ESPN discusses IOWA crashing the CFP! Says we are down to 15 teams that could make CFP

[KnightSlayer]

Iowa State would be 0-12 against OSU in the last 21 years , PS in the last 20 years Iowa has done quite well against Penn State and Michigan but You only bring up the OSU record

So make the criteria that no team with more than 1 loss is eligible for the playoff no matter whether its 4 or 8 teams that would keep a 3 loss NW team out.

I disagree. 5 power5 conference champs in automatically. Puts a bigger emphasis on and will heighten the play of most conference games during the season. Non-conference schedule should improve across the board. Losing to another big time school in your non-conference game won't keep you out of the playoffs and, it will make you better prepared to face your conference games.

The 3 at large teams would generate nearly as much buzz and the current 4 team playoff race. Personally, I would make a hard fought non-conference loss count for more than a win over some patsy ranked outside the top 60.

Better non-conference games, more intense conference games and an 8 team playoff through the month of December. I'm struggling to see a downside.

 

[mthawkeyes]

The conferences are shuffling themselves. It probably takes another decade, but I still think it's going to happen.

In the mean time, I agree with your scenarios above, except that I doubt you get all P5s in unless they go to 8. Eight with the P5s plus three WCs would work pretty well. They could even add a rule where ND or the highest non-P5 makes it in as a WC if they're in the top 10.

So the standard for ND and non-P5 to be in the final 8 would be to be ranked in the top 10? They could be leapfrogging 2-3 better (more highly-ranked) teams in this scenario.

 

[hawkifann]

So the standard for ND and non-P5 to be in the final 8 would be to be ranked in the top 10? They could be leapfrogging 2-3 better (more highly-ranked) teams in this scenario.

It's better than the top 12 they had under the BCS. I don't love it and I'd totally live with Top 8....but I can understand an argument that might put a #9 or #10 11-1 Notre Dame or UCF or BYU or Western Michigan in the playoff over a 2- or 3-loss P5 who didn't win their conference.

Last year, UCF finished 6th in the final rankings used for the playoffs, but had they come in lower, there was a 2-loss Wisconsin team at #8, a 3-loss TCU team at #9 and a 3-loss Auburn team at #10. I could make a pretty solid argument that an undefeated or 1-loss non-P5 should get a shot in an 8-team playoff over a 3-loss team.

 

[Franisdaman]

I disagree. 5 power5 conference champs in automatically. Puts a bigger emphasis on and will heighten the play of most conference games during the season. Non-conference schedule should improve across the board. Losing to another big time school in your non-conference game won't keep you out of the playoffs and, it will make you better prepared to face your conference games.

The 3 at large teams would generate nearly as much buzz and the current 4 team playoff race. Personally, I would make a hard fought non-conference loss count for more than a win over some patsy ranked outside the top 60.

Better non-conference games, more intense conference games and an 8 team playoff through the month of December. I'm struggling to see a downside.

I agree that winning your Power 5 conference championship should mean something. I would like to see the 5 champs plus 3 wild cards as well. It would make the regular season even that much more fun. Heck right now 4 B1G West teams are dreaming about winning the West and going to Indy and then if they won that game they would be in the CFP. It would be "December Delirium," similar to "March Madness" in basketball.

 

[Pawkhawk1]

If Michigan wins out and we defeat them in the B1G championship game, there is no way we get left out. Especially if we beat them comfortably.

 

[Franisdaman]

If Michigan wins out and we defeat them in the B1G championship game, there is no way we get left out. Especially if we beat them comfortably.

i think that's what we need: an 11-1 Michigan vs an 11-1 Iowa.

But, as we all know, all of this discussion goes out the door if we slip up in any of our last 5 games.

Heck, its crazy to think that Wisky has already been eliminated from playoff consideration, especially when they were everyone's CFP preseason darling.

The line between winning and losing a game is razor thin, imo, unless you are Alabama.

I am getting sick of Clemson and Alabama in the Final 4 every dang year. I wonder if the country is yet?

