Rich Clark explains how College Football Playoff would handle Army, Navy selection with game yet to be played

With both the Army and Navy football teams undefeated late into the season, a real possibility is emerging: The two play in the AAC conference title game, then once again a week later.

And in between, the College Football Playoff field — the first 12-team field ever — will be selected. If both the Midshipmen and Black Knights are undefeated going into a conference championship game, it could create a unique challenge for the CFP selection committee.

But it’s a situation the group is prepared for as CFP executive director Rich Clark — ironically enough a former Air Force general who played football at the academy and eventually led it — explained to ESPN’s Rece Davis on a dry run of the rankings show on Tuesday night.

“Well I would say no impact on the College Football Playoff,” Clark said. “Impact on the country — two storied programs, they’re both crushing it this year. Both undefeated right now. But like you said, if they were to meet — in that hypothetical, if they were to meet in the conference championship, that conference champion would then be, potentially, one of the five conference champions that would go into the bracket. The next week, whatever happens there, we’re not going to change the ranking or the seeding for the playoff selection.”

So if the bitter rivals do play for a conference title, and the winner is selected, the traditional matchup the ensuing week won’t have any bearing on the College Football Playoff field. It would just be a chance for one squad to get revenge. And it could put the CFP-bound squad in a tough spot, managing a repeat rivalry while prepping for a first-round game the week after — all while the opponent has a week off.

But if this entire situation were to arise, Clark still thinks it would be a win for fans of the sport.

“So, that game won’t count toward the playoff, but it will certainly count toward America and it will be an exciting game. And I’m really proud of how those teams are performing, wish them all the best, but after the conference championship we’ll have made our selection,” Clark said.