Regardless of the outcome of the College Football Playoff championship game on Monday night, there will likely be critics ready to raise certain arguments. In the event of a Notre Dame victory, expect to hear comments like, “But they lost to Northern Illinois!” emphasizing that no national champion had ever suffered such a humiliating defeat. Conversely, if Ohio State secures coach Ryan Day’s first national title, be prepared for backlash about how it devalues the regular season for a two-loss team to claim the national championship after finishing fourth in the Big Ten.
Let’s proactively address any attempts to downplay the inaugural champion of the 12-team playoff with a simple rebuttal: Put an end to this baseless criticism. Whether it’s Ohio State or Notre Dame, the eventual champion will not only be deserving but will also merit special acknowledgment for navigating through a challenging series of four intense and physical playoff games—an unparalleled feat in the history of the sport.
Deserving? Absolutely.
It is time for college football enthusiasts to embrace the playoff system and move beyond outdated debates. While other team sports seamlessly crown their champions through multi-round playoffs, college football has long clung to a flawed perception of perfection over tournament competition to reveal a team’s true mettle.
Undoubtedly, college football has produced numerous champions who would have excelled regardless of the format, including teams like 2019 LSU, 2001 Miami, and 1995 Nebraska. However, there have been instances, particularly during the poll era and the BCS, where the sport’s flawed selection process may have overlooked the most deserving team.
Reflecting on past controversies, such as BYU’s unlikely national title in 1984 or Auburn’s omission from the championship game in 2004 despite a dominant SEC campaign, underscores the need for a more equitable playoff system. Instead of embracing change, the sport’s stakeholders once defended the flawed status quo, claiming that contentious debates over the best team enhanced college football’s intrigue.
Now, envision a scenario where the BCS still governed college football. The upcoming championship game, which pits two deserving contenders against each other, could have been overshadowed by arbitrary selection criteria and missed opportunities for deserving teams.
In the hypothetical matchup between Oregon and Georgia to determine the season’s champion, the actual games played on the field revealed that these were not the top-performing teams. Georgia’s clear defeat to Notre Dame showcased a significant gap in performance, while Oregon, despite an early win against Ohio State at home, proved to be outmatched on a neutral field under high stakes.
For those who hold traditional views and believe that Oregon’s prior victory over Ohio State and subsequent Big Ten title should have automatically granted them the championship due to historical precedent, it may be a misguided perspective. A championship should be earned through a rigorous process that tests all aspects of a team’s abilities.
Consider the challenges faced by teams like Ohio State and Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff, encountering formidable opponents with strong defenses and offenses. While these teams have their imperfections, they have shown resilience and growth throughout the season.
Notre Dame’s surprising loss to Northern Illinois served as a wake-up call, motivating them to address their weaknesses and improve their performance. On the other hand, Ohio State’s redemption after a series of losses, including to Michigan, highlights the team’s determination and potential.
The evolution of the playoff format has allowed teams to develop and adapt over the course of the season, leading to more competitive and compelling matchups. This revised system provides teams with the opportunity to address their shortcomings and strive for excellence, ultimately benefiting college football as a whole.
Just as other sports have witnessed unexpected successes and underdog triumphs, college football follows a similar narrative of unpredictability and resilience. The essence of sports lies in the unpredictability of outcomes and the potential for upsets and surprises, making each victory and championship all the more meaningful.
Embracing the evolving landscape of college football and the playoff format is essential in appreciating the dynamic and competitive nature of the sport. Rather than clinging to outdated notions of championship qualifications, it is vital to recognize and celebrate the diverse paths that teams take to earn their place among the elite in college football.
Is the college football playoff determined by a committee or pollsters? There’s simply no evidence of it. In the current format, any team that reaches the playoff does so by either winning a conference or being deemed one of the top 10 teams in the nation – a standard that is not easily achieved in the 12-team playoff system.
Alabama, despite being given numerous benefits of the doubt, fell short of making the cut. Ole Miss, boasting what many consider to be the best overall roster in the SEC, also could not secure a spot. Miami, with the best offense in college football and a 10-2 record in a power conference, found themselves on the outside looking in. If the regular season held no significance, there wouldn’t have been such disappointment from these teams for narrowly missing out.
To claim the national championship in college football today, a team must prove themselves as one of the country’s elite during the regular season, elevate their performance in December, maintain good health throughout, win four postseason games against various styles and strengths, and ultimately be a well-rounded and complete team.
There are no shortcuts or free passes to the title – only through a comprehensive and consistent display of skill and determination can a team emerge victorious. Ohio State and Notre Dame have exemplified this approach better than any other contenders, and the eventual winner on Monday night will rightfully earn the title of the most deserving national champion in the history of the sport.
For more sports commentary, follow USA TODAY columnist Dan Wolken on social media @DanWolken.