 

[Franisdaman]

Here is CBS Sports' take:

Part ONE

The Monday After: Breaking down the 15 remaining College Football Playoff contenders
A look at who still has a playoff shot and other interesting things from the weekend that was in college football

• by Tom Fornelli
• @TomFornelli
• Oct 22, 2018 • 11 min read
• LINK: https://www.cbssports.com/college-f...emaining-college-football-playoff-contenders/

The obvious three
1. Alabama: Every part of my college football brain that has seen it happen year after year tells me that it's possible Alabama could lose and put its playoff hopes in jeopardy. I wrote in this very spot a couple of weeks ago that chaos comes for everybody eventually, and it could come for Alabama. But you know what? Even with LSU coming up in two weeks, and the SEC Championship Game down the road, I don't see this team losing. I've seen people talk about how boring Alabama's excellence is, and I get it, even if I don't entirely agree. I do feel like we could just put Alabama in the playoff now and wait to see who gets to lose to it.

2. Clemson: Up until the last couple of games, this was a team that felt like it wasn't living up to expectations, but it's turned things on as Trevor Lawrence has settled in. It crushed NC State 41-7 and is now the clear favorite in the ACC. The problem for Clemson is that the ACC hasn't done it any favors. There are no resume wins available in the conference right now -- sorry, NC State, but I don't think you count -- so if Clemson does manage to slip up, it could be costly.

3. Notre Dame: It's simple for Notre Dame. Keep winning, and it'll get in the playoff. Its wins over Michigan, Stanford and Virginia Tech give it one of the best resumes in the country right now. Of course, the "keep winning" part is a lot easier said than done.

Teams that "control their fate"

4. LSU: The Tigers are in control of their destiny. They have the best resume in the country with wins over Miami, Auburn, Georgia and now Mississippi State. The problem is that those wins over Miami, Auburn and Mississippi State might not look like much by the end of the season. Still, the Georgia win is one of the best in the country, and the loss to Florida doesn't look bad, especially now with the Gators in the top 10. Oh, and LSU still gets to play Alabama. If it wins that game, it likely wins the West and gets to play in the SEC Championship. If it loses, the second loss almost assuredly knocks it out of the playoff picture.

5. Michigan: The Wolverines are in a similar position to LSU. Wins over Wisconsin and Michigan State are good, but we aren't sure how good they'll look come late November. The loss to Notre Dame is not a detriment. The key is to keep winning, and with games left against Penn State and Ohio State, there are more chances to boost your stock. Another loss takes them out, but if they win out, they're almost assuredly in.

6. Georgia: Unlike LSU and Michigan, the Bulldogs don't have a resume win yet. What they have is a healthy loss and three more chances to get resume wins. First up is Florida, then a road trip to Kentucky. Then, if they win the SEC East, they'll likely get Alabama or LSU in the SEC Championship Game. You think an SEC champ is getting left out? I sure as hell don't.

7. Florida: It's here for the same reasons as Georgia, but it has an LSU win that's far more impressive than anything Georgia has to this point, and the Kentucky loss looks a lot better now than it did at the time with the Wildcats firmly in the top 15. The Gators also qualify for the "no SEC champ getting left out" exemption as they're still alive in the SEC title hunt.

Teams that need some help

8. Texas: As things currently stand, the Oklahoma win is huge, but wins over USC and TCU aren't moving the needle much. The good news for Texas is that it gets a shot to impress against West Virginia and could have a rematch with Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game. So, if it wins out, it's hard to see a 12-1 Texas being left out of the top four, but it needs others to lose too.

9. Oklahoma: I considered putting Oklahoma in the previous category, but I don't think it qualifies. Yes, if it wins out, it has a good chance of making the playoff, but it isn't guaranteed anything. The reason for this is I don't know what Oklahoma's best win is right now. Is it Iowa State? Baylor? Army? The Sooners have played one ranked team so far, and they lost that game. They need Texas and West Virginia to keep winning to have a shot to add impactful wins to their resume.

10. Ohio State: As I mentioned earlier, this team is still alive, but wounded. Purdue is a much better team than most people realize, but it's still not a good loss for the Buckeyes. The TCU win looks less impressive every week. The win over Penn State is the best one the Buckeyes have so far, but Penn State has lost at home to Michigan State and had problems with Indiana. If this team wins out and finishes the season with a win over Michigan and a Big Ten title, it'll be in the hunt, but that Purdue loss likely means it isn't a sure thing.

