Making sense of the first College Football Playoff rankings

College Football Playoff Expansion - The expansion to a 12-team playoff field, coupled with new rules, is leading to the inclusion of unexpected teams [3] - Certain conference champions, like Memphis from the American Athletic Conference, receive guaranteed bids regardless of their overall ranking [4] - Virginia's high ranking within the ACC would currently secure them a playoff spot [5] Team Dynamics and Coaching - Indiana's football program has become competitive, partly due to NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals [6] - Indiana's coach, Kurt Senetti, has successfully recruited players and coached the team to a higher level of performance [7][8] - Quarterback Fernando Mendoza's performance has significantly contributed to the team's success [8] Instability and High Expectations - Several traditionally strong college football programs, including LSU, Florida, Auburn, and Penn State, have experienced significant setbacks, leading to coaching changes [9] - The transfer portal and NIL deals have increased the level of chaos and unpredictability in college football [10] - High expectations and increased financial investment from schools and boosters have created a high-pressure environment for coaches, where even a three-game losing streak can result in termination [11]