The College Football Playoff committee’s recent decision to select SMU over Alabama for the final at-large spot has sparked significant debate. The committee prioritized SMU’s wins, despite Alabama’s challenging schedule, leading to discussions on the criteria used for playoff selection.
SMU, with an 11-2 record, demonstrated its capability by narrowly losing to Clemson with a 56-yard field goal in the ACC championship game. This performance seemingly confirmed their competitiveness on a national scale. SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee expressed confidence in their potential to compete for the championship, referring to his team as ‘America’s team’ after their recent efforts.
The playoff decision was set against the backdrop of expanding the bracket to 12 teams. Still, Alabama, under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, faced disappointment. The Crimson Tide’s quality victories over teams like Georgia and South Carolina were overshadowed by losses, including a significant defeat by Oklahoma. Alabama’s losses at Vanderbilt and Tennessee added to the challenge, with the 24-3 loss to Oklahoma notably hard to ignore due to their effective rushing attack despite key injuries.
The debate extended beyond which teams should be in the playoff to discussions on first-round bye eligibility. Alabama’s Athletic Director Greg Byrne and former coach Nick Saban argued for the importance of the strength of schedule, emphasizing their battles against top SEC teams. However, these arguments did not sway the committee’s final decision.
SMU, which moved from the American Athletic Conference to the ACC, bolstered its schedule strength. Their nine-game win streak was followed by a loss to Clemson, yet their consistent performance throughout the season held significant weight.
Other teams with impressive seasons, such as Miami, South Carolina, and Mississippi, were also left out. Committee chairman Warde Manuel emphasized the value placed on strength of schedule, a statement that didn’t sit well with Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who questioned the authenticity of such claims in a social media post.
The playoff bracket’s final arrangement had Boise State from the Mountain West securing the No. 3 seed over Big 12 champion Arizona State, demonstrating the complex dynamics and subjective evaluations involved in the playoff selection process. Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez’s defense of Boise State’s record highlighted the broader implications of the playoff criteria, arguing that achievements should not solely depend on conference affiliations.
The selection of SMU over Alabama underscores the ongoing debate over criteria used in playoff decisions. The differing views on the importance of wins versus the strength of schedule reveal the complexities and challenges in forming a fair and comprehensive playoff field. This decision will likely fuel ongoing discussions as teams and fans continue to scrutinize playoff selections.
Source: Local10