11. West Virginia: Maybe the Mountaineers control their fate and I have them miscategorized. They still get to play both Texas and Oklahoma and have a potential Big 12 title game. Should they win out, they'd have an impressive resume. It's just, given the way things have worked out in the past, I don't know that we should consider a Big 12 champion to be a lock for anything. Even if they're deserving. Also, that Iowa State loss will be used against it in a court of playoff just like Ohio State's loss to Purdue will be wielded against it.

Overlooked one-loss teams

12. Kentucky: UK controls its fate just like Georgia and Florida do because if it wins the SEC, it's getting in. I know that, but I'm putting it here because most people aren't taking it as a serious threat, even if it is ranked No. 12 in the latest AP Top 25. Now, am I confident that this Kentucky team is going to win the SEC? No, but to be fair, I'm not confident any team that isn't Alabama is going to win the SEC, so don't take it personally, 'Cats.

13. Washington State: The Cougars are the Pac-12's lone hope, but the problem they face is that most people have already written off the Pac-12 entirely. Wazzu is the conference's highest-ranked team at No. 14, and it's in a tricky position. If it loses, it's done. If the Cougars beat Stanford and Washington, they'll be hurting the Pac-12's reputation even more, as everyone will say they haven't played anybody good enough to deserve a spot.

14. Iowa: The Hawkeyes don't have an impressive win yet, but they do play Penn State on the road this week. After that, they get Purdue, Northwestern, Illinois and Nebraska. Should they win out and win the West -- they'd need Wisconsin to lose again -- they could get Michigan or Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. Would a 12-1 Iowa team with a Big Ten title and wins over the East champion, Penn State and Purdue be enough?

The wild card

15. UCF: The Knights have won 20 straight. If they finish the 2018 season undefeated and win the AAC yet again, there will be plenty of people voicing their support for UCF to make the playoff. I might be one of them, but there are significant hurdles to overcome. The first is cracking the Power Five Boys Club. That's not going to be easy. The second is that what will be UCF's best win? Right now, it's either Memphis (which is now 4-4 after getting crushed by Missouri) or Pitt (which is Pitt). While games remain against Temple, Cincinnati and South Florida, I'm not sure any of those will move the needle. So, yes, UCF is still alive for the playoff, but I remain skeptical it'll be chosen given its 2018 schedule.

 

[Franisdaman]

Part TWO

Perception Poll of the Week

In line with what I just went over, I asked Twitter which conference had the best chance of getting a playoff berth right now: the Big Ten or the Big 12. It's hard to disagree, but I think it's closer than the results suggest. Michigan has the most juice of any team in either conference right now. If I were to rank teams from both conferences in their chances of making it I'd go: Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio State and then West Virginia.




Tom Fornelli

✔@TomFornelli

#PerceptionPoll: Which conference is more likely to get a team in the College Football Playoff?

10:38 PM - Oct 20, 2018

65% Big 10
35% Big 12
3,598 votes•Final results


Stat of the Week

There were 19 punts during Michigan's 21-7 win over Michigan State on Saturday. Alabama has punted 18 times all season.



Coaches Poll Conspiracy of the Week

Like the AP Top 25, Alabama finds itself at No. 1 in the Coaches Poll. Unlike the AP Top 25, Alabama is not a unanimous selection in the Coaches Poll, as Clemson received two first-place votes. So who are the two coaches putting Clemson at No. 1? Well, we don't know for sure because, unlike the AP, the Coaches Poll doesn't make its ballots public (odds are coaches wouldn't vote if they did), but we're free to assume anything we like.

And this is where I point out that Nick Saban is a voter in the Coaches Poll this year.

He is definitely putting Clemson at No. 1, right? He's then showing his team the poll and how Alabama isn't getting every first-place vote and using it to tell his team that "NO OTHER COACH IN THE COUNTRY BELIEVES IN YOU!" There is a 150 percent chance this is what is happening.

As for who the other coach is putting Clemson at No. 1, I'm going to guess it's Dabo Swinney or Gus Malzahn.

College Football Projection of the Week

1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. LSU
4. Notre Dame

 

[SoDakHawk]

"Iowa remains a serious long shot to make the CFP but poses likely the greatest threat to spoil the Big Ten's shot at a bid in Indianapolis."

