Will 2-loss Georgia make the College Football Playoff? Reactions pour in around the country
Analyzing strength of schedule and the College Football Playoff committee’s job description are two of the main discussion points coming out of Alabama’s SEC Championship win over Georgia.
Plenty of analysts with SEC ties chimed in to support the argument for Georgia to be among the top four teams that are selected on Sunday. That was a sentiment that both head coaches carried in the moments after the game. But these opinions stretched beyond the SEC footprint.
CBS analyst Gary Danielson said the committee likely doesn’t want an Alabama-Georgia rematch in the semifinals.
“Well, put them third then,” he said. “I don’t care. Georgia is one of the four best teams, period. That is what the committee is supposed to do. While Ohio State is playing Northwestern, and Oklahoma is playing Texas with three losses, Georgia had to play the No. 1 team in the country. You can’t tell me they’re not one of the four best teams.”
ESPN researcher Chris “The Bear” Fallica went the analytics route by pointing out that Alabama and Georgia are the only teams with two wins away from home against the current CFP top 15. Alabama, Clemson and Georgia are also among the elite top five in offensive and defensive efficiency.
Former Auburn coach and SEC Network analyst Gene Chizik also supported the idea of Georgia fitting the description as being among the four “best” teams.
Yahoo’s Pat Forde also wrote a column promoting Georgia as a top-four team.
“Would Oklahoma and its porous, No. 111 defense be able to push Alabama like Georgia did?,” he wrote. “Would Ohio State, with the No. 67 defense in the country? Hard to envision that happening. The Bulldogs just did it.”
Alabama and Georgia are the only two teams with two wins away from home vs current CFP Top 15 teams.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) December 2, 2018
3 teams are in the top 10 nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency – Alabama, Clemson and Georgia – in fact all three are in the top 5 in both.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) December 2, 2018
Let me be 100 % clear… I just watched Georgia play in person. They are big, fast, athletic and physical. I don’t care they have 2 losses! I know EXACTLY what I saw! They are undoubtedly one of the BEST 4 teams in the country! Coaches on committee SHOULD surely see this!#SEC
— Gene Chizik (@CoachGeneChizik) December 2, 2018
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey: "I don't know about you but i think we just saw 2 of the best 4 teams in college football play a game this evening."
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) December 2, 2018
I don't know what happens the rest of this game, but there is zero way you can convince me that Georgia isn't one of the best 4 teams in the country.
ZERO way.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) December 1, 2018
Marcus Spears on SEC Net: "If the committee doesn't put Georgia in the playoff, lets get rid of the 4 best teams thing, lets just not have that as a part of the make up of what your going to use to get teams in."
— Pat Smith (@patsmithradio) December 2, 2018
Georgia is one of the 4 best teams in the country. But by putting them in the #CFP the committee would face a backlash of SEC bias complaints. That will be a big reason why the Dawgs won’t make it.
— Pypeline (@Pypeline_) December 2, 2018
If the CFP is really the best 4 teams in: Georgia should be in over Notre Dame. But that don’t look like it’s gonna happen. Rigged and Corrupt
— Hunter Curry (@hunter_curry_17) December 2, 2018
Column from an SEC championship classic: Yes, put them both in the playoff. Alabama and Georgia. https://t.co/MttV2LRE5O
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) December 2, 2018
After a close SEC Championship Game, does Georgia still have a shot at the College Football Playoff?
Our guys discuss the decision the committee will have to make. pic.twitter.com/sh2hBTz0H2
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 2, 2018