AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Clemson (15-0): Won CFP Bowl, 44-16
2. Alabama (14-1): Lost CFP Bowl, 16-44
3. Ohio State (13-1): Won Rose Bowl, 28-23
4. Oklahoma (12-2): Lost Orange Bowl, 34-45
5. Notre Dame (12-1): Lost Cotton Bowl, 30-3
6. LSU (10-3): Won Fiesta Bowl, 40-32
7. (tie) Georgia (11-3): Lost Sugar Bowl, 21-28
7. (tie) Florida (10-3): Won Peach Bowl, 41-15
9. Texas (10-4): Won Sugar Bowl, 28-21
10. Washington State (11-2): Won Alamo Bowl, 28-26
It is hard to argue against Clemson here as the national champion, considering the blowout scores from the "title game" and the CFP semifinal games. However, we must play devil's advocate here a little bit. Clearly, Notre Dame did not belong in the CFP, as its 27-point loss suggests. Would Ohio State have given Clemson a better game there? Most probably.
The Buckeyes cruised in the Rose Bowl, giving up three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a Rose Bowl game they led 28-3 with less than 13 minutes to go. Properly focused, perhaps Ohio State challenges Clemson enough to slow them down, to the point that maybe Alabama can beat the Tigers. Or, if Ohio State had played the Crimson Tide in the semifinals instead and won, then maybe the title game is closer and more up-for-grabs.
That is the problem here: The wrong four teams may have been chosen for the CFP, while Clemson's dominance of the "tournament" shows the Tigers were clearly the best team in this iteration of the CFP, changing the teams changes the contingency of the outcome(s).
An undefeated UCF team was once again shut out of the CFP, although in losing their starting QB to injury in the conference title game, UCF still gave LSU a good fight in the Fiesta Bowl. We are not arguing for UCF's inclusion here this year, although we would have if their QB had been healthy.
Again, this is the issue with a four-team playoff: The debates should be about the last few teams admitted to a 16-team tourney, not a four-team event. It is less likely a 16-seed team is going to win than a 4-seed team, and who knows if Clemson wins so easily—or at all—if Ohio State and/or a team like Army is invited to a championship tournament. The Black Knights won their bowl game by a 70-14 score, and it would have been fun to see them take on the big boys. Remember, Army lost on the road in overtime to the Sooners this year. Something to think about in revising the teams chosen for this "Final Four" mess.
Anyway, the only teams under consideration this year are Clemson and Ohio State. They won their conferences and their bowl games. Army's two losses keep it out of the debate, although not by much. According to this simple-rating system for schedule strength, the Tigers played a better schedule than the Buckeyes, anyway. Case closed.
Congrats to Clemson, again.
McMNC Revision:
1. Clemson
2. Ohio State
3. Alabama
4. Notre Dame
5. (tie) Army & Oklahoma
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002, +2012, =2014
UCF: +2017
Oklahoma State: +2011
Utah: +2008
West Virginia: +2007
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
TCU: -1938, +2010
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
Auburn: -1957, +1983, -2010
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981, =2016, =2018
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999, =2013
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
LSU: =1958, -2003, -2007
Florida: =1996, -2006, -2008
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992, =2009, -2011, -2012, =2015, -2017
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Monday, January 15, 2018
2017 McMNC: Central Florida Knights
AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Alabama (13-1): Won CFP Bowl, 26-23
2. Georgia (13-2): Lost CFP Bowl, 23-26
3. Oklahoma (12-2): Lost Rose Bowl, 48-54
4. Clemson (12-2): Lost Sugar Bowl, 6-24
5. Ohio State (12-2): Won Cotton Bowl, 24-7
6. UCF (13-0): Won Peach Bowl, 34-27
7. Wisconsin (13-1): Won Orange Bowl, 34-24
8. Penn State (11-2): Won Fiesta Bowl, 35-28
9. TCU (11-3): Won Alamo Bowl, 39-37
10. Auburn (10-4): Lost Peach Bowl, 27-34
The CFP is officially worthless now, as it did not learn from its 2016 errors. Once again, it let an also-ran squad into the Final Four over a two-loss conference champion, and the integrity of the "playoff" is officially dead. Bring on the next phase of evolution ... *sigh*
Ohio State won the Big Ten with two losses, and the CFP chose Alabama—which did not win its own division of the SEC—for the Final Four. This also basically let in a team that lost its last regular-season game, somewhat similarly to what the BCS did with Nebraska in 2001, really. But hey, it's the SEC and Alabama, so they had to do it, right? Hogwash, regardless of the "results" on the field. When the means are lying, cheating, and stealing, the end never justifies them.
