ESPN analysts break down Oklahoma in College Football Playoff rankings

The College Football Playoff committee has made their decision on two of the key teams in the Big 12 following their matchup this past Saturday. The Baylor Bears knocked off the undefeated Oklahoma Sooners 27-14, and in doing so, shook up the standings atop their conference.

The committee dropped Oklahoma down five spots, from eighth to thirteenth, and bumped Baylor up two spots from 13th to 11th. ESPN College Football analysts Rece Davis and Joey Galloway discussed the change in rankings between the two teams.

“Oklahoma falls five spots to 13 and I hesitate to bring up history because the committee changes from year to year. But the lowest ranking by a team to eventually makes the College Football Playoff at this point in the season is ninth. So, Oklahoma already didn’t really impress the committee, they slipped five spots,” said Davis.

“I think when they started at No.8 in the initial rankings the committee was saying that they weren’t impressed by the way Oklahoma has played,” Galloway began following Davis’ point. “They were undefeated, hadn’t played anybody. So, they lose a game and they fall down five. I tell you what, if Oklahoma can’t find a way to run the football, they’re not a very good football team. They got an Iowa State team this weekend that can absolutely beat that team.”

CFP chair explains Head-to-head value

Gary Barta took his usual line of questions from ESPN’s Rece Davis, addressing the committee’s head-to-head decisions.

“Well Rece, head-to-head is certainly one of the criteria we use – one of the things we evaluate,” said Barta. “In Oregon and Ohio State’s case, Oregon has been playing terrific football as of late. They won the other day against Washington State. Ohio State is playing some of the best offense in the country, they had a nice win against Purdue – a convincing win against Purdue. But when it comes down to those two – the fact that Oregon went to Ohio State and beat them in the Horseshoe – when the vote came down again this week, that’s where the vote came out.

“With Michigan-Michigan State the committee – when we met a week ago – talked about Michigan being a more complete team. Since then, another game has been played. Michigan State looked good against Maryland and Michigan came from behind and won on the road at Penn State. Every week 13 people recast their votes. So when the votes were cast this week, that’s the way it came out.”