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1. SEC: The SEC's lobbying to introduce new metrics worked, with the strength-of-conference metric lifting the conference to heights no other power conference has been afforded.
2. Alabama: No. 5; debuted four spots higher than they were ranked in the AP and coaches polls; 2-2 against teams in the CFP's Top 25; the committee chairman said they were impressed by Alabama's win at Mississippi State. - The Tide are overrated as six teams below them own better records against the CFP Top 25.
3. Texas: No. 7; one of two two-loss SEC teams ranked higher than undefeated UCLA at No. 8. - The SEC's strength-of-conference metric appears to be the biggest differentiator for these teams.
4. Indiana: No. 4; reigning national champions; defeated by Ohio State. - The Hoosiers' resume is not strong, leading to questions about why they are rewarded over Notre Dame.
5. Utah: No. 3; undefeated; strength of schedule ranks 83rd. - Utah is ranked five spots higher than UCLA despite having a lower strength of schedule.
6. UCLA: No. 8; undefeated; strength of schedule ranks 77th. - The Bruins are ranked lower than Utah despite having a better strength of schedule.
7. Notre Dame: No. 11; debuted seven spots lower than the AP poll; only one game remaining against a top 25 team (Miami). - The committee continues to slight the Irish, citing a lack of a "signature win."
8. South Carolina: No. 21; one of the highest-ranked two-loss teams in the SEC. - This ranking highlights the success of the SEC's lobbying for new metrics.
9. Ohio State: No. 12; own the nation's ninth-best strength of record and 18th-best schedule; defeated Indiana on the road in the fourth quarter without their starter. - The Buckeyes would not be a participant if the playoff started today and are the first team out of the field.
10. New Mexico: Not ranked in the CFP's Top 25; ranked 22nd in the AP poll; only one loss (by a touchdown on the road to the SEC's Oklahoma). - It is notable that three teams with three losses are ranked above this one-loss Mountain West team.
2. Alabama: No. 5; debuted four spots higher than they were ranked in the AP and coaches polls; 2-2 against teams in the CFP's Top 25; the committee chairman said they were impressed by Alabama's win at Mississippi State. - The Tide are overrated as six teams below them own better records against the CFP Top 25.
3. Texas: No. 7; one of two two-loss SEC teams ranked higher than undefeated UCLA at No. 8. - The SEC's strength-of-conference metric appears to be the biggest differentiator for these teams.
4. Indiana: No. 4; reigning national champions; defeated by Ohio State. - The Hoosiers' resume is not strong, leading to questions about why they are rewarded over Notre Dame.
5. Utah: No. 3; undefeated; strength of schedule ranks 83rd. - Utah is ranked five spots higher than UCLA despite having a lower strength of schedule.
6. UCLA: No. 8; undefeated; strength of schedule ranks 77th. - The Bruins are ranked lower than Utah despite having a better strength of schedule.
7. Notre Dame: No. 11; debuted seven spots lower than the AP poll; only one game remaining against a top 25 team (Miami). - The committee continues to slight the Irish, citing a lack of a "signature win."
8. South Carolina: No. 21; one of the highest-ranked two-loss teams in the SEC. - This ranking highlights the success of the SEC's lobbying for new metrics.
9. Ohio State: No. 12; own the nation's ninth-best strength of record and 18th-best schedule; defeated Indiana on the road in the fourth quarter without their starter. - The Buckeyes would not be a participant if the playoff started today and are the first team out of the field.
10. New Mexico: Not ranked in the CFP's Top 25; ranked 22nd in the AP poll; only one loss (by a touchdown on the road to the SEC's Oklahoma). - It is notable that three teams with three losses are ranked above this one-loss Mountain West team.