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Tiebreakers Take Center Stage in Superconference Era as CFP Leader Questions Automatic Bids

Unbalanced superconference schedules push decisions to off-field formulas.

Overview

  • ACC races feature clusters of one-loss teams, with rules that progress from records versus common opponents to combined opponent winning percentage and, if unresolved, a random draw.
  • Pat Narduzzi calls the system "not fair at all," Manny Diaz jokes about settling ties on the field, and Tony Elliott notes that the math-heavy procedures distract from simply winning games.
  • The Big 12, SEC and Big Ten also face scenarios where title-game berths could hinge on tiebreakers rather than head-to-head results, according to current standings and remaining schedules.
  • CFP oversight chair Mark Keenum publicly urged dropping automatic bids in favor of selecting the "best teams," a stance aired on The Paul Finebaum Show that has drawn pointed criticism.
  • Coaches and analysts highlight that league schedules are set years in advance, creating strength-of-schedule disparities that can skew tiebreaker outcomes.