The Fall: the real story and why we keep falling back

Okay, folks, another Tuesday, another "unveiling" from the College Football Playoff committee. And by "unveiling," I mean they pulled back the velvet rope on a list we mostly saw coming, then tried to sell us on the drama of the teams outside the top three. Give me a break. It's like watching a magic show where the magician tells you exactly how he's gonna do the trick before he even starts. We all know the drill.

The Usual Suspects and the Committee's Favorite Punching Bag

So, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M. Unbeaten. Solid. No surprises there, unless you've been living under a rock, or maybe you're one of those poor souls who still believes in Santa Claus. Those top three spots? Locked down. It's almost boring, ain't it? The committee loves to pretend there's some nail-biting debate happening behind those closed doors, but let's be real, these guys are practically etched in stone. Ohio State's been sitting pretty at No. 1 since day one. Indiana, their Big Ten rival, right there at No. 2, setting up that inevitable conference title game showdown. Texas A&M, the lone wolf from the SEC without a loss, held onto No. 3, but only after pulling off what they're calling a "historic comeback" against South Carolina last weekend. Historic? Or just proof that even the best teams can get caught napping? You tell me.

But where the real fun starts, or at least where the committee wants you to think the fun starts, is just outside that golden trio. Georgia, fresh off stomping Texas, climbed a spot. Texas Tech, leading the Big 12, did the same. Predictable shifts for teams doing what they're supposed to do. But then you get to the good stuff, the real meat of the committee's narrative crafting: the fall. And boy, did Alabama take a tumble.

Last week, they were No. 4. After getting knocked off by Oklahoma – who, by the way, jumped three spots to No. 8 – Alabama now sits at a rather ignominious No. 10, according to the latest CFP rankings release after Week 12 push Oklahoma higher, see Alabama, Texas fall. Tenth! The Crimson Tide, down there with Notre Dame, clinging to the last at-large spot like a barnacle on a rusty ship. It's not just a fall, it's a carefully orchestrated descent designed to keep the conversation buzzing. Alabama's down, but they're not out, offcourse. They've still got Auburn coming up, a game that's always a bloodbath regardless of rankings. So, what's the real story here? Is this a genuine reflection of their performance, or is it the committee saying, "Hey, look, we're not just about the blue bloods, we swear!"? I'm not buying it. It feels more like they're trying to inject some manufactured drama into the back half of the top 10, knowing full well that an 8-2 Alabama team still has a path, however narrow, to the dance. It's like they're playing a game of three-card monte, distracting you with the flashy moves while the real action is happening elsewhere.

The Playoff's Shifting Sands and the Illusion of Fairness

Now, let's talk about this "new" playoff format. Remember last season, when the top four conference champs got a bye? Gone. Poof. Vanished like my motivation on a Monday morning. Now, the committee gets to seed all the qualifying teams, and the byes go to the top four teams, regardless of their league. Oh, what a shocker. More power to the committee, less certainty for those pesky conference champions from smaller leagues. It's almost as if they looked at the old system and thought, "How can we make this even more subjective? How can we ensure we maintain maximum control over the narrative?"

They want you to believe this is about "fairness" or "strength of schedule," but really, it's about control. It's about ensuring the biggest brands, the ones that bring in the most eyeballs and advertising dollars, always have the easiest path, even if they slip up once or twice. Tulane, bless their hearts, snuck into the No. 24 spot after South Florida fell out. Good for them. But let's be honest, they're cannon fodder for No. 5 Texas Tech in the first round. It's a token gesture, a tiny glimmer of hope for the Group of Five before they're unceremoniously dismissed. Does anyone seriously think Tulane has a shot at the championship? Or Miami, the "top ACC team" at No. 13? Please. It's like being invited to the VIP party but only allowed to stand by the coat check.

The whole thing feels like a carefully constructed reality TV show, doesn't it? They give you a few upsets, a few dramatic falls, a few Cinderella stories that are destined to end at midnight. All to keep us glued to the TV, debating every single move. We're not even at the final rankings yet. There are two more "unveilings" before the actual playoff field is set on December 7th. Two more weeks for the committee to tinker, to adjust, to "evaluate." And for us to argue about it endlessly on social media. It's a brilliant business model, I'll give 'em that. They've perfected the art of generating buzz from thin air. The only real question is, are we tired of the show yet?

Just Another Week in the Circus

Look, I get it. College football is a religion for a lot of people. But when you pull back the curtain, it's just another corporate spectacle dressed up in tradition and school spirit. These rankings aren't some sacred tablet handed down from on high; they're a moving target, designed to maximize engagement and keep the money flowing. Alabama falls, Oklahoma rises, Tulane gets a nod – it's all part of the script. We're just the audience, cheering and booing on cue. And honestly, sometimes I wonder if they're laughing all the way to the bank while we're still trying to figure out if an 8-2 team deserves a shot. Deserves? In this game, 'deserves' has nothing to do with it. It's about what makes for the best ratings.