CFP Selection Committee Chair Boo Corrigan explains Tennessee’s No. 1 nod, Ohio State over Georgia

Following the College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s first Top 25 reveals of the 2022 season, chairman Boo Corrigan – who also serves as the NC State athletic director – weighed in on all the moves his compatriots made. In his first sitdown of many with ESPN’s Rece Davis, he set the tone for what this year’s group values and shared how they came to a number of decisions.

The top of the rankings featured no shortage of fuel for the conversation with Boo Corrigan as Tennessee opened at No. 1, beating out Georgia and Ohio State for the rights to the top spot ahead of Week 10. While the rankings conundrum among the three undefeated teams will no-doubt resolve itself when the Volunteers travel on the road this Saturday to face the Bulldogs, it set the early mark for what it takes to be No. 1.

“When you look at the three teams – all three very, very good teams that the committee really liked – I think the two wins that you’re looking at with Alabama and at LSU really sealed the day for Tennessee,” said Corrigan.

Going down the list, Boo Corrigan then weighed in on the two remaining teams who likely believe they hold a claim to the top overall ranking. In the end, the margins appear to be razor thin with a lean toward recent results.

“I think the explosive nature of their offense at Ohio State,” said Corrigan. “CJ Stroud, Marvin Harrison Jr, the win over Penn State – the way they came back to win that game. Again, very close. Two well-balanced teams. At the end of the day, the committee decided that we would go with Ohio State No. 2 and Georgia No. 3.

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Georgia again features a high-level defense despite losing a number of contributors to the NFL Draft after winning the national championship over Alabama last season. With Stetson Bennett back to lead the offense with his years of experience, they look just as potent as ever entering the biggest regular season matchup in recent memory.

Tennessee has showcased one of the most exciting offenses in college football and features a Heisman-worthy connection between Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt. In year two under Josh Heupel, the Volunteers picked up a win over Alabama and get a shot at Georgia next.

Ohio State brought back CJ Stroud and a number of elite offensive weapons, but also added defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to fix the biggest holes from last season. Once again in the picture for the CFP, the Buckeyes must close out the Big Ten schedule as the roster gets healthy once again.