Gary Barta explains why Ohio State jumped Alabama in latest CFP rankings

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee provided its updated rankings heading into Week 13. After a big shake up at the top, the top six teams are Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Cincinnati, Michigan and Notre Dame. While the head-to-head drama was finally put to rest by a pair of losses, new controversies are on the rise.

CFP Selection Committee chairman Gary Barta once again joined ESPN’s Rece Davis for a conversation about the Week 13 rankings, taking more time to address the new controversy surrounding Alabama and Ohio State. Despite Bryce Young’s record-setting performance in a win over top-25 Arkansas, Alabama dropped to No. 3, giving way to the red-hot Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 2. A thorough beatdown of then No. 7, now No. 12, Michigan State was enough to vault Ohio State forward.

Alabama vs Ohio State at No. 2

Gary Barta and the College Football Playoff selection committee came to the conclusion that Ohio State’s 56-7 win over Michigan State outweighed Alabama’s 42-35 win over Arkansas, giving them reason to catapult the Buckeyes from No. 4 to No. 2 behind undefeated Georgia.

“Two great teams – both Ohio State and Alabama – both of them have Heisman trophy candidates at quarterback,” Barta told Davis during ESPN’s CFP rankings reveal show. “This past week though, the dominating win over Michigan State certainly got the committee’s attention. The offense of Ohio State with just total domination and defense playing better. And they’ve been playing better week after week. They’ve now beat Penn State, they’ve beat Purdue.”

With an upcoming game against No. 5 Michigan, Ohio State has a chance to further separate itself from Alabama next week. However, the Crimson Tide holds the ultimate strength of schedule chip in its back pocket. Thanks to its win over Arkansas, Alabama has clinched an SEC Championship matchup with No. 1 Georgia.

This Alabama team has shown flaws all season, and Barta described the determining factor in their fall from No. 2 to No. 3 this week.

“Alabama is still a great football team,” said Barta. “They have a wonderful win against Ole Miss. The last few weeks, just not showing as much domination on defense. So two great teams, but when the vote came down Ohio State came ahead of Alabama.”

ESPN college football analyst reaffirmed the fluidity in the top four, responded to a David Pollack hypothetical with a bizarre situation which sees Alabama move to No. 1 after beating Georgia.