College Football Playoff Blind Resume Test Highlights At-Large Contenders

The College Football Playoff (CFP) selection process sparks endless debate among fans and analysts. This season, the conversation feels even more intense, with a crowded bubble full of powerhouse programs.

The committee has a tough job ahead. They’re weighing the merits of each team, digging into the numbers and metrics that could make or break a playoff bid.

We’ve taken a look at the latest data to see which teams might snag those last three at-large spots in the CFP. Let’s dive in and see who’s really got a shot—and what could tip the scales.

Assessing the Bubble Teams

Sorting through bubble teams is never simple. This year, seven teams are fighting for just three at-large spots.

Each contender brings something different to the table, whether it’s a strong record or a tough schedule. Here’s a quick rundown of the main metrics for each:

• Team A: Utah (9-2 record, strength of schedule 51, strength of record 15)
• Team B: Oklahoma (9-2 record, strength of schedule 12, strength of record 10)
• Team C: Miami (9-2 record, strength of schedule 40, strength of record 13)
• Team D: Notre Dame (9-2 record, strength of schedule 35, strength of record 11)
• Team E: BYU (10-1 record, strength of schedule 29, strength of record 5)
• Team F: Vanderbilt (9-2 record, strength of schedule 21, strength of record 12)
• Team G: Alabama (9-2 record, strength of schedule 14, strength of record 9)

Strength of Schedule

Strength of schedule gets a lot of attention in these debates. Teams that face tougher opponents usually get a longer look from the committee.

Oklahoma (Team B) and Alabama (Team G) pop off the page here, both boasting top 15 schedules. It’s a number that really shows who they’ve been up against all year.

Strength of Record

Strength of record is another stat the committee leans on. It measures how impressive a team’s wins are, given their schedule.

BYU (Team E) leads the pack with a strength of record ranking of 5. That suggests BYU’s wins carry real weight, considering what they’ve faced.

Performance Against Top Teams

Beating top competition matters—a lot. Here’s how the bubble teams have done against CFP Top 25 opponents:

• Team A: 1-2
• Team B: 3-2
• Team C: 1-1
• Team D: 2-2
• Team E: 2-1
• Team F: 0-2
• Team G: 3-1

Alabama (Team G) and Oklahoma (Team B) have strong records here. If you’re looking for teams that can hang with the best, these two keep showing up.

Record Against Winning Teams

Wins against FBS teams with winning records say a lot about a team’s consistency. Here’s how the seven stack up:

• Team A: 2-2
• Team B: 4-2
• Team C: 3-2
• Team D: 5-2
• Team E: 6-1
• Team F: 3-2
• Team G: 5-1

BYU (Team E) and Alabama (Team G) really shine here. Their records against good teams are tough to ignore.

Point Differential and Opponent Records

Point differential and the combined records of a team’s opponents add some extra context. Sometimes numbers like these can tell a story the win-loss record doesn’t.

• Average FBS Point Differential: Alabama (Team G) – 13.8, Oklahoma (Team B) – 11.4, BYU (Team E) – 10.6
• Combined FBS Opponent Record Win %: Alabama (Team G) – 60%, BYU (Team E) – 60%, Oklahoma (Team B) – 62.7%

By just about every metric, Alabama, BYU, and Oklahoma keep surfacing as top contenders. The numbers don’t make the decision, but they sure make the conversation interesting.

Final Selections

Looking at the numbers and how things shook out, here are the three teams that really stand out for the last at-large CFP spots:

• Alabama (Team G): They’ve got a 3-1 record against Top 25 opponents, a top 15 strength of schedule, and their performance metrics are tough to argue with. Alabama feels like the obvious pick.
• Oklahoma (Team B): Oklahoma comes in strong with three wins over Top 25 teams. Their schedule was no cakewalk either, so they’ve definitely earned a spot in the conversation.
• BYU (Team E): BYU only lost once, and their strength of record plus a high opponent win percentage nudges them ahead for the last slot.

Utah, Miami, Notre Dame, and Vanderbilt all made things interesting. Still, they just didn’t quite measure up to the top three this time.

Fans and analysts are probably going to have plenty to say about these choices. If you’re looking for a deeper dive or want to keep up with the latest on the playoff selection, check out the New York Times Athletic.