Yormark opened this afternoon's call with both title game coaches with a statement to the media on the College Football Playoff rankings. Pretty strong remarks.
“Time and time again, they are paying attention to logos versus resumes. I've said that before, I want to say it again. And I say logos because they're concentrating on team logos and conference logos. Strength of schedule should matter. And wins against powerful opponents should matter. Seventy-four percent of the Big 12 wins were against powerful opponents this season. Meanwhile, the Group-of-Five is 11-and-80. I want to say that again…11-and-80 versus powerful teams this season. And in no way should a Group-of-Five champion be ranked above our champion. And I'm going to say that one more time. In no way should a group of five champion be ranked above our champion.
“ASU and ISU each played 10 games against the Big 12, SEC, and Big 10, winning both P4 non-conference games against the SEC and the Big 10, and winning seven of nine P4 conference games. Boise (State) played one game against the Big 10 and lost. And that was their only P4 opponent. The committee clearly focuses on the wins and loss column. Going by that principle, no three-loss team from a powerful conference should get a buy over a two-loss champion from the Big 12. I'm going to say that again. No three-loss team from a powerful conference should get a buy over a two-loss champion from the Big 12.
“The format is playing out with the excitement we thought. Many of you have asked me what do I think about the format? And would I change anything? And I'll just restate what I've said earlier this season. The 12 team format was something I certainly advocated for. I thought it would create a lot of excitement, a lot of fan engagement, and that November would be a month that would be truly magical just based on all the different scenarios that could play out. I think that's happened.
“At the conclusion of the season, obviously, the management committee will come together and we'll figure out what that format should look like moving forward. Do we need to improve it in any way? The one thing that I am concerned about, candidly, and something that I'll address with Richard Clark at the right time is I need to better understand, and I think I speak on behalf of the full management committee and the commissioners, what are the key metrics that are being used as we think about the rankings each week? Because strength of schedule was something that was identified for me early in the fall as a very, very critically important metric. And I'm not sure that that has happened, at least to date. So, in addition to exploring if there's a better format or not, certainly, I think we need to clearly understand what are the key metrics moving forward and how schools will be ranked in the future.
“Just to close things out again, just so proud of both Arizona State and Iowa State. You guys have proved the doubters wrong. You guys have played at a high level all season long. I am really, really thrilled for this Saturday for an incredible champ game in Arlington at AT&T Stadium. Look forward to seeing many of you that are with us today at that game. And again, coaches, I wish you both well and look forward to seeing you this weekend.”
“Time and time again, they are paying attention to logos versus resumes. I've said that before, I want to say it again. And I say logos because they're concentrating on team logos and conference logos. Strength of schedule should matter. And wins against powerful opponents should matter. Seventy-four percent of the Big 12 wins were against powerful opponents this season. Meanwhile, the Group-of-Five is 11-and-80. I want to say that again…11-and-80 versus powerful teams this season. And in no way should a Group-of-Five champion be ranked above our champion. And I'm going to say that one more time. In no way should a group of five champion be ranked above our champion.
“ASU and ISU each played 10 games against the Big 12, SEC, and Big 10, winning both P4 non-conference games against the SEC and the Big 10, and winning seven of nine P4 conference games. Boise (State) played one game against the Big 10 and lost. And that was their only P4 opponent. The committee clearly focuses on the wins and loss column. Going by that principle, no three-loss team from a powerful conference should get a buy over a two-loss champion from the Big 12. I'm going to say that again. No three-loss team from a powerful conference should get a buy over a two-loss champion from the Big 12.
“The format is playing out with the excitement we thought. Many of you have asked me what do I think about the format? And would I change anything? And I'll just restate what I've said earlier this season. The 12 team format was something I certainly advocated for. I thought it would create a lot of excitement, a lot of fan engagement, and that November would be a month that would be truly magical just based on all the different scenarios that could play out. I think that's happened.
“At the conclusion of the season, obviously, the management committee will come together and we'll figure out what that format should look like moving forward. Do we need to improve it in any way? The one thing that I am concerned about, candidly, and something that I'll address with Richard Clark at the right time is I need to better understand, and I think I speak on behalf of the full management committee and the commissioners, what are the key metrics that are being used as we think about the rankings each week? Because strength of schedule was something that was identified for me early in the fall as a very, very critically important metric. And I'm not sure that that has happened, at least to date. So, in addition to exploring if there's a better format or not, certainly, I think we need to clearly understand what are the key metrics moving forward and how schools will be ranked in the future.
“Just to close things out again, just so proud of both Arizona State and Iowa State. You guys have proved the doubters wrong. You guys have played at a high level all season long. I am really, really thrilled for this Saturday for an incredible champ game in Arlington at AT&T Stadium. Look forward to seeing many of you that are with us today at that game. And again, coaches, I wish you both well and look forward to seeing you this weekend.”
