Did Oklahoma Deserve the Fourth Spot?

by Brendan Paschal

The College Football Playoff committee did literally nothing this year. They looked at the AP Poll and said “sure, those four work”, and headed to lunch. The committee was designed to select the four best teams in college football. Regardless of what the AP, Coaches, and Media Polls say. That is what should make this entire thing so exciting. If the members looked at UCF and truly believed they were the fourth best team in the nation, they have the power to place them in the playoff.

However, Oklahoma made it this year after Georgia’s close loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship while they exacted their revenge on Texas.

I don’t think it is a coincidence that Oklahoma was put in the best situation to make the playoff by the committee, who happens to have their Athletic Director, Joe Castiglione as a current member. Sure, Oklahoma has the resume. They’re 12-1 with the one loss being by three points to a ranked opponent, a Big 12 title, Kyler Murray is a Heisman candidate, etc. Oklahoma looks good on paper.

Good grief – they’re going to get slaughtered by Alabama. Oklahoma’s defense is atrocious.

Their defense allowed an average of 32.8 points – Georgia’s nearly half that with 17.3. Furthermore, North Carolina, the same North Carolina that just fired their head coach, has a higher ranked defense than Oklahoma. Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Georgia all have defenses in the Top 25 statistically, and Ohio State sits at 67. It’s shocking how bad this defense is. Only 18 teams in the FBS have a worse defense than Oklahoma. Yet, this team is supposed to be the fourth best in the nation? Give me a break.

Image from Oklahoma Athletics.

For once, I want a committee that doesn’t care about the rankings or the politics. I want a group of women and men that have the guts to pick four teams that they legitimately think are the best overall football teams. If the committee believes Oklahoma is one of those four, well, then we have a whole other issue at hand. However it is very probable that it was the easiest choice. I’m not upset that Georgia didn’t make it, but I am upset that what should be one of the most entertaining college football games all year will more than likely turn into a blowout.