Tag: cfp rankings

Pollack questions Clemson’s ‘interesting’ ranking ahead of Michigan

With Week 10 of college football on the horizon, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its first edition of the Top 25 CFP rankings Tuesday evening on ESPN. Clemson’s ranking came as a shock to some with the Tigers (8-0, 6-0 ACC) …

With Week 10 of college football on the horizon, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its first edition of the Top 25 CFP rankings Tuesday evening on ESPN.

Clemson’s ranking came as a shock to some with the Tigers (8-0, 6-0 ACC) being ranked ahead of a couple other undefeated programs including the Michigan Wolverines at No. 5.

ESPN analyst and former Georgia Bulldog David Pollack was among those shocked by Clemson taking the No. 4 spot over Michigan, reasoning that the Wolverines jumped off the screen much more than the Tigers have in his opinion this season.

“That’s why I wonder why they’re at four ahead of Michigan,” Pollack said regarding Clemson. “When Michigan’s offense jumps off of the screen to me and the defense has been pretty dang dominant too, so, interesting.”

Clemson was ranked in the No. 4 spot on Tuesday behind Georgia at No. 3, Ohio State at No. 2 and Tennessee at No. 1.

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Alabama ranked No. 6 in the initial CFP rankings

Alabama ranked No. 6 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings.

[autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and the Alabama Crimson Tide came in at No. 6 in the initial rankings of the College Football Playoffs.

There is some controversy over Alabama’s ranking since the one loss Tide was ranked one spot higher than undefeated TCU by the selection committee.

Alabama’s lone loss came to Tennessee who, to the surprise of some, earned the top ranking in the CFP which I am sure played into the committees thinking when placing the Tide ahead of the Horned Frogs.

There is still plenty of time for Alabama to earn its way into the top four before the season is out and that begins this weekend in Death Valley when the Crimson Tide takes on No. 10 LSU.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for continuous coverage of the Alabama Crimson Tide!

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LSU cracks the top 10 in initial College Football Playoff rankings

The Tigers sit at No. 10 in the first CFP rankings of the season.

The College Football Playoff rankings often don’t reflect the AP Top 25 or USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, and that was the case for LSU when the initial CFP top 25 was released Tuesday night.

Where the Tigers rank 18th and 15th in the Coaches and AP Polls respectively, they came in at the No. 10 spot in the first CFP poll of the season. LSU was on a bye Saturday ahead of a matchup against Alabama, which ranks No. 6 in the first College Football Playoff rankings.

That game was already set to be a high-stakes battle as it could decide the SEC West, and now it has some added interest as it will pit top-10 teams against each other.

As far as the rest of the SEC goes, Tennessee claimed the top spot, followed by Georgia at No. 3. Other than the Tigers and Crimson Tide, the only other ranked SEC team is Ole Miss, who sits at No. 11.

Here’s the full CFP top 25 as we enter Week 10.

If LSU can pull off the upset this weekend, it will not only be in the driver’s seat in the division but would also have a good chance to climb closer to the top five.

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Clemson’s first College Football Playoff ranking is revealed

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee revealed its first set of top 25 rankings on Tuesday night. Clemson (8-0, 6-0 ACC) comes in at No. 4 in the first College Football Playoff rankings behind No. 1 Tennessee, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 …

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee revealed its first set of top 25 rankings on Tuesday night.

Clemson (8-0, 6-0 ACC) comes in at No. 4 in the first College Football Playoff rankings behind No. 1 Tennessee, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Georgia.

Despite the Tigers’ ranking, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said he doesn’t care at this point in time.

“It just doesn’t matter,” Swinney said at his weekly Tuesday press conference. “There would be high interest if I was going to find out where we were going tonight, but the only thing I’m interested in is trying to win in South Bend. That’s really it because that’s all that matters.”

The Tigers will travel to South Bend for Saturday’s showdown against Notre Dame (7:30 p.m., NBC).

Tonight’s CFP rankings are the first of six that will be released weekly through November and in early December. The final CFP top 25 will be announced on selection day, which is Sunday, Dec. 4.

The 2022-23 College Football Playoff semifinals and national championship game are scheduled for Dec. 31, 2022 and Jan. 9, 2023.

