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College Football Playoff Rankings, Week 10: 5 biggest takeaways

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 29, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies players celebrate the win over the New Mexico State Aggies at Kyle Field. Texas A&M Aggies won 52-10. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies players celebrate the win over the New Mexico State Aggies at Kyle Field. Texas A&M Aggies won 52-10. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; The Western Michigan Broncos defense celebrates after the interception by Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Robert Spillane (10) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Western Michigan beat Illinois 34 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; The Western Michigan Broncos defense celebrates after the interception by Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Robert Spillane (10) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Western Michigan beat Illinois 34 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

2) The committee still hates the G5

No G5 team has ever been ranked higher than 15th by the selection committee, despite representatives Boise State and Houston winning their respective New Year’s Six games in the first two years of the playoff. That doesn’t appear likely to change this year after the first selection committee rankings.

As the only undefeated team left in the G5, Western Michigan is in the driver’s seat to make a New Year’s Six bowl. The Broncos opened the season with a 22-21 against a Northwestern team that is playing well of late before destroying Illinois and dominating the first five games of their MAC schedule.

P.J. Fleck has recruited plenty of talent to Western Michigan, and is on the national radar as an up-and-coming head coach who could leave for a Power Five job. The AP has taken notice, ranking Western Michigan 17th in the latest AP Poll.

However, the committee has not shown the same respect, as the Broncos were all the way down in 23rd in the initial playoff rankings. That’s a spot behind three-loss Florida State and one ahead of a Boise State team that just lost to Wyoming on the road.

Oklahoma State is a full five spots ahead despite losing at home to Central Michigan, a team Fleck’s crew beat by 39. Not only does Western Michigan’s ranking show the committee’s lack of respect for the G5, it gives Boise State a real chance at the New Year’s Six even with a loss.

While the Broncos certainly shouldn’t be near the playoff picture, they deserve a better ranking from the committee than No. 23.

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