WGNO participates in College Football Playoff mock selection exercise in Dallas

DALLAS, Tx. (WGNO)- WGNO’s Jon Sokoloff participated in the College Football Playoff’s media mock selection exercise in Dallas, in the same exact room where the committee decides annually which 12 teams get in.

The process took about five hours, while the real committee meets for approximately 16 hours each week while deciding its top 25 rankings. We did our rankings based on the 2024 results. Before we get to what the media ultimately decided on, here’s a look at last year’s rankings/bracket:

1.) Oregon

2.) Georgia

3.) Boise State

4.) Arizona State

5.) Texas

6.) Penn State

7.) Notre Dame

8.) Ohio State

9.) Tennessee

10.) Indiana

11.) SMU

12.) Clemson

Our rankings were different, a lot of that had to include with the fact that this year the top four highest-ranked conference champions are no longer guaranteed a bye. We ranked last year’s team, with this year’s system.

1.) Oregon

2.) Georgia

3.) Ohio State

4.) Texas

5.) Penn State

6.) Notre Dame

7.) Tennessee

8.) Arizona State

9.) Indiana

10.) Boise State

11.) Alabama

12.) Clemson

CFP Executive Director Richard Clark wanted us to get a real close look at the process, and his intent was clear.

“To understand the data tools we use. Understand how important it is for our committee members to watch games. To understand everything that goes into this process so we can rank the 25 best teams each week. Seeing it and going through it will enable you to talk about it. To be more educated on what goes on in that room so when the rankings come out, you can understand the rigor that goes into it.”

What seemed like an unlimited amount of data was presented to us. With good losses, bad wins and strength of schedule being at the forefront of the conversation. 

This year’s process will apply greater weight to games against stronger opponents. Which will be helpful for Tulane and LSU.

The Tigers have a brutal schedule, as they are slated to face five more ranked teams. While the Green Wave don’t face a single FCS opponent (which will help their strength of schedule rank), and will play No. 13 Ole Miss this weekend.

“Now that we have this new data metric, it will support that decision. Losing to a strong team will be minimal loss, but beating a strong team will be a huge gain. And that’s a good thing,” Clark said.