Crain & Company NEW College Football Playoff Ranking INSTANT REACTION | What the Committee Got Wrong
Nov 5, 2025
The hosts dive into the latest College Football Playoff Rankings, sharing their hot takes on what was right and wrong. They debate the impact of head-to-head results versus recency bias, particularly for teams like Notre Dame and Miami. There's a lively discussion on the surprising placements of Tennessee and Utah, and how the timing of losses shapes committee decisions. Finally, they project potential playoff matchups and grade the committee’s performance, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of their rankings.
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Committee Favours Recent Performance
- The committee shows strong recency bias, rewarding teams that finish hot over those who lost earlier.
- That approach already creates contradictions with head-to-head results and timing of losses.
Public Rationale Creates Selection Traps
- The committee's public explanations (TV presentation) can box them into contradictory positions later.
- Leaning on head-to-head selectively risks appearing inconsistent when final selections arrive.
Use Head-To-Head To Resolve Ties
- If Miami and Notre Dame finish with identical records, choose the head-to-head winner to avoid hypocrisy.
- Prioritize consistent application of stated criteria when finalizing selections.