Decode the decisions made by College Football Playoff Commission in its rankings has become a weekly ritual. CFP President Gary Barta helped shed light on why at least one decision was made.
Barta says that the reason Michigan is in 6th place, ahead of Michigan in 7th despite a head-to-head loss on October 30, is because the overall stats favor Michigan.
CFP’s Gary Barta: “Forget about watching the games, that’s definitely part of it. But in every defensive and offensive category, Michigan comes out on top compared to Michigan State. “
– Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) November 17, 2021
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The Spartans enjoyed a week against Michigan after beating the Wolverines 37-33 on October 30 in East Lansing.. The following week, however, Purdue plays spoiler and beats Michigan State 40-29 in West Lafayette, Ind. After the win, Purdue was ranked 19th.
In the next section of the rankings, Michigan is ahead of Michigan State, a trend that continued on Tuesday as the Werewolves led the Spartans again.
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Barta wasn’t entirely wrong. Michigan and Michigan State also have similar offenses, but the Wolverines are far more defensive this year, by the numbers.
Below is the team’s overall statistical breakdown, with national FBS ratings in parentheses.
| Team | Give points for violation | Defensive Scoring | Total violations | Comprehensive defense |
| Michigan | 34.7 ppg (25) | 16.1 ppg (T-4) | 442.4 ypg (30) | 301.5 ypg (8) |
| the state of Michigan | 34.6 ppg (26) | 22.5 ppg (41) | 448.9 ypg (24) | 443 ypg (111) |
Michigan leads in three out of four numbers overall.
However, the lack of consistent team reviews has worried college football fans. For example, statistically, Ohio State is the better team than Oregon. However, the Ducks defeated the Buckeyes 35-28 in Columbus on September 11 and have continued to lead since. Since that win, Ohio State has won each of its games, while Oregon lost to Stanford 31-24 in extra time.
Here’s a breakdown of the Ducks and Buckeys this season.
| Team | Give points for violation | Defensive Scoring | Total violations | Comprehensive defense |
| Ohio State | 46.3 ppg (1) | 20.2 ppg (23) | 550 ypg (1) | 367 ypg (57) |
| Oregon | 35.3 ppg (21) | 22.6 ppg (43) | 441.3 ypg (32) | 367.9 ypg (58) |
Ohio State has the upper hand in all four, and it has the top offensive ability in all of the FBS teams.
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For the committee, however, the two teams are close enough that a head-to-head match – more than two months ago – is a factor in the difference.
Selection committee chairman Gary Barta of Oregon still leads Ohio State for number three: “The committee just felt that they were close enough for the top to still dominate the day.” https://t.co/6xkoQjocmS
– Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) November 17, 2021
Both Sparta and the Buckeyes will have a chance to improve after this weekend, when the two teams go head to head in Columbus. The winner has a decisive advantage in the Big Ten East leaderboard. The loser will have two losses, and will be all but the CFP picture.
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Other head-to-head matches have also been reflected in the CFP rankings. Cincinnati beat Notre Dame. The Bearcats are in 5th and the Fighting Irish at 8th. Baylor just beat Oklahoma this past weekend, knocking the Sooners down to 13th and bringing the Bears up to 11th.
Ole Miss had a head-to-head win over Texas A&M and placed 12th to the 16th Aggies even though Texas A&M boasts a win over Alabama #2. Wisconsin beat Iowa and lost three games, with Badgers in second place. 15th and the Hawkeyes two losses at 17th.
The committee did not point out that teams ranked lower than one another in terms of head-to-head losses. That’s why the game is played, after all. Spartans and Werewolves remain the most notable exception to that rule.
