Despite moving up to No. 18 in this week’s AP Top 25, the UNC football team didn’t receive quite the same respect from the College Football Playoff Committee.

The most important rankings in the nation were released for the first time this season on Tuesday, with the Tar Heels taking a tumble to No. 21.

Four teams–a group including No. 12 Penn State, No. 15 Colorado, No. 18 Oklahoma State and No. 19 Virginia Tech–were each listed higher than UNC in the playoff rankings despite being behind the Tar Heels in the AP Poll.

Only one school ranked ahead of UNC in the AP Poll–No. 23 Western Michigan–received a lower spot on the playoff totem pole.

The teams currently in position to qualify for the playoff are No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Clemson, No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 Texas A&M.

The Aggies, which were ranked No. 7 in the AP Poll, were the surprise movers of the night–as they surpassed an undefeated Washington team many felt would be placed into the final slot.

Last season, UNC’s playoff standing was consistently harmed by what analysts felt was its poor strength of schedule. The Tar Heels opened the season with a loss to a less-than-stellar South Carolina team, and also played games against two FCS opponents.

This year, UNC opened the season with a loss to a less-than stellar Georgia team, and also has two FCS opponents on the schedule.

With two losses, however, the Tar Heels really don’t have a realistic chance to make the playoff. Their main goal is still to win out and earn a spot in the ACC Championship Game–but they’ll still need a loss from Virginia Tech in order to make that happen.

 

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