The Controversy Surrounding Arizona State Football in the College Football Playoff Rankings
Why the Rankings Don't Add Up
Looking at the rankings, it's hard to fathom why Indiana (10-1), with a relatively soft schedule and only one victory over a team above.500, is ranked ahead of Arizona State. Indiana was blown out 38-15 by Ohio State but still managed to stay in the hunt at No. 10. Meanwhile, Kenny Dillingham's Sun Devils have won four consecutive games, including victories over ranked opponents like Kansas State and BYU. They are currently in a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12. If they beat rival Arizona on Saturday, they will advance to the Big 12 championship game.The strength of schedule also plays a crucial role. Indiana is ranked 51st in ESPN's strength of schedule rankings, while Boise State is 81st. It seems that the CFP committee may not be giving enough credit to Arizona State's tough opponents and their own on-field performance.
Conference Control and Rankings
With the Big Ten and SEC essentially controlling the new TV contract for the College Football Playoff, it's no surprise that they have the most teams ranked in the top 15. Each conference will reportedly receive 29% of the upcoming ESPN contract, while the Big 12 will only receive about 15%. This financial incentive could be influencing the rankings.However, if the CFP committee is truly watching the games, there's no way they can justify ranking Indiana or Boise State ahead of Arizona State. The Sun Devils have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with and deserve a higher ranking.
The Impact on the Big 12
With No. 17 Tulane (9-2) sitting just behind Arizona State, there's a chance that a Big 12 team won't make the 12-team College Football Playoff. The top five-ranked conference champions get automatic bids, and if Tulane wins the American Athletic Conference championship and finishes 11-2, there's a chance they could get the fifth automatic bid over the Big 12 champion.This puts the Big 12 in a precarious position. They need their teams to perform well and climb the rankings to secure a spot in the playoff. Arizona State's success is crucial for the conference's future.
What's Next for Arizona State
As Arizona State prepares to face rival Arizona on Saturday, the stakes are high. A win will not only secure their place in the Big 12 championship game but also send a message to the CFP committee that they deserve a higher ranking.The Sun Devils have been playing with confidence and determination, and they will look to continue their winning streak. If they can pull off the victory, it could be a turning point in their season and potentially change the course of the College Football Playoff.
Stay tuned for what promises to be a wild couple of weeks. Here are the latest College Football Playoff Rankings from the CFP committee:College Football Playoff RankingsNov. 26, 2024Oregon (11-0) | Projected No. 1 seedOhio State (10-1) | Projected No. 5 seedTexas (10-1) | Projected No. 2 seedPenn State (10-1) | Projected No. 6 seedNotre Dame (10-1) | Projected No. 7 seedMiami (10-1) | Projected No. 3 seedGeorgia (9-2) | Projected No. 8 seedTennessee (9-2) | Projected No. 9 seedSMU (10-1) | Projected No. 10 seedIndiana (10-1) | Projected No. 11 seedBoise State (10-1) | Projected No. 4 seedClemson (9-2)Alabama (8-3)Ole Miss (8-3)South Carolina (8-3)Arizona State (9-2) | Projected No. 12 seedTulane (9-2)Iowa State (9-2)BYU (9-2)Texas A&M (8-3)Missouri (8-3)UNLV (9-2)Illinois (8-3)Kansas State (8-3)Colorado (8-3)