Tennessee's sched was fairly weak, their offense was not effective vs. good teams (2 games in SEC over 30 points vs. Miss. State/Vandy), and they didn't exactly finish the season strong. They may have been a top 10 team, but I think most people that had watched them this year could tell this team wasn't even comparable to the Hendon Hooker 2022 team that was good enough to win a natty with him healthy.
I think the committee probably put the best teams in given the job the SEC teams did tripping over themselves down the stretch. With that being said, I would like to see an emphasis put on how teams finish the season and early losses being penalized slightly less than late losses. SCAR was the 3 loss SEC team that was legitimately capable of making a run. They found ways to lose games early in the conference slate. They improved and found ways to win down the stretch, that should matter.
Like I said, 3 loss teams don't really have a leg to stand on, but I do think teams that limp in down the stretch are less likely to perform in the playoffs, so their resume should be examined thoroughly.
I think the committee probably put the best teams in given the job the SEC teams did tripping over themselves down the stretch. With that being said, I would like to see an emphasis put on how teams finish the season and early losses being penalized slightly less than late losses. SCAR was the 3 loss SEC team that was legitimately capable of making a run. They found ways to lose games early in the conference slate. They improved and found ways to win down the stretch, that should matter.
Like I said, 3 loss teams don't really have a leg to stand on, but I do think teams that limp in down the stretch are less likely to perform in the playoffs, so their resume should be examined thoroughly.