELL1/status/925505368712728576
Georgia has a better strength of schedule. Plus it not like the ranking matters at all so everyone needs to chill
— hayden (@haydenkw9) October 31, 2017
Of course, the first rankings don’t matter. Only the final rankings decide who actually gets into the Playoff.
There will likely be some shuffling in the rankings in the coming weeks, so it’ll be interesting to see how things play out.