by Travis Normand

As always, I will try to post weekly thoughts and observations on the weekly college football playoff rankings.

Week 1 – Released 11/2/2021

Note 1.1: Alabama (7-1) at number 2 is the first 1-loss team to be ranked in the top-2 of the initial playoff rankings.

Note 1.2: Cincinnati (8-0) at number 6 is the highest ranking for a “Group of 5” team.

Note 1.3: There are six undefeated teams remaining and UTSA (8-0) is the only one not ranked in the top-25.

Note 1.4: In every one of the initial playoff rankings from 2014 to 2020, there has been an ACC team in the top-5; and each of those ACC teams had a record of 7-0, 8-0, 7-1, or 9-0. Therefore, the initial rankings of 2021 is the first time that the initial rankings did not have an ACC team in the top-5 (despite the fact that Wake Forest is 8-0 and was ranked 9th).

Week 2 – Released 11/9/2021