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CFB Playoff chair Rob Mullens explains why Oklahoma gets fourth spot over Ohio State, Georgia
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The College Football Playoff committee revealed its latest and final rankings on Sunday afternoon.
Unfortunately for general Big Ten fans — and Ohio State fans in particular, the Buckeyes were left out of the Top 4. In face, Ohio State finished No. 6, behind No. 5 Georgia as well.
Many thought that the debate would come down to No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 6 Ohio State for that final spot, but it actually came down to the Sooners and Bulldogs.
Once the Top 6 were revealed, ESPN analysts discussed what had just taken place. They also talked with Rob Mullens, the College Football Playoff committee chair.
“No team was unequivocally better than the other [when talking about Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State],” Mullens said. “In the end, we went with the one-loss, conference champion.”
Rob Mullens on Oklahoma: "In the end, 1 loss conference champion with their only loss on a neutral field, close loss to a ranked team they avenged. And their defense has made some big plays the last couple weeks."
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 2, 2018
Mullens: There was at least one member that supported each of Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State as No. 4. "We didn't get a lot of sleep."
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 2, 2018
Mullens basically said the committee followed their instructions by the book.
I don't think you would say that about the Kirby Hocutt years.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 2, 2018
Another one-loss, conference champion that isn’t Oklahoma, of course, is Ohio State. Buckeye fans can certainly point that out.
However, what many have said to this point is that Oklahoma beat Texas in the Big 12 Championship. Texas was the only team to beat the Sooners in the regular season. That revenge win over the Longhorns trumped Ohio State beating No. 21 Northwestern and Georgia’s loss to Alabama.
Ohio State was in the mix, but in the end, the more votes went to Oklahoma and Georgia.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.