This is the best thing that could have happened to CDS and the team. Gives them a huge chip on their shoulder that may not have been there if they were 1, 2, or 3.
As long as Clemson takes care of business, the only thing that it may effect is where we go for the semifinal. If Clemson doesn't win out, I don't think we would deserve to be there anyway.
Your answer is fine, if you presume that this committee is going to return to sound logic in later rankings.
However, this SC has just now stated that previous years' logic does not apply. There is no guarantee that we will be in if we win out.
Up until last night, i was 100% in agreement with you. I figured our ranking didn't matter, because we would have a chance to move up.
This committee has just stated otherwise. By putting us #5, they are telling the ACC that their champion is no longer a viable CFP candidate, even if undefeated. If other candidates are qualified, they will be taken ahead of an undefeated ACC champion.
So the new question is the one ESPN has been asking for years, but for the first time may actually be relevant: what about a one-loss conference nonchampion, whose only loss is a "quality" loss? Do they get into the playoff over an unbeaten conference champion? For the first time, this committee is willing to discuss that.
They just told us that if we win out we are in. Thats what they told us. The set up 2 huge gamea with Penn State vs Ohio State and Bama vs LSU. Thats all. Its pretty straightforward.