First CFP Top 25 Rankings

1. Tennessee

2. Ohio State

3. Georgia

4. Clemson

5. Michigan

6. Alabama

7. TCU

8. Oregon

9. Southern Cal

10. LSU

11. Ole Miss

12. UCLA

13. Kansas State

14. Utah

15. Penn State

16. Illinois

17. North Carolina

18. Oklahoma State

19. Tulane

20. Syracuse

21. Wake Forest

22. NC State

23. Oregon State

24. Texas

25. UCF

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

College Football Playoff Rankings Top 25 Prediction Week 1, November 1

College Football Playoff rankings prediction. What will the first top 25 be when it comes out on Tuesday night?

What will the College Football Playoff rankings potentially be? It’s the predicted best guess on the first 2022 CFP Top 25.

The College Football rankings are different than the AP poll and Coaches top 25. It’s a different method.

The committee goes step-by-step as it debates No. 25 all the way to 1. It’s a meticulous process taking into account a slew of factors, so even if you don’t agree, understand there was a whole lot of thought behind each spot.

Having been through this down in Grapevine, Texas, and knowing how it all works – eye test, strength of schedule, big wins matter more than tough losses – here’s the best guess on how the committee might see the first top 25.

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Note that below are NOT the actual 2022 College Football Playoff rankings – those come out Tuesday night, November 1st. This is our prediction and projection of what the top 25 might be.

College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction: Week 1, November 1

25. Washington Huskies 6-2

24. Florida State Seminoles 5-3

23. Tulane Green Wave 7-1

22. NC State Wolfpack 6-2

21. Oklahoma State Cowboys 6-2

20. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 6-2

19. Oregon State Beavers 6-2

18. Syracuse Orange 6-2

17. Utah Utes 6-2

16. Penn State Nittany Lions 6-2

– What the CFP committee SHOULD do

15. LSU Tigers 6-2

14. Kansas State Wildcats 6-2

13. North Carolina Tar Heels 7-1

12. Illinois Fighting Illini 7-1

11. USC Trojans 7-1

– Bowl Projections

10. UCLA Bruins 7-1

9. Ole Miss Rebels 8-1

8. Oregon Ducks 7-1

7. Alabama Crimson Tide 7-1

6. TCU Horned Frogs 8-0

– CFN Rankings 1-131: Week 9

5. Clemson Tigers 8-0

4. Michigan Wolverines 8-0

3. Ohio State Buckeyes 8-0

2. Georgia Bulldogs 8-0

1. Tennessee Volunteers 8-0

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Coaches Poll College Football Rankings 
All-Time Coaches Poll Rankings | AP All-Time Rankings

College Football Playoff Rankings: How The Committee Should Rank The Top 25

The first batch of College Football Playoff rankings are coming out Tuesday night. How should the committee rank the top 25?

The first College Football Playoff rankings of 2022 will come out Tuesday night, November 1st. How should the committee rank the top 25?

College Football Playoff Rankings: How The Top 25 Should Be Done, November 2

The College Football Playoff committee will release its first round of rankings on Tuesday night.

It’ll spend the day debating the merits of each of the 25 spots, there will be a few arguments, and the spread of delightful meats, cheeses, and other snacks will be adequate.

I know, because I’ve been through the process in Grapevine, Texas. I know how this works, and I know how this should all go.

And I know that this group could use a little bit of help.

These rankings are meticulous. The committee will debate the merits of the teams that should be in the No. 25 slot, come to an agreement, and then go to 24, then 23, and so on. There’s a proprietary stat system to help the cause, strength of schedule matters, and after all the data and all the facts, this group will still mostly go by the old eye test.

Remember …

1. This is just an exercise. It’s practice, and not really. The College Football Playoff committee is doing this to get up to speed, generate national interest, and provide ESPN some sweet programming candy for those who need a break from the World Series. However, it’s like practicing for a Par 3 hole for some tournament without knowing the distance or configuration needed because …

2. If precedent holds, go unbeaten or 12-1, win your Power 5 championship, and you’re in. The only time that didn’t get you into the CFP was in 2018 when 12-1 Ohio State was left out for 12-0 Notre Dame. No way, no how, no chance an unbeaten Power Five team is left out, so Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, TCU, and Clemson win out and you’re in.

