The biggest controversy I created last night was claiming that Wisconsin could move to #4 if they beat OSU. As you should know by now, I make no idle claims. I plugged in a Wisky win over OSU, leaving all else alone, and that's where they ended up:
I think every OU fan on Twitter jumped all over the claim without trying to understand how it could happen. I think it's pretty simple: 2nd level points. They also don't understand the difference between retrodictive and predictive systems.
I get it. Fans are fans. It's short for fanatic. And it's OK. Really I'm just trying to gather some eyeballs, so I say inflammatory things. I've got my big boy pants on, I can take it.
On to the final Ray's Rankings of the 2019 CFB season:
25. Texas 7-5 No, I don't know how Tom Herman's team pulled this off. There were more than a few disappointments this season, but Texas was probably the most disappointmentest. That said, their SoS was 14th in the country, and the SRS put them ahead of a few teams ranked higher. Their reward is playing in the Alamo Bowl.
24. Virginia - after a 9-4 season that saw the Cavs beat arch rival VaTech for the first time in 15 years and playing in the ACC championship game, UVA is rewarded with a RR Top 25 finish to the season and a trip to the Orange Bowl.
23. Oklahoma State - losses to Texas and Texas Tech kept the Cowboys from climbing much higher in the rankings. Still, going 8-4 is a pretty good season when all you've got is Chuba Hubbard. They get to play in something called the Texas Bowl.
22. Kansas State 8-4 Similar to teams around them, the Wildcats showed promise by overachieving at times, while losing to teams they should probably beat. For that they get the Liberty Bowl.
21. Boise State 12-1 The Broncos had a very good season with a lone 3pt loss to BYU marring perfection. And they did it with a carousel at QB. The usual Las Vegas Bowl for Boise.
20. Appalachian State 12-1 Another Group of 5 team that flirted with a perfect season. A 3pt loss to Georgia Southern keeps them out of a NY6 bowl, the consolation prize for being the best of the little brothers. They play in the New Orleans Bowl.
19. Memphis 12-1 Beating Cincinnati twice propelled the Tigers to an AAC championship and a date with a top B1G team in the Cotton Bowl. Congrats, Memphis, you're the best of the second class schools that the snobs will allow into their exclusive bowl club.
18. USC 8-4 My guess here is that the Trojans victory over Utah just got better and better all season, and they had a stellar second half of the season. Look out next season. Holiday Bowl for USC
17. Minnesota 10-2 Here's where an expanded playoff starts to make more sense. The Gophers go 10-2 in a very tough B1G conference and are rewarded with a trip to...the Outback Bowl. Yes, they're playing on 1/1/20, but those NY6 games aren't quite as important as they used to be.
16. Auburn 9-3 The 2nd toughest SoS in the nation and only 3 losses. A well earned victory over Alabama in the Iron Bowl and spoiling the Tide's playoff hopes. Facing Minnesota on New Year's
15. Iowa 9-3 The B1G version of Auburn, but they didn't play an FCS school this season. Playing USC in the Holiday Bowl
14. Alabama 10-2 Terrible schedule, weak SoS, and lost to the only ranked teams they faced. Without a doubt, a disappointing year for the Tide. The numbers are the numbers. SoS really hurt Alabama, and my opinion is that they were unable to handle adversity this year. They'll be back. It's frigin' Saban after all. Citrus Bowl on 1/1
13. Florida 10-2 Talk about flying under the radar. Only losses are to 2 of the top teams, but they played 2 FCS schools. It hurts your team to play those games, folks. Orange Bowl vs UVA
12. Baylor 11-2 Only 2 looses are to a RR top 4 team. Almost beat OU with a true freshman QB in the championship game. Baylor wasn't supposed to be this good this soon. Sugar Bowl on 1/1
11. UM 9-3 A pretty tough SoS and a signature win over ND keeps Harbaugh relevant. Only losses are to teams ranked higher, and one is #1. Citrus Bowl vs the Tide where I'm sure the expectation is another Harbaugh loss to the SEC.
10. Notre Dame 10-2 with a loss to RR top 5 UGA and what has to be considered a surprise beat down at the hands of UM. Camping World Bowl? Eesh.
9. Wisconsin 10-3 What a first half vs OSU in the B1G conference championship. Many folks dismissing them because of the Illinois loss, but the Grandaddy is a fitting reward.
8. Penn State 10-2 The Minnesota loss probably cost them the Rose Bowl berth. It's the Cotton Bowl for the Nittany Lions, vs Memphis. May as well call it the Consolation Bowl.
7. Oregon 11-2 and Pac 12 champs heading to the Rose Bowl. I know that the Auburn loss hurt them, but I applaud the scheduling.
6. Utah 11-2 The USC loss may have hurt, but getting completely manhandled by Oregon was the real pain point this season. The Utes get Texas in the Alamo Bowl.
5. UGA 11-2 With Fromm under center, Kirby Smart has no offense to speak of. A friend called it a "complementary offense" in that it complements their defense. But when you face the likes of LSU, that's just not good enough. They get Baylor in the Sugar Bowl
4. Oklahoma - 12-1 Squeaked by Baylor. Twice. But Jalen Hurts is a special talent, and their D is better than whatever they had last season.
3. Clemson 13-0 Dangerous team. Between Lawrence and Etienne and really not seeing them play good-great teams, I understand why no one wants to play them: fear of the unknown.
2. LSU 13-0 Jeaux Burreaux showed why he will win the Heisman vs UGA. UGA's D played them well, but wow is Joe good.
1. OSU 13-0 The Buckeyes beat #8, #11, and #9 in back to back to back games. Their 1st and 2nd level points are the best, and total score is head and shoulders above everyone. They allowed 6 yards rushing in the 2nd half vs the Badgers.
Now we know the CFP semis and bowl games, but what would a real playoff look like? Let's start with Ray's Elite 8:
I think this is a much better solution. All Power 5 conference champs, the top Group of 5 team, and the 2 at large teams. Better than bowl games where top NFL prospects sit out.
But really, I want 16:
You tell me: do you want bowls, or do you want a real playoff with a 100% unbiased and transparent selection criteria? Latest rankings on the Latest Rankings page. Enjoy.
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