Updated NOV 19, 2014 1:49a ET Another week, another window into the new selection committee evaluation process. Here are my biggest takeaways from Tuesday’s rankings: ALABAMA, OREGON SITTING PRETTY Chairman Jeff Long was unequivocal in announcing the Tide, No. 5 last week, as the committee’s new No. 1 team following its decisive win over then-top-ranked Mississippi State. “We feel like Alabama is the most complete team right now — offense, defense and kicking game,” he said. (I assume he was referring to Alabama’s exceptional punter, J.K. Scott, not 12-of-18 field goal kicker Adam Griffith.) And CFP executive director Bill Hancock tweeted: “Alabama has been close all along. Best résumé as of now.” The one-loss Tide join the one-loss Ducks above undefeated Florida State, whose résumé Long once again was dismissive of, and they certainly control their playoff destinies. ‘GAME CONTROL’ MATTERS It’s not listed among the official criteria, but several times now in discussing a certain team, Long has mentioned the fact it “controlled” a game. I asked Long on Tuesday night’s teleconference for further clarification. He said it’s a subjective term to describe how the committee interprets an outcome — i.e, did the lead change back and forth or did one team control it throughout? Therefore, FSU’s constant need for second-half rallies likely is hurting its ranking, especially given the lightly regarded opponents it’s facing. Long specifically noted that while the ‘Noles do have two wins over current top-25 teams, they are “against the current 22 Clemson and 24 Louisville, so they are at the back end of the top 25.” However, one does wonde whether they’re applying this metric selectively. Even in the course of his short ESPN interview, Long both praised Alabama for controlling last weekend’s Mississippi State game throughout but then explained the Bulldogs’ No. …
Continue Reading: College Football Playoff rankings: Alabama, Oregon in control, Ohio State has hope
