The Gators were within striking distance of the CFP going into their final two games. And despite falling short in both of those outings, they remained high in the echelon, well ahead of a host of teams who had actual & legitimate cases for playoff consideration (i.e. Cincinnati, etc.)

In the last 17 days: Florida’s record went from 8-1, to 8-2, to 8-3... yet their ranking went from #6, to #7, to #7... The irony and hypocrisy of people who scream that the games matter!.. yet simultaneously apply no consequences for losing stated games is mind-boggling.

This sport is in trouble. Players opting out is entering epidemic phase and “meaningless games” is going to become the new normal. And while the 2020 backdrop of a pandemic can provide a convenient, and legitimate, excuse for this season, the problems are much deeper and the effects will linger. We are entering dangerous territory where only certain conferences matter, certain teams matter, certain games matter, yet at the same time undesirable results are washed away, excused and minimized so that predetermined outcomes are obtained as there is no realistic opportunity for outsiders to supplant the chosen ones. 

Never in my life have I seen a team lose 2 games in a row and only drop 1 spot in any CFB ranking system. Florida was shown favoritism whereas a team like Indiana was not. The Hoosiers finished the season with only 1-loss (on the road at OSU by 7pts)... yet Indiana is currently ranked behind a 3-loss IowaState team?

Alarming data point: The top 4 teams in the CFP never changed this year, despite multiple losses in that grouping. That is disturbing. Even after losses, neither Clemson nor Notre Dame ever dropped out of the top-4 at any point this season. This is bad. Very bad. There is no way this is healthy for the sport and I’m concerned because it’s the only one I truly enjoy watching.