win<\/a>, but not against a ranked opponent \u2014 and had one of its worst offensive days in the last two years. (Miami actually edged out the Noles.)<\/p>\nAnd yet, here we are again: Florida State at No. 4, Washington at No. 5.<\/p>\n
It’s not like the committee insists on staying up just because everyone at the top won. Georgia edged out Ohio State for first place, despite the Buckeyes playing arguably their best game of the year in a dominant performance against Michigan State. But Georgia was recognized for beating a top 20 opponent in Ole Miss and, deservedly, we would say, moved into first place.<\/p>\n
Only, here’s a fun fact: According to ESPN’s Record Strength Measure \u2013 which calculates the average chance of a top 25 team having the same record over the same schedule \u2013 Georgia ranks 7th. . Washington is in 7th place. 2.<\/p>\n
And if it’s just a matter of style, well, Ohio State and Florida State don’t exactly embarrass every new opponent. Washington played four games against teams ranked in the top 25% of FPIs, and it won all four by an average of 7 points. Ohio State has only played two, and its wins have come by 3 (at the buzzer) and 8 (against a team that can’t throw a ball more than five yards down the field).<\/p>\n
Comparing five undefeated teams with a single common opponent is an impossible task that inherently requires splitting hairs. But it’s hard not to wonder what hairs the committee is splitting if it views Washington as the undisputed No. 5 in this group.<\/p>\n
The good news for the Huskies, however, is that they will travel to No. 11 Oregon State this week, while Florida State will play North Alabama. If they both win and the Huskies hold on once again, we suggest this is a plot to kill the Pac-12, and Washington should just call it quits and go to the Big Ten.<\/p>\n\nNo. 5 Washington will face No. 11 Oregon State this weekend. Jesse Beals\/Sportswire Icon<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/aside>\nThe highest-ranked two-loss team this week is Missouri, and given the Tigers’ wins over Kansas State, Kentucky and Tennessee \u2014 as well as competitive games against LSU and Georgia \u2014 that’s fair .<\/p>\n
Oregon State checks in next and we have a few questions here. The Beavers’ best wins are against Utah and UCLA, while they also have an increasingly ugly loss to Washington State. Isn’t it strange that Oregon (top ranked team with one loss) and Oregon State (second highest ranked team with two losses) both get credit for beating Utah , but not Washington?<\/p>\n
Next is Penn State. What exactly does the committee see at Penn State at this point? The Nittany Lions have a good win: Iowa. But that’s like saying Creed beat Nickelback in a “Battle of the Bands” competition. It’s essentially the same group, with the same flaws, and frankly, no one who witnessed this competition wants to talk about it again. Meanwhile, Penn State’s supposed success supports both Ohio State and Michigan at the top of the rankings (debatable) and is somehow considered better than Ole Miss or Oklahoma.<\/p>\n
A quick check of your CV…<\/p>\n
Win against top 35 FPI opponents (i.e. top 25% of FBS players)<\/p>\n
Ole Mademoiselle: <\/strong>3 (LSU, Auburn, Texas A&M)Oklahoma:<\/strong> 4 (SMU, Iowa State, Texas, UCF)State of Pennsylvania: <\/strong>1 (Iowa)<\/p>\nOK, so maybe you don’t find the wins against Auburn or UCF compelling. What do you say to that?<\/p>\n
Did you just fire your offensive coordinator due to a complete lack of explosiveness?<\/p>\n
Ole Mademoiselle: <\/strong>No, the Rebels are averaging 37 points per game.Oklahoma: <\/strong>No way, Jeff Lebby’s name is being mentioned for vacant head coaching positions.State of Pennsylvania:<\/strong> Of course, and probably a few weeks too late too.<\/p>\nBut right now, it’s Oregon State and Penn State that are in the best position to play a New Year’s Six game, and that’s just hard to justify.<\/p>\n
We all had a good laugh about the quest for 325 \u2013 Iowa (8-2, No. 16)’s quest to average 25 points per game and save Ferentz’s job. Barring a surprising 106-10 win over Nebraska in a few weeks, that’s not going to happen, and Ferentz has already learned he won’t be back next year.<\/p>\n\nEditor’s Choice<\/h2>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n
But what is the problem here? Sure, Iowa hasn’t topped 26 points against a Power 5 opponent this year (or maybe this century). The Hawkeyes are still 8-2, climbing the rankings like a Tory Taylor punt. In fact, they just accumulated 402 offensive yards against Rutgers last week. That’s 74 more yards than Ohio State had against Rutgers a week earlier! Put Marvin Harrison Jr. on Iowa’s offense and that’s average – well, at least 24.5 points per game, and we’re rounding up.<\/p>\n
Denigrating poor Ferentz is part of our society’s preconceived notions of beauty and success. What if Iowa won differently? What if the Hawkeyes’ offense makes drying paint feel like a thrill. We’re all so obsessed with outdated metrics like yards and points that we’ve lost track of what’s important: wins. Ferentz is a winner. It’s not too late to change your mind, Iowa. Bring this man<\/a> back!<\/p>\n4. Liberty (10-0, unranked), James Madison (10-0, unranked), Toledo (9-1, unranked), SMU (8-2, unranked), NC State (7-3, unranked) and UCF (5-5, unranked)<\/h2>\n Oklahoma State (7-3, No. 23) remains in the top 25 despite being eliminated 45-3 last week by UCF.<\/p>\n
Let’s repeat that: 45 for the other team. Three for Oklahoma State.<\/p>\n
It’s also worth noting that this wasn’t entirely an anomaly. The Pokes also have a 33-7 loss to Alabama on their resume. Oh, sorry, it’s *southern* Alabama.<\/p>\n
A team that has two losses by a total of 68 points against teams currently ranked 41st and 61st in SP+ remains ranked in the top 25 ahead of four very good Group of 5 teams and NC State, which is the only 7-school 3 Power 5. outside the top 25.<\/p>\n
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1. Washington (again!) (10-0, n\u00b05)<\/h2>\n