We need a McMNC for 2017 that won its conference and its bowl game; the options are minimal. Ohio State and UCF are the best of the bunch, really, and neither of them made the CFP. After all, if the CFP wanted to do the right thing, Alabama's spot would have gone to UCF: an undefeated conference champion. Of course, Georgia could have made this all mute by simply playing defense in the CFP title game, but I digress. Never mind Alabama finished as the fifth-best team in the country by this simple rating system's standards.
That system also shows up Ohio State's SOS was far better than UCF's SOS, so the Buckeyes get the first edge, in the sense they have overcome their extra losses to at least pull even with the Knights. Ohio State drops a bit, though, because the Buckeyes suffered a 31-point road loss to unranked Iowa, which finished 8-5 on the year. That's a bad loss, and of course, UCF doesn't have any losses. Consider the two teams even again.
So it comes down to wins: UCF's first ten wins were against unranked opponents, but with everything on the line in the final three games, the Knights beat three straight ranked teams, by seven points each. They did not dominate, but they also didn't buckle. They won. As for Ohio State, the Buckeyes beat four ranked teams and lost to another one at home (Oklahoma) by 15 points. Did UCF play anyone as good as Oklahoma? Well, that depends on your perspective, since the Knights beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl—the same Auburn which handed Alabama its only loss.
Now, the Tigers probably lost their motivation after losing the SEC title game to Georgia. We get that; it happens a lot. But Ohio State only beat Penn State by a point and Wisconsin by six points, respectively, so the Buckeyes weren't blowing anyone out of the water. And again, we arrive at the fact the Knights didn't lose to anyone, not even the best team on their schedule. It can be said the Buckeyes did lose to the best team on their schedule, and at home.
Congratulations, UCF.
McMNC Revision:
1. UCF
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Oklahoma
5. Alabama
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002, +2012, =2014
UCF: +2017
Oklahoma State: +2011
Utah: +2008
West Virginia: +2007
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
TCU: -1938, +2010
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
Auburn: -1957, +1983, -2010
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981, =2016
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999, =2013
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
LSU: =1958, -2003, -2007
Florida: =1996, -2006, -2008
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992, =2009, -2011, -2012, =2015, -2017
1. Alabama (13-1): Won CFP Bowl, 26-23
2. Georgia (13-2): Lost CFP Bowl, 23-26
3. Oklahoma (12-2): Lost Rose Bowl, 48-54
4. Clemson (12-2): Lost Sugar Bowl, 6-24
5. Ohio State (12-2): Won Cotton Bowl, 24-7
6. UCF (13-0): Won Peach Bowl, 34-27
7. Wisconsin (13-1): Won Orange Bowl, 34-24
8. Penn State (11-2): Won Fiesta Bowl, 35-28
9. TCU (11-3): Won Alamo Bowl, 39-37
10. Auburn (10-4): Lost Peach Bowl, 27-34
The CFP is officially worthless now, as it did not learn from its 2016 errors. Once again, it let an also-ran squad into the Final Four over a two-loss conference champion, and the integrity of the "playoff" is officially dead. Bring on the next phase of evolution ... *sigh*
Ohio State won the Big Ten with two losses, and the CFP chose Alabama—which did not win its own division of the SEC—for the Final Four. This also basically let in a team that lost its last regular-season game, somewhat similarly to what the BCS did with Nebraska in 2001, really. But hey, it's the SEC and Alabama, so they had to do it, right? Hogwash, regardless of the "results" on the field. When the means are lying, cheating, and stealing, the end never justifies them.
We need a McMNC for 2017 that won its conference and its bowl game; the options are minimal. Ohio State and UCF are the best of the bunch, really, and neither of them made the CFP. After all, if the CFP wanted to do the right thing, Alabama's spot would have gone to UCF: an undefeated conference champion. Of course, Georgia could have made this all mute by simply playing defense in the CFP title game, but I digress. Never mind Alabama finished as the fifth-best team in the country by this simple rating system's standards.
That system also shows up Ohio State's SOS was far better than UCF's SOS, so the Buckeyes get the first edge, in the sense they have overcome their extra losses to at least pull even with the Knights. Ohio State drops a bit, though, because the Buckeyes suffered a 31-point road loss to unranked Iowa, which finished 8-5 on the year. That's a bad loss, and of course, UCF doesn't have any losses. Consider the two teams even again.
