NEW 2025 CFP Rankings Reaction: Oregon Jumps Ole Miss, Miami Creeps Up | College Football

Summary

Cover 3 College Football Podcast

Episode: NEW 2025 CFP Rankings Reaction: Oregon Jumps Ole Miss, Miami Creeps Up | College Football

Date: November 26, 2025
Hosts: Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, Danny Kanell, Bud Elliott

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Episode Overview

In this episode, the Cover 3 crew reacts live to the newly released 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. The main discussion centers on Oregon’s jump over Ole Miss, Miami’s upward movement, and the implications for teams on the playoff bubble. The hosts dive deep into the process and logic (or lack thereof) behind the committee's decisions, offer critiques, and speculate on who still has a path to the playoff. The conversation is laden with humor, insider commentary, and a candid look at the playoff selection process.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Real-Time Reaction to Live Rankings Reveal

• Oregon Jumps Ole Miss: The panel immediately notes Oregon has leapfrogged Ole Miss in the latest rankings, mirroring changes seen in other polls. This sparks debate about the logic behind such moves and the committee’s consistency.
  • "My prediction is Oregon will jump Ole Miss again. Same as the AP Top 25." (Chip, 05:04)
  • "The Ducks checking in at number six... there it is." (Chip, 14:38)
• Miami Creeps Up: Miami's steady climb in the rankings is highlighted, especially as Pitt’s new ranking makes Miami’s recent victory look stronger.
  • "Now that Pitt is ranked. That's a ranked win... Two spots away. Canes.” (Chip, 11:02)
• Newly Ranked Teams: Notable entrants into the top 25 include Pitt and Arizona, which have significant implications for resumes and future matchups.

2. Questioning the Value and Purpose of Weekly Rankings Shows

• The hosts jokingly question whether the CFP committee’s weekly reveal is necessary, or just a TV event designed for drama and debate.
  • "Is it too late for us to stop doing the weekly reveals?...We could have all the same discussions without having to create the idea of this clandestine committee that holds us hostage for 47 minutes." (Chip, 05:41)
  • "I don't think we need this exercise anymore. I don't know if we need it on television anymore." (Danny, 29:27)

3. Committee Criticism & Suggestions for Reform

• The group is critical of the committee's methods, especially perceived lack of consistency and overemphasis on win-loss over strength of schedule (SOS).
  • "Further confirmation that the SOS don't mean crap if you have more losses." (Tom, 10:10)
  • "You just look at the resume and you say, yep, that one is better than that one… that's the perfect solution." (Danny on blind resume ranking, 12:45)
• Light-hearted solutions, like making committee members blindfold themselves and use only blind resumes, are discussed in jest but underscore real frustration.

4. Bubble Watch: Teams Rising, Falling, and Playoff Math

• Hosts analyze shifting playoff paths for numerous teams:
  • Miami: Now positioned to benefit further if Auburn upsets Alabama and BYU loses in the Big 12 title game.
    • "This was a good rankings release for the Miami Hurricanes." (Chip, 22:21)
  • Notre Dame: Hopes for the “status quo” and for Pitt to beat Miami in order to bolster their résumé.
    • "If Pitt could pull off an upset for Notre Dame, that'd be great too. That's what you want..." (Tom, 27:48)
  • Georgia: Hypothetical debate on whether a three-loss Georgia could still make the playoff if certain results fall their way.
    • "I think Georgia can lose to Georgia Tech and in the SEC championship game being officially a three loss team...I think Georgia is lock." (Chip, 23:27)
  • BYU and Texas Tech: “Bid thief” scenarios if either wins the Big 12, potentially bumping a major at-large contender out.

