Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek found himself back in the national spotlight Sunday, this time responding with a touch of humor to criticism from legendary former Alabama coach Nick Saban over the College Football Playoff rankings.
Saban, appearing on ESPN’s College GameDay Saturday, had expressed frustration with what he saw as a lack of transparency in the committee’s process. During the broadcast, Rece Davis noted that Yurachek seemed to be keeping things “close to the vest.” Saban quipped in response, “Did he answer any questions that you asked or did I miss something?” His remark highlighted a sentiment shared by many fans and analysts: confusion over how certain teams were ranked in the final CFP field.
Yurachek's Response To Saban
When the final CFP rankings were released Sunday, Yurachek explained the committee’s rationale in a six-minute Q&A session with Davis. He clarified why Miami of the ACC, which finished 10-2, jumped over 10-2 Notre Dame and 11-2 BYU to claim the final at-large playoff spot. Yurachek referenced Miami’s head-to-head win over Notre Dame in the season opener on August 31 and pointed to BYU’s lopsided 34-7 loss to No. 4 Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship as a key factor in the committee’s evaluation.
Despite the serious discussion, Yurachek couldn’t resist a lighthearted jab at Saban. Signing off from the segment, he said, “I just want to make sure that Coach Saban realizes I answered all of your questions this morning.” The remark drew a chuckle, but it also underscored the delicate balance CFP officials face: maintaining professionalism while handling scrutiny from the sport’s most high-profile figures.
The Controversy Over the Final CFP Rankings
The 12-team field left some notable programs on the outside looking in:
- No. 11 Notre Dame
- No. 12 BYU
Both were excluded despite strong seasons, as the five highest-ranked conference champions are guaranteed spots. This meant No. 20 Tulane (American Conference) and No. 24 James Madison (Sun Belt) filled the final two slots with the ACC championship being stolen from 7-5 Duke. Many observers understood the logic: head-to-head wins, strength of schedule, and championship outcomes all played roles, but the timing of Miami’s leap over Notre Dame caused frustration.
Yurachek acknowledged that the Hurricanes had been No. 12 in the previous Tuesday rankings but let's be real, the committee definitely could've finalized the decision sooner. Critics argue that doing so would have prevented false hope for Notre Dame fans, players, and coaches who had been anticipating the final at-large spot.
Nick Saban, widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history, represents the broader national concern over transparency in CFP decision-making. While Yurachek’s humorous jab lightened the mood, many fans felt it skirted a larger issue: the committee’s communication and timing in ranking critical matchups.
The exchange serves as a reminder that the CFP continues to navigate high stakes, intense scrutiny, and the challenges of balancing fairness, head-to-head results, and conference politics. As for Yurachek, at least he managed to address the criticism with professionalism, and a smile, showing that sometimes a little humor goes a long way, even in the most heated college football debates. Now the college football world awaits the retaliation from the great Nick Saban if he even thinks its's worth his time.