Notre Dame Football: Are Irish or Texas A&M more deserving?
By Dante Pryor
Two teams, two blowout losses…what is the deciding factor for the committee?
Some people are fans of roller coasters, and some people are not. Attempting to understand the committee’s reasoning for how they select teams is like riding a roller coaster.
This situation between the Irish and the Aggies is very Six Flag’s-like. You have two teams with similar records and a matching resume.
Texas A&M lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide 52-24 in week two of the season. Notre Dame lost to Clemson 34-10 last night. Which loss is worse? Committee chairperson Gary Barta could come and say, “Well, Texas A&M got in over Notre Dame because we believe they are not the same team that lost to Alabama at the beginning of the year. In fact, after that loss, the Aggies went on to win seven straight games,” which is an entirely plausible argument.
On the other hand, Barta could come out and say, “Well, Notre Dame stays in the top four because their loss to Clemson last night is not an indicator of who they are as a team. Their overall resume speaks to their abilities as a team, and we decided not to penalize the Irish for one bad game.”
Once again, an argument that makes sense. The committee has to figure out which of these teams –both deserving– should make the final four. Of any year that makes sense to expand the playoff –even for just one season– this would have been the season.
Projecting the final CFP Playoff rankings. dark. Next
Either way, I would not want to be on that committee today to select the four teams for the National Semifinal. Committee, do everyone a favor and choose Cincinnati.