5. Group of Five (G5) and ACC Disrespect

• Frustration at apparent committee dismissal of G5 and certain Power 5 teams (notably from the ACC).
  • "They really, really hate the group of five. They really, really do." (Tom, 09:15)
  • "And the ACC. Yeah, they view those the same." (Danny, 09:26)

6. The Human Element: Humor & Inside Baseball

• The hosts’ banter touches on their personal lives, their families' football allegiances, and running gags about the show’s loyal listeners.
  • "It's the holidays and we can't spend any time with our family because these damn kids in Maui can't play basketball fast enough." (Tom, 29:34)
  • "You know what I really want...is if we get somebody to do us as babies. Have you seen the really good AI baby videos?" (Danny, 30:51)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Committee Transparency & TV:

  • "I think it would make way more sense...to put on blindfolds...and use blind resumes to rank the teams. Tell me that's not the perfect solution." (Danny, 12:30)
  • “The committee does not really care about strength of schedule like they said they would. That’s all. You can put your pants back on and stop soiling your diaper.” (Tom, 11:45)

• Re: Playoff Bubble & Bid Thieves:

  • “The bid thief situation that is real is BYU. I don’t see another one...But Texas Tech wins the Big 12, that's another at large spot. BYU wins the Big 12, somebody's getting squeezed out and it might be Notre Dame.” (Chip, 27:17)

• On Georgia’s Secure Place (or Not):

  • "You cannot create an environment where being in the championship game is a bad thing, even though it kind of is already." (Danny, 25:54)

• G5 Disrespect:

  • "They're just sticking with the one. So, I'm sorry, I'm correct, but I really don't think James Madison has a shot." (Tom, 29:01)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Oregon Over Ole Miss Ranking Prediction & Reaction: 05:04, 14:38
• Live Reaction as Miami Moves Up: 11:00–11:14
• Committee Weekly Reveal Debate: 05:37–07:46, 29:27–30:04
• Blind Resume/Blindfolded Committee Joke: 12:12–13:59
• Miami’s Playoff Path: 22:21–22:47
• Notre Dame’s Slim Hopes: 27:44–28:04
• SEC/Georgia Discussion: 23:27–24:44
• Bid Thief Scenarios: 27:17–27:44
• Finishing Thoughts on Need for Rankings Shows: 29:27–30:22

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Final Takeaways

• Oregon’s Ascension & Miami’s Creep: The panel broadly agrees both were deserved, noting the ripple effects for the playoff picture.
• TV-Driven Drama: The weekly CFP rankings show is critiqued as unnecessary, particularly now that debates could be fueled by independent bracketologists and analytics.
• Committee’s Logic in Question: Several rankings and policies—especially around strength of schedule, conference championship consequences, and G5 representation—are heavily critiqued.
• Playoff Bubble Is Still Fluid: Miami, Notre Dame, and potential “bid thieves” like BYU remain in play, with scenarios shifting weekly.

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In the words of Tom Fornelli:
"The show is AI. We're not real. None of this is real." (30:30)

Use this episode as your cheat sheet for the CFP rankings, the playoff outlook as it stands, and which grievances are most justified.

Transcript

[A]

This episode of the COVID 3 podcast is presented by Cash App. For a limited time only, new Cash App users can use our show's code when they sign up for a reward. Just download Cash App, use our code cover 3 and send $5 to a friend within 14 days. You'll get $10 right in your account. Terms apply. That's money. That's cash app. It's NBA tip off week and FanDuel is your home for live betting. So even if you missed the start of the or want to ride the hot hand, FanDuel has live bets on everything from who will score next to fourth quarter comebacks. Plus you can even combine your live bets into a same game parlay for a shot at a bigger payout. However you want to play. Now is the perfect time to join because FanDuel is giving new customers $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. So visit FanDuel.com cover to sign up today. Play your game with FanDuel. Official sports betting partner of the NBA must be 21 plus and present in select states for Kansas in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 + and present in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming. First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non withdrawable bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See [e-mail] gambling problem call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit rg-help.com, call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org chat in Connecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghelplinema.org or call 800-332-75050 for 24. 7 support in Massachusetts or call 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY in New York.

[B]

Welcome back to the COVID 3 podcast with your hosts Chip Patterson, Tom Furnelli, Danny Cannell and Bud Elliott. It's your call for the best college.

[A]

Football coverage from national signing Day to.

[C]

The national championship and.

[B]

Sports presents the COVID 3 Podcast.

