The FBS Playoff Chase Rankings

 Welcome to the MVP Chase, where I look for, or chase, the best objective criteria in determining greatness without personal subjective bias.

Today's Topic: College football's top 25 after Week 9

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The College Football Selection Committee releases its first Top 25 of the season on November 1.

I've created my own Top 25, using three criteria:

1. Number of dominant victories

2. Strength of schedule

3. Quality losses

Ohio State is #1 in my ranking, primarily because it played a full FBS schedule, whereas Georgia has an FCS game under its belt. If both keep winning, they might alternate depending on their overall strength of schedule. Of course, other teams can nab the top two spots as well.

I predict tall teams that will be selected for the four-team playoff on December 4 are currently in the top nine of my rankings. One-loss teams ranked below Penn State will not be looked on favorably, and my own objective criteria demonstrate that they're not in the same class.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Committee puts Alabama in their top 4, just to create publicity. The Crimson Tide will certainly be selected for the playoffs if they run the table and win the SEC Championship, but I don't believe they've demonstrated they belong in the top four just yet. 

Here are my rankings as of October 30, 2022

1. Ohio State (8-0) 

2. Georgia (8-0) 

3. Clemson (8-0) 

4. Michigan (8-0)

5. Tennessee (8-0) 

6. TCU (8-0)

7. Alabama (7-1) 

8. UCLA (7-1) 

9. USC (7-1) 

10. Penn State (6-2) 

11. Kansas State (6-2) 

12. Oregon (7-1) 

13. Illinois (7-1) 

14. Tulane (7-1) 

15. Ole Miss (8-1) 

16. LSU (6-2) 

17. Liberty (7-1)

18. Syracuse (6-2) 

19. NC State (6-2)

20. Utah (6-2) 

21. North Carolina (7-1) 

22. Oregon State (6-2)

23. Maryland (6-2) 

24. South Alabama (6-2) 

25. Oklahoma State (6-2)  

You may ask why South Alabama is ranked #24 when it's a Sun Belt team with two losses. They're seven points away from being undefeated, against teams that are a combined 13-3. And Oklahoma State barely stayed in the Top 25 after a 48-0 whipping by Kansas State because they still had a better resume than comparable teams.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles (subscribe), The Daily Bible Chapter (subscribe), JL Cells (subscribe), and The MVP Chase (subscribe). Thanks for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.

Photo credit: Torsten Bolten