Everyone is debating SMU vs Bama as the last pick, but look at SMU vs. Indiana. I don't see how the committee puts SMU below Indiana and that is why they will be in. They were both 11-1 with no ranked wins after the regular season. Both had a single ranked loss. SMU was viewed by the committee as the better team and they ranked SMU higher in last rankings of reg season. SMU has a higher Strength or Schedule than Indiana (60 vs 68). The only difference is SMU earned a championship appearance and Indiana didn't. Can the committee put SMU behind Indiana because they had to play for a championship and lost on a last sec 56 yd FG while Indiana was comfortable at home? I am not emotionally invested in SMU but it seems to me that it would create a horrible precedent. As Lashlee pointed out, SMU should have just stayed home and refused to play in Championship game if so.
Another team to look at is ND. They were also 11-1 at the end of the reg season. Their SOS is only 2 spots higher than SMU (58th vs 60th). The biggest difference is ND had a horrible loss to an unranked NIU team from the MAC conf in their loss. SMU lost to a ranked team. Sure, ND did have 1 ranked win, but that was over Army (who has the worst SOS of any ranked team by a wide margin). Heck, if we are talking ranked wins as the deciding factor, even Texas has no ranked wins.
Again, whatever happens, happens. I don't have an interest in any of the teams. Just seems to be a poor precedent if they penalize SMU for losing a champ game while others didn't have to play. If SMU had gotten blown out and lost their QB for season it would be a diff story. Short of that, I think they should be in. If they are left out you create a real incentive for bubble teams like them, that are clearly in the playoff at the end of a regular season, to decline a championship invite to preserve their spot in the playoff.
Another team to look at is ND. They were also 11-1 at the end of the reg season. Their SOS is only 2 spots higher than SMU (58th vs 60th). The biggest difference is ND had a horrible loss to an unranked NIU team from the MAC conf in their loss. SMU lost to a ranked team. Sure, ND did have 1 ranked win, but that was over Army (who has the worst SOS of any ranked team by a wide margin). Heck, if we are talking ranked wins as the deciding factor, even Texas has no ranked wins.
Again, whatever happens, happens. I don't have an interest in any of the teams. Just seems to be a poor precedent if they penalize SMU for losing a champ game while others didn't have to play. If SMU had gotten blown out and lost their QB for season it would be a diff story. Short of that, I think they should be in. If they are left out you create a real incentive for bubble teams like them, that are clearly in the playoff at the end of a regular season, to decline a championship invite to preserve their spot in the playoff.
