The harsh reality of the ACC this season is that it is a one-bid league, meaning the rankings for everyone in the conference are essentially irrelevant. The ACC Champion will earn an automatic bid into the College Football Playoff, while everyone else in the conference will be left out. This simple fact should make SMU fans feel better about the CFP Committee's rankings, which placed the Mustangs five spots behind Miami despite having a nearly identical resume.

Uncovering the Inconsistencies in the CFP Rankings

The Curious Case of SMU vs. Miami

The question that must be asked is: Why is Miami ranked five spots ahead of SMU? Both teams have the same best quality win, with victories over No. 19 Louisville. SMU's lone loss came against No. 6 BYU, while the Hurricanes are coming off a defeat to Georgia Tech. The strength of schedules is marginally different, yet the CFP Committee has deemed Miami the superior team.According to CFP Committee chair Warde Manuel, the decision was based on the "body of work" and "feeling" that Miami's offense is more dominant and consistent than SMU's. However, this explanation seems to contradict the Committee's own stated principles, which emphasize the use of data and protocol over subjective feelings.

The Subjective Nature of the Rankings

The reality is that the CFP Committee is not solely relying on data and protocol to rank the teams. They are also influenced by their own personal opinions and perceptions of the teams. In the case of SMU and Miami, the Committee likely believes that the Hurricanes would beat the Mustangs in a head-to-head matchup, and this "feeling" has influenced their ranking.This approach is problematic because it undermines the credibility of the rankings. The Committee should be using all available information to rank the teams properly, not falling back on subjective feelings about hypothetical future matchups. As one of the Committee's favorite sayings goes, "we don't project the future."

The Implications for the Playoff Race

Fortunately for SMU, the fact that this is a one-bid league means that the Mustangs' destiny is still in their own hands. If they win the ACC Championship, they will earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, regardless of their current ranking.However, this message from the CFP Committee is concerning for the future. If the Committee continues to rely on subjective feelings rather than objective data, it could have serious implications for teams outside the Power Five conferences. These teams may find themselves unfairly penalized in the rankings, despite having strong resumes and the potential to compete at the highest level.As the college football season progresses, it will be crucial for the CFP Committee to remain transparent and accountable in their decision-making process. The credibility of the entire system is at stake, and the Committee must strive to uphold the principles of fairness and objectivity that are essential to the integrity of the sport.