"Incentivize nonconference competition": Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy makes unique suggestion to CFP committee after Playoff snub

The College Football Playoff committee has been under scrutiny. But former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy has a unique suggestion that could turn things.

The ESPN analyst believes the committee should place greater emphasis on nonconference competition when evaluating teams.

"One thing I would like to see them do is really incentivize nonconference competition," McElroy said on the "Always College Football" podcast on Tuesday (Timestamp: 11:55). "With all due respect to Indiana – and I'm not picking on them, I'm just using them as an example – their nonconference schedule left an awful lot to be desired."

McElroy pointed out that teams like Indiana, which had a weak nonconference schedule, can't be truly evaluated until they face tougher opponents. However, he noted that Indiana's performance against Ohio State (a 38-15 loss on the road in November) wasn't entirely dismal.

"So, we don't know, no one really knows what Indiana is," McElroy said. "We know they didn't play well against Ohio State, but I also looked at a couple of self-inflicted (issues). If they don't drop a punt or allow a punt-return touchdown, it might be a different game."

Greg McElroy's CFP National Champion favorite

The CFP quarterfinals are set, with the top eight seeds facing off in exciting matchups. McElroy has revealed during the same podcast show "Always College Football" that Ohio State is his favorite to win the national championship.

McElroy cited Ohio State's dominant 42-17 victory over Tennessee in the first round, quarterback Will Howard's confidence and the defense as key reasons for his choice.

"To me, it's almost very difficult for me not to take Ohio State at the moment, based on what I just saw," McElroy said (Timestamp: 32:45). "And knowing that they're going to be in Pasadena in two domes, and if you can throw it in sub-zero temperatures, you can probably throw it in domes."

Ohio State's impressive performance against Tennessee was a testament to its strength. Quarterback Will Howard led the charge, completing 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Ohio State (11-2) will now face a tough test in the Rose Bowl against the No. 1 Oregon Ducks (13-0). If they can get past Oregon, they will face the winner of the Texas-Arizona State matchup in the semifinals. The Ducks handed Ohio State its only other loss of the season, a close 32-31 battle on Oct. 12 in Eugene.