The College Football Playoff Rankings were revealed on Tuesday, shedding light on how the committee views various teams as the season progresses. The new 12-team format has added flexibility for undefeated and one-loss teams. While the initial rankings didn’t spark much controversy, they do raise some interesting questions regarding team placements.
Underrated: No. 8 Indiana
Indiana has been performing exceptionally well, remaining undefeated and dominating opponents with a total point difference of 296. However, their strength of schedule is lacking, ranked at 103rd. Despite their impressive record, they sit behind four one-loss teams in the rankings, which has sparked some debate about their placement.
Overrated: Missouri
Missouri’s performance has been lackluster, with their only notable win coming against Vanderbilt. They have suffered significant losses on the road and struggle to score in the SEC. Despite this, they are ranked ahead of teams like Army, which has shown more consistency and strength throughout the season.
Overrated: No. 6 Penn State
Penn State’s strength of record is concerning at 33-34, with their best win against Illinois, a team that is no longer ranked. The Nittany Lions have yet to face many strong opponents to bolster their resume, making their current ranking questionable. They should be ranked lower than Indiana, a Big Ten rival with a more impressive record.
Underrated: No. 9 BYU
BYU has garnered attention for their impressive wins against ranked opponents like SMU and Kansas State. Despite this, they are ranked below five one-loss teams due to their strength of schedule. Their frustration is understandable, especially when compared to teams like Texas, who have a similar strength of schedule but are ranked higher. BYU’s path to the playoffs relies on continuing their winning streak and enhancing their resume.
As the season progresses, the College Football Playoff Rankings will continue to evolve, reflecting teams’ performances and strengths. The rankings serve as a guide for teams to assess their standing and make necessary adjustments to secure a spot in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how the final rankings unfold and which teams ultimately make the cut for the playoffs.
