The Oregon Ducks currently reign supreme in the world of college football. From the top spot in the AP Top 25 Poll to the highest seed in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoffs, the Ducks are the undeniable No. 1 team.
After the first playoff rankings of the season were released on Tuesday, the CFP Committee Chair, Warde Manuel, spoke at length about the projected bracket and No. 1 Oregon.
Warde Manuel opening statement
"Good evening, everybody. As the new chairman for this year, I'd like to welcome everybody to the first year of the 12-team playoff. While the number of teams that will participate in the playoff has changed, the committee's mission has not. Our job is to rank the best 25 teams in college football based on the protocol which was written by the commissioners who run the CFP... Undefeated Oregon is No. 1. Their win against Ohio State and their 5-0 record against teams with winning records earned them that spot."
Warde Manuel on Ohio State being No. 2 after loss to Oregon
"Ohio State is ranked No. 2. They had an impressive win on the road against a strong Penn State team and played No. 1 Oregon down to the wire in Eugene. They've had a good strength of schedule, and they're 5-1 against teams with winning records."
"It was a close analysis, but in the end we just felt that Ohio State was a more consistent performer at this point in time, and their loss to the No. 1 -- their only loss is to No. 1 Oregon, and that's how the committee came out with the decision."
Also read: Absolutely no one surprised as Oregon is ranked No. 1 in first 2024 playoff rankings
Warde Manuel on Boise State's ranking
Well, the summary is Boise State is an impressive team. They go to No. 1 Oregon at the beginning of the season and lose by three. Ashton Jeanty, I think he's rushed for more yards against Oregon than anybody else in the country, if I have that correct. They're just an impressive team. Their quarterback is really developed and been a strength of their team. Impressive win at UNLV. They're a very good team. And their win against No. 21 Washington State."