Shockwaves in College Football: Why James Madison’s Playoff Snub Has Everyone Talking
The top dogs in the College Football Playoff rankings are all about snatching that coveted first-round bye and carving their path through conference championships. But while the bluebloods battle it out, the Group of Five squads are in their own fierce sprint, aiming to snag the final berth in the 12-team playoff as the fifth-highest-ranked conference champ. Here’s the kicker—James Madison, despite reigning supreme in the Sun Belt and firing on all cylinders, finds itself glaringly absent from the committee’s rankings heading into Week 13. Fans are scratching their heads and lighting up social media, wondering how the Dukes got the cold shoulder while Tulane, with a mixed bag of wins and losses, holds down the G5 fort at No. 24. Is this a glaring oversight or a sign of the committee’s ironclad criteria leaning on Power Four schedules? It’s a story dripping with intrigue and a reminder that in college football, not all victories weigh the same… but should they? Dive deeper and see why this controversy is setting the fanbase ablaze. LEARN MORE.
The teams at the very top of the College Football Playoff rankings are focused on securing a first-round bye and working their way into their conference championship games, but the best Group of Five squads in the country are focused on outpacing each other to earn the final spot in the 12-team field as the fifth-highest-ranked conference champion at the end of the season.
For much of the year, it has looked like that would be whoever wins the American conference, which is very competitive at the top. However, James Madison has been dominating the Sun Belt and surely has its eyes on a bid as well.
Unfortunately, that quest looks far-fetched after Tuesday night’s rankings reveal heading into Week 13. Many people thought that, after South Florida’s loss on Saturday, that the Dukes would be the highest-ranked Group of Five team coming into Week 13. Instead, JMU is still unranked and Tulane is the projected G5 representative at No. 24 in the rankings.
After the rankings were revealed, fans took to social media to express their disappointment in the Dukes’ lack of a ranking.
“The North Texas and James Madison disrespect has me raging,” one fan expressed.
“Tulane has no business being ranked ahead of James Madison or North Texas,” another added.
The debate between Tulane and North Texas will sort itself out, either in the American Championship Game or before then. However, things are looking especially bleak for James Madison, who is at the mercy of the committee to rank it above the American champion.
For now, that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. The Dukes are ranked No. 21 in the AP poll, ahead of both Tulane and North Texas, but the committee clearly does not see it the same way. CFP chair Hunter Yurachek cited James Madison’s lack of Power Four teams on its schedule, plus the fact that the Dukes lost their only game against a Power Four opponent when they lost to Louisville early in the season.
On the other hand, Tulane has wins over Northwestern and Duke this season before being blown out by Ole Miss. At this point, that is enough to keep the Green Wave in the driver’s seat, just three wins away from its first CFP berth.
The post Fans incensed about James Madison snub in Week 13 College Football Playoff rankings appeared first on ClutchPoints.
CHECK OUT THE HOTTEST DEALS ON AMAZON!
Topps 2025 Series 1 Baseball Trading Card Hanger Box (59 Cards)
$29.99 (as of November 18, 2025 12:30 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2024 Panini Prestige Football Trading Cards Fat Pack
$13.95 (as of November 18, 2025 12:30 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
New England Patriots 2025 Donruss Factory Sealed Team Set Featuring a Drake Maye 2nd Year Card and Stefon Diggs with Kyle Williams, TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell Rated Rookie Cards Plus
$14.99 (as of November 18, 2025 12:29 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
NEW 2025-26 TOPPSBasketball Card BLASTER Box w/84 Cards, Bonus Custom Cooper Flagg Card Sized Print
$79.95 (as of November 18, 2025 12:29 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2025 Score Football Series HUGE Sealed Retail Box 24 Packs 12 Cards Per 288 Cards Total Including Rookies, Inserts and Chance For Rookie Signature Autographs Jaxson Dart Cam Ward Travis Hunter Plus
$89.99 (as of November 18, 2025 12:29 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2025 Panini Mosaic Football Trading Card Blaster Box
$49.95 (as of November 18, 2025 12:29 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
FB PRIZM (24-25) Mega Box
$60.00 (as of November 18, 2025 12:30 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
2024/25 Panini Hoops EXCLUSIVE Factory Sealed Blaster Pack with (15) Brand New Cards Including OPTI-CHROME PREMIUM Card! Look for New Rookies & Autos of Top 2024 Rookies & Exclusive Cards!
$9.95 (as of November 18, 2025 12:30 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Detroit Lions 2025 Donruss Factory Sealed Team Set Featuring Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Calvin Johnson with Rated Rookie Cards of Isaac TeSlaa and Tyleik Williams Plus
$12.99 (as of November 18, 2025 12:29 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Post Comment