The Nightmare in Grapevine is upon us.
Amid a 13-member group in Grapevine, Texas, the committee confronts a tough, consequential, and controversial decision in its 10-year existence ahead of the College Football Playoff reveal on ESPN at noon Sunday.
Big Ten champion Michigan and Pac-12 champion Washington appear to be in, but the remaining two spots are a puzzle. Florida State, Alabama, and Texas are vying for these spots, leading to a heated debate.
• Florida State is 13-0 and ACC champion.
• Alabama is 12-1 and SEC champion.
• Texas is 12-1 and Big 12 champion.
The decision will be controversial, no matter who is left out. And it’s even more significant given the impending playoff expansion.
The committee’s decision will impact the sport’s future and present a challenging task:
• How to tell an unbeaten, Power 5 champion they don’t deserve to compete for a national title?
• How to tell a team that just defeated a dominant opponent and won the historically powerful SEC that they’re not worthy?
• How to justify telling a team who beat the champion of the dominant league that they don’t deserve an opportunity?
No simple answers exist. Someone will be unhappy, and the need for playoff expansion is increasingly apparent.
