Alabama, Auburn, and the Rest of My Top Ten

When I continuously reloaded ESPN's page of the top 25 college football teams to see, well, see the rankings, the first one that turned up at 1:00 PM was the Coaches Poll. My first thought: "What ungodly abomination is this?"

I then waited another hour to find the AP Poll, which I had higher hopes for. They did not live up to my hopes. In fact, the AP Poll was even worse than the Coaches Poll.

What were my problems with the new rankings? Well, I did not like the lack of respect for Auburn, Alabama, and UCF, and I thought Wisconsin got more respect than they deserved. Let me explain.

Auburn Tigers

Why isn't beating two undefeated, top-ranked teams not enough to become a top-ranked team themselves? Is it the losses to Clemson and LSU? Is it just that Auburn has not proved themselves to be ranked higher than Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Clemson?

I would argue that Auburn's resumé of beating two no. 1 teams is enough, but some may say "Why would we put an Auburn team ahead of a Clemson team it lost to?". Well, this year, the rankings never had LSU ahead of Auburn after LSU beat them, so, obviously, there's some leeway. Clemson's only loss also came against a Syracuse squad which will not even make a bowl game while Auburn's losses have come against two top 20 teams, and the Tigers have clearly improved since their loss to LSU.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Why is a one-loss Alabama outside of the top 4? Yes, I agree that if Clemson, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Auburn all win out, they should be in the top 4, but these are not the final rankings, and Alabama would clearly beat Wisconsin on any turf during any time of year.

Wisconsin Badgers

Why rush Wisconsin? Wisconsin has two quality wins this year, both of which were close for most of the game and were against low-ranked teams, but Wisconsin's in if they beat Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, so why not leave Alabama at no. 4? If Ohio State beats Wisconsin, I think Alabama will get into the playoffs, so there's no reason to put Wisconsin in now, and there is reason to put Alabama in now.

UCF Knights

Why all the disrespect for the American Athletic Conference? This conference has two ranked teams, and one team that will likely be ranked by the end of the year.

I am not saying to consider UCF for the college football playoffs, but at least give them a top ten spot. This team has so many good wins and is the first team to ever go from winless to undefeated in regular season play within a two year span. This team is good enough to be considered a top 10 squad and does not deserve to be ranked behind a three-loss Mississippi State.

My Rankings

You may keep thinking that I am just complaining but not giving a better solution or maybe my own top 10 that the CFP Committee can use as well as scenarios that will get the team into the playoff. Well, here's how I see the situation.

1. Auburn (10-2)

Win against Georgia will clinch a spot in the playoffs.

2. Clemson (11-1)

Win against Miami will clinch a spot in the playoffs.

3. Oklahoma (11-1)

Win against TCU will clinch a spot in the playoffs.

4. Alabama (11-1)

Ohio State beating Wisconsin, TCU beating Oklahoma, or Miami beating Clemson will likely clinch a spot in the playoffs.

5. Wisconsin (12-0)

Win against Ohio State will clinch a spot in the playoffs.

6. Georgia (11-1)

Win against Auburn will likely clinch a spot in the playoffs.

7. Ohio State (10-2)

Win against Wisconsin along with a loss by Oklahoma and a win by Clemson may help Ohio State enter the playoffs.

8. Miami (11-1)

Win against Clemson may let Miami into the playoffs.

9. TCU (10-2)

Unlikely to make playoffs in any scenario.

10. UCF (11-0)

Unlikely to make playoffs in any scenario.

I do pray by some miracle that the CFP Committee does see this article, and that their rankings are not as terrible as the AP Poll or the Coaches Poll, but, especially, do not rank Auburn fourth.