For the first time in 10 days I was finally able to relax and sit in front of the TV all day. Because what else does a recent college graduate have to do on their day off? So as I was sittong lazily in my lounge chair watching the College Football Playoff rankings I became very frustrated. As someone who supported the playoff system being put into place my feelings have absolutely taken a 180 on it. For starters, there is no criteria, none. ESPN and the committee can feed us whatever lingo they want to, but the fact of the mater is that there is no criteria for how teams are ranked. That's the biggest issue.
Let's go with this scenario, say Clemson, Washington, and Penn State all win. Clemson will be third, but who is to say Washington stays at the fourth spot? The committee made sure to point out that there is very little difference in a one loss Washington and two loss Michigan. So what I am hearing is that there is a possibility that if Washington wins, but struggles to win, that Michigan could possibly jump them! Are you kidding me? I'm all for the statement of getting the best four teams in the playoff narrative. But one of the top four teams shouldn't be a top four team if they lose two of their last three games. A top four team doesn't play only three games outside the their own state and lose two of them. Talent wise, Michigan is a top four team. But they haven't earned the right to play in the playoff. What do you tell those kids at Washington? Those kids at Penn State if Washington loses? That you earned the right to play in the playoff but we just think that a team that finished third in their conference division and lost two of their last three games is better? Sorry, but that's wrong. What you're telling me is that this was decided before the last week of the season and you aren't going to waiver. You're telling me that money revenue means more than rewarding student athletes. Michigan is the team that should have to deal with being told, hey you had a great year, but the losses at the end just hurt you in the long run. Penn State losing two games in the first four weeks of the season then winning out including a win over the number two team in the nation and a Big Ten conference title means more. Washington only losing one game to a team that if they had one less loss would be in this same conversations because they have been allowed to improve when others haven't and a PAC 12 conference title means more.
I'm at a state of disbelief. The committee comes off biased, agenda driven and foolish. It's ran by the good ole boys of football with no millennial influence. It's one way of thinking. The whole room. And it's sad. And flawed. At this point I want the BCS system back. At least then teams would be rewarded for scheduling tough non conference games that everyone involved loves. You wouldn't be allowed to improve but at least then we have a set criteria. I hope Washington wins convincingly and my thoughts go out to then if they don't. Because Michigan will jump them. And to the boys at Penn State. Barring a Clemson loss and a Washington blow out, I'm sorry but I think the committee has made up their mind.
So flawed. We need to be better.
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