cfb rankings through the years

3 min read 22-11-2024

The Shifting Sands of College Football Rankings: A Look Through the Years

The College Football Playoff (CFP) era has dramatically reshaped how we perceive college football rankings, but the history of ranking teams stretches far beyond the four-team playoff. This journey through the years reveals how ranking systems have evolved, reflecting changing philosophies, controversies, and ultimately, the enduring quest to crown a true national champion.

The Pre-Poll Era: Chaos and Contention (Pre-1936)

Before the advent of formalized polls, determining a national champion was a chaotic affair. Different newspapers and organizations published their own rankings, often leading to multiple claims of national titles. The lack of a standardized system resulted in frequent debates and disagreements, highlighting the inherent subjectivity in evaluating college football teams. This period underscores the crucial role that a consistent ranking system plays in bringing order to the sport.

The Rise of the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll (1936-Present): Establishing Order (But Not Without Controversy)

The Associated Press (AP) Poll, established in 1936, offered a significant step toward establishing a consistent national ranking. Initially comprised of sportswriters, the poll quickly became a benchmark for college football fans and analysts. The Coaches' Poll, introduced later, offered a different perspective, further solidifying the landscape of rankings.

However, even with these established polls, controversies persisted. The subjective nature of human voting led to frequent debates about which team deserved the top spot, particularly when multiple undefeated teams existed. Bowl games played a significant role, often acting as de facto playoff games, but even bowl outcomes couldn't always definitively settle the national championship debate.

Key Controversies:

1966: Notre Dame and Michigan State both claimed national titles.
1974: Oklahoma and Ohio State battled for the top spot.
1990: The debate between Georgia Tech and Colorado highlights the limitations of the two-poll system.

These controversies, often fueled by close games and differing viewpoints on team strength, emphasized the need for a more objective, and perhaps more structured, approach to determining a national champion.

The BCS Era: An Attempt at Objectivity (1998-2013)

The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system, introduced in 1998, represented a significant shift. By incorporating computer rankings alongside human polls, the BCS aimed for a more objective and data-driven method of ranking teams. While the BCS did improve the selection process, it remained imperfect and subject to criticism. The system's reliance on computer rankings, often opaque in their methodology, led to ongoing debates about their accuracy and transparency. Furthermore, the selection process itself often left out deserving teams, creating considerable frustration among fans and coaches.

Limitations of the BCS:

Bias towards certain conferences: The system often favored teams from the major conferences.
Lack of transparency: The complex formula remained difficult for casual fans to understand.
Exclusion of deserving teams: Teams with strong records sometimes missed out on the national championship game.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Era: A New Paradigm (2014-Present)

The introduction of the CFP in 2014 marked a revolution in college football rankings. The four-team playoff, based on a selection committee's rankings, aimed to create a more transparent and inclusive system. While the CFP offers a more structured path to the national championship, controversies still arise. The selection committee's decisions are scrutinized, and debates persist about the relative merits of different teams. The "Group of Five" conferences still face an uphill battle for inclusion, underscoring ongoing challenges in balancing competitive balance with the need for a manageable playoff format.

Challenges of the CFP:

Committee subjectivity: The selection committee's rankings are still subject to interpretation and debate.
Expansion debates: The ongoing discussion about expanding the playoff reflects the desire for broader inclusion and a more representative national champion.
Balancing regular season strength and playoff performance: Should a team with a weaker regular season record be favored over a team with a strong regular season?

The Future of College Football Rankings

The history of college football rankings is a continuous evolution, a testament to the sport's enduring popularity and the constant desire for a fair and accurate method of determining a national champion. Whether the CFP remains in its current form, expands, or undergoes further evolution, one thing remains certain: the debate over rankings, and the national champion, will remain a captivating and integral part of the college football experience. The pursuit of objectivity and fairness continues, and the quest to find the perfect system is an ongoing narrative.