Evaluating the Value of Early-Season Signature Wins
AI-generated image · US National Wire
As the first College Football Playoff poll approaches, certain early victories are gaining weight while others are losing their luster.
With the first College Football Playoff poll scheduled for Nov. 3, as CBS Sports first reported, early-season signature wins are currently being viewed as either appreciating or depreciating assets. While some teams banked meaningful results, others may find their early victories lack lasting value if the opponents fall out of the rankings.
Several wins have aged well according to CBS Sports. No. 12 Alabama's 45-17 victory over No. 9 Kentucky on Sept. 12 stands out, as the Crimson Tide defeated the current SEC leader by four touchdowns. Similarly, No. 4 Texas holds a significant nonconference win after defeating No. 2 Ohio State 24-23 on Sept. 12. Other strong results include No. 4 Notre Dame's 41-13 win over No. 25 Wisconsin on Sept. 6, No. 5 Miami's 33-20 victory over No. 14 Wake Forest on Sept. 19, and No. 13 Texas Tech's 28-26 win over No. 18 Houston on Sept. 18.
Additionally, No. 12 Kentucky's 35-34 overtime win against No. 15 LSU on Oct. 10 and No. 15 BYU's 28-17 victory over No. 20 Arizona on Sept. 12 have gained value as those opponents climbed the rankings. Conversely, CBS Sports notes that wins can age poorly; for example, Kentucky's Sept. 19 victory over Texas A&M has lost luster because the Aggies are now unranked.