The Georgia Bulldogs are the top ranked one-loss team in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2019 season, sitting at the #6 spot going into next week. All teams ranked ahead of Georgia (7-1), consisting of #1 Ohio State (8-0), #2 LSU (8-0), #3 Alabama (8-0), #4 Penn State (8-0), and #5 Clemson (9-0) remain undefeated.
Georgia’s one loss to South Carolina was a bit of a shocker to say the least and has started to stir up conversations of why other one-loss teams aren’t ranked above the Dawgs.
The College Football Playoff selection committee chair, Rob Mullens, explained Georgia’s ranking in a media teleconference, following the rankings release on ESPN
TRANSCRIPT:
Q: You have a lot of one-loss teams; you’ve got Georgia top among those one-loss teams. Why do you think Georgia ranked the highest among those one-loss teams?
Mullens: Obviously Georgia has beat two top-15 teams, No. 10 Florida, No. 15 Notre Dame. They are the only defense to hold – they’re the only FBS team to not give up a rushing touchdown, which is a pretty strong statement. Obviously experienced quarterback, elite running back, but I think the separator for them at this point was the two top-15 wins.
#7 Oregon (8-1) started off its season with a loss to then-ranked #16 Auburn by a score of 27 – 21. Not a bad loss for the Ducks, but their strength of schedule sets them back slightly. Their quality wins came from #25 Washington by 4 points, and to unranked Washington State by 2.
#9 Oklahoma (7-1) started off the season hot, with QB Jalen Hurts steamrolling every opponent in their way. The Sooners won their first true test against then ranked #11 Texas, but only by a touchdown, making it not as impressive of a win since since the currently unranked Longhorns sit at (5-3) on the year. Oklahoma also lost to unranked Kansas State by a touchdown in their most recent game, making that loss look worse than to an SEC team.
Ultimately Georgia has two big top 10 wins (then #7 Notre Dame, #6 Florida), and those outweigh the overtime loss to South Carolina, as well as other one-loss teams strength of schedules and quality of losses.
