Well the first CFP expanded poll is out, for the ACC it isn’t bad at all.
The wait is over – the first @CFBPlayoff rankings are here!
Which teams are in your top 25?#bowlseason #cfp #collegefootball #cfb pic.twitter.com/igD9a8qO1P
— Bowl Season (@BowlSeason) November 6, 2024
Miami was ranked #4 with a 3 seed. #1 Oregon is undefeated, #3 Georgia’s only loss is a close game at Alabama with blowout wins over #23 Clemson and a strong road win at #5 Texas. Ohio State is ranked #2, but the Canes get that 3 seed. This is a reasonable ranking for the Canes.
SMU is ranked #13, and that’s a very reasonable ranking. Their only loss is by 3 points to #9 BYU, and they have ranked wins over #18 Pitt and #22 Louisville. It’s a great position for the Mustangs to be in. If they run the table they have a great shot to be in the top 10 when the ACC Title games come around. Actually, it could be a little higher if we’re being honest, but not too bad.
Pitt is ranked #18. This rewards the Panthers 7-1 start, with their only loss to SMU.
Louisville is at #22, and this may have been the highest show of respect for an ACC team. Louisville is the only 3-loss team in the Top 25, which shows the committee paid attention to the Cardinal’s season of 3 top 15 losses by single digits, and their dominant victory at Clemson.
Clemson is #23, and you can’t complain about that. Clemson face planted against their two toughest opponents Georgia and Louisville, but dominated the rest of a soft schedule. Basically, they are Indiana with a schedule. Oh did I say that?
The Hoosiers are undefeated, but they aren’t underrated so put a stop to that.
BYU at #9 has the biggest gripe. A quality win at #13 SMU, and against #19 Kansas State. You could put their resume up against Indiana, or 1-loss teams like Penn State and Texas and compare favorably.
For the ACC though, not a bad polling start.
