TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) celebrates with teammates after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

TCU at No. 7: 'Brand bias' or lack of balance?

By Ethan Petrik | Last updated 11/4/22

Twitter fingers raced earlier this week after the College Football Playoff committee released its first Top 25. Much of the chatter centered on undefeated TCU (8-0), which was ranked No. 7.

Did the committee snub the Frogs?

In explaining the committee's rationale, chair Boo Corrigan said the panel was “looking for a balanced team, offense and defense. They’ve gotten behind in games."

CFP chair Boo Corrigan on TCU being one spot behind Alabama: "We're looking for a balanced team, offense and defense. They've gotten behind in games."
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) November 1, 2022

But many believe there is more to TCU’s position than X’s and O’s.

Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt jumped to the defense of the Horned Frogs, claiming they were “snubbed” and called it “brand bias.”

So, @TCUFootball has two wins that are better than any win Clemson has...@ClemsonFB is not a bad football team, but TCU got snubbed by brand bias...If Texas or OU had the exact same resume as TCU they would by no lower than 4
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) November 1, 2022

ESPN’s Bill Connelly also leaped into the fray, denouncing the logic behind the decision.

There's really no good rationale for the CFP committee ranking TCU three spots below Clemson, but hey, if it prompts an angry response (and helps them fend off a November fade)... pic.twitter.com/N28ijfyLjD
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) November 4, 2022

The common theme among the early responses seemed to center on TCU coming in lower than undefeated Clemson (8-0). The Tigers earned the No. 4 ranking—the final spot in the playoff if it were to start today.

It’s a crazy world when we start defending TCU, but how is Clemson 4 and TCU 7?
— Barstool SicEm (@BarstoolSicEm) November 2, 2022

The ESPN College Football Power Index lends credence to the complaints of Klatt, Connelly and the like as TCU comes in with the third-highest strength of record. Clemson owns the fourth-rated strength of record.

Additionally, the Horned Frogs have a more difficult schedule, per the FPI. TCU’s schedule rates 63^rd in the nation; Clemson's 72nd.

The claim from the committee that TCU lacks balance is valid. The Horned Frogs rank fourth in total offense and 89^th in total defense. But the committee claim rings hollow because Tennessee received the top overall spot with a similarly lopsided team. The Volunteers rank first in offense and 80^th in defense.

The committee blew it with TCU’s ranking.

ith the 10th-most difficult remaining schedule, TCU can prove its worthiness for the CFP final four by winning out and leaving the committee no choice.

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