This right here says it all. If Iowa wins out and beats Mich/OSU in the BTCG we will "spoil" the BIGs chance of getting in the playoffs. They'll look for any reason to pick ND/OU/Tex/2nd SEC over us.

 

[Half-Full Hawk]

"This right here says it all. If Iowa wins out and beats Mich/OSU in the BTCG we will "spoil" the BIGs chance of getting in the playoffs. They'll look for any reason to pick ND/OU/Tex/2nd SEC over us.

I don't think the CFP committee follows the sentiments of the writers. They are more likely to lean on computer rankings and other metrics - and we sit pretty well in most of them. Beat Penn St. and our profile increases, and we remain in the conversation for at least another week, nothing more and nothing less. Beat Penn St.

 

[Franisdaman]

"Iowa remains a serious long shot to make the CFP but poses likely the greatest threat to spoil the Big Ten's shot at a bid in Indianapolis."

This right here says it all. If Iowa wins out and beats Mich/OSU in the BTCG we will "spoil" the BIGs chance of getting in the playoffs. They'll look for any reason to pick ND/OU/Tex/2nd SEC over us.

that would suck big time IF we finished 12-1 and got left out. Sure, we would go to the Rose Bowl, but, like 2015, that would be a consolation prize, if that. It's sad that the Rose Bowl no longer carries the status it once did.

what worries me, too, is that for the 2nd straight year the SEC could get 2 of the 4 slots. And heck, if Clemson & Notre Dame make it, that's basically 2 slots for the ACC, too. Should 2 conferences rep the CFP with three Power 5 conferences left out? I wonder what the commissioners of the B1G, Big 12 and PAC 12 would say if that were to happen?

 

[Franisdaman]

If Michigan wins out and we defeat them in the B1G championship game, there is no way we get left out. Especially if we beat them comfortably.

i wonder what the odds of both Michigan and Iowa finishing 11-1?

that would be an awesome B1G championship game

and if we won, I would imagine Nick Saban would say that Alabama would not have lost to Wisky by 11 points LOL

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

that would suck big time IF we finished 12-1 and got left out. Sure, we would go to the Rose Bowl, but, like 2015, that would be a consolation prize, if that. It's sad that the Rose Bowl no longer carries the status it once did.

This is BY FAR the worst collateral damage since the start of the BCS, and has gotten worse with the CFP. Going to the Rose Bowl should NEVER be a disappointment, but that has been the case a few times now for B1G teams, and will likely be a regular occurrence, whenever a team goes after losing the BTCG or after winning it and getting left out of the Semis.

 

[SoDakHawk]

that would suck big time IF we finished 12-1 and got left out. Sure, we would go to the Rose Bowl, but, like 2015, that would be a consolation prize, if that. It's sad that the Rose Bowl no longer carries the status it once did.

what worries me, too, is that for the 2nd straight year the SEC could get 2 of the 4 slots. And heck, if Clemson & Notre Dame make it, that's basically 2 slots for the ACC, too. Should 2 conferences rep the CFP with three Power 5 conferences left out? I wonder what the commissioners of the B1G, Big 12 and PAC 12 would say if that were to happen?

If this happens I would be fine with it. It means that Iowa is the BIG champs and going to the Rose Bowl AND practically guarantees the end of this 4 team CFP as it will most certainly expand to include all P5 conference champs. If it doesn't we can rightly dismiss it. I'm almost to that point right now. It's just a popularity contest at this point.

 

[Franisdaman]

If this happens I would be fine with it. It means that Iowa is the BIG champs and going to the Rose Bowl AND practically guarantees the end of this 4 team CFP as it will most certainly expand to include all P5 conference champs. If it doesn't we can rightly dismiss it. I'm almost to that point right now. It's just a popularity contest at this point.

I don't like the fact that Notre Dame gets to play in the ACC but does not have to play a 13th game in the ACC Championship game vs Clemson while all the other Power 5 have to play a 13th, championship game. The loser of Clemson/Notre Dame probably should be left out but unfortunately, if things go as projected, both will get in. That's not right. Notre Dame gets to sit back on Dec 1 while Clemson gets to play some horrible team in the ACC Championship and both Notre Dame and Clemson make the CFP.

