What's Happening?
The Ole Miss Rebels have secured their first-ever berth in the College Football Playoff, finishing the season with an 11-1 record, including seven victories in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They are set to face the Tulane Green Wave in the first round. However, the ranking of Ole Miss at No. 6, just above Texas A&M at No. 7, has sparked debate. ESPN analyst Greg McElroy expressed his concerns over this ranking during the College Football Playoff Selection Show. McElroy pointed out that Texas A&M's strength of schedule is ranked 16th, compared to Ole Miss's 41st, suggesting that Texas A&M had a tougher schedule. Despite this, Ole Miss's best win against Oklahoma and Texas A&M's victory over Notre Dame, a potential Top 10 team, were highlighted
as significant achievements.
Why It's Important?
The ranking of Ole Miss over Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff has significant implications for both teams and their fan bases. For Ole Miss, this marks a historic achievement, as it is their first appearance in the playoff, potentially boosting the program's reputation and recruiting efforts. For Texas A&M, being ranked below Ole Miss despite a stronger schedule could be seen as a slight, possibly affecting team morale and fan support. The decision also reflects the subjective nature of playoff rankings, which can influence perceptions of fairness and competitiveness in college football. The debate underscores the importance of strength of schedule in playoff considerations and could lead to discussions about the criteria used for rankings.
What's Next?
Ole Miss will proceed to host Tulane in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The game is scheduled for December 20, and it will be a significant test for the Rebels, especially without their head coach Lane Kiffin, who has moved to LSU. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. will lead the team in Kiffin's absence. Meanwhile, Texas A&M will face Miami in their first-round matchup. The outcomes of these games will determine the teams' progression in the playoff and could influence future rankings and perceptions of the playoff system. Stakeholders, including fans, analysts, and the teams themselves, will be closely watching these developments.
