The SEC gets the benefit of the doubt in the first CFP rankings

It’s the SEC’s world and the rest of us just inhabit the area. That was proven again on Tuesday in the College Football Playoff rankings, with the 8-0 UCLA Bruins at the No. 8 spot below the two-loss Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide. The SEC got the benefit of the doubt over the unproven UCL

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What is the story about?

It’s the SEC’s world and the rest of us just inhabit the area. That was proven again on Tuesday in the College Football Playoff rankings, with the 8-0 UCLA Bruins at the No. 8 spot below the two-loss Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide.

The SEC got the benefit of the doubt over the unproven UCLA. The Bruins haven’t had many marquee wins but they’ve taken care of business but ultimately the playoff committee prioritized the SEC and their strength of schedule.

USA TODAY writer John Leuzziwrote about that preference Tuesday night after the ranking announcement.

“The SEC, led by Georgia at No. 2, would have ownership of 42% of the seeds in the 12-team bracket should the season have ended on Tuesday,” Mendoza said. “How is the committee viewing

two-loss teams after Week 9? Based on Tuesday's rankings, they're still firmly in the playoff picture, a development that is welcome news for Greg Sankey and the SEC, as the conference's standings are crowded with two-loss teams.”

Ole Miss, Texas, Alabama and Ohio State are the four two-loss programs that are in the rankings. If UCLA loses two games it seems their chances at a CFP are minimal. The Bruins haven’t had a tough schedule and it’s given them limited margin for error.

For Bob Chesney to make the playoffs in year one with UCLA, he and the Bruins will need a strong end to the season against some tough Big Ten Conference teams. If UCLA goes 3-1 down the stretch against Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and USC, they’ll likely make the cut, anything worse? UCLA will likely be on the outside looking while other two-loss teams sneak into the playoffs.