3. There aren’t any rules. The committee can pick anyone it wants to. And …

4. RELAX after these first rankings, and the second version, and the third. All that matters is that final top 25 that comes out after the conference championships.

For now, the goal here is to break down how the committee needs to put together this first batch of rankings. I’ll be fair and go by what they like, which means big wins matter more than losses, and there won’t be enough credit given to a good loss over a strong team.

So here’s how the College Football Playoff committee should put together the top 25 rankings.

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College Football Playoff: Helping The Committee With The Top 25
Top 4 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25
Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings 1-131 | Rankings by Conference
AP Poll | Coaches Poll | Predicting CFP Top 25
Bowl Bubble: Bowl eligible teams, who needs a win? 

25. UCF Knights (6-2)

The Case For This Spot: The Knights took control of the race to get the New Year’s Six bowl slot as the top Group of Five champion with a great win over Cincinnati. Rolling by Georgia Tech helps, and the loss to Louisville isn’t that bad. The East Carolina loss will bring down the ranking.

Win That Matters: UCF 25, Cincinnati 21

Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: East Carolina 34, UCF 13

Up Next: at Memphis

24. Liberty Flames (7-1)

The Case For This Spot: The only loss was in a 37-36 fight at Wake Forest. There isn’t a win over a Power Five program, and there aren’t many great victories over anyone who’ll do much on the bowl scene, but 7-1 at this point is 7-1.

Win That Matters: Liberty 41, BYU 14

Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Liberty 21, Gardner-Webb 20

Up Next: at Arkansas

23. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-2)

The Case For This Spot: The great battle in the 51-45 win over Clemson will do the job for the committee’s eye test, but the turnover-fest loss to Louisville last week was a killer. Beating Florida State matters, and giving Liberty its only loss is a big deal.

Win That Matters: Wake Forest 31, Florida State 21

Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Louisville 48, Wake Forest 21

Up Next: at NC State

22. NC State Wolfpack (6-2)

The Case For This Spot: The losses to Clemson and Syracuse were acceptable in the ACC big picture, and the wins over Florida State and Texas Tech will be just enough to put the Pack safely in the top 25. However, there are too many close call wins over mediocre teams.

Win That Matters: NC State 19, Florida State 17

Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Syracuse 24, NC State 9

Up Next: Wake Forest

21. Syracuse Orange (6-2)

The Case For This Spot: The Orange might struggle to push for the top 20 with a slew of injuries – that matters to the committee – but a blowout win over Louisville and victories over NC State and Purdue were strong. The close fight against Clemson will be a boost.

Win That Matters: Syracuse 24, NC State 9

Loss (or bad performance) That Matters: Notre Dame 41, Syracuse 24

Up Next: at Pitt

College Football Playoff: Helping The Committee With The Top 25
Top 4 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25
Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings 1-131 | Rankings by Conference
AP Poll | Coaches Poll | Predicting CFP Top 25
Bowl Bubble: Bowl eligible teams, who needs a win? 

NEXT: College Football Playoff Rankings: How The Top 25 Should Be Done, Top 20

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction: What Will The Top 25 Be?

The College Football Playoff rankings come out on Tuesday night November 1st. What will they be and what will they look like? We give our best guess and prediction.

What will the first round of the College Football Playoff rankings potentially be? It’s our predicted guess on the top 25 when they come out on November 1?

The first round of College Football Playoff rankings will be released on Tuesday, November 1st. How will the top 25 likely look after next week’s games?

Remember, the CFP doesn’t go by the AP top 25, Coaches Poll, or anything other than their own discussion, thoughts, and beliefs. They meticulously go step-by-step with every pick, starting at 25 and going up from there.

Also remember that all of this is a snapshot. In the end, did you win your Power Five conference championship and did you go unbeaten of go 12-1 doing it?

Here’s the best guess based on what happened so far and how this might work after next week’s games – the predictions of what might/should happen in Week 9 are taken into account. For example, Kentucky will have three losses with a loss at Tennessee next week, if that happens.

In general, the committee likes big wins over any sort of loss, and they go by all head-to-head games and results more than anything else.

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– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Note that below are NOT the actual 2022 College Football Playoff rankings – those come out Tuesday night, November 1st. This is our prediction and projection of what the top 25 might be.