[A]

And welcome back to the COVID 3 Podcast here on CBS Sports. That's Tom Fenelli, that's Danny Canel. I'm Chip Patterson coming to you [e-mail] cover3 and everywhere. Get your podcast on a man. Thanks for hanging out. Smash that subscribe Smash that like and come and join us in the chat, aka the COVID 3 tailgate, where they may or may not know that an intentional miss attempt on a free throw went in. Thank God.

[C]

Game over thank goodness.

[A]

USC 83, Seton Hole 81. And if you're listening to this late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday, you have no idea the nightmare that we have endured for the last 47 minutes, aka the COVID 3 tailgate. We're in there. Also, by the way, this one. Loved this. Haven't missed an episode since 2020. Love the show. Started watching and listening during COVID when I was in school and now I'm halfway through college. How does that work? That's only five years. Halfway through college.

[C]

Yes. Seventh if he was eighth grade.

[B]

If you're 2020. Yeah, but that's six seasons. So if you're in like eighth grade.

[A]

Six years later, you're halfway through college already. That's impressive.

[C]

Smart. We got smart listeners, man. Come on.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Or maybe he's dumb and he doesn't realize he's not halfway through college yet.

[A]

Maybe he's like Chip and didn't take a single math class in college.

[B]

Anyway.

[A]

Yes. So currently we are awaiting the new College Football Playoff rankings. You know what?

[B]

I don't need the rankings. I'm just so excited to see these USC players and how excited they are to have beaten Seton Halls who advanced to the Maui Invitational Championship game. This is a great moment. I'm happy for them. Let's. Let's recognize.

[C]

Let's get a post game press conference here.

[B]

Chad Baker Mazar, entering his age 39 season, really balling up for the Trojans.

[A]

I. Oh. 1.5 years through college.

[B]

You're a liar is what you are.

[A]

Easy going. Halfway. Okay. Some of us needed to get midway through junior year before we really felt like we were halfway through college. Yeah. So we will be getting those rankings. We'll give you the reactions live here as we get it on YouTube.com cover3. I might. Is it too far gone? Is there any prediction. Please. This Oregon pass I'll miss. Yes. My prediction is Oregon will jump.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Ole Miss again. Same as the AP top 25. Ole Miss and Texas Tech were idle. Oregon had a great win. If you need. Or if. If you're bored and you just need a reason to shake some stuff up, you've got. No. No one's going to push back on that. Is it too late for us to stop doing the weekly reveals? And I'm not talking about this selfishly.

[C]

You mean our show or their show?

[A]

Well, just the idea. Because I could. I keep coming back to the idea that we created a main character in college football, that we didn't ask for being the committee. And you could Serve the exact same purpose of fueling debates the same way that college basketball does, where different bracketologists have different bubble pictures and everyone fights over resumes. We could have all the same segments on CBS Sports hq. We could have all the same radio hits. We could have all the same everything on cover three podcasts. We could have the same discussions without having to create the idea of this clandestine committee that holds US hostage for 47 minutes while a basketball game in Maui comes to a conclusion. Is the toothpaste out of the tube on that one?

[B]

Probably, unless we stop watching it.

[A]

I don't.

[B]

If people stop watching the show, then they won't do the show.

[A]

What do you think, Danny?

[C]

So you would just use the AP Top 25 and everybody's guesses.

[A]

Yeah, just use everybody's guesses. You would have the exact same discussions. We would still be like, okay, so based on the picture right now, you got to get inside the top 10. That's the bubble. Here are these teams. Here are these teams. I mean, the differences that we have on a team to team basis are a couple of spots, the kind of stuff that could be represented by different projections, different bracketologists. Because to have this committee and to have the committee chair come out and mention things like, you know, now Hunter Yuricheck is in the old Mack Rhodes position and Hunter Yurich quotes are getting twisted into then set up what we're expecting. They're backing themselves into corners in terms of their position one week and what it's going to mean for the rankings down the line. Like, I. I really think a lot of this could be avoided.

[C]

Agreed. But it is a television product.

