The problem with the “eye test” is where does it end. If Bama had lost last week because the wide receiver came down out of bounds on 4th and 31, would you still put them in over FSU? If not, why? It’s only one play out of a couple thousand. Surely that one play wouldn’t change Bama’s overall “eye test”.
But they did win, just like FSU lucked out against BC (a would be worse loss than at Auburn). They just beat Georgia and lead the whole game, they're going to be in whether I like it or not.
That’s not the question. If they didn’t and everything played out exactly the same, would you put a 11-2 Bama in over a 13-0 FSU? Would 1 play out of 2000 change your “eye test” of Bama.
No I wouldn't put an 11-2 team in over an undefeated 13-0. I would put a 12-1 over 13-0. Losses matter but they're not all that matters, and 2 losses is too much to compare, but 1 can happen to anyone and schedules are not apples to apples.
Ok. One more. Do you think that 11-2 Bama team would beat FSU? Or would that one play have swung who the actual better team was?
As is? Absolutely. FSU would score 9 points. It's a balance of "most deserving" and "best", it's not one or the other we just try to force one definition. Too many losses DQ you because deserving does matter. But so does being awesome and everyone knowing it.
The games played have to matter, otherwise why play the season. In your mindset basically record doesnt matter because you are going off of the hypothetical of who your opinion tells is a better team.
They do matter. Thats why beating the #1 matters more than 1 other additional win IMO.
And that’s a more balanced opinion than most. I personally disagree and think FSU should get in as I place more value on “deserving” than “eye test”. It’s hard to go undefeated in college football. They won a Power 5 conference championship and scheduled and beat two SEC blue bloods out of conference. They have an elite defense and if they had been winning these games with an elite offense and mediocre defense, they would be looked at differently. They should have the opportunity to coach up their 2nd string QB the next month and vie for a championship.
At full strength last week Alabama needed a literal miracle play to beat a 6-6 team that is nowhere near as good as the team FSU beat by two scores and lead the entire game with their 3rd steing QB. How do you determine “best” because Alabama beat Georgia the next week. Its a completely subjective metric with no real merit when debating FSU vs Bama this year.
And even when they had their star QB FSU needed an unexpected turnover in the final minutes to beat a horrible BC team. Can play "what if" on losses that weren't all day.
Like “what if” Alabama hadn’t actually lost a game this year.
Iowa defense > Louisville's
Because they beat OSU and still have their QB.