College Football Playoff Rankings Prediction: Week 1, November 1

25. NC State Wolfpack 5-2

This Week: Virginia Tech

24. South Carolina Gamecocks 5-2

This Week: Missouri

23. North Carolina Tar Heels 6-1

This Week: Pitt

– AP Top 25 rankings

22. Cincinnati Bearcats 6-1

This Week: at UCF

21. Oklahoma State Cowboys 6-1

This Week: at Kansas State

20. Kansas State Wildcats 5-2

This Week: Oklahoma State

19. Tulane Green Wave 7-1

This Week: OPEN DATE

18. Oregon State Beavers 6-2

This Week: OPEN DATE

17. LSU Tigers 6-2

This Week: OPEN DATE

– Coaches Poll: Week 8

16. Illinois Fighting Illini 6-1

This Week: at Nebraska

– Bowl Projections, CFP Predictions

15. Utah Utes 5-2

This Week: at Washington State

14. Penn State Nittany Lions 6-1

This Week: Ohio State

13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 6-1

This Week: at Louisville

12. Ole Miss Rebels 7-1

This Week: at Texas A&M

11. Syracuse Orange 6-1

This Week: Notre Dame

10. USC Trojans 6-1

This Week: at Arizona

9. UCLA Bruins 6-1

This Week: Stanford

8. Oregon Ducks 6-1

This Week: at Cal

7. Alabama Crimson Tide 7-1

This Week: OPEN DATE

6. Clemson Tigers 8-0

This Week: OPEN DATE

– CFN Rankings 1-131: Week 8

5. TCU Horned Frogs 7-0

This Week: at West Virginia

4. Michigan Wolverines 7-0

This Week: Michigan State

3. Tennessee Volunteers 7-0

This Week: Kentucky

2. Ohio State Buckeyes 7-0

This Week: at Penn State

1. Georgia Bulldogs 7-0

This Week: Florida (in Jacksonville)

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Coaches Poll College Football Rankings 
All-Time Coaches Poll Rankings | AP All-Time Rankings

What the College Football Playoff Rankings might have looked like after Week 6

We finally believe it may have happened if the CFP rankings were live this week …

Believe it or not, we’re steaming ahead in this whole college football season thing, and the regular season is halfway done already for a lot of teams. There’s still plenty to determine when it comes to conference races and all, but teams like Ohio State have an ultimate goal of reaching the College Football Playoff.

Now that we’ve seen teams for six weeks, we have a much better idea of what the pecking order is. And while the initial College Football Playoff rankings won’t be released until November 1, we can throw darts at pictures of teams ahead of that to give you an idea of what the CFP rankings might have looked like after Week 6 if we got an early peek.

Now, keep in mind that the CFP committee has rotating members and it seems every year, it prioritizes its framework of guidelines differently — aside from every team in the SEC getting the benefit of the doubt.

Regardless, here’s our look at how we believe the College Football Playoff rankings might have played out if they were released after Week 6 as a part of all the fun.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum ranks his top four teams after Week 1

ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum has ranked his top four teams after most of the Week 1 action. Where is Georgia?

ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum has ranked his top four teams after most of the Week 1 action.

Week 1 featured some impressive performance and some close calls. The SEC looked particularly strong. Florida upset No. 8 Utah in a 29-26 win. The conference has not lost yet (with the Florida State-LSU game left). That will change next week as conference play begins for the SEC.

The preseason polls generally ranked Georgia, Ohio State, and Alabama as the top three teams in the country. Does Paul Finebaum agree with this?

Here’s how Finebaum ranks the top four college football teams:

 

WATCH: Goodyear Cotton Bowl releases Alabama hype video

WATCH: Goodyear Cotton Bowl releases Alabama hype video

On Friday, Alabama and Cincinnati will fight for a chance to reach the national championship. Cincinnati comes in at No. 4 in the CFP rankings with an undefeated record while Alabama sits atop the rankings with just one blemish on its resume.

Alabama is no stranger to the playoffs. Since its inception in the 2014 season, Nick Saban and the Tide have appeared in each of the playoffs, with the exception of the 2019 season.

Before its matchup with Cincinnati, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic released a highlight video of Alabama’s historic 2020 season.

Check out the tweet below to see the hype video!

Alabama and Cincinnati will hit the field on Friday, Dec. 31, at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.