[B]

Another thing that could happen that would maybe cause the show to go away is if it wasn't only one network broadcasting the entire thing. Because then you might have to like, well, who gets to broadcast the reaction show? Or would you have to pay extra for it? Because then if that could flip the other way. If you have to pay extra for the right to broadcast this thing, then they're definitely going to put it on.

[A]

We got Pit up into the top 25.

[B]

Still only one G5.

[A]

Still just two. Lane. Yeah, sorry. James Madison. Hey, instant reaction number one.

[B]

Sorry, sorry.

[A]

Arizona also getting in. That's.

[C]

Yeah, that was a. I thought there was a chance Washington might show up to kind of reverse engineer Oregon. Better game.

[B]

They still might. You don't know.

[C]

Well, that would be a pretty big shock.

[A]

But now Arizona State. Arizona is a ranked on ranked game. If Arizona State can weasel its way into. I mean, they need miracle upon all miracles.

[B]

Danny. I didn't know Dusty was going to be on the set. Text him and ask him what the rankings are.

[C]

They do not tell you. No, they don't. I swear. You find out when they found out. Like, they do not tell you. It is a genuine reaction.

[B]

Arizona State jumped five spots. Yeah, they really hate the group of five. They really, really do.

[C]

And the acc. Yeah, they view those the same.

[B]

Who did Arizona State be last week?

[A]

I don't even remember.

[C]

Jeff Sims. That should be worth five.

[B]

Wasn't it Colorado? Did they beat Colorado? Colorado's worth five spots.

[C]

I mean, it was with Jeff Sims. That's worth five spots. If you can win a game with.

[B]

Jeff, you're playing on hard mode.

[A]

Listen, we saw Arizona State win 42:14 with Jeff Sims as their quarterback. That's like winning 63. Three, you know?

[B]

Oh, we've got a huge takeaway here already. 9 and 2. Michigan is ahead of 8 and 3 Texas. Further confirmation that the SOS don't mean crap if you have more losses.

[A]

Oh, it's just a loss order because you can.

[B]

There's no way you can argue. Michigan's planning schedule is difficult as Texas is, but they've got a better record. So even though Michigan lost to the Oklahoma team. Oh, it's crazy.

[A]

Even though Oak. Even though Michigan lost to the Oklahoma team that Texas beat blew the doors off.

[B]

The doors off of.

[A]

Hey, here's the thing that rarely gets said in college football. Texas fans, you've got a reason to be angry.

[B]

There you go. Congratulations, guys. I don't think you're getting in even with a win over a. At this rate.

[A]

Texas got screwed. Oh, yeah. We got the Miami Utah swap. Keep dangling a little bit more.

[C]

Closing that gap.

[A]

And especially when Miami beats Pitt. Now that Pitt is ranked. That's a ranked win.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

Oh, two spots away. Kanes.

[C]

I mean, there's always so many places they could be. They got to be getting close to the pod. So now it's chalk, right? It'll be BYU here for Oregon.

[A]

Oregon could be.

[C]

Oregon's the only spot we're waiting on to see where it is.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Man.

[B]

This is exciting. Are you guys excited?

[C]

I'm so excited.

[B]

I love the chat saying that. I hate Michigan. I'm sorry for telling you the truth about Michigan's resume this year. You're 9 and 2. Your best win is Washington. You lost to an Oklahoma team the Texas blew the doors off of. Texas has two better wins than you. They also have a loss that's far worse than yours. The Only thing I said was not I hate Michigan, it was that the committee does not really care about strength of schedule like they said they would. That's all you can. You can put your pants back on and stop soiling your diaper.

[C]

Do you think it would work? Is it. Did you. Did I do the rant about not wanting to see them take off the stupid hats? I'd rather see them go blindfolded in the room.

[B]

No, hold on, hold on.

[A]

Let's get clean cut.

[D]

Go on.

[C]

Because I think it would make way more sense as opposed to going through the stupid exercise of checking your hat at the door to put on blindfolds when you go in and use blind resumes to rank the teams. Tell me that's not the perfect solution.

[A]

It's the perfect solution, right?

