The main argument placing Baylor and TCU out of the top 4 is a lack of strength of schedule. Both Baylor and TCU's toughest opponent so far has been Texas Tech (5-4 record), who Baylor beat 63-35 and TCU survived with a 55-52 win. Now I understand that a team's opponents are a big factor in justifying JUST how good they are. If the Los Angeles Lakers went undefeated against a high school varsity team, my reaction would be "So?" (The way the Lakers are playing so far this season though, even a varsity team might beat them). But even so, it's still something to go undefeated, especially when you're playing amongst your peers. How often do we see a clearly more talented team lose to a school most of us probably had no idea existed. At least once a year this occurs. It's a shocker when a more talented team loses, but it isn't a shocker that it happened to at least one team at some point along the season. It takes an effort to take care of business week in and week out, especially in football with only 16 regular season games. One loss can be the difference between grinding it out on the biggest stage on the last day of football and sitting your ass at home, corners of your mouth orange from all those Cheetos scarfed down your mouth, as you look despairingly at the tv screen thinking "that could have been me." Reward the fact that they take care of business, instead of being "that team." Luckily for both Baylor and TCU, their upcoming schedule have them playing 3 currently ranked teams, including a battle between the two. This should help one of their causes to making the Top 4 playoff ranking.
Now for the moment my fingers have been craving to relinquish upon the keyboard. . . Ala'freaking'Bama. They waltzed into the top 4 simply because they're Alabama. The name carries so much weight that the playoff committee would be committing a sin not to put them in, or so that's what it appears to be because THERE IS NO REASON WHY ALABAMA IS A TOP FOUR TEAM. Alabama's presence is simply based off their grand daddy's success. They are that spoiled, rich kid who gets life handed to them on a silver platter all because of "daddy's money." In other words, Alabama is Michael Jordan's son, Marcus Jordan. Buddy spent $50,000 in two days at a casino one time and we sure as hell know he didn't earn any of it. Alabama has a solid record at 7 and 1, I'll give them that. But that one loss, that ONE loss (which I mentioned before, one loss in football is huge) was against an Ole Miss team. An Ole Miss team that lost to a Florida Gators team ranked #25 at the moment (now ranked #10) and a Memphis team whom at the time was unranked (now currently ranked #13). Memphis is undefeated and Florida is 7-1 with the one loss being by a touchdown at Death Valley with a QB who was forced into action after minimal playing time the 6 games prior. Now, I'm biased as hell given the fact that I go to UF, but it appears to me that many people believe Florida has a better resume than Alabama. They beat Ole Miss, who Alabama lost to. Alabama decimated Georgia, but then again, so did the Gators. Alabama scraped by against Tennesee, as did Florida. Alabama has in fact faced and beaten more ranked opponents than the Gators, but that one loss is more than just a blemish on their record. It's a huge zit on their nose as they get ready for senior prom pictures. I'm not saying the Gators deserve to be in the top 4, as of now, they don't. What I'm saying is that Alabama has not earned the right to be in such company and that the difference in ranking between the Gators and Alabama should not be as far as it is. 6 spots may not seem like much, but in college football, every position matters. #4 Alabama plays #2 LSU this week so this will be a big test in Alabama's resume and whether they're worthy or not. It's pizza day at the school cafeteria and there's only one left. The farther along you are in line, the more likely it is that you'll get that coveted pizza. The teams are hungry and it's feeding time.
The rankings released were only the first one of many. It's practically guaranteed that these rankings will change and the final 4 will be COMPLETELY DIFFERENT (I'm looking at you, Alabama) than from what they are. For now, let's enjoy hopefully a great remainder of the college football season.
This is ThatDude coming at you. Now if you excuse me, I've gotta get myself checked out for hypertension after all this salt I had for Alabama and the playoff committee. Go Gators.
