As we enter Week 15 of the college football season, teams and fans alike are bracing for a crucial stretch. For many teams, this week is make-or-break, with the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee gearing up for its final rankings before the postseason. But with so much at stake, there’s plenty of frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Whether it’s teams on the bubble of the CFP, squads dealing with perceived injustices, or fan bases questioning the playoff committee’s choices, Week 15 brings plenty of reason for anger.
The “CFP Anger Index” is a fun, yet insightful way of measuring the emotional temperature of teams, coaches, and fans. It can help predict who should be angriest after the week’s games. Some teams might feel they’re being overlooked, others may be outraged by officiating, while others might just be frustrated with their own performance. So who should be most furious in Week 15? Let’s break it down.
1. Florida State Seminoles: A Question of Respect
After an undefeated regular season, Florida State should be feeling a bit of anger. The Seminoles, who have done everything asked of them, are sitting in a precarious position with just one more game to play before the final CFP rankings. Despite their perfect record, Florida State has been under scrutiny since losing star quarterback Jordan Travis to injury. The committee has publicly raised concerns about whether the Seminoles deserve a spot in the four-team playoff without Travis at the helm. This skepticism has been evident despite the team’s continued success with backup quarterback Tate Rodemaker.
FSU’s anger stems from a perception that they are being penalized unfairly for losing their starting quarterback. Yes, they’ve looked vulnerable at times, but they’ve still defeated top-tier teams like LSU, Duke, and Miami, and their defense is one of the best in the nation. Despite this, some experts suggest that the Seminoles’ struggles without Travis could lead to them being passed over for a playoff spot, particularly if a one-loss team like Texas or Oregon wins their respective conferences. If Florida State doesn’t make the CFP, expect a firestorm of anger, with the Seminoles and their supporters questioning the fairness of the committee’s approach.
2. Michigan Wolverines: Fighting for Fairness
Michigan has been one of the most dominant teams this season, yet they remain embroiled in controversy. The scandal surrounding Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing violations has cast a shadow over their season, and the CFP selection committee has made it clear that they are taking this matter into account when ranking teams. While Michigan’s performance on the field has been outstanding, with impressive wins over Penn State and Ohio State, there is a palpable sense of frustration from the Wolverine faithful.
The anger here is not just about the potential penalties or the controversy surrounding coach Jim Harbaugh, but also about how Michigan feels their accomplishments are being downplayed by off-field distractions. In a year where they look like a top contender, Michigan’s supporters feel they’re being unfairly judged based on a scandal that has not yet been fully proven to have had a direct impact on their games. A CFP snub in favor of a team with a lesser record or more significant off-field issues would likely spark fury from Michigan fans, who feel they’ve done everything right on the field and deserve their spot.
3. Oregon Ducks: A Victim of the System
Oregon’s path to the College Football Playoff has been a difficult one. Their lone loss came to Washington, and with a PAC-12 championship on the line, the Ducks have a serious shot at making the playoff—if they win out. However, Oregon’s anger stems from the way they’ve been treated by the committee compared to other one-loss teams. Despite having one of the most complete and impressive rosters in the country, Oregon is often ranked lower than teams with comparable records or even worse performances.
The Ducks have an offense that can put up huge numbers with quarterback Bo Nix and a defense that has been highly efficient. Still, the committee has placed them behind other teams with fewer impressive wins or worse losses. Oregon fans are rightfully upset that the committee has not given them their due respect, especially with their ability to beat top-tier teams like Utah, Washington State, and others in the PAC-12.
If Oregon wins the PAC-12 and is still snubbed from the CFP, expect a ton of anger to be directed toward the committee, who many believe are not respecting the strength of the PAC-12 as a whole. Given their recent dominance, Oregon feels they have earned the right to compete for a national title, and an omission would likely lead to widespread outrage.
4. Texas Longhorns: The Always Unappreciated Contender
Texas has had a remarkable season, with their only loss coming to a tough Oklahoma team in the Red River Rivalry. The Longhorns have one of the best defenses in college football and have picked up some solid wins this season. But despite their strong performances, Texas continues to be overshadowed by other teams in the CFP race. They are often ranked behind teams that have a weaker strength of schedule or have fewer marquee victories.
If Texas wins the Big 12 and still doesn’t make it into the CFP, their anger would be understandable. The committee has been criticized for favoring teams from more prominent conferences, and the Longhorns are beginning to feel the brunt of that bias. With the Big 12 potentially losing its position as a “power” conference after realignment, Texas feels like it has something to prove, and an exclusion from the playoff would likely drive the narrative that the CFP has a systemic bias.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide: The Elephant in the Room
Alabama fans are always passionate, and their anger in Week 15 could be at an all-time high. The Crimson Tide’s season has been filled with ups and downs, but they have one glaring advantage: Nick Saban. With his leadership, Alabama has remained a strong contender, and a potential SEC championship would be enough to push the Tide into the playoff conversation.
However, Alabama has been a consistent source of frustration for some fans, especially after they were left on the outside looking in during the earlier playoff rankings. While they have earned some impressive victories, their early-season struggles against inferior opponents are still a topic of debate. Alabama’s fury stems from the fact that they feel they are being held to a higher standard than other teams, especially when you compare their recent record and championship pedigree.
If Alabama wins the SEC but is still kept out of the CFP, fans will certainly voice their anger. The committee’s decision to rank Alabama so low in the past few weeks despite their pedigree would fuel this fury, leading to debates over whether the committee values teams with “brand power” too much.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes: The Perennial Frustration
Ohio State’s season has been filled with high expectations, and they’ve generally met those expectations. However, after a devastating loss to Michigan in the regular-season finale, the Buckeyes find themselves in a precarious position. A playoff spot is still within reach, but only if other results go in their favor.
The anger surrounding Ohio State comes from the feeling that their one loss to Michigan, which came on the road, should not be enough to exclude them from the CFP if other teams with losses are allowed in. Many Buckeye fans feel that Ohio State deserves a spot simply because they’ve consistently been a top team in the playoff rankings. If Ohio State is kept out in favor of a team with a weaker resume, expect major backlash.
Conclusion
As we enter the final stretch of the college football season, Week 15 is sure to bring drama, controversy, and plenty of anger. Whether it’s the seemingly snubbed Florida State, the battle-tested Oregon, or a Texas team desperate for recognition, the CFP Anger Index is running high. These teams and their fan bases have every right to be upset as the College Football Playoff selection process continues to spark debate. With the final rankings just around the corner, the stage is set for some of the most intense reactions we’ve seen in recent years. Keep an eye on these teams, because their anger could turn into a powerful motivator heading into the postseason.