Crazy Scenario...Does ISU make it to the playoffs here?

[clonedude]

Just here to make everyone mad that those were winnable games with decent special teams play.

But we don't have decent special teams play, so we are where we are. Until we take special teams seriously, and don't start seasons horribly, we'll likely not go undefeated.

I'm not complaining about our record and where we're at at all, don't get me wrong. Just saying that in order to take the "next step" from Big 12 Championship to National Championship.... you can't start the year looking like a high school team, and you have to have good special teams too or you will lose a game or two just because of that.

 

[clonedude]

That's why I threw in beating Oklahoma/Oklahoma State. Two victories over Oklahoma would be damn impressive. I fully agree that just beating WVU won't move us into 4th.

It won't be our lack of wins though that keeps us out. It will be our two losses..... and our name. We aren't tOSU.

 

[AlaCyclone]

I think what you're saying is pretty dumb. Just a playoff birth for Iowa State will do wonders for the program. Oklahoma gets stomped every time they make the playoffs, but they're still considered one of the best programs every year. I'll gladly take a blowout loss to Alabama because it means we made it to the playoffs. You take what you can get because Oklahoma will be insanely good next year. While we have a heck of a team returning, Oklahoma has 10x the talent we do and there's no guarantee we will be able to beat Oklahoma next year.

I get your point, but I think Iowa State winning 10 games and winning a NY6 Bowl (Both would be firsts) would do much more to help the ISU brand than getting blown out by Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in this particular special season. After that mountain is climbed, the risk-reward options will change. I want to think back on this season fondly not with a big old salve of Boudreaux's butt paste. Just my onion.

 

[cytown]

We will be at #5 heading into the game in Dallas. #4 is very doable.

 

[Beernuts]

If ISU made the playoff....can you imagine the amount of complaining from the hawkeye fans?

I was at the Seneca Wallace come from behind victory in Iowa City and saw first hand the hawkeye meltdown...this would take it to another level...I am smiling

 

[CycloneJL]

There is only a minimum number of games for tOSU to make the B1G title game. The playoff committee does not have a minimum, so they can choose them anyway.

 

[Gunnerclone]

There’s no minimum game requirement for the CFP.

 

[RustShack]

There is only a minimum number of games for tOSU to make the B1G title game. The playoff committee does not have a minimum, so they can choose them anyway.

True, but we’ve seen Baylor and TCU both fall out before because the Big12 didn’t have a conference championship game.

 

[cytown]

There is only a minimum number of games for tOSU to make the B1G title game. The playoff committee does not have a minimum, so they can choose them anyway.

OSU will not get selected if they have 5 or less games and Wisconsin beats Indiana today.

 

[Clonehomer]

I think what you're saying is pretty dumb. Just a playoff birth for Iowa State will do wonders for the program. Oklahoma gets stomped every time they make the playoffs, but they're still considered one of the best programs every year. I'll gladly take a blowout loss to Alabama because it means we made it to the playoffs. You take what you can get because Oklahoma will be insanely good next year. While we have a heck of a team returning, Oklahoma has 10x the talent we do and there's no guarantee we will be able to beat Oklahoma next year.

From a program standpoint, you're right a playoff spot would do wonders. But from a fan standpoint, I just want to win a big bowl game. What's ISU's best bowl win, the Insight Bowl? We've played good teams, but this is the year where we finally can compete with teams other than Alabama or Clemson. Let's take advantage rather than get destroyed in a CFP game.

 

[cycfan1]

Short answer...... no, we wouldn't make it in with your scenario.

No matter what happens ahead of us, beating a mediocre WV team at home will not jump a team named Iowa State from 9 to 4. That's not how this "system" works.

We are the second highest 2 loss team and a 2 loss team has never made it.

The ‘system’ is certainly slanted (cough Ohio state) however we are not getting screwed because we ‘are Iowa state’

We have gotten plenty of love in the polls for a 2 loss team that lost to a sunbelt team.