[C]

Listen, I know last week. So you can't know. You don't know. You just look at the resume and you say, yep, that one is better than that one. And you stack them up and go spin this forward.

[B]

You wear the blindfold. You have the walking stick, and you also have Peter Herb street leading you in as a guide dog. Really, really steering.

[A]

And now. Now. Now we're. Now we're fringing on criticism, being anti ableist or whatever the. But I. I like. I think, Danny, if they're gonna put us through this, you got to give us something. You gotta. I want to see Mark Harlan, blindfolded, walking into the committee room. I want to see Mark Dantonio, blindfolded, walking into the committee room. Troy Dannon, Carla Williams. I want to see Mike Riley, blindfolded going into the committee room. Wesley Walls, Ole Miss and Carolina Panthers legend. You're a committee member. You know what you got to do. Blindfold and walk into the committee room. Or in chance paddles Hell week, make them earn their spot on the committee.

[C]

That's great. I love it. So, buddy.

[A]

Oh, go ahead.

[C]

Our buddy in the chat who's in college now, he said he's buddies with my nephew. I've got like six nephews, so I don't know which one, but I'm guessing. I'm guessing my. My nephew that's his age that goes to Georgia. It's a bulldog. That'd be my guess.

[B]

Wow, you've got SEC running through your home.

[A]

Oh, yeah, baby.

[C]

We have a lot of SEC in our family. All right, where are we getting here?

[A]

We got Ole Miss down one spot to seven. They're just hating on.

[B]

I wonder who passed them.

[C]

Or could that. Could. Could Oregon jump two spots?

[B]

Dear God.

[A]

Oh, the Ducks checking in at number six.

[C]

Yep, there it is.

[A]

Do you think that we will deal with a Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss committee situation?

[C]

I hope not, because I know Florida State fans are all going to be like, we got screwed, so they should get screwed, too. I don't want to see that. I think it would be a travesty if the team was treated differently just because Lane doesn't. He's a great offensive mind. He's not calling the plays. That's Charlie Weiss. Pete Golding's calling the defense. Like, I know. He's the hottest thing out there since sliced bread, and people are ready to pay for him. The players are the ones that have made this team good. They better not dock them at all. I think even at home field, they better not dock them.

[A]

I think they could get docked home field. I just talked about. I. I just talked about this with Hakeem Dermish and Richard Johnson, and we were saying you probably are not kicking them out of the playoff, but the decision between the 8 seed and the 9 seed is massive.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And they're going to be right there on that line. So we'll see.

[C]

Hate that.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And Ohio State at 1, Indiana at 2. Texas A&M at 3, Georgia at 4, Texas Tech at 5. No changes inside the top five. And coming up on the other side, we'll give you more of our reactions to the new College Football Playoff rankings and more nukes.

[D]

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[A]

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[C]

Oh, okay. No, thankfully, if you're hit with one of the.

[A]

I know Tom. Tom, for example, like, just to peel back the curtain a little bit, like, Tom was asked going into this earlier on PrimeTime pregame, like, five things you're looking for. Like, Danny, if you were asked for something similar, what's your number one? The one thing that you would come out of this being like, okay, like, this is something that feels tangible and a little bit less of a reach in terms of a reaction to what we just saw.

[C]

I honestly came into this thinking there would not be much drama. And I think I was right on that. Like, that would have been my take going in. I don't know if I can fake any outrage or get upset about much.

[A]

I don't have outrage. I've got like, we thought Oregon was.

[C]

Going to jump Ole Miss. So that would be like, hey, we got confirmation that they were going to jump him. I think that's a good thing. I think that was the right move, the back end, you know, Pitt being up there. I guess I would try to reach for that one and make that a storyline and be like, yeah, this is great for, for Miami, I think, I.

[A]

Think that's a legit. And especially you've moved up ahead of Utah. Utah won. Miami won. And neither team was spectacular, but obviously Utah was punished while Miami took advantage of that. I think Miami is one of the positive takeaways from these, these rankings in terms of you're that much closer to the 10 spot. And also now you've got the. If Auburn beats Alabama. Alabama's dropping.

