If Bama makes the CFP

I

I’ve changed my tune on this. I think Miami is in and either Bama or Notre Dame is out. I forgot that the committee had moved Bama ahead of ND last week, even though both won on Nov. 29. Choosing Miami or ND for the final at-large spot would allow them to do three things:

1. Protect the integrity of championship games by not penalizing a team for losing in one.

2. Utilize the easiest of metrics (head-to-head) to select the final At-large team, which protects the emphasis on scheduling good teams.

3. Maintain harmony among the P4 leagues by giving a bid to an ACC team.

The committee could also decide a team with three losses isn’t getting in - that’s an easy data point to default to, and Bama’s bad loss to FSU is a black eye ND or Miami doesn’t have.

Personally, I think ND is the best of those three teams right now. I also think Alabama has the best body of work of the three. It will be interesting to see what the committee does.
I agree. Duke winning opens the door for the highest ranked (and probably the best) ACC back into the conversation. And I definitely think ND is the best of the three teams.

#2 is actually the issue. I 100% agree that head to head to be, as it is in almost any other situation, the “first tie breaker.” And I do like to see an emphasis on scheduling good out of conference teams. Which brings us back to Bama. Their loss was definitely bad. But it was to Florida State on the road. Not to, let’s say, Northern Illinois at home. So, interestingly, the committee has already also shown last year with ND that bad losses are sometimes ok.

Anyway, overall, I think you’re right and bama gets left out. Miami and ND both get in. But I do think it’s a bad look dropping a team out for playing a conference championship game.
 
completely blinded by bama hate. They literally won the regular season in the sec. They played a second game against a team they already beat at their house. If they aren’t in the playoffs, cancel the seccg. Also, more sec teams mean more money for us.
Yeah, more money. Just not sure we know what to do with it.
 
Today will be interesting - either the committee remains consistent with what they have done in the past or they don't, effectively making it known that they will make up rules to keep an SEC team out and an ACC team in.

Head-to-head has NOT mattered in the past - remember Alabama was above Tennessee in 2022. There are countless other examples and even with this poll A&M is above Texas, Georgia was above Alabama going into the last week, etc.

Last year they set a precedence with the ACC title game, keeping SMU in verses moving Bama up and into the playoffs. SMU lost to 17th ranked 9-3 Clemson in 2024. Bama lost to 3rd ranked Georgia in 2025, a team it had beaten earlier in the season when both teams were at full strength.

Now in 2025 they would be saying (1) sorry but head-to-head does matter and (2) we will move a team that did NOT participate in the championships up in the polls to knock out a team that played and lost. Effectively saying ACC vs SEC = ACC always wins.

BYU losing should result with BYU to 12 and Miami to 11. Bama losing should result with Bama to 10 and ND to 9 if the committee remains consistent with what they have done in the past. Tulane and JMU would then replace BYU and Miami.

I totally get that the thought of 5 SEC teams in the playoffs could be rationale to kick one to the curb - but I can guarantee you that if it were 5 B1G teams there would be no discussion.
 
And I really don't care either way - what is bothersome would be the lack of consistency in a process that already is more subjective than based on facts.

Folks knew the SEC dominance would eventually find its way back into all this - which has always been the reason for change.
 
I'd say they will although they probably don't deserve it. They moved them past ND for this reason, to justify putting them in.. Miami should get the ACC bid if they get one. This is why there should be no automatic qualifiers..
 
Bama deserves to be in.

But Vandy is every bit as deserving as Miami and ND for the last spot and they arent even getting a sniff...

Why not BYU? Another 10-2 team with a SOR at 9. Yes the SOS is lower at 29, but which stat is better, SOR and SOS is a matter of opinion.

Bottom line you could make an argument for the top 14 to 15 schools but only 12 can get in and two of the slots will go to champions of conferences that are not as strong at the B1G and SEC.,
 
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Why not BYU? Another 10-2 team with a SOR at 9. Yes the SOS is lower at 29, but which stat is better, SOR and SOS is a matter of opinion.

Bottom line you could make an argument for the top 14 to 15 schools but only 12 can get in and two of the slots will go to champions of conferences that are not as strong at the B1G and SEC.,

Fair.

The issue is BYU or Vandy wont get a discussion because of the name on the jersey....
 
This whole playoff is still jacked up. Teams being left out that could easily drub half the other teams getting in. Never thought I’d miss the BCS, but I’m beginning to….maybe.

Except people seem to forget the BCS was pretty jacked up too. People always start to have rose-colored nostalgia about whatever came before just like how the current generation is always “the worst”.

If I’ve learned anything, it’s that is in human nature to constantly find things to complain about.
 
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I agree. Duke winning opens the door for the highest ranked (and probably the best) ACC back into the conversation. And I definitely think ND is the best of the three teams.

#2 is actually the issue. I 100% agree that head to head to be, as it is in almost any other situation, the “first tie breaker.” And I do like to see an emphasis on scheduling good out of conference teams. Which brings us back to Bama. Their loss was definitely bad. But it was to Florida State on the road. Not to, let’s say, Northern Illinois at home. So, interestingly, the committee has already also shown last year with ND that bad losses are sometimes ok.

Anyway, overall, I think you’re right and bama gets left out. Miami and ND both get in. But I do think it’s a bad look dropping a team out for playing a conference championship game.
ND is the best? Who’d they beat?
 
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Whatever happens (a Notre Dame team on a ten-game heater, an Alabama team squarely in before playing in the SEC CCG or the entirety of the ACC being left out), I would be floored if the field doesn't expand to 16 by 2026 in light of the delayed format decision or the "five highest rated conference champions" thing goes out the window.

 
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