Jim Phillips calls out College Football Playoff committee over Miami, SMU, Clemson rankings

Three ACC teams appeared in the third College Football Playoff rankings during Tuesday’s reveal show. Miami led the way, followed by SMU and Clemson – but ACC commissioner Jim Phillips thought all three teams should’ve been higher.

Phillips expressed his disappointment with the CFP committee over where it ranked Miami, SMU and Clemson. He specifically pointed out the fact the Hurricanes were on a bye in Week 12, but still fell one spot while Alabama jumped up to No. 7. The Crimson Tide defeated Mercer at home.

Phillips thought Miami should be in the Top 6. The Hurricanes still came in as one of the four highest-ranked projected conference champions in the 12-team bracket, but the commissioner thought the Hurricanes warranted a higher ranking. He also noted the improvement SMU made from the start of the year after Kevin Jennings took over at quarterback, comparing its situation to Florida State a year ago.

Commissioner Phillips weighs in on this week's @CFBPlayoff rankings. 🎙️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/KpuqtBCGWg

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 20, 2024

“Very honestly, I was disappointed,” Phillips said on ACC PM. “I was disappointed that Miami was eighth. I just think they’re a top-six team, and I don’t understand how they get leaped by another Power Four team that played an FCS game last weekend and Miami was off. SMU, I think people are not paying attention. And this thing cuts both ways. We heard last year with Florida State that they didn’t look like they were the same team without Jordan Travis, and that ultimately cost us and cost Florida State a chance to be in the semifinals and then maybe the finals [in] the College Football Playoff of four [teams].

“Listen, what’s done is done. But this year, Kevin Jennings has taken over at SMU and they have not lost. They were just okay offensively the first two games at Nevada, then home against BYU. But they’ve been letter perfect. To be 13th, I just think they’re inside the top 12.”

Jim Phillips: ‘We have to win, and all of this is a moot point’

SMU and Miami both have strength-of-schedule questions, which could factor into their rankings. The Mustangs’ schedule ranks No. 86 in the country, according to ESPN’s FPI, and the Hurricanes’ came in at No. 54 ahead of Week 13. Both are in the 12 weakest strength of schedules in the country.

But Jim Phillips also pointed out Clemson’s ranking at no. 17. The Tigers have two losses on the year – a blowout defeat to Georgia in the season opener and a 33-21 loss to Louisville. Still, they have the No. 46 strength of schedule in the country, and Phillips acknowledged Clemson’s success on the road to make his point.

That said, he also knows what’s important. It all comes down to winning over these last two weeks to hopefully take momentum into the College Football Playoff.

“Finally, Clemson. I think Clemson’s a top-15 team,” Phillips said. “They’re one, of I think it’s 10 or 11 FBS teams that is undefeated on the road, amongst other things. At the end of the day, we still have two weeks left to play. I made those comments known to the committee members that are watching the ACC.

“Listen, we have to win, and all of this is a moot point about where our ranking is and whether we’re in with multiple teams or not. That’s the beauty and fun of the rest of the college football season. But that was my initial reaction after watching the show last night.”