Puddles the mascot of the Oregon Ducks does push ups during the game against the Portland State Vikings during the first half at Autzen Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
The college football playoff committee taught fans a few things with the release of its first weekly playoff rankings that will determine the 12 team playoff format. First of all the playoff poll almost copied the Associated Press Top 25 poll verbatim. That was a bit of a surprise. The only difference in the top 12 was when the committee flipped Ohio State to number two and dropped Georgia one spot to number 3. And in the AP poll Ohio State was so close to Georgia in points it was like they were tied for second.
Some may also be surprised that undefeated Indiana remained at number 8 in both polls despite the fact they have not defeated a single ranked team. This committee clearly respects a team that is unbeaten. It has also noticed that Indiana has blown out every team it has faced. Its closest margin of victory is 14 points.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF COMMITTEE
Also helping Indiana's status is the fact that the committee also feels the top of the Big Ten is better than the top of the SEC. In all, if the season ended today, the Big Ten would have four teams in the playoff while the SEC would have three. Two loss SEC teams did not get favorable treatment due to their "tougher" schedules we keep hearing about ad nauseam. While two loss Alabama cracked the top 12, Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss and Missouri did not.
There is sill plenty of college football left. This week's poll provided by the college football playoff committee gave us a starting point as we march toward the playoffs. For more college football talk and analysis tune in each weekday to Craig Shemon and Company from 2-6pm on ESPN Southwest Florida.
