The bowl games are done. We had many surprises, and plenty of movement both on and off the rankings.
Top 25 [End of season position]
1. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (14-0) [1]
2. Washington Huskies (14-0) [2]
3. Georgia Bulldogs (13-1) [4]
4. Oregon Ducks (12-2) [7]
5. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2) [5]
6. Texas Longhorns (12-2) [6]
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-3) [13]
8. Alabama Crimson Tide (12-2) [8]
9. Missouri Tigers (11-2) [12]
10. Ole Miss Rebels (11-2) [16]
11. Florida State Seminoles (13-1) [3]
12. Penn State Nittany Lions (10-3) [9]
13. Arizona Wildcats (10-3) [17]
14. 14. LSU Tigers (10-3) [14]
15. Oklahoma Sooners (10-3) [10]
16. Tennessee Volunteers (9-4) [22]
17. SMU Mustangs (11-3) [11]
18. Kansas State Wildcats (9-4) [21]
19. Memphis Tigers (10-3) [25]
20. UTSA Roadrunners (9-4) [NR}
21. Liberty Flames (13-1) [15]
22. James Madison Dukes (11-2) [18]
23. Fresno State Bulldgos (9-4) [NR}
24. Louisville Cardinals (10-4) [19]
25. Air Force Falcons (9-4) [NR}
The team suffering the largest drop, because they suffered the largest margin of defeat, was Florida State. The coach and administration stated that the playoff committee was mistaken to leave them out of the playoffs, and they vowed to show them their errors in their game against Georgia. Well, that game (and the events leading up to it) DID prove a point, but not the one they intended.
Many Seminole fans will state that the loss was so large because so many of their starters were not playing, as they entered the transfer portal. But it is exactly that large number of transfers that makes the largest statement about the team. If the team's 13-0 was truly a reflection of their ability, they could repeat a similar performance next year, certainly a good enough showing to place in the new expanded 12-team playoff. However, the students decided to try their luck in the transfer portal. What's the chance that any of them will land with a playoff-bound team next year? Given the number of teams, around 10%. Now, granted, these are college students, and athletes, so their math skills are likely extremely weak, but I'm sure many of them are being advised by some adults, whose math skills are likely strong enough. Yet so many students decided to try their luck in the transfer portal than stay with the program. That indicates that the students feel there is some fatal flaw in the program and will prevent such success from happening again next year.
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