Chairman Warde Manuel and the College Football Playoff committee are facing criticism from Georgia coach Kirby Smart, who believes teams and coaches should not have to guess the evaluation criteria for the 12-team playoff rankings.
Currently, Georgia ranks No. 10 in the CFP Top 25, having two losses in the Southeastern Conference but victories over No. 3 Texas, No. 11 Tennessee, and No. 17 Clemson.
“I’ve often expressed my uncertainty about what they’re seeking. They can’t clarify that, and it isn’t straightforward,” Smart stated during the SEC teleconference on Wednesday.
“It’s not easy. Anyone could be on that committee and say, ‘This is our criteria.’ There’s so much overlap, and it leads to debates that I’d rather not spend my energy on. It feels like what matters goes beyond just nonconference games or the opponents you face.”
Manuel mentioned that the committee considers factors like head-to-head competition, strength of schedule, and an ambiguous element referred to as the “eye test.”
“Georgia’s significant win against Texas stands out,” Manuel explained, noting the difference the committee sees between Texas and Georgia, given Georgia’s two losses to Top-25 teams. “In our analysis, Texas remains a strong team worthy of a No. 3 seed.”
Smart expressed confusion concerning the “eye test” concept.
“It seems unfair when evaluating someone with a third- or fifth-ranked defense,” Smart remarked. “Shouldn’t that ranking depend on the caliber of offenses faced?”
He highlighted that both his team’s offense and defense have confronted top-tier opponents, suggesting that rankings can be misleading if based solely on competition level.
Additionally, Indiana ranks No. 2 in scoring offense, trailing Miami, with both teams that defeated Georgia this season—Ole Miss (fourth) and Alabama (eighth)—in the Top 10.
Smart added, “How you perform in games is primarily determined by the location and the opponents. The caliber of your opponents significantly impacts your performance. I’m not convinced point differential is a focus for them; it’s a broader evaluation based on who you compete against.”
LSU head coach Brian Kelly remarked during the teleconference that the upcoming 2024 season is expected to yield imperfect data for the committee, especially with the transition from a four-team to a 12-team playoff and an increase in major football conferences.
Kelly noted that schedule strength would play a crucial role in how the playoff landscape unfolds in the future, emphasizing that this year’s experience will provide important insights.
