Decoding the CFP: What Decision Notes Mean for Cincinnati
The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee’s decision notes offer a rare and valuable glimpse behind the curtain of their highly scrutinized ranking process. For Cincinnati Bearcats fans, understanding these detailed insights is crucial to grasp how our beloved team has been evaluated on the national stage and what it means for the future of UC football.
Unpacking the CFP Committee’s Insights
These decision notes aren’t just a list of rankings; they are official summaries outlining the committee’s extensive discussions, comparative analyses, and the rationales that underpin their final selections. They reveal the specific criteria and sometimes subtle biases that influence how teams like the Bearcats are perceived. For years, UC, often considered the top-tier Group of Five program, navigated a unique set of challenges in the CFP landscape.
The Significance for Cincinnati’s National Standing
Cincinnati’s journey through the CFP rankings has frequently been a topic of intense local and national debate. The committee’s notes directly address the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the Bearcats, particularly concerning their strength of schedule, opponent quality, and overall “eye test.” These detailed summaries articulate the committee’s perspective, offering clarity on why UC was positioned where it was, even during undefeated seasons. Understanding these points helps fans appreciate the strategic hurdles the program faced and continues to navigate.
Key Takeaways from the Decision Notes: The Committee’s Viewpoint
While the specific content of the decision notes varies from year to year, certain recurring themes and evaluation criteria consistently emerged in discussions pertaining to Cincinnati. These themes highlight the committee’s priorities and the unique position UC occupied.
Strength of Schedule: The Perennial Hurdle
Consistently, the committee emphasized strength of schedule (SOS) as a paramount factor. For Cincinnati, operating within a Group of Five conference, even an undefeated record was often met with skepticism regarding the caliber of competition faced weekly. The notes frequently detailed comparisons between UC’s schedule and those of Power Five contenders, underscoring the committee’s concern about the overall depth and quality of opponents. This made marquee non-conference games against Power Five teams absolutely vital for UC to even be considered in the conversation, as these matchups provided the only direct comparisons against top-tier programs.
The “Eye Test” and Dominance on the Field
Beyond statistics, the “eye test”—the subjective evaluation of a team’s dominance and performance—played a significant role. The committee sought evidence of consistent, commanding victories, particularly against perceived quality opponents. For Cincinnati, this meant not just winning, but winning convincingly, leaving no doubt about their superiority. The notes would often reflect discussions about how UC looked against its best competition, measuring their ability to control games from start to finish and demonstrating championship-level execution and resilience.
Comparative Analysis: UC vs. Power Five Peers
A crucial aspect of the committee’s process is the direct comparison of teams with similar records across different conferences. The decision notes often revealed detailed analyses where Cincinnati was stacked against Power Five teams, even those with a loss or two. This comparison often highlighted the perceived disparity in conference strength, which historically disadvantaged UC. The committee would weigh UC’s undefeated status against the “quality losses” or “quality wins” of Power Five teams, making it an uphill battle for the Bearcats to ascend higher without the benefit of a stronger conference affiliation.
Implications for the Bearcats Program and Future Strategy
Understanding the nuances within these decision notes has had tangible implications for the Cincinnati football program, influencing everything from coaching philosophy to future scheduling.
Recruitment and National Perception
The committee’s evaluations directly impact UC’s national profile, which in turn affects recruitment. A program consistently in the national conversation, even if not reaching the CFP, enhances its appeal to top high school talents. Knowing the specific criteria the committee values allows the coaching staff to highlight aspects of the program that align with national excellence, attracting athletes who aspire to compete at the highest level.
Evolving Scheduling Philosophy
The emphasis on Strength of Schedule prompted UC to aggressively pursue challenging non-conference matchups whenever possible. These games were critical opportunities to prove their mettle against Power Five opponents. Looking forward, with UC’s monumental move to the Big 12 Conference, many of these historical SOS concerns are inherently addressed, providing a clear pathway to a more favorable evaluation from the committee.
What Cincinnati Fans Should Watch Next
As the collegiate football landscape continues to evolve, especially with conference realignments, the way the CFP committee evaluates teams like Cincinnati will shift dramatically.
The Big 12 Era: A New Evaluation Metric
Cincinnati’s entry into the Big 12 Conference marks a watershed moment. The “Group of Five ceiling” that historically plagued UC’s CFP aspirations is effectively removed. The decision notes moving forward will evaluate UC not as an outsider, but as a full-fledged Power Five contender. This means a built-in strength of schedule and direct comparisons against peers within a major conference, fundamentally altering the committee’s perspective and the arguments they will present.
Sustained Excellence and Conference Dominance
For UC to truly capitalize on its new conference affiliation, sustained excellence within the Big 12 will be paramount. Consistent top-25 rankings, competitive play against conference rivals, and challenging for conference championships will be key metrics. The committee will expect UC to demonstrate its ability to compete at a high level week in and week out against Power Five competition, building a resume that leaves no doubt.
| CFP Evaluation Criteria | Traditional G5 Cincinnati (Pre-Big 12) | Big 12 Cincinnati (Post-Big 12) |
|---|---|---|
| Strength of Schedule | Required aggressive non-conference scheduling; often perceived as a weakness due to conference strength. | Inherently strong due to Power Five conference opponents; less reliance on non-conference for SOS. |
| Opponent Quality | Limited opportunities for “quality wins” outside of a few non-conference games. | Weekly opportunities for “quality wins” against conference rivals and ranked opponents. |
| Conference Championship | Crucial for national recognition, but often undervalued compared to P5 champions. | A Big 12 Championship automatically carries significant weight for CFP consideration. |
| “Eye Test” / Dominance | Needed to be overwhelmingly dominant in every game to counter SOS concerns. | Still important, but will be evaluated within the context of tougher, higher-profile games. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly are CFP decision notes?
These are official summaries from the College Football Playoff committee that document their detailed discussions, comparative analyses, and the specific rationales used to determine team rankings and selections. - Why was Strength of Schedule (SOS) historically such a major concern for UC?
As a high-achieving Group of Five team, even an undefeated record often led to skepticism from the committee due to the perceived weaker overall strength of its conference opponents, making challenging non-conference games critically important. - How will joining the Big 12 change Cincinnati’s CFP outlook?
It significantly elevates UC’s Strength of Schedule automatically by placing them in a Power Five conference, where they are evaluated against similar peers and compete for a P5 conference championship, removing a major historical barrier. - Does the “eye test” still matter for teams like the Bearcats?
Absolutely. The committee heavily assesses how dominant and consistent a team looks on the field, beyond just their win-loss record, looking for championship-level performance throughout the season, especially in key matchups. - Will Cincinnati now have an equal chance at the CFP?
Moving to the Big 12 provides an equal platform. Success will now depend on their performance within the conference, winning big games, and competing for championships, rather than overcoming a Group of Five bias.
Our Bearcats have always fought fiercely, demonstrating incredible grit and talent. Understanding the intricate workings of the CFP committee, illuminated by these decision notes, empowers us as fans to better appreciate the journey and advocate for our team’s continued rise on the national stage, especially as we embark on this exciting new era in the Big 12 Conference. Go Bearcats!
CFP Notes Explain Cincinnati’s National Standing