 

[Franisdaman]

The Week 9 games that can shake up the first playoff rankings


No. 1 Alabama, No. 4 LSU and No. 5 Michigan -- are off this week.

"You look around the country every week and see scores that maybe surprise you, catch you off guard," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, whose Hawkeyes have an opportunity to earn a statement win at Penn State on Saturday. "I think it's the nature of college football. Biggest part of the challenge, not only matching up for your opponent, but also being focused, making sure you're spending the time you have to spend, not getting distracted on things that have nothing to do with the ballgame."

Things like ... who might be the best one-loss team in the country?

No. 7 Georgia, which had a bye last week to recover from its loss to LSU, is trying to regain focus for a playoff elimination game against No. 9 Florida in Jacksonville. The winner will take the lead in the SEC East, while the loser fades from the national stage with a second loss.

As the playoff picture stands now, the committee's top four should somewhat mirror the AP poll, with Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and LSU in. With the Crimson Tide and Tigers off, they don't have anything to worry about.

Or do they?

Week 9 games that are gonna shake things up:

1. Florida vs. Georgia (at Jacksonville, Florida)

The loser of this game is done, but how high can Florida climb with a win? Put aside the Georgia expectations for a minute and consider Florida's résumé. If the Gators beat Georgia, they will have defeated the Bulldogs and LSU and won on the road against a ranked Mississippi State team. That's three top-25 wins, potentially two top-10 wins.

And you thought LSU, sitting there all comfy with its bye, was a given for the top one-loss team.

Not if the Gators win Saturday and the committee honors the head-to-head result on Oct. 6. If the Gators win -- and No. 12 Kentucky loses at Missouri (4 p.m. ET, SEC Network) -- Florida is the leader in the SEC East. The potential impact of a Florida win is greater because of the Gators' strength of schedule, and the head-to-head result will keep Georgia behind LSU. But if the Bulldogs to emerge victorious, it would easily be their most impressive win -- and their lone victory against a ranked opponent. If Georgia and Kentucky both win on Saturday, it will set up a second straight showdown in the SEC East next week, when Georgia travels to Lexington.

2. No. 18 Iowa at No. 17 Penn State (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

If Iowa wins this game, it will have defeated its most difficult remaining opponent, but it marks just the first of back-to-back road games that will determine the Hawkeyes' legitimacy in the playoff conversation. A win in State College is certainly the first step, but for Iowa to be taken seriously, it can't beat Penn State then lose at Purdue on Nov. 3. Iowa currently has a chance to win the Big Ten West, but it needs Wisconsin to lose another league game, as the Badgers own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Iowa. If the Hawkeyes can finish as one-loss Big Ten champs, they would certainly be considered for a top-four finish. A win over Penn State also could impact the résumés of Ohio State and Michigan, as both Big Ten East contenders need the Nittany Lions to remain in the committee's top 25.

3. No. 6 Texas at Oklahoma State (8 p.m. ET, ABC)

One of the biggest questions facing the 13 members of the selection committee is how they will treat the Longhorns' season-opening loss to Maryland -- unless Texas loses a second game on Saturday and it becomes a moot point.

The defeat at Maryland could be the thorn that separates Texas from the other one-loss contenders, given the Terps have lost three of their past five games. If Texas is going to have any shot of overcoming that, it obviously can't lose again en route to winning the Big 12 title.

Oklahoma State could play the role of spoiler on Saturday. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, there's a 77 percent chance the Cowboys will beat at least one of Texas, Oklahoma or West Virginia. The Longhorns enter Saturday on a six-game winning streak, their longest since 2013, when the streak was snapped by ... Oklahoma State.

If Texas loses, not only does it eliminate the Longhorns from playoff consideration, it also diminishes what could be a powerful end to the season for the Big 12, as the ideal situation would be for one-loss Texas and one-loss Oklahoma to face off in a rematch for the Big 12 title.

4. No. 2 Clemson at Florida State (noon ET, ABC)

No team in the nation has a better chance to shake up the playoff race than the Seminoles. After hosting Clemson this week, FSU travels to Notre Dame on Nov. 10, before finishing the regular season at home against Florida. According to FPI, there's a 41 percent chance that Florida State wins at least one of those games.

