The latest CFP rankings spark a heated exchange between Iowa State and SMU ADs.

While Iowa State was left out of the latest rankings, SMU came in at No. 3.

The latest CFP rankings spark a heated exchange between Iowa State and SMU ADs.
The latest CFP rankings spark a heated exchange between Iowa State and SMU ADs.

Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff selection committee's choices were met with criticism and scrutiny from schools and fans, despite the usual wait until the official announcement.

A disagreement between Iowa State Cyclones athletics director Jamie Pollard and SMU Mustangs athletics director Rick Hart occurred on social media after the penultimate rankings were released.

Kevin Jennings reacts to a TD
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, #7, reacts to showing a touchdown pass to teammate wide receiver Derrick McFall, #20, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

The Mustangs and Cyclones will both compete for championships in their respective conferences, with the Mustangs having an 11-1 record and a nine-game winning streak, while the Cyclones will need a win to make the College Football Playoff.

That did not appear to sit well with Pollard.

""SMU, Indiana, and Boise State's strength of schedule does not affect their ability to win games, as Pollard wrote on X. The message is clear: prioritize winning as many games as possible, regardless of the opponent. It's time to reevaluate non-conference scheduling, as the standards for basketball are different," Pollard wrote on X."

Rocco Becht looks to pass
Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht, #3, looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

In Tuesday's rankings, SMU was ranked third, while Iowa State was not among the 12 teams in the playoff.

Hart fired back at Pollard.

Jamie, I respect you, but you took a bad decision. ISU had no non-conference wins, while SMU had Nevada, Houston Christian, TCU, and BYU. However, due to Vanderbilt's dropping us, SMU was only one of two teams to win all conference games, one of three with nine Power 4 wins, and trailed a total of six minutes in the last nine games. I could go on... Stay off my lawn! He wrote this on X.

LJ Johnson runs
SMU running back LJ Johnson Jr., #11, defends the ball from Virginia safety Ethan Minter, #30, during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)

Pollard fired back.

"If you beat Clemson on Saturday, I will respect your ranking," Pollard wrote. "However, you have not played Clemson, Miami, Georgia Tech, or Syracuse, and you lost to BYU at home. It seems like your lawn may be artificial."

Hart stated that the school will maintain control over what is within its power.

Jalen Travis looks on
Iowa State offensive lineman Jalen Travis, #72, gets ready for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

The conference championship games will determine the final seeding, with a lot at stake.

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by Ryan Gaydos

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The latest CFP rankings spark a heated exchange between Iowa State and SMU ADs.

The latest CFP rankings spark a heated exchange between Iowa State and SMU ADs.

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