CFP Executive Director on Gaps Between Top 25 Teams’ Rankings
By Brooks Crew
The College Football Playoff Committee's Executive Director, Rich Clark, fielded questions from the media in an exclusive teleconference on November 5.
Many representatives from the Big Ten, SEC, and others were quick to question their team’s ranking relative to other similar teams.
Here’s what he had to say.
On Ohio State being ranked No. 2 Above Georgia
“Well, both are solid teams, as you know. Ohio State's one loss on the road was against the No. 1 [Oregon], and they lost by one. They had an impressive win this past weekend at Penn State, and they have been very consistent. Top-5 defense. They have had changes on the offensive line but still performed, as you know, and Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, those three have really moved the offense.
So for us, it was the consistency. Georgia, very good team, great win against Texas, a win over Clemson. Consistency in terms of their offense. They've had some inconsistencies there, but they have great defense, and they're allowing only 17 points per game.
It was a close analysis, but in the end we just felt that Ohio State was a more consistent performer at this point in time, and their loss to the No. 1 -- their only loss is to No. 1 Oregon, and that's how the committee came out with the decision.”
On the gap between BYU and Miami despite similar seasons
“Well, I think both teams are obviously very good, and when we looked at how Miami has played particularly their offensive prowess, they were impressive in their win against Louisville, and they really had a dominating show at the beginning of the year against Florida, came back against Cal in a very late-night contest for Miami.
BYU, as well, is very strong. Impressive wins against SMU No. 13 and No. 19 Kansas in a dominating fashion.
It really came down to more of an eye test as it related to looking at both teams, and the committee as we ranked them saw them in that fashion, and it came out in that order.”
On Penn State being ranked above Tennessee and BYU
“Penn State lost to the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, and it was a game that went back and forth, and obviously a game that could have gone the other way. It was back and forth.
In that, they have wins over Illinois and Southern Cal in overtime, an opening win at West Virginia, which is difficult to play. So we looked at their body of work.
Tennessee has an impressive win over Alabama at No. 11 and wins over North Carolina State and Oklahoma, 4-1 against teams above .500. The loss at Arkansas was something that we discussed a lot.
So looking at the resume, looking at what we've seen, the offensive performance, their tight end Tyler Warren is a dominating force on offense. So I just think Penn State, in terms of their body of work and what the committee saw in terms of their body of work, that came to the ranking of Penn State at 6 and Tennessee at 7.”
As the regular season begins to draw to a close, all eyes will continue to be on Clark and the College Football Playoff Rankings Committee as they decide which teams will make the first-ever 12-team field.
We’ll continue to bring you coverage as it happens.