Florida State hasn't looked good enough to even challenge Clemson, as the Tigers lead the FBS in defensive efficiency and FSU is 106th in offensive efficiency. There's no question it would be a devastating loss for Clemson, but it also would be one the Tigers could probably survive long term, as it wouldn't knock them out of the ACC title game.

What it would do is force Clemson into a debate with other one-loss contenders and make Tuesday's ranking much more difficult if Alabama and Notre Dame are the only remaining undefeated Power 5 teams. Clemson's loss would be much more damaging than Michigan's loss to Notre Dame or LSU's loss to Florida. Wins over Texas A&M and NC State probably aren't enough to keep Clemson ahead of either of those teams in the first ranking if it loses Saturday.

5. Navy vs. No. 3 Notre Dame (at San Diego, California)

Navy (2-5) is having an unusually underwhelming season and has lost four straight, while the undefeated Irish had a bye week to prepare for the unique challenges the Midshipmen's option offense can present.

Notre Dame can't afford to lose this game and shouldn't, but four of the past five games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less, and remember where this game is. San Diego hosts the largest naval fleet in the world and is home to more than 35,000 sailors, soldiers, Department of Defense civilian employees and contractors.

Should Navy pull off the upset, Notre Dame's playoff hopes will ... well, sink.

Without a conference title game to play in, Notre Dame has to impress the selection committee with a 12-game résumé and no opportunity to compensate for a loss. It's not that Notre Dame has to go undefeated every year to finish in the top four, but this season, its strength of schedule might not be good enough to stack up against a one-loss Power 5 champion. Notre Dame's best wins are against Michigan, Stanford and Virginia Tech. Would that be enough to overcome a stumble against Navy?

LINK: http://www.espn.com/college-footbal...shake-first-college-football-playoff-rankings

 

[Pepperman]

"Iowa remains a serious long shot to make the CFP but poses likely the greatest threat to spoil the Big Ten's shot at a bid in Indianapolis."

This right here says it all. If Iowa wins out and beats Mich/OSU in the BTCG we will "spoil" the BIGs chance of getting in the playoffs. They'll look for any reason to pick ND/OU/Tex/2nd SEC over us.

I think Hawkeye fans are way too thin-skinned about this.

There is no way a 12-1 Iowa team is getting left out. It will not happen. Speculate all you want about other possibilities, but since there cannot possibly be 4 other undefeated teams, a 12-1 Iowa gets in. As does any other one loss B1G champ.

 

[hawkifann]

I think Hawkeye fans are way too thin-skinned about this.

There is no way a 12-1 Iowa team is getting left out. It will not happen. Speculate all you want about other possibilities, but since there cannot possibly be 4 other undefeated teams, a 12-1 Iowa gets in. As does any other one loss B1G champ.

This is almost certainly true. The one scenario that could blow that up would be if Alabama has 1 "quality" loss and isn't the SEC champ (and the SEC champ is a 1-loss team) and Clemson and Notre Dame are undefeated. 1-loss Iowa won't go to the playoff over 1-loss Alabama (SEC champs or not), undefeated Notre Dame or undefeated Clemson. Iowa probably doesn't go in over 1-loss Clemson (as long as they're ACC champ), either. There are also some arguments about OU or Texas if they finish at 1 loss and B12 champ, but I think the B1G would win out in that comparison.

Really, we just want ND to fall off somewhere along the way and for Alabama to just go win the SEC.

 

[SoDakHawk]

I don't like the fact that Notre Dame gets to play in the ACC but does not have to play a 13th game in the ACC Championship game vs Clemson while all the other Power 5 have to play a 13th, championship game. The loser of Clemson/Notre Dame probably should be left out but unfortunately, if things go as projected, both will get in. That's not right. Notre Dame gets to sit back on Dec 1 while Clemson gets to play some horrible team in the ACC Championship and both Notre Dame and Clemson make the CFP.

Alabama got to sit back and watch last year. OSU got to sit back and watch one year. I respect Notre Dame because they play a very good schedule that is nationwide. Each conference has it's own style of play and when playing a conference schedule you get familiar with the styles and opponents in your conference along with a regional travel schedule.

