History shows fans shouldn't get worked up over initial CFP rankings
The initial 2017 College Football Playoff rankings dropped Tuesday night, and while it's fun to debate the top four spots, here's a friendly reminder not to get too worked up over them.
While Georgia and Alabama were no-brainers at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, Notre Dame and Clemson grabbing the final two positions in the top four raised a few eyebrows, notably among Wisconsin, Miami, Oklahoma, and Ohio State fans.
A quick look at the three-year history shows why those fan bases shouldn't be overly concerned that they're on the outside looking in, as only two teams from the initial 2014, '15, and '16 top-fours finished in playoff spots.
Here's a refresher:
2014
| Rank | Team | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi State | 7 |
| 2 | Florida State | 3 |
| 3 | Auburn | 19 |
| 4 | Ole Miss | 9 |
Three SEC teams found their way into the initial top four of the first edition of the CFP rankings in 2014, with Florida State joining the trio of Mississippi State, Auburn, and Ole Miss. It was arguably the greatest moment in the state of Mississippi's football history. Unfortunately, it wouldn't last, as all three would be out of the picture by the final ranking. Oregon and Alabama were able to slip into the playoff from their initial spots at Nos. 5 and 6, while Ohio State made a late run, moving all the way up from No. 16 to No. 4 on the final list. The Buckeyes would shock the world and knock off the Crimson Tide in the semifinal before downing Oregon to claim the national title.
Ohio State winning the championship after being ranked 16th is by far the largest jump in the CFP's brief history, and should give Mississippi State some hope this year as they occupied that spot Tuesday.
2015
| Rank | Team | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson | 1 |
| 2 | LSU | 20 |
| 3 | Ohio State | 7 |
| 4 | Alabama | 2 |
Ahead of a massive SEC showdown with No. 4 Alabama, LSU found itself ranked No. 2 in the initial 2015 CFP list, joined by Ohio State and Clemson. LSU would promptly lose that contest and plummet all the way to No. 20 by the end of the season. Oklahoma pulled off the second-biggest jump in CFP history, moving from No. 15 in the first rankings to No. 4 when the final list was released, while Michigan State moved from No. 7 to No. 3 when the playoff teams were announced. Neither the Sooners nor Spartans put up much of a fight in the semifinals, as Clemson and Alabama hammered their opponents to set up the first of two straight championship matchups.
2016
| Rank | Team | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | 1 |
| 2 | Clemson | 2 |
| 3 | Michigan | 6 |
| 4 | Texas A&M | NR |
It was fairly clear Alabama and Clemson were the country's best teams last year, and it didn't seem to matter which were the No. 3 or No. 4 programs. That said, the fact Texas A&M was initially ranked No. 4 is laughable considering they finished the season unranked. Washington and Ohio State didn't have much room to cover to finish in the top four, as they sat Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, in the initial rankings. Michigan's loss to Ohio State in the season finale was enough to drop the Wolverines to No. 6, and firmly put the Buckeyes in the top four despite the fact they didn't play for the Big Ten title. Urban Meyer's team would promptly get blown off the field 31-0 by Clemson, while Alabama squashed Washington to set up the national title rematch.
Dabo Swinney emerged victorious this time in an epic showdown that left fans clamoring for a third installment of the series this year.