FSU comes in at No. 2!
Where is Florida State ranked in the college football playoff committee's initial rankings?
The committee will be ranking the reams based on only what they have done so far. The ranking is a representation "who would be in if the playoff were tomorrow." Already, there are a number of potential problems with the committee and its methodology.
Notes
"Committee thought Mississippi State and FSU were clear cut one and two, while Auburn stood out as a three. The margin between Ole Miss, Oregon and Alabama was paper thin," said committee chair Jeff Long.
-Committee did discuss the OL who were out for Oregon against Arizona. No mention of FSU not having Jameis Winston v. Clemson (wasn't asked)
Please breathe and take into account that if CFP existed last year Miami, Texas Tech and Michigan would've been in the initial Top 25.
— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) October 28, 2014Every College Football Playoff team, mapped: http://t.co/HWBwrn2lqB (by @hasselESPN) pic.twitter.com/Q5aBkelAB6
— SB✯Nation CFB (@SBNationCFB) October 29, 2014Great job by the committee of not rewarding teams for FUTURE schedules (looking at you, Alabama and Notre Dame). Let them play the games 1st
— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) October 29, 2014Alabama's best win is West Virginia. They still play Auburn, Mississippi State & LSU. If they're great, they'll show it.
— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) October 28, 2014Committee also didn't give much credence to blowing out bad teams (like Tennessee and Florida). #RollTide
— TomahawkNation.com (@TomahawkNation) October 29, 2014Here are the top rankings
1. Mississippi State
Mississippi State defeated Auburn in Starkville and also beat LSU handily in Baton Rouge -- a win that looks better now that LSU has improved. The Bulldogs must still travel to Tuscaloosa and Oxford, however, along with a potential SEC Championship Game.
2. Florida State
FSU defeated Notre Dame and Clemson in Tallahassee, the latter victory coming without Jameis Winston. FSU still must play games at Louisville and at Miami, along with a potential ACC Championship Game.
3. Auburn
The Tigers have an impressive road win at Kansas State and they dismantled LSU. The loss to Mississippi State is a good one, as the Bulldogs have yet to lose. Games at Georgia, at Ole Miss and at Alabama remain, along with a potential SEC Championship Game.
4. Ole Miss
The Rebels defeated Alabama, was one of three teams to blow out Texas A&M, and lost at LSU. Home contests against Auburn and Mississippi State remain, along with a potential SEC Championship Game.
5. Oregon
The Ducks solidly beat Michigan State, and won on the road at UCLA, but lost at home to Arizona. Games v. Stanford and at Utah remain. If the Ducks win out, they are almost certainly going to be in the playoff.
6. Alabama
Alabama has an good victory over West Virginia, and is one of three teams to dominate Texas A&M. Other than that, the resume is rather weak to this point, and the road loss to Ole Miss now is slightly more harmful due to the Rebels' loss to LSU. The Tide will have a chance to bolster the resume, with games at LSU, v. Mississippi State and v. Auburn, along with a potential SEC Championship Game.
7. TCU
The Horned Frogs took down Oklahoma, and lost to Baylor. Games at West Virginia and v. Kansas State remain.
8. Michigan State
The Spartans have a win over Nebraska, and lost convincingly at Oregon. A game against a ranked Ohio State, and a possible Big Ten Championship Game remains.
9. Kansas State
The Wildcats have a win at Oklahoma and a home loss to Auburn. Road games at TCU, West Virginia and Baylor remain.
10. Notre Dame
The Irish's best win is Stanford, and its resume is more about almost beating Florida State in Tallahassee. The Irish still have games at Arizona State, v. Louisville and at USC.
11. Georgia
The Bulldogs have a win over a ranked Clemson team, and a loss at South Carolina. They host Auburn and are the odds-on favorite to represent the East in the SEC Championship Game.