Greg McElroy calls out College Football Playoff committee for gaming Illinois' rank in Penn State's favor

Of the many complaints about the College Football Playoff selection committee, the way the group is free to use teams ranked in the teens and 20s to justify certain Top 10 rankings is a common one. Add ESPN’s Greg McElroy to the chorus airing the grievance.

As the rankings were revealed live on Tuesday night, McElroy took ire with Illinois being ranked No. 25. And his issue isn’t with the Illini, per se, but that it seems they’re ranked to prop up Penn State as having a ranked win.

“Amazing. That’s going to be nice. It makes justifying where Penn State’s at that much easier,” McElroy said.

Penn State ultimately ranked No. 4 with one loss, having fallen to Ohio State. And with Illinois’ inclusion in the Top 25 after a 22-point win over Michigan State gives Penn State a ranked win and some more justification to be ranked in the Top 5.

McElroy warned about a narrowing path to the CFP for Texas

For the second straight week, Texas was placed at No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings. Steve Sarkisian‘s bunch has a 9-1 record with their lone loss being to Georgia. But looking in the win column, there are none against teams currently in the committee’s top 25.

An opportunity to get one remains on the schedule, though. Texas travels to College Station for a massive showdown against Texas A&M to renew a bitter in-state rivalry. A win likely secures a spot in the SEC Championship game and potentially the CFP.

However, McElroy argues a loss could completely drop Texas out of the 12-team field. Beating Kentucky on Saturday is a must but if McElroy believes a 10-2 record with a Texas A&M loss may keep the Longhorns on the outside looking in.

“I think Texas, with their strength of schedule, if they lose to A&M — they can beat Kentucky — but if they lose to A&M, I think they’re going to fall behind Tennessee,” McElroy said. “Who, right now, is the first team out according to the committee. So, Texas-Texas A&M could not just be a playoff game to get to the SEC Championship game, it could be a playoff game for Texas to keep their playoff teams alive in the 12-team playoff.”

ESPN currently ranks Texas’ strength of schedule in the low 30s. A bump will take place when the regular season is over and Texas A&M is included. Lack of quality wins will still be the biggest gripe against the Horns if they cannot win in the regular season finale.

Texas A&M, which already has two losses, finds itself in a similar situation. Finishing the year with two wins places them at 10-2 and in the SEC Championship game. A loss would make it No. 3 on the year and well below the playoff cutline. They need a win just as much as their in-state foes to keep the national championship dream alive.