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Imagine going unbeaten and then discovering that a team with two defeats is sitting above you in the College Football Playoff rankings. That's the sort of announcement guaranteed to start a few arguments around the dinner table!
The committee has placed Texas at No. 7 with a 6-2 record, one position ahead of unbeaten UCLA. I can already hear Bruins supporters asking what exactly they need to do to get some respect.
Now, I wouldn't dismiss Texas's case entirely. The Longhorns have played a demanding SEC schedule, and their defense has been doing some serious damage. They've held all five SEC opponents to their lowest yards-per-play totals of the season. That's an impressive achievement in a conference where offensive talent is hardly in short supply.
Rasheem Biles gave us another reminder against Mississippi State. Three sacks, including a forced fumble that Maraad Watson returned 61 yards for a touchdown. That's the sort of defensive performance that changes football games.
But here's where the argument gets interesting. How much should strength of schedule count when another team hasn't lost a game?
UCLA can point to its unbeaten record. Texas can point to the quality of its opposition and a defense that's been making life miserable for SEC offenses. Both arguments deserve to be examined.
If you were on the selection committee, how would you compare these two teams?
The committee has placed Texas at No. 7 with a 6-2 record, one position ahead of unbeaten UCLA. I can already hear Bruins supporters asking what exactly they need to do to get some respect.
Now, I wouldn't dismiss Texas's case entirely. The Longhorns have played a demanding SEC schedule, and their defense has been doing some serious damage. They've held all five SEC opponents to their lowest yards-per-play totals of the season. That's an impressive achievement in a conference where offensive talent is hardly in short supply.
Rasheem Biles gave us another reminder against Mississippi State. Three sacks, including a forced fumble that Maraad Watson returned 61 yards for a touchdown. That's the sort of defensive performance that changes football games.
But here's where the argument gets interesting. How much should strength of schedule count when another team hasn't lost a game?
UCLA can point to its unbeaten record. Texas can point to the quality of its opposition and a defense that's been making life miserable for SEC offenses. Both arguments deserve to be examined.
If you were on the selection committee, how would you compare these two teams?
