College Football Playoff field revealed, sparking controversy
On Sunday, the College Football Playoff Committee made a shocking decision.
Alabama — who beat Georgia in the SEC championship on Saturday — jumped from No. 8 to No. 4, while ACC champion Florida State (13-0) fell to No. 5. It's the first time an undefeated Power Five conference champion hasn't made the CFP. Texas jumped from the No. 7 to No. 3, while Washington moved to No. 2 and Michigan earned the top spot.
"It's unfathomable that Florida State, an undefeated Power Five conference champion, was left out of the College Football Playoff," ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said of the decision, per ESPN.com. "Their exclusion calls into question the selection process and whether the committee's own guidelines were followed, including the significant importance of being an undefeated Power Five conference champion."
While leaving the Seminoles out of the playoff seems like SEC bias, Alabama was deserving of a playoff spot. After a home loss to Texas in September, the Crimson Tide won 11 straight games. Per ESPN Football Power Index, they have the fifth-best strength of schedule, while Florida State has the 55th-best strength of schedule — the worst among the teams in the top six.
Also, the availability of key players is a part of the committee's criteria. Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending leg injury against North Alabama on Nov. 18. In two games without Travis, the Seminoles only averaged 20 points per game.
Regardless, these rankings aren't perfect, and they show why the CFP expanding to a 12-team format next season is the right move. This will ensure that undefeated conference champions get in and settle heated debates.
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