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On Tuesday night the latest College Football Playoff rankings were released and plenty of fanbases were offended.
While fans have the right to be a little salty with how the playoff rankings come together, the games will generally determine the top four teams in the country. Each and every year fans wage war on social media about the “best” or “most deserving” teams heading into the playoff selection.
Each and every year the regular season and conference titles make the top four teams clear. Well, most of the time, at least.
Unfortunately, 2023 might not be one of those times. Heading into conference championship weekend there are four undefeated teams atop the rankings. Georgia, Michigan, Washington and Florida State can make the playoff committee’s job very easy by winning their respective conferences this weekend.
However, what happens if one of those teams loses? We’ll take a look at what might happen if Alabama is able to defeat Georgia on Saturday afternoon.
First let’s assume Michigan, Washington and Florida State all win their respective conference title games. That would leave one playoff spot for either Alabama or Georgia. Alabama, having just beaten Georgia, would likely get that final spot.
So that settles it, the playoff foursome is set. Or is it?
Earlier tonight playoff committee executive director Bill Hancock made it clear the committee’s job is to select the four “best” teams and not the four “most deserving” teams. Does that mean there is a chance the committee omits an undefeated Florida State in favor of both Alabama and Georgia?
This whole scenario is assuming things go smoothly. What if Michigan wins the Big Ten, Oregon wins the Pac-12, Alabama wins the SEC, Texas wins the Big 12 and Florida State wins the ACC?
Michigan would assuredly get into the playoff, but after that it becomes extremely complicated. This is the “disaster scenario” the playoff committee hopes to avoid after this weekend.
Beyond the Wolverines, Oregon would likely jump into the playoff after beating the No. 3 team in the country. But what happens with Alabama, Georgia, Florida State and Texas?
Alabama would be a one-loss conference champion, while Texas would also be a one-loss conference champion that just so happened to beat the Crimson Tide – in Tuscaloosa. Then we get to Georgia. Would the playoff committee leave out a one-loss Georgia team that has won back-to-back national titles and sat at No. 1 for a significant part of the season?
And then, finally, the conversation turns back to the Seminoles. Is Florida State one of the four best teams in the country without star quarterback Jordan Travis? Would the playoff committee leave out an undefeated Power 5 conference champion?
Alabama defeating Georgia would open up a can of worms the college football playoff committee – and college football world – isn’t prepared for.