The primary Faculty Soccer playoff rankings of 2026 formally got here out Tuesday evening, and the committee left us with extra questions than solutions. The highest 5 sits at Miami at No. 1, Georgia at No. 2, Utah at No. 3, Indiana at No. 4 and Alabama at No. 5. Listed here are a few of the largest questions.
Why are Indiana and Ohio State, in addition to Alabama and Tennessee, to date aside?
Indiana is No. 4 at 8-1. Ohio State is No. 12 at 6-2, eight spots behind the group it beat 19-15 in Bloomington on Oct. 17 to finish the Hoosiers’ 22-game successful streak. Alabama is No. 5, and Tennessee is No. 13, despite the fact that each sit at 6-2, and Tennessee beat the Crimson Tide 26-10 in Knoxville.
Head-to-head outcomes usually carry weight, so these gaps actually stand out. CFP chair Hunter Yurachek mentioned on ESPN that the committee compares groups immediately solely after they sit in the identical group, which he referred to as a pod. He mentioned it by no means reached the purpose of evaluating Indiana and Ohio State.
The factor that harm the Buckeyes was the best way they sorted shedding Julian Sayin. Yurachek mentioned they “did not appear like the identical Ohio State group” within the 30-18 loss at USC on Saturday. Their different loss got here in opposition to No. 7 Texas. Indiana, nevertheless, has not overwhelmed a ranked group, and its nonconference opponents have been North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky, however its solely loss is to Ohio State.
Alabama’s case is all about its resume. Yurachek mentioned Alabama and No. 6 Kentucky have been in the identical pod, and the Crimson Tide gained that comparability due to their head-to-head win. Alabama additionally beat South Carolina, and ESPN Analytics ranked its schedule because the seventh hardest in FBS. The committee simply believes that Tennessee has fewer high quality wins past the one over Alabama.
Why is unbeaten UCLA behind 5 groups with losses?
UCLA was ranked No. 8, tied for the very best CFP rating in program historical past, and sits behind a 6-2 Texas, 7-1 Kentucky, 6-2 Alabama, 8-1 Indiana and 7-1 Georgia. The Bruins entered Saturday No. 2 in ESPN’s energy of report, however it additionally famous that they rank exterior the highest 30 in offensive effectivity. UCLA is averaging 33.5 factors whereas permitting 13.4. The closing stretch is its actual check, with street video games at Minnesota and Michigan, and a matchup in opposition to No. 20 USC.
Is Utah’s No. 3 rating justified with only one ranked win?
Utah sits at No. 3 with an 8-0 report, however it solely has one ranked win, 21-13 over No. 17 Houston. The Utes even have one of many weaker strengths of schedule. No. 9 BYU and No. 15 Texas Tech every have two ranked wins. Nevertheless, they did additionally beat Cincinnati 49-25, who beat Texas Tech the week earlier than 37-24. Utah will host BYU this Saturday, Nov. 7 and visits No. 22 Arizona the week after on Nov. 14, two probabilities to show it really is the third-best group within the nation.
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