So it comes down to wins: UCF's first ten wins were against unranked opponents, but with everything on the line in the final three games, the Knights beat three straight ranked teams, by seven points each. They did not dominate, but they also didn't buckle. They won. As for Ohio State, the Buckeyes beat four ranked teams and lost to another one at home (Oklahoma) by 15 points. Did UCF play anyone as good as Oklahoma? Well, that depends on your perspective, since the Knights beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl—the same Auburn which handed Alabama its only loss.
Now, the Tigers probably lost their motivation after losing the SEC title game to Georgia. We get that; it happens a lot. But Ohio State only beat Penn State by a point and Wisconsin by six points, respectively, so the Buckeyes weren't blowing anyone out of the water. And again, we arrive at the fact the Knights didn't lose to anyone, not even the best team on their schedule. It can be said the Buckeyes did lose to the best team on their schedule, and at home.
Congratulations, UCF.
McMNC Revision:
1. UCF
2. Ohio State
3. Georgia
4. Oklahoma
5. Alabama
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002, +2012, =2014
UCF: +2017
Oklahoma State: +2011
Utah: +2008
West Virginia: +2007
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
TCU: -1938, +2010
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
Auburn: -1957, +1983, -2010
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981, =2016
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999, =2013
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
LSU: =1958, -2003, -2007
Florida: =1996, -2006, -2008
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992, =2009, -2011, -2012, =2015, -2017
Sunday, January 15, 2017
2016 McMNC: Clemson Tigers
AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Clemson (14-1): Won CFP Bowl, 35-31
2. Alabama (14-1): Lost CFP Bowl, 31-35
3. USC (10-3): Won Rose Bowl, 52-49
4. Washington (12-2): Lost Peach Bowl, 24-7
5. Oklahoma (11-2): Won Sugar Bowl, 35-19
6. Ohio State (11-2): Lost Fiesta Bowl, 0-31
7. Penn State (11-3): Lost Rose Bowl, 49-52
8. Florida State (10-3): Won Orange Bowl, 33-32
9. Wisconsin (11-3): Won Cotton Bowl, 24-16
10. Michigan (10-3): Lost Orange Bowl, 32-33
This was another clusterfuck for the CFP, as the Big Ten problem reared its ugly head, and we had our first non-champion entry into the Final Four. And it shouldn't happen again any time soon, that's for certain. For the second year in a row, a fatally flawed Big Ten team lost to the eventual champ in the semis by horrific shutout proportions, and the CFP needs to remember this for the future.
But taking a two-loss Big Ten champ wasn't necessarily the answer, either. The problem was the Big Ten was so competitive, but the top teams were propped up by a lot of bad teams beneath them. So that's why the AP Poll has four Big Ten teams from spots 6-10. Not good enough for the top, but still good enough to fill out the ballot.
In essence, by taking Ohio State over Penn State or Oklahoma, the CFP avoided letting a two-loss team into the Final Four—but set a bad precedent for taking an also-ran squad. It was a no-win scenario, but in the end, always stick with the conference champs, people. Always. That's been my rule here since the beginning of time.
Penn State lost its bowl game, anyway, leaving us with the superficial debate between Clemson and Oklahoma. SOS tells us right away that the Sooners didn't have enough in the glove compartment to overcome the extra loss, so it's over before it really begins. Boring, I know.
Congratulations, Clemson.
McMNC Revision:
1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Washington
5. USC
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002, +2012, =2014
Oklahoma State: +2011
Utah: +2008
West Virginia: +2007
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
TCU: -1938, +2010
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
Auburn: -1957, +1983, -2010
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981, =2016
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999, =2013
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
LSU: =1958, -2003, -2007
Florida: =1996, -2006, -2008
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992, =2009, -2011, -2012, =2015
1. Clemson (14-1): Won CFP Bowl, 35-31
2. Alabama (14-1): Lost CFP Bowl, 31-35
3. USC (10-3): Won Rose Bowl, 52-49
4. Washington (12-2): Lost Peach Bowl, 24-7
5. Oklahoma (11-2): Won Sugar Bowl, 35-19
6. Ohio State (11-2): Lost Fiesta Bowl, 0-31
7. Penn State (11-3): Lost Rose Bowl, 49-52
8. Florida State (10-3): Won Orange Bowl, 33-32
9. Wisconsin (11-3): Won Cotton Bowl, 24-16
10. Michigan (10-3): Lost Orange Bowl, 32-33
This was another clusterfuck for the CFP, as the Big Ten problem reared its ugly head, and we had our first non-champion entry into the Final Four. And it shouldn't happen again any time soon, that's for certain. For the second year in a row, a fatally flawed Big Ten team lost to the eventual champ in the semis by horrific shutout proportions, and the CFP needs to remember this for the future.
