Penn State left out of first CFP rankings: Reaction, full top-25 thoughts, more

Penn State was the only three-loss team in the latest versions of both the Associated Press and Coaches Poll top-25 rankings.

Voters in those polls apparently valued the fact that two of the Nittany Lions’ setbacks came to other ranked teams away from Beaver Stadium in addition to a road win at Wisconsin plus the home non-conference triumph opposite Auburn.

The College Football Playoff selection committee did not. Penn State was left out of its first set of rankings that were released on Tuesday night.

Georgia, Alabama, Michigan State, Oregon, and Ohio State make up the top-five in that order. As for other teams head coach James Franklin’s side has faced this fall, the Tigers checked in at No. 13 while Wisconsin was slotted at No. 21 and Iowa No. 22.

Two three-loss teams were included, Mississippi State was placed at No. 17 in addition to the Badgers.

Few will argue that Penn State’s home loss to Illinois coming out of a bye week is a hideous blemish on the team’s 2021 resume. That’s the case even if quarterback Sean Clifford was clearly ailing throughout the contest after missing almost all of the matchup with the Hawkeyes two weeks earlier that resulted in a three-point loss at Kinnick Stadium. But, some still thought Franklin’s team would have a spot when all was said and done.

Does it matter for Penn State?

The reality of the situation is that being ranked or not in the first CFP top-25 carries no actual meaning for Penn State, which sits at 5-3 entering Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. matchup with Maryland on FS1. It is not in play for a New Year’s Six bowl and has postseason opportunities ahead of it with one more victory regardless of where the Lions are or are not at in this first look at the selection committee’s opinions. It also goes without saying that a better November than October could lead the Lions back into the top-25 in the end.

Ultimately, no games will be won or lost because of this news, and the same goes for recruiting battles. That would be true if Penn State occupied a top-25 spot, as well.

First CFP rankings aren’t without questions

With all of that said, some will undoubtedly have some questions.

Mississippi State, for example, has ranked wins over N.C. State, Kentucky, and Texas A&M and a ranked loss to Alabama. It also sports a record dotted with defeats against 2-6 Louisiana Tech and 4-4 LSU. Does that make them a top-20 team?

Then, there is Wisconsin, which has ranked losses to Michigan and Notre Dame by a combined 79-33 margin in addition to a lone top-25 win last weekend over Iowa. Is that worthy of a spot in the rankings?

It was in the eyes of this selection committee, which includes seven new members out of 12.

Beyond the Lions, there is already plenty of chatter about undefeated Cincinnati checking in behind three one-loss teams, and that won’t be going away anytime soon. Many are pondering the bottom of the rankings, too, which include the Badgers and Minnesota but not UTSA, which was No. 16 in the latest AP poll. One also wonders if Wake Forrest would be left out even if it finishes unbeaten and wins the ACC since it starts at No. 8.

Finally, a conversation as old as time is underway: Could a two-loss team make the four-team field for the first time?

Final word on Penn State

Some eyebrows might be raised by this quote from CFP selection committee chair and Iowa athletic director Gary Barta. According to Eleven Warriors, he said on a conference call with reporters in response to a question about Ohio State that: “Offensively, who can argue with what’s happened with Stroud and Henderson and Olave and Wilson? That’s been impressive. They don’t yet have a signature win.”

Guess we know why the Lions are unranked.

Ultimately, Penn State not making the cut changes nothing for the rest of the regular season and beyond. But this is college football, after all, which means who’s in and who’s out will always be discussed.

Full College Football Playoff top-25:

1. Georgia (8-0)
2. Alabama (7-1)
3. Michigan State (8-0)
4. Oregon (7-1)
5. Ohio State (7-1)
6. Cincinnati (8-0)
7. Michigan (7-1)
8. Oklahoma (9-0)
9. Wake Forest (8-0)
10. Notre Dame (7-1)
11. Oklahoma State (7-1)
12. Baylor (7-1)
13. Auburn (6-2)
14. Texas A&M (6-2)
15. BYU (7-2)
16. Ole Miss (6-2)
17. Mississippi State (5-3)
18. Kentucky (6-2)
19. N.C. State (6-2)
20. Minnesota (6-2)
21. Wisconsin (5-3)
22. Iowa (6-2)
23. Fresno State (7-2)
24. San Diego State (7-1)
25. Pitt (6-2)