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The College Football Playoff Committee released its Top 25 for November 12, 2019. I published mine on Monday (which went up to 26), that didn't include any 3-loss teams.
My ranking differs because I treat all teams and conferences equally, ranking them on wins and losses against other FBS teams (with bonuses or deductions for winning or losing by 9+ points), and the average number of FBS wins by their opponents. As a result, I give more "love" to American Athletic Conference teams like Cincinnati, SMU, and Navy.
I also give no credit for FCS (lower-division) wins. Cincinnati and SMU, as examples, played all FBS teams, where as Georgia and Oklahoma (and many others) have FCS wins under their belt. I take the strength of schedule seriously.
What I hadn't done is consider 3-loss teams for my rankings; I didn't have the time or interest to look at the records of all of them. But I looked at the 3-loss teams ranked by the Committee to see if they would belong in my rankings.
My lowest-rated 2-loss team is Indiana; my scoring system gives them the number 7.89. San Diego State, the next lowest, is my #25 team at 8.78. #24 Air Force is at 8.89
Here are how the Committee's 3-loss teams compare:
Iowa 10.33
Texas: 8.44
Oklahoma State: 6.5
Kansas State: 6.11
In my scoring system, Iowa would be #21. Texas would be ahead of 2-loss Indiana but barely out of my Top 25. Oklahoma State and Kansas State don't even sniff the top 25.
One big reason is Okla St and KSU can't be on my list is that they're only 5-3 against FBS teams. The Committee might be impressed that KSU beat Oklahoma, and Okla St beat KSU, but their records and strength of schedules aren't otherwise impressive.
It seems to me the Committee didn't place Okla St or KSU in the Top 25 based on their merits. What the Committee has done is inflate the Big 12's representation in the Top 25 in order to persuade themselves that its eventual champion (probably Oklahoma or Baylor) might warrant selection in the Playoff. They'll keep re-enforcing their error, and it could affect which teams deserve to go to the playoffs and best bowl games.
Here are the Committee's rankings and my rankings.
Committee Ranking My Ranking
1. LSU (9-0) 1. Ohio State 9-0
2. Ohio State (9-0) 2. LSU 9-0
3. Clemson (10-0) 3. Clemson 10=0
4. Georgia (8-1) 4. Alabama 8-1
5. Alabama (8-1) 5. Cincinnati 8-1
6. Oregon (8-1) 6. Minnesota 9-0
7. Utah (8-1) 7. Penn State 8-1
8. Minnesota (9-0) 8. SMU 9-1
9. Penn State (8-1) 9. Wisconsin 7-2
10. Oklahoma (8-1) 10. Auburn 7-2
11. Florida (8-2) 11. Georgia 8-1
12. Auburn (7-2) 12. Oregon 8-1
13. Baylor (9-0) 13. Utah 8-1
14. Wisconsin (7-2) 14. Baylor 9-0
15. Michigan (7-2) 15. Michigan 7-2
16. Notre Dame (7-2) 16. Boise State 8-1
17. Cincinnati (8-1) 17. Oklahoma 8-1
18. Memphis (8-1) 18. Appalachian State 8-1
19. Texas (6-3) 19. Notre Dame 7-2
20. Iowa (6-3) 20. Navy 7-1
21. Boise State (8-1) 21. Louisiana Tech 8-1
22. Oklahoma State (6-3) 22. Wake Forest 7-2
23. Navy (7-1) 23. Florida 8-2
24. Kansas State (6-3) 24. Air Force 7-2
25. Appalachian State (8-1) 25. San Diego State 7-2
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