[C]

Yeah, they have to. That's a bad loss. It's a horrible loss.

[A]

You can start to spin this together where you get a little bit closer without having to fret it. Like you might have to wait till conference championship to see if BYU beats Texas Tech or not. But if BYU loses for a second time to Texas Tech, then they're out. And now all of a sudden you just. I think that this was a good rankings release for the Miami Hurricanes.

[B]

Yeah, your, your path right now is Auburn beating Alabama and then BYU losing to either ucf, which probably not gonna.

[A]

Yeah, probably.

[B]

Or to Texas Tech again and then the community. We're done. Well, you don't, you're not guaranteed because that is the one thing when you get to the conference championship game, they don't like to punish you too harshly. Like if Alabama beats Auburn, goes to the SEC title game and loses to Georgia, it might, it's probably still going to get in at 10 and 3.

[A]

Hell yeah.

[B]

So you need Alabama to lose this weekend and BYU losing the Big 12 title game wouldn't guarantee anything. Just makes your chances a little better.

[A]

Tom. I think if Georgia loses to Georgia Tech, but because of Alabama losing still makes it into the SEC championship game, I think that Georgia is capital L lock status. I think Georgia can lose to Georgia Tech and in the SEC championship game being officially a three loss team, but a three loss team, who one of those losses were in the SEC championship. I think George is locked.

[B]

Yeah, they're four.

[A]

Yeah, but a three loss team, that would be a three loss team on selection day. That would be history.

[B]

Well, it's the second year it'd be history.

[C]

But that would be. I don't, I don't.

[A]

That's.

[B]

Where were you moment.

[C]

So you're saying Georgia loses to Georgia Tech. Right. Loses in the SEC title.

[A]

Right.

[C]

I don't know if that's a lock or not. I mean I feel like.

[B]

No, you cannot, they can't take the SEC loser out of the championship.

[A]

You cannot punish the.

[C]

What do they drop to. They would drop.

[B]

They might be. They might be the 12th seed, but they would still be in.

[C]

So you're saying they would put North Texas as a higher seed than Georgia?

[B]

They might. They probably would still put Georgia ahead of North Texas or Tulane or whoever. But they're not going lower than 11 or 12. Yeah, they, they're not going lower than 12.

[C]

You guys consider score at all. It's like, what if. I think. If they get. I think any conference championship that gets run is in trouble. Like if they get beat by three touchdowns and don't look competitive, I think they're in trouble.

[A]

I do not.

[B]

That's true in the ACC in the Big 12, I do not think that is true in the Big Ten. In the sec, let's not forget who has the controlling power over the future of this format. If that happens, the Big 12 and ACC might just be out of the playoff from now on.

[A]

Chuck in the tailgate, I think has it nailed. This is where we get into that. Like, all right, so the College Football Playoff is run by the conferences, and the conferences still have a great interest in the championship games being something. You cannot create an environment where being in the championship game is a bad.

[C]

Thing, even though it kind of is already.

[B]

There has to be a free roll. So you get a chance to win your league, but you don't really lose anything by losing.

[A]

Right. I thought we saw that with the. Because the final rankings, remember, had Texas, the SEC loser taking the five seed, Penn, State, the Big Ten loser taking the six seed. Those were the highest possible seeds that those teams could have gotten. If we had gone straight seeding last year, then it would have been 1 seed Oregon, 2 seed Georgia, 3 seed Texas, 4 seed Penn State, and those would have been the buys, our champions from the Big Ten in the SEC and the runners up from the Big Ten in the sec, even though they took additional losses.

[B]

And Ohio State probably would have been fifth.

[A]

Also, don't forget that SMU was ranked ahead of Clemson, the team that beat it in the ACC championship game.

[C]

Do you remember Lashley saying, if we're not in, why should we play this game? And I agreed with him. And do you remember the narrative when they were down three touchdowns? Everybody's like, they're out. And they came back and only lost by a field goal.

[A]

The bid thief situation that is real is byu.

[B]

Yep. Yeah.

