Boo Corrigan reveals how much avoiding an Ohio State-Michigan rematch factored into CFP rankings

The College Football Playoff is set — Georgia will take on Ohio State, while Michigan will face TCU on New Year’s Eve.

The matchups are juicy, but the committee had an opportunity to have a rematch of The Game on a gigantic stage, if only they slotted the Buckeyes ahead of the Horned Frogs. Many believed it was too good of an opportunity to pass up, and that it would ultimately force the committee’s hand.

Speaking with Rece Davis after the rankings were revealed, Chairman of the College Football Playoff Committee Boo Corrigan answered the question of whether the possibility factored into their rankings.

“It really wasn’t discussed as we went into it,” Corrigan answered. “As we went into it, our goal was to get the Top 4 teams right, and make sure that we believe in Georgia No. 1, Michigan No. 2, TCU No. 3, Ohio State No. 4 for the reasons I was just talking about in regards to TCU and Ohio State.

“Again, our goal was to get the right four, ultimately the right 25 as we go through this and make sure we’ve got them in the right order, regardless of matchups and conferences and the rest of them.”

Of course, Davis pressed on, asking if it was talked about at all in the room, which Corrigan again denied.

“It was not talked about in the room,” emphasized Corrigan. “Again, we were looking at getting the right four teams. As we went piece by piece by piece, we ended up in the order that we did with TCU at No. 3. Again, based on the body of work over the course of the season.”

Alas, a rematch of The Game could still happen, but both Michigan and Ohio State will have to win their semifinals games. It’ll be no easy task, but it’s certainly still on the table moving forward.