Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

a good win helps you more than a 'good' loss doesn't hurt you. or rather, a good win vs an average win is a big boost, while a 'good' loss vs an 'average' loss are both similarly detrimental. so, a loss is a loss, but a win isn't just a win, it can be a WIN.

Which I don't like.  I agree we focused TOO much on bad losses, without looking a wins before, but not all losses are even close to equal.

It appears that the Committee regards Clemson has having less than one loss.  Maybe half of a loss.  Otherwise, why is Clemson ahead of undefeated Miami?  Clemson's one big win at home over an Auburn squad that wasn't playing well at the time.  Miami's one big win was at home over Notre Dame.  But Clemson has a loss, to stinkin' Syracuse, so why are the Tigers ranked ahead of the Hurricanes?

I'm pretty sure they've directly said as much, due to Bryant's injury

Yes.  But how much forgiveness should they get because their so-so QB went out with an injury?

I don't agree with the principle of taking injuries into account in the first place.  But, even granting the principle, Clemson's QB wasn't exactly a Mayfield, Darnold, or Rosen.

Clemson is getting the benefit of the doubt because they were last year's champs.

Similarly, Alabama has been pretty much ranked #1 (in the polls) all year and is now ranked #1 by the Committee because of past successes, without actually beating anyone very good THIS YEAR.  Bama's biggest win is the comeback over Mississippi State in its most recent game.  It was not nothing, and it was on the road, but it wasn't as good a win as Miami's over Notre Dame.

The Committee consistently violates the very rationales that it offers in explanation of its rankings.

I'd rank the top 4 this way:

1. Miami
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Clemson

Yes.  But how much forgiveness should they get because their so-so QB went out with an injury?

I don't agree with the principle of taking injuries into account in the first place.  But, even granting the principle, Clemson's QB wasn't exactly a Mayfield, Darnold, or Rosen.

Clemson is getting the benefit of the doubt because they were last year's champs.

Similarly, Alabama has been pretty much ranked #1 (in the polls) all year and is now ranked #1 by the Committee because of past successes, without actually beating anyone very good THIS YEAR.  Bama's biggest win is the comeback over Mississippi State in its most recent game.  It was not nothing, and it was on the road, but it wasn't as good a win as Miami's over Notre Dame.

The Committee consistently violates the very rationales that it offers in explanation of its rankings.

I'd rank the top 4 this way:

1. Miami
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Clemson

I agree with you.  I said the same thing above.  I'm just saying what they've said.  My top 4 was Alabama-Miami-Oklahoma-Clemson.

ESPN's selection committee knows that the ACC championship game will effectively be an elimination game for the 4-team CFP.  So it doesn't really matter in what order they rank them today.  Their only intent in delivering rankings today, is to generate controversy which they believe will result in heightened interest in their weekly show and ultimately more advertising dollars.  That is the sole purpose of releasing any ranking at all prior to the final one.

Ed Zachery, because if the season ended today, undefeated Wisconsin would be in the top 4

the Sooners would be left out for the sinful home loss to the Cyclones

and they should

Over who?

Helmet schools Bama and OU are in.

Miami is undefeated too, and has a (supposedly) awesome win over ND.

Clemson gets defending champion love.

If the season were to end today, Wisconsin would be #5.

End of story.

Yeah, it's a tough one to call.  I think you might be right on that.
However, assuming both Miami and Clemson win out, they will still have to play one another, and that will result in elimination.  If Wisconsin wins out, they're certainly in.  If they take a loss, well then all bets are off, of course.