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

[dualthreat]

ESPN gushes over these playoff teams and the other bowls are becoming after thoughts. Exactly what we thought was going to happen when a playoff model replaced the bowls.
I’d really like to win a bowl game so I’m happy with either scenario.
Beat West Virginia and good things will come!

 

[HFCS]

Even if Clemson really is the third or fourth best teambin this far fetched scenario... if ND somehow crushed them with Lawrence (extremely unlikely) it would be almost unfair to ND to give them a third shot.

 

[cyrocksmypants]

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.

Oh, I don’t think we’re getting in either. It’s all hypothetical. But it’s dumb to think it’s better to play a meaningless bowl and win than to lose in the playoffs. It’s just as dumb as when Hawk fans argued they’d rather win the NIT than lose in the first round of the NCAA tourney.

 

[MeanDean]

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.

If I'm wrong I'll be happy to eat a big bag o' crow.

 

[MeanDean]

Oh, I don’t think we’re getting in either. It’s all hypothetical. But it’s dumb to think it’s better to play a meaningless bowl and win than to lose in the playoffs. It’s just as dumb as when Hawk fans argued they’d rather win the NIT than lose in the first round of the NCAA tourney.

I guess I wasn't clear. Of course it's better to make the playoffs than the Cotton Bowl. But it's just not going to happen so I can't see how getting our hopes up even slightly is healthy for my psyche. But sure, if you all want to go there have at it.

I'm saying realistically, the best thing that could happen is a win in the next two games and a Cotton Bowl win. That's all.

 

[cyclones500]

ND also will play Clemson in the ACC 'ship. If Lawrence plays and ND blows out Clemson, there's a chance they could be knocked out as well if one of the above doesn't happen.

Better yet, Clemson loses to Virginia Tech today, Miami loses to UNC next week, then Clemson gets trounced in ACC title game. (Even that might not be enough to drop Clemson below us at this point, but you'd think a 3-loss team with only 1 good win -- Miami -- gets it close).

We might as well add as many scenarios, however unrealistic, of opening at least one slot in top 4 but better yet 2 (in case some of the SEC stuff doesn't unfold properly).

Also, since we're reaching for the stars, we need as much micro-resume boost as possible, so we want Coastal Carolina to beat BYU, then lose to Louisiana in the Sun Belt championship.

 

[VeloClone]

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.

I don't want to get drilled in my four hole and I don't even know what my four hole is.

 

[Jdk]

Why not move from 9to 4 hell the hoks moved up 5 spots in the poll oh I forgot Gary bartooth is the man in charge of the playoffs

 

[VeloClone]

By the way, it is a playoff berth, not a birth.

Carry on...

 

[PSYclone22]

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

If special teams play over the season is "average" in every game we're still sitting with 2 losses. We might beat Louisiana and OSU, but our special teams played above average against Texas and arguably against TCU.

 

[jctisu]

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.

But in the end they are now more than ever just glorified exhibitions because of the CFP. You win a Cotton Bowl or lose big in the CFP is literally the same thing.

“Hey recruit, there have only been like 8 programs to ever play for a National Championship in the CFP era...and Iowa State is one of them. We need your talents to get over the humps and win the whole thing now that we’ve shown we can make it there.”

Or

“Hey you can come win a big bowl game that isn’t in the CFP.”

Look I won’t sneeze at winning a Cotton Bowl if we did and of course I hope we win today and then possibly get an at-large even if we would lose to OU in the title game. If it’s down to only making a bowl game, then of course you want the best one out there. But you take the CFP very single time.

 

[Clonehomer]

But in the end they are now more than ever just glorified exhibitions because of the CFP. You win a Cotton Bowl or lose big in the CFP is literally the same thing.

“Hey recruit, there have only been like 8 programs to ever play for a National Championship in the CFP era...and Iowa State is one of them. We need your talents to get over the humps and win the whole thing now that we’ve shown we can make it there.”

Or

“Hey you can come win a big bowl game that isn’t in the CFP.”

Look I won’t sneeze at winning a Cotton Bowl if we did and of course I hope we win today and then possibly get an at-large even if we would lose to OU in the title game. If it’s down to only making a bowl game, then of course you want the best one out there. But you take the CFP very single time.

But that's looking at it from a program standpoint. I'm looking at it from the standpoint of being a fan. A NY6 bowl win would be a whole lot more fun than a playoff loss.

 

[AuH2O]

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.

ND, OU, OSU, MSU, UW and Clemson have all taken beatings in the CFP. I don’t think it sets a program back. Blowouts have been the norm in the CFP.

 

[AuH2O]

But in the end they are now more than ever just glorified exhibitions because of the CFP. You win a Cotton Bowl or lose big in the CFP is literally the same thing.

“Hey recruit, there have only been like 8 programs to ever play for a National Championship in the CFP era...and Iowa State is one of them. We need your talents to get over the humps and win the whole thing now that we’ve shown we can make it there.”

Or

“Hey you can come win a big bowl game that isn’t in the CFP.”

Look I won’t sneeze at winning a Cotton Bowl if we did and of course I hope we win today and then possibly get an at-large even if we would lose to OU in the title game. If it’s down to only making a bowl game, then of course you want the best one out there. But you take the CFP very single time.

Not to mention weeks of endless coverage of your program leading up to it. Imagine even an extension or raise announcement for MC during the weeks leading up to it. It would set the stage for absolutely unprecedented recruiting success for ISU.

 

[cyrocksmypants]

But that's looking at it from a program standpoint. I'm looking at it from the standpoint of being a fan. A NY6 bowl win would be a whole lot more fun than a playoff loss.

As a fan, I think it would be awesome to see us in the playoffs.

 

[RustShack]

But that's looking at it from a program standpoint. I'm looking at it from the standpoint of being a fan. A NY6 bowl win would be a whole lot more fun than a playoff loss.

You’re right, let’s win a playoff game.

 

[jctisu]

But that's looking at it from a program standpoint. I'm looking at it from the standpoint of being a fan. A NY6 bowl win would be a whole lot more fun than a playoff loss.

Ok but what if we get drilled in our NY6 game like Iowa did in the Rose Bowl after coming within inches of the CFP?

At this point everyone thinks Alabama will beat the tar out of most everyone save a couple of teams.

And what if we get paired with Cincy or BYU in that NY6 game? A win is cool for only us as fans but program wise doesn’t do anything. Now what if we lost to one of them? Ugh can you imagine that national narrative?

“The Big 12 was not good this year. Iowa State lost to a Sun Belt team and another G5 team yet won or contended for the conference title.”

 

[Pat]

True, but we’ve seen Baylor and TCU both fall out before because the Big12 didn’t have a conference championship game, so the committee used it as an excuse to sneak in Ohio State.

Edited for clarity.

 

[RustShack]

Let’s beat West Virginia, and Oklahoma first.

 

[clonedude]

If anyone is watching GameDay this morning, you know why we'll never make the CFP unless we're undefeated or maybe one loss against a REALLY good team.

ISU is being treated like a cute little underdog story, but not a serious contender at all this morning.... and nationally to be honest. It's garbage.

But yet, they are trying to find ways to make any case they can for tOSU. What in the world makes tOSU look like a top 4 team right now? They beat Nebby (terrible team), they beat Penn State (terrible team), they beat Rutgers (terrible team), and they beat Indiana in a one possession game.... and nobody knows if Indiana is any good either because they haven't beaten anyone either.... they got ranked where they are by beating Penn State by one point, and we all know how good Penn State is.