CFP Rankings Reaction: Lessons Learned from Conference Championship Games

Unequal Conferences and Championship Games

• 💡 The most significant lesson learned is that not all conference championship games are equal because not all conferences are equal.
• 🎯 This was highlighted when Ohio State and Alabama did not drop in rankings after losing their conference title games, while BYU did after losing the Big 12 championship.
• 🧠 The truth is that the Big 10 and SEC are treated differently than the Big 12, often due to the concentration of good teams and talent.

The Flawed Weekly Playoff Rankings Show

• 🗑️ The weekly rankings reveal show for the playoff committee is deemed "trash" and serves a counter-purpose by confusing people more.
• 🗣️ Instead of doing away with it, the suggestion is to "turn the volume up" and expose the entire deliberation process.
• 🔍 This would involve more detailed, in-the-weeds explanations from committee members, rather than just prepared talking points.

Fandom vs. Principle in Arguments

• 🎭 A vast majority of arguments made about rankings and team placements are not based on principle but on fandom and rooting for one's own team.
• 🧐 People often use arguments selectively, applying them differently depending on whether it benefits their favored team.
• ❤️ While fandom is a beautiful and foundational aspect of sports, it can obscure logical arguments when not acknowledged.

Fixing Conference Tiebreakers

• 🛠️ A simple fix for conference tiebreakers is proposed, especially for conferences like the ACC.
• 🥇 The primary tiebreaker should be head-to-head results.
• 🥈 The secondary tiebreaker, particularly in weaker conferences, should be the College Football Playoff ranking.
• 🚀 Implementing this fix would have likely sent Miami to the ACC championship and potentially into the playoff, resolving much of the controversy.

The Playoff Landscape After Ohio State's Loss

• 🩸 Ohio State's loss in their conference championship game, where they gave up 13 points and still lost, has made the playoff picture more open.
• 🌟 This loss has shifted the perception of vulnerability, making it a "game on" scenario for other teams like Indiana, Georgia, Oregon, and potentially Texas A&M and Alabama.
• 📈 Even with Alabama's struggles, their potential to improve with key players returning could make them a contender if they regain form.