Gary Barta addresses Michigan ranked over Michigan State

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee provided its updated rankings following an upset-filled Week 10. Heading into Week 11, the top seven teams – expanded from the usual six thanks to controversy – are Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State, Cincinnati, Michigan and Michigan State. While the seven teams came out chalk, the order will be debated until a resolution is found.

CFP Selection Committee chairman Gary Barta joined ESPN’s Rece Davis in an abbreviated version of the rankings reveal, taking just a few moments to address the controversy on everyone’s mind. Despite setting early precedent with Oregon and Ohio State’s head-to-head result, the committee opted to move Michigan ahead of Michigan State with the same record, despite a head-to-head meeting one week earlier.

CFP: Michigan vs Michigan State

Michigan State ranked higher than any Big Ten opponent in the CFP’s first rankings. However, an upset loss against Purdue shot them down the board. Now in a battle with Ohio State and Michigan, the Spartans are fighting for CFP relevance and a shot at the Big Ten title.

Just over a week ago, the Spartans won 37-33 over Michigan, giving them the upper hand. The CFP Selection Committee ranked them ahead of their in-state rivals and set the tone by ranking one-loss Oregon ahead of one-loss Ohio State thanks to a head-to-head win. Despite the Ducks lower ranked loss, it was an early-season win over the Buckeyes which provided an advantage.

Apparently, that advantage did not exist between Michigan State and Michigan. In fact, CFP Selection Committee chairman Gary Barta hinted at dissent last week over the Spartans legitimacy as a contender.

“Well the arguments were going on in the room – just like im listening to you guys go back and forth – a week ago,” Barta told Davis. “It was discussed that Michigan might be the more complete team – offensively, defensively – every statistic Michigan is ahead of Michigan State. But the committee certainly gave Michigan (State) the nod, they were undefeated, they beat Michigan head-to-head.”

Fast forward just seven days and fans need answers about what is so different. After a four-place cushion, Michigan State is behind Michigan.

“What’s different a week later? Michigan won, Michigan State lost,” Barta said. “The discussion in the room went back and forth – very similar to what you’re doing now. But at the end of the day we felt as a committee that Michigan was a better team. And to be ranked ahead of Michigan State this week. Stay tuned, we get to watch next week.”