Brian Kelly says strength of schedule must lead CFP evaluation: ‘They’re not all the same’
By Mark Kern
Published:
Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers are looking to finally break through to the College Football Playoff, and are being looked at as a sleeper contender in the SEC. Led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and multiple receivers with elite speed, the Tigers have the potential to be 1 of the most dynamic and explosive offenses in the country.
Playing in the SEC is always a tremendous challenge, but the Tigers under Kelly have really challenged themselves outside of the conference as well. This season is no different, as LSU hits the road in Week 1 to take on a Clemson team that many believe will be 1 of the very best teams in all of college football.
Kelly was asked about how important the strength of schedule should be when it comes to evaluating teams for the CFP, and he didn’t shy away from giving an answer. In fact, he’s less worried about the size of the Playoff field, provided all teams are viewed through a specific lens.
“We would push for as many teams as possible if they were evaluated by what their schedules look like,” Kelly said at SEC Media Days. “When we talk about win-loss record, they’re not all the same based on what conference you play in.”
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Last year, the SEC had 3 teams in the CFP, with Texas, Georgia and Tennessee making it. Teams like South Carolina, Ole Miss and Alabama all had valid claims to make the CFP as they each had a regular season win over a team that made the CFP. However, they also had 3 regular season losses, which played a huge factor in being left out.
Strength of schedule has become 1 of the biggest talking points when it comes to the CFP, with the coaches from the SEC being some of the most vocal advocates out there. For LSU to finally break through under Kelly and take that next step, the Tigers are once again going to have to navigate the gauntlet that is the SEC.
