There has been much commentary (and many retweets) regarding the ESPN-led analysis and mostly southern-based complaining of the College Football Playoff matchups. This space can be used to attack each point and counterpoint, cite inconsistencies in stances, and make an attempt to articulate a multi-tiered and layered argument of each short-sighted and biased claim. Instead, the crier will do their best to provide something short and sweet.
In regards to Kirk Herbstreit’s view that the number of wins should not be the biggest factor for evaluating playoff teams, if an argument is saying that winning games doesn’t matter, then it’s probably not a sound and strong one. Indiana won every game but one, a loss on the road to a would-be CFP quarterfinalist. SMU won every game in the regular season but one, then lost in a conference championship game on a last-second long field goal. An SEC team with three losses in a season where the SEC is very strong would have an argument to be included. Three-loss SEC teams who lost to two 6-6 teams (the last by three scores late in the season) or lost a home game to a 5-7 team, in a year where a newcomer made the conference title game, don’t have any grounds to gripe. Just because you have a great win on the resume it doesn’t excuse late, bad losses.
And another thing, because it seems the narrative is so lost that people have forgotten these are playoffs in a sport, a blowout is not indicative of anything beforehand. The first round of the NBA, MLB, NHL, and NFL playoffs, as well as the NCAA basketball tournaments are full of blowouts, as are the following rounds. It’s tough to argue with people who think the now 12-team college football playoff should somehow be an exception of a playoff bracket where every game is close or 60 minutes of entertainment. When it was four teams, there were blowouts more often than not. If you’ve watched any amount of sports in your life, then you know there are blowouts in the playoffs, no matter what matchup or game. Indiana, who lost the closest game of round one yet got the most flak since the Tennessee loss was chosen to be ignored by most media pundits, and SMU, both earned their way to the CFP and deserved to be there. Losing 77-0 would not take away the work on the way. If a team makes the playoffs, and loses, it doesn’t mean a team who did less during the lead up should’ve gotten their shot.
Those wanting the four “best” teams (whatever that means) make an argument where the games we’re supposed to watch each week in the regular season don’t matter. That preseason polls, brand appeal, conference historical strength, and recruiting rankings should dictate who is playing at the end of the year. They think they’re advocating for improving the sport when they’re actually arguing it’s of little importance.
That’s enough crying from me in 2024. Wishing all readers a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year (as well as a Happy Birthday to my mother, Marcy).
