Are the best college football teams being left out of the playoffs?

In the United States, college football enthusiasts faced a pivotal moment with the onset of the College Football Playoff (CFP) season. The first round of the expanded playoffs commenced on December 21, 2024, showcasing prominent matchups including Ohio State against Tennessee. Ohio State entered the playoffs under immense pressure due to its high expenditures in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, totaling $20 million, and the stark public scrutiny of their head coach, Ryan Day, especially after a humiliating loss to Michigan. This was particularly difficult for the Buckeyes as they had been 10-1 before the rivalry game. The defeat not only deepened the pressure on the team but also raised urgent questions about Ryan Day's capability to win critical games, with critiques echoed throughout the season. Nevertheless, despite the earlier setback, the team's playoff journey continued to bring hope for redemption as they sought to overcome Tennessee and advance further into the competition. While some college football programs, like Alabama and Miami, were left out of the playoffs, their focus shifted to bowl games, sparking discussions on the fairness of the selection process. This felt especially pertinent as teams like Alabama, with a solid track record, surprisingly faced exclusion from the race for the national title. Nevertheless, the expanded playoff format created an exciting atmosphere, encouraging the nation's best teams to compete fiercely for the championship. The culmination of this intense rivalry and determination will unfold over the coming weeks leading up to the national title game scheduled for January 20, 2025, further underscoring the significance of this postseason.