[A]

I don't see another one. That's like super obvious. But Texas Tech wins the Big 12. That's another at large spot. BYU wins the Big 12. Somebody's getting squeezed out and it might be Notre Dame.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, Notre Dame needs to just root for the status quo.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

And who's Miami Pit? And if Pitt could pull off an upset for Notre Dame, that'd be great too. That's what you were. If you're Notre Dame, you want the status quo. And for Pitt to beat Miami makes.

[C]

Your win look better against Pit makes it look that Much better and just doesn't give.

[B]

Yeah, it gives Miami an extra loss which they can then use against them no matter. Head to head.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

Yep. Anything else from, from this rankings release that stands out to you?

[B]

Other I mentioned it earlier. The, the, one of the things I was looking to see was going to be with like, because the only changes in the rankings this week were teams from 20 and beyond that had lost games. Everybody else pretty much won outside of like usc. So I wanted to see if they would put two group of five teams in. But now they just, they just reached out in the bag and pulled out some ACC and Big 12 teams. Just again sending a very, very clear message what they think about the group of five in relation to the rest of the field this year and also about which conference they are looking at. Because you could have put James Madison at 25 instead of Arizona if you.

[A]

Want to put North Texas.

[B]

Yeah, so I'm saying that was one of the things when I was on HQ earlier, I was like if we do see two, will they both be from the American or will one of them actually be James Madison? But they're just sticking with the one. So I, I really, I'm sorry I'm correct, but I really don't think James Madison has a shot.

[A]

Any. Danny, final thoughts?

[C]

I'm with you. I don't think we need this exercise anymore. I don't know if we need it on television anymore.

[B]

It's, it's the holidays and we can't spend any time with our family because these damn kids in Maui can't play basketball fast enough.

[A]

I've been, I've been upstairs in the office for like 90 minutes.

[C]

Right.

[B]

My wife doesn't even remember my name.

[C]

And kids are out of school, they want to hang out. You know.

[B]

My dinner's cold again.

[C]

Maybe, maybe it's only if necessary. Maybe that's what you do. Like only if necessary. Tonight didn't feel necessary.

[A]

No, I, I, I think we can fuel the same debates with our own in house bracketologists.

[B]

You know, it was literally jobs we can create.

[A]

It would literally be just as impactful.

[C]

Although those brackets would just be created by AI. So I don't know.

[B]

Show is AI. We're not real. None of this is real.

[A]

I'm, I am as, as long as we keep holding our path. If I've seen the two of you put all of us through AI, I'm not terribly disappointed with everything that spit out, you know, these learning machines, it's like, ah, well, you know, that's about right.

[C]

You know what I really want, like, and I'll know we've made it is if we get somebody to do us as babies. Have you seen the really good ones? The really good AI baby videos?

[A]

The Theo von Lane Kiffin one.

[C]

Oh, hilarious. Most of the Theo Vaughn ones are off the charts, but if we could get one of those, I'd feel like we made it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. This is, this is the. We're. We're talking about selection principles. I'll tell you what the selection principles were. Who would you see? I'm sorry, Danny. In advance. This is like the, you know, the photosensitivity warning at the head of a movie. Yeah, we just, we spent hours talking about it. We thought, who would you not want to play? You know, and just Alabama over Florida State. We just thought, who would you not want to play? Never forget, the only controversial decision of the Entire Decade of 14 playoffs came down to who would you not want to play? Which tbh. It's the same as any other ranking system that's going to be totally objective. So it'd be like that. Good luck, Hunter.

[B]

Why isn't Wisconsin in the top 10?

[A]

Because that's a team you don't want to see in the playoffs.

[C]

Signature win.

[A]

Yeah. All right, we will be back. Hey. Hey. Hope you all get your locks card ready. 11:00am Eastern time.

[B]

We are going to be giving you.

[A]

Our week 14 locks YouTube.com cover 3 you get up the likes we give you the locks. The locks, they move those lines. So come and hang out and watch live. And you can follow him on Twitter at time. For now you can follow him at Danny Canelo. You can follow me at chip underscore Patterson. Gentlemen, thank you very much.

[B]

Thank you.

[C]

See ya.

[E]

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