Part 3/6:

He emphasized that the committee’s role is to rank teams 1 through 25 based on their performance, without becoming entangled in potential implications of their placements. This means that while the rankings have significant implications for the teams, the committee's focus remains on evaluating each team's overall body of work.

Analyzing Game Outcomes

Ward Manuel recounted how crucial game performances are for the committee's evaluations. For instance, in the game between SMU and Clemson, the committee observed a noticeable shift in momentum. Despite a rough start for SMU, their resilient comeback, culminating in a narrow loss, was a testament to their capabilities. Such performances become critical data points that influence how teams are ranked.