But taking a two-loss Big Ten champ wasn't necessarily the answer, either. The problem was the Big Ten was so competitive, but the top teams were propped up by a lot of bad teams beneath them. So that's why the AP Poll has four Big Ten teams from spots 6-10. Not good enough for the top, but still good enough to fill out the ballot.
In essence, by taking Ohio State over Penn State or Oklahoma, the CFP avoided letting a two-loss team into the Final Four—but set a bad precedent for taking an also-ran squad. It was a no-win scenario, but in the end, always stick with the conference champs, people. Always. That's been my rule here since the beginning of time.
Penn State lost its bowl game, anyway, leaving us with the superficial debate between Clemson and Oklahoma. SOS tells us right away that the Sooners didn't have enough in the glove compartment to overcome the extra loss, so it's over before it really begins. Boring, I know.
Congratulations, Clemson.
McMNC Revision:
1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Washington
5. USC
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002, +2012, =2014
Oklahoma State: +2011
Utah: +2008
West Virginia: +2007
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
TCU: -1938, +2010
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
Auburn: -1957, +1983, -2010
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981, =2016
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999, =2013
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
LSU: =1958, -2003, -2007
Florida: =1996, -2006, -2008
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992, =2009, -2011, -2012, =2015
Friday, January 15, 2016
2015 McMNC: Alabama Crimson Tide
AP Top 10: Final Record -- Key Bowl Results
1. Alabama (14-1): Won CFP Bowl, 45-40
2. Clemson (14-1): Lost CFP Bowl, 40-45
3. Stanford (12-2): Won Rose Bowl, 45-16
4. Ohio State (12-1): Won Fiesta Bowl, 44-28
5. Oklahoma (11-2): Lost Orange Bowl, 37-17
6. Michigan State (12-2): Lost Cotton Bowl, 0-38
7. TCU (11-2): Won Alamo Bowl, 47-41
8. Houston (13-1): Won Peach Bowl, 38-24
9. Iowa (12-2): Lost Rose Bowl, 16-45
10. Mississippi (10-3): Won Sugar Bowl, 48-20
The second year of the four-team CFP was a little better than the first, although that may have been accidental. The committee still messed it up again, although in their defense, there were some circumstances they could not avoid struggling with in the end. That is the problem with a four-team system: It's better to mess up the eighth or 16th team in the playoff, rather than the fourth.
The issue here was two-fold, actually: Michigan State was a crippled Big Ten champion, with one loss and a QB who couldn't throw the ball due to injury. Oklahoma and Stanford were two-loss conference champs, and only one of the schools could advance. To omit MSU because of Connor Cook's shoulder injury would have been unfair to the rest of the Spartans, even if it may have been the right thing to do. Leaving Stanford out of the fray, as a result, leaves us again with a questionable champion.
However, there is little doubt the Crimson Tide were the best team in the country this time around. Ohio State was probably the second-best team in the country, but MSU upset the Buckeyes in Big Ten play (without Cook playing). That was a choke job by Ohio State, in truth, and while Clemson almost pulled it out in the end, the Tigers were an inferior team. However, the Cardinal were evenly rated with Clemson, leading us to question, in principle, whether or not Stanford could have won it all if given the chance. And then there is Houston, too, although we can chuck that out pretty easily based on schedule strength: The Cougars beat four ranked teams, although none of them finished in the Top 10.
Quick comparisons between Alabama and Stanford, then, for argument's sake: The Crimson Tide played the harder schedule, and that pretty much kills the comparison right there, since the Cardinal had two losses. One defeat was the first game of the season, on the road, which Pac-12 teams notoriously do not do well in when the time zone is different. But Stanford also lost at home to unranked Oregon by two points, which killed its hope for CFP glory. Alabama lost to Mississippi at home by six points in the third game of the season, demonstrating once again that if you're going to lose, do it in September.
Congratulations, Alabama.