 

[Cyballz]

I get your point, but I think Iowa State winning 10 games and winning a NY6 Bowl (Both would be firsts) would do much more to help the ISU brand than getting blown out by Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in this particular special season. After that mountain is climbed, the risk-reward options will change. I want to think back on this season fondly not with a big old salve of Boudreaux's butt paste. Just my onion.

The CFB gets talked about for 80% of GameDay, and is the main topic of conversation of all college football fans and talking heads. Being 1 of those 4 teams is the best thing for a program's brand, no matter how well they perform in the semifinal. To have 2-3 weeks where everyone in the college football world is talking about your program and having a real shot at a national title is WAY more beneficial than winning a NY6 bowl that nobody outside the participating fanbases really cares about. I get the will to have the season end on a positive note with a bowl win, but give me the playoff birth 10/10 times.

 

[yoteforever]

Go to athleticdirectoru.com

Iowa State has a 24% chance of making it if they run the table. They are 6th behind the Fab4 and Florida at 5

 

[cyrocksmypants]

In this particular case, I do not see the merit in Alabama stomping Iowa State 38-0 or 45-16 which would happen 10 out of 10 times and set Iowa State back. I would much prefer Big Xii Champion Iowa State go to and win the Cotton Bowl, finish (10-2) with a nice Top 5-ish ranking and set themselves up for a very special run next year. Sorry, but Alabama is going to drill some team in the four hole, and I would prefer it not be Iowa State.

Winning in an irrelevant bowl game is would not be better for the future of the program more than losing in the playoff for a championship that only 4 teams qualify for.

Bowl games are fun, but they’re footnotes in a season.

 

[nfrine]

If all the teams ahead of us lose all their remaining games and we run the table, the Hoks will be selected for the playoff. That's the way it works with Barta on the committee.

 

[MeanDean]

Winning in an irrelevant bowl game is would not be better for the future of the program more than losing in the playoff for a championship that only 4 teams qualify for.

Bowl games are fun, but they’re footnotes in a season.

Usually you have to start the season with some rep to be in the hunt for the Playoffs. I think winning the next two games and the Bowl game and with who we have back - would definitely put ISU in the top 10 (possibly even top 5) to start 2021.

That would set us up for a very realistic shot at a playoff spot next year if we end up winning the conference and have 1 or fewer conference losses.

 

[Cyched]

I don't think it happens this year. Even with the LA loss, still probably needed some weird **** to happen with how the system protects the blue bloods.

If we return the players we think we will next year, it's not a stretch to think we'll be in the conversation.

 

[cyrocksmypants]

Usually you have to start the season with some rep to be in the hunt for the Playoffs. I think winning the next two games and the Bowl game and with who we have back - would definitely put ISU in the top 10 (possibly even top 5) to start 2021.

That would set us up for a very realistic shot at a playoff spot next year if we end up winning the conference and have 1 or fewer conference losses.

You don’t think playing in the playoffs this year and with who we have back wouldn’t put us in the playoff hunt next year but winning a meaningless bowl game would?

 

[Cyhops]

Be careful for what you ask for, because sometimes it happens. I hope Iowa State beats West Virginia and wins the Big Xii. Not interested in this glorious Iowa State team getting hammered by Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

We owe Alabama...

 

[MeanDean]

You don’t think playing in the playoffs this year and with who we have back wouldn’t put us in the playoff hunt next year but winning a meaningless bowl game would?

I just think realistically there is no way ISU is getting a spot. Not with a loss to a Sun Belt team. That negative will not be undone no matter how the other games fall out. It will be 4 of Alabama, ND, Clemson, Florida,, tOSU, TAM, Miami or a BYU/Cinci type. Some combo of those still looks better than ISU with our 2 losses. I wish I were able to hope for it but it's not there this year.

And as we all know the committee STILL looks at the name on the uniform. Before this year ISU was never even close to being in consideration. Unfortunately, It's sorta like the music business. You have to pay your dues for the world to give you your props.