How do you think Warde voted in the final CFP ballot?

Submitted by crg on December 9th, 2023 at 2:24 PM

Curious that this issue hasn't come up more frequently on this board and within other Michigan fan discussions.

Here is their formal procedure for the final rankings:

https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football-rankings/college-football-playoff-rankings-top-25-how-cfp-process-works

The final rankings are essentially decided by each member of the committee submitting a ballot (similar to the AP), and the committee takes the composite (but first of their consensus "best six", followed by the next six, and so on for all top 25). 

Now, I assume that Warde would need to prevent any conflict of interest in regards to Michigan directly, but it seems that would require him to completely ignore any teams in the top 6... maybe.  Has there been anything elsewhere about that?

It is unfortunate that the individual votes are not made public - even the Coaches Poll allows that at the end.

We may never know how he (or any other members) voted, but it is unfortunate that the process is so opaque.

I'll go yell at other clouds now.

dbrhee

December 9th, 2023 at 2:28 PM ^

I think the Florida's state government and/or attorney is fighting to make that public to them on the travesty... But at this point, no way to go back.. 

Amazinblu

December 9th, 2023 at 2:59 PM ^

I agree.  However, there has to be a record of the votes somewhere - perhaps it’s “collective” vote and only captures the results of the entire committee- but, even that would be good to see.

Based on the CFP being a private organization, an FOIA request wouldn’t have weight.

The Senate engaging here might yield something.  

I am very interested in how close the votes were for teams ranked 3rd through 6th, round by round.

greymarch

December 9th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^

My guess...

 

#1 UM

#2 Washington

#3 Alabama

#4 Texas

 

I dont think Warde plays favorites...he plays "un-favorites."  I also think Warde would prefer if Sharrone was the HC and not Harbaugh.

 

Normally, you'd want your AD on the committee for obvious reasons.  I dont think Warde did UM any favors while being on the CFP committee.

stephenrjking

December 9th, 2023 at 3:07 PM ^

This is fact-free nonsense. "I don't like Warde, so I'm going to make up the worst-sounding things I can think of and hold it against him."

Come to think of it, I can think of someone else who uses the same type of logic; in your defense, unlike him, you're not in charge of a major college football conference. 

1VaBlue1

December 9th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^

"...unlike him, you're not in charge of a major college football conference."

Warde is not in charge of any conference...  Obvious typo aside, there is a lot of weight behind the circumstantial evidence that Warde doesn't put a lot of effort into supporting Harbaugh.  Personally, I believe he did everything he could to support Michigan inside the Committee.  But I also believe that he followed the crowd and voted for Alabama over FSU.  It has been demonstrated by Warde that he is not a leader in a group of his peers.

Also, the next time Warde publicly backs one of his coaches will be the first.  Except for Mel, anyway.  As far as I can recall, he's only ever publicly admonished his coaches for outbursts - whether such outburst was valid, or not.

1VaBlue1

December 9th, 2023 at 7:35 PM ^

Good examples - thank you!  I wish we'd see more of this.  The letter to the B1G, IMO, was more in support of the team than for Harbaugh alone.  And I don't doubt for one minute that he supports all of Michigan's teams without hesitation.  He played for Bo - I know he loves the university and its teams.

grumbler

December 9th, 2023 at 8:28 PM ^

More fact-free nonsense.  Here's just ONE example of Warde Manuel defending Harbaugh:

https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-wolverines-ad-warde-manuel-issues-powerful-statement-defending-jim-harbaugh

It was trivially easy to find.  Maybe you should check to see what the evidence says before posting animus-driven falsehoods.