This article is part of our College Football Picks series.
With much fanfare, the Bowl Selection Committee's initial rankings were released last week and surprisingly, I was actually surprised!
For some reason, I was under the impression that these rankings would follow the polls fairly closely, but to my surprise, there was one glaring difference between the polls and the rankings, and it's not just a difference in rankings, but apparently, a difference in philosophy.
Let me explain. First, the team ranked higher by the selection committee than the polls is Mississippi, which lost to LSU last week. The AP poll has the Rebels slotted seventh, while the USA Today poll has them at nine. There's no surprise there, in fact, it's the norm. If a team loses, it drops precipitately through the ranks. That's how it's always been ... until now, that is.
Intentional or not, and I'm open to the possibility that it was intentional, the committee sent a message last week that it's the entire body of work that matters, not what you did three days prior. I'm sure it factors into the equation, but the committee is not going to fall into the trap of devaluing a team based on when it lost, but rather to whom it lost.
Not only is the playoff new, but the philosophy behind which teams get into the playoff is new as well. We may look back years from now and refer to this time as the "enlightened era." That or we'll find something to complain about until the another
With much fanfare, the Bowl Selection Committee's initial rankings were released last week and surprisingly, I was actually surprised!
For some reason, I was under the impression that these rankings would follow the polls fairly closely, but to my surprise, there was one glaring difference between the polls and the rankings, and it's not just a difference in rankings, but apparently, a difference in philosophy.
Let me explain. First, the team ranked higher by the selection committee than the polls is Mississippi, which lost to LSU last week. The AP poll has the Rebels slotted seventh, while the USA Today poll has them at nine. There's no surprise there, in fact, it's the norm. If a team loses, it drops precipitately through the ranks. That's how it's always been ... until now, that is.
Intentional or not, and I'm open to the possibility that it was intentional, the committee sent a message last week that it's the entire body of work that matters, not what you did three days prior. I'm sure it factors into the equation, but the committee is not going to fall into the trap of devaluing a team based on when it lost, but rather to whom it lost.
Not only is the playoff new, but the philosophy behind which teams get into the playoff is new as well. We may look back years from now and refer to this time as the "enlightened era." That or we'll find something to complain about until the another changed is forced upon us. Ah, who am I kidding, this system will get torn apart as just like every other one until we eventually end up with a 64, uh, 68-team tournament.
Week 9 was quite the week for the Capper. 6-1 in my top-2 categories, including a few easy wins and only one loss; a painful loss, though, as entering the final quarter of the North Carolina game there were 55 points on the board. The bottom group was filled with awful losses, including a loss on Kentucky, which had the cover locked up until an onside-kick was returned for a touchdown.
As always, I'll tweet any insights I come up with post-article each week. You can follow me at @gregvara
Cream of the Crop (Week: 3-1; Season: 9-17)
Saturday
North Carolina at Miami: Going back to the well here, even though the well dried up last Saturday. Even though North Carolina failed to go over the total, the game was on that path for much of the afternoon, but something just went wrong in the second half. Miami is no sieve on defense, but the Tar Heels have a tendency of bringing out the circus in all the teams they face.
Total: Over 68.5
Purdue at Nebraska: I took the Cornhuskers last week on the notion that they aren't the same team we've seen the last few years, and while I still believe that, the Boilermakers aren't the same team either. Don't get me wrong, they still stink, but the odor is not quite as foul. Nebraska is getting to the point in the season where the guys might be starting to look ahead, and Purdue now has the weapons to take advantage of a team that looks past it.
Side: Purdue +23.5
Florida vs. Georgia: Florida is in a world of hurt, and although I fully expect a solid effort this week off a horrible loss to Missouri, I don't think it will matter as the Bulldogs are just that much better than the Gators.
Side: Georgia -13
Best of the Rest (Week 3-0; Season: 12-11-1)
Saturday
Notre Dame and Navy: Notre Dame received a wake-up call last week when the Bowl Selection Comittiee's rankings were released and the Irish came in at No. 10. They obviously have their work cut out for them, and all they can do is dominate lesser opponents the rest of the way and beat the quality teams left on their schedule.
Side: Notre Dame -14
Central Florida at Connecticut: I couldn't let this one past. Neither team has an offense, but come on, this is college football. I can't pass up a total in the 30s.
Total: Over 39
Kansas at Baylor: Let's go ahead and play the side and the total here and hope that Baylor takes care of both by itself. With a total in the low-60s, Baylor is certainly capable of going over the number by itself. Did I mention how good the Bears have been at home the last few years?
Side: Baylor -31
Total: Over 61.5
PASSing Thoughts (Week: 0-4; Season: 24-18)
Thursday
Florida State at Louisville: I'm not convinced that Louisville is a quality team, but time and time again, FSU has looked the part of the underachieving team, and this is the spot where the Seminoles finally take a loss.
Side: Louisville +3.5
Saturday
Auburn at Mississippi: Mississippi is coming off a tough loss, but all is not lost as the Rebels are still in the mix for a playoff spot, and that's all that really matters. Auburn looked weak defensively last week, and the Rebels should find the sledding much easier this week than last.
Side: Mississippi -1.5
Arkansas at Mississippi State: The Hogs are a dangerous team, and I have a feeling that they are catching the Bulldogs at the right time this week. Dak Prescott may not be 100 percent healthy, and he is the straw that stirs the drink for Mississippi State.
Side: Arkansas +10
USC at Washington State: Washington State runs a 100 miles per hour on offense, and its defense couldn't stop a high school team. USC, meanwhile, has shown a tendency to get caught up in shootouts with lesser teams.
Total: Over 64.5
Stanford at Oregon: Stanford's had the Duck's number the last couple years, and while I expect Oregon to solve the riddle this year, I don't expect this one to be a shootout.
Total: Under 54.5
