The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee has always been a contentious topic among fans, particularly in the SEC. With its inception in 2014, the committee has faced ongoing criticism for its rankings and perceived biases. However, last season may have been the committee’s most polarizing year yet, as SEC teams, including Georgia, seemed to suffer disproportionately in the rankings.
A prime example of this was Georgia football’s dramatic drop of nine spots after a road loss to a top-15 Ole Miss team, effectively knocking them out of playoff contention. Meanwhile, Ohio State only dropped a couple of spots after losing at home to a five-loss Michigan team. The inconsistency left SEC fans scratching their heads.
Fortunately for Georgia and SEC enthusiasts, the CFP recently announced changes to its committee that could improve its outlook for the Bulldogs. Five new members and a new committee chairman will oversee the rankings for the next three years.
New Faces, Familiar Ties
Among the new additions is former Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans, now serving as Maryland’s AD. While committee members are expected to remain impartial, having someone with a history at Georgia on the panel could subtly benefit the Bulldogs.
The other new members include:
- Chairman Mack Rhoades – Baylor Athletic Director
- Mark Dantonio – Retired Michigan State head coach
- Wesley Walls – Former Ole Miss tight end
- Chris Massaro – Middle Tennessee State Athletic Director
- Ivan Maisel – Renowned media member from Sports Illustrated and ESPN
The inclusion of experienced football minds, such as Dantonio and Walls, is a promising development. Their on-field expertise could bring a much-needed “eye test” element to the rankings, which has been lacking in recent years.
What It Means for Georgia
While no committee member is supposed to be biased, it’s nearly impossible to remove all personal influences. Evans’ history with Georgia may subtly tilt the scale in the Bulldogs’ favor during tough ranking decisions. Additionally, the presence of former players and coaches may improve the committee’s ability to evaluate teams more holistically, taking into account strength of schedule and head-to-head results—areas where SEC teams often excel.
As the CFP continues to evolve, these changes could mark a turning point for the playoff process, potentially creating a fairer playing field for powerhouse programs like Georgia.
The Bulldogs may still need to handle their business on the field, but with a revamped committee in place, their path to the playoffs might just have gotten a little clearer.
