College Football Playoff Rankings: Hits and Misses in Week 11 ranks

I’m well aware this isn’t likely a popular opinion, but the committee has UCF right where they should be, despite the fact that the Knights are undefeated. The outcry about disrespect stems mainly from last season – that version of UCF was a much better team than the one we’ve seen in 2018 so far.

Judging them just based on this season alone, the Knights haven’t done anything to prove they belong among college football’s elite. Yes, they are 8-0, but coming against the 108th ranked schedule, according to Sagarin. Their overall opponent record is 29-41, with their best win coming against a Pittsburgh team that might win the Coastal Division of the ACC at 6-6.

They had a chance to make a statement at home against Temple last Thursday night, and while the Owls are a solid team in their own right, UCF’s flaws were on full display as they gave up nearly 700 yards to a middling Temple offense.

Owls QB Anthony Russo‘s career high for passing yards was 300 coming into the game, and he eviscerated that mark against the Knights, throwing for 444 yards. The lack of an elite pass rusher like Shaquem Griffin has hampered UCF defensively this season, and it’s that fatal flaw that keeps them from being a serious playoff threat.

If the Knights go undefeated, they would certainly be deserving of a berth in the New Year’s Six, but barring absolute chaos, I don’t see a path to the playoff for them.

I would have probably put UCF ahead of Kentucky at No. 11, but I get the reasoning why the Knights would stand pat at 12th.