McMNC Revision:
1. Alabama
2. Stanford
3. Clemson
4. Ohio State
5. Houston
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002, +2012, =2014
Oklahoma State: +2011
Utah: +2008
West Virginia: +2007
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
TCU: -1938, +2010
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
Auburn: -1957, +1983, -2010
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999, =2013
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
LSU: =1958, -2003, -2007
Florida: =1996, -2006, -2008
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992, =2009, -2011, -2012, =2015
1. Alabama (14-1): Won CFP Bowl, 45-40
2. Clemson (14-1): Lost CFP Bowl, 40-45
3. Stanford (12-2): Won Rose Bowl, 45-16
4. Ohio State (12-1): Won Fiesta Bowl, 44-28
5. Oklahoma (11-2): Lost Orange Bowl, 37-17
6. Michigan State (12-2): Lost Cotton Bowl, 0-38
7. TCU (11-2): Won Alamo Bowl, 47-41
8. Houston (13-1): Won Peach Bowl, 38-24
9. Iowa (12-2): Lost Rose Bowl, 16-45
10. Mississippi (10-3): Won Sugar Bowl, 48-20
The second year of the four-team CFP was a little better than the first, although that may have been accidental. The committee still messed it up again, although in their defense, there were some circumstances they could not avoid struggling with in the end. That is the problem with a four-team system: It's better to mess up the eighth or 16th team in the playoff, rather than the fourth.
The issue here was two-fold, actually: Michigan State was a crippled Big Ten champion, with one loss and a QB who couldn't throw the ball due to injury. Oklahoma and Stanford were two-loss conference champs, and only one of the schools could advance. To omit MSU because of Connor Cook's shoulder injury would have been unfair to the rest of the Spartans, even if it may have been the right thing to do. Leaving Stanford out of the fray, as a result, leaves us again with a questionable champion.
However, there is little doubt the Crimson Tide were the best team in the country this time around. Ohio State was probably the second-best team in the country, but MSU upset the Buckeyes in Big Ten play (without Cook playing). That was a choke job by Ohio State, in truth, and while Clemson almost pulled it out in the end, the Tigers were an inferior team. However, the Cardinal were evenly rated with Clemson, leading us to question, in principle, whether or not Stanford could have won it all if given the chance. And then there is Houston, too, although we can chuck that out pretty easily based on schedule strength: The Cougars beat four ranked teams, although none of them finished in the Top 10.
Quick comparisons between Alabama and Stanford, then, for argument's sake: The Crimson Tide played the harder schedule, and that pretty much kills the comparison right there, since the Cardinal had two losses. One defeat was the first game of the season, on the road, which Pac-12 teams notoriously do not do well in when the time zone is different. But Stanford also lost at home to unranked Oregon by two points, which killed its hope for CFP glory. Alabama lost to Mississippi at home by six points in the third game of the season, demonstrating once again that if you're going to lose, do it in September.
Congratulations, Alabama.
McMNC Revision:
1. Alabama
2. Stanford
3. Clemson
4. Ohio State
5. Houston
RUNNING SCORECARD:
Penn State: +1977, +1981, =1982, =1986, +1994
USC: -1962, =1967, +1969, =1972, +1978, +1979, =2003, =2004
Tennessee: +1938, +1942, +1950, -1951, =1998
Washington: +1960, +1991
Georgia Tech: +1952, +1990
Pittsburgh: +1936, -1937, =1976, +1980
Ohio State: -1942, +1944, =1954, =1968, =2002, +2012, =2014
Oklahoma State: +2011
Utah: +2008
West Virginia: +2007
Boise State: +2006
UCLA: +1965
Arkansas: +1964
Mississippi: +1962
Iowa: +1956
Illinois: +1951
Purdue: +1943
Stanford: +1940
California: +1937
TCU: -1938, +2010
BYU: =1984
Syracuse: =1959
Texas A&M: =1939
Georgia: +1946, -1980
Michigan State: -1952, +1953
Michigan: +1947, =1948, -1997
Nebraska: =1970, =1971, -1994, =1995, +1997
Oklahoma: +1949, -1950, =1955, -1956, +1957, =1975, =1986, =2000
Auburn: -1957, +1983, -2010
Maryland: -1953
Clemson: -1981
Colorado: -1990
Florida State: -1993, =1999, =2013
Texas: =1963, -1969, =2005
Army: -1944, -1945
LSU: =1958, -2003, -2007
Florida: =1996, -2006, -2008
Miami-FL: -1983, =1987, =1989, -1991, =2001
Minnesota: -1936, -1940, =1941, -1960
Notre Dame: -1943, -1946, -1947, -1949, =1966, =1973, -1977, =1988, +1993
Alabama: +1945, =1961, -1964, -1965, -1978, -1979, =1992, =2009, -2011, -2012, =2015
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