Notre Dame plays a national schedule against schools from multiple conferences and who play various styles. ND has to go from prepping for power teams like Michigan to the option attack of Navy to teams that can fling it like USC, and playing games from San Diego to Virginia and all points in between. That's very hard for 18-21 year old college players to do. If they were to run the table I have no problem with them being in the playoff because they don't have the Citadel, Arkansas State, and Louisiana-Lafayette on their schedule.

 

[Franisdaman]

Alabama got to sit back and watch last year. OSU got to sit back and watch one year. I respect Notre Dame because they play a very good schedule that is nationwide. Each conference has it's own style of play and when playing a conference schedule you get familiar with the styles and opponents in your conference along with a regional travel schedule.

Notre Dame plays a national schedule against schools from multiple conferences and who play various styles. ND has to go from prepping for power teams like Michigan to the option attack of Navy to teams that can fling it like USC, and playing games from San Diego to Virginia and all points in between. That's very hard for 18-21 year old college players to do. If they were to run the table I have no problem with them being in the playoff because they don't have the Citadel, Arkansas State, and Louisiana-Lafayette on their schedule.

you make a good argument but i still don't like the fact that they don't have any 100% conference affiliation and therefore never have to play a 13th game

if they were affiliated 100% with the ACC, they would be playing Clemson in the ACC title game and only 1 team from the ACC (Clemson or ND) would make the Final 4, imo. Instead we are heading for 2 ACC teams (Clemson & ND) and possibly 2 SEC teams making the Final 4, leaving three P5 conferences out of the Final 4.

 

[Pepperman]

This is almost certainly true. The one scenario that could blow that up would be if Alabama has 1 "quality" loss and isn't the SEC champ (and the SEC champ is a 1-loss team) and Clemson and Notre Dame are undefeated. 1-loss Iowa won't go to the playoff over 1-loss Alabama (SEC champs or not), undefeated Notre Dame or undefeated Clemson. Iowa probably doesn't go in over 1-loss Clemson (as long as they're ACC champ), either. There are also some arguments about OU or Texas if they finish at 1 loss and B12 champ, but I think the B1G would win out in that comparison.

Really, we just want ND to fall off somewhere along the way and for Alabama to just go win the SEC.

If the committee actually has to choose between a 1-loss conference champion in Iowa and a 1-loss SEC team that didn't win it's championship, I think they'll send a loud and clear message that that ONE LOSS conference champion from the B1G edges out a 1-loss SEC without a championship.

 

[hawkifann]

If the committee actually has to choose between a 1-loss conference champion in Iowa and a 1-loss SEC team that didn't win it's championship, I think they'll send a loud and clear message that that ONE LOSS conference champion from the B1G edges out a 1-loss SEC without a championship.

Not if it's Alabama.

 

[Franisdaman]

If the committee actually has to choose between a 1-loss conference champion in Iowa and a 1-loss SEC team that didn't win it's championship, I think they'll send a loud and clear message that that ONE LOSS conference champion from the B1G edges out a 1-loss SEC without a championship.

What if it's one loss Big Ten Champion Iowa versus one-loss Alabama, which lost in the SEC Championship Game? Who would get picked? I hate to say it, but I don't think Iowa fans would like the answer to that question. I strongly believe that there is an SEC bias and Alabama would be picked.

 

[Pepperman]

Not if it's Alabama.

What if it's one loss Big Ten Champion Iowa versus one-loss Alabama, which lost in the SEC Championship Game? Who would get picked? I hate to say it, but I don't think Iowa fans would like the answer to that question. I strongly believe that there is an SEC bias and Alabama would be picked.

I firmly believe a 12-1 B1G champion goes over 12-1 SEC non champion... yes, even if it is Bama.

 

[Franisdaman]

I firmly believe a 12-1 B1G champion goes over 12-1 SEC non champion... yes, even if it is Bama.

I wish you were on the CFP Committee!

 

[dbrocket]

i think we know how she got her job

This is ****ing gross. It's sexist as hell and not funny.

 

[hawkifann]

I firmly believe a 12-1 B1G champion goes over 12-1 SEC non champion... yes, even if it is Bama.

I hope it comes to that and I hope you're right.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

This is ****ing gross. It's sexist as hell and not funny.

why is it gross that her parents found her a job?
get your heads out of the clouds.....