Boise has no business being the 4 seed and a bye. We will see what happens after this weekend. Outside of playing Oregon (and losing), their SOS is trash. Boise should be allowed in the playoffs... but NOT a bye and the 4 seed.
My theory on why the Big 12 isn't getting respect from the playoff committee
- Thread starter Newell
- Start date
Didn’t realize this:
1. The Big 12 is the only P4 conference without a 10 loss team.
2. The only team winless in the Big 12 conference games beat a bowl eligible SEC team.
1. The Big 12 is the only P4 conference without a 10 loss team.
2. The only team winless in the Big 12 conference games beat a bowl eligible SEC team.
Without being a big 12 homer, my problem with the system is that the conferences had their chance to determine their champ. Seems silly to fill the tournament with the teams from the same conference. To pick a national champ, there should be National representation. To pick a conference champ, make a tournament with teams form the conference. Seems really common sense to me. I understand that this would not necessarily be the "best teams" being let into the tournament but the regular season and conference championships should mean something. Not just have the results skewed whichever direction pleases the $. Filling the tournament with with mostly SEC teams or Big 10 teams just seems redundant and to me doesn't determine a National Champ.
Sorry for the long post, but I do not believe "Blue Bloods" would bring more money than a fairly selected tournament. I think you lose a lot of eyes on tv's when there isn't equal representation. Just my opinion.
Sorry for the long post, but I do not believe "Blue Bloods" would bring more money than a fairly selected tournament. I think you lose a lot of eyes on tv's when there isn't equal representation. Just my opinion.
They are stronger at the top, yes that is what I meant. I think the middle and bottom of the conferences are similar. But it’s the top teams that get into the playoffs. I love the Big 12 but I simply don’t see any Top 12 teams that are being snubbed here.
And I don’t at all agree with the idea that a team should automatically be ranked ahead if they have one less loss. Actually, that’s my one big complaint with the rankings - I think Boise is overrated due to just having one “good loss.”
I don't care that much. The whole CFP thing is a Disney playground. Our team's season goals should have nothing to do with it. We should concentrate on getting better and making the conference championship game. A warm-weather bowl game would be nice. If we get an invite to the CFP, OK, we'll do our best, but our success or worth doesn't depend on being invited to their little party.
On the other hand ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashville_sound
I think where I get lost is when a 3 loss team is put in a position to be in the playoff despite not having the “13th data point”. Remember in 2014 when Baylor and TCU were left OUT because they lacked this data point? Now it’s all of a sudden a good thing to not have said data point?
I can get pissed about 3 loss Ole Miss and 3 loss South Carolina being ranked ahead of any Big12 team, but it really doesn’t matter because neither will make the playoff: Alabama is the head scratcher. As long as SMU wins the ACC, 3 loss Alabama is in and a 2 loss Big12 team (BYU) is out. No two ways about it, and that doesn’t make sense to me.
You can say Alabama has more “ranked wins” all you want, but that does nothing for me when a preseason top 25 poll that included these teams sets the tone for the entire season:
USC (6-6) at 23
Oklahoma (6-6) at 16
Michigan (7-5) at 9
Not to mention:
Oklahoma State (3-9) at 17
Florida State (2-10) at 10
This same preseason top 25 consisted of 9 SEC and 6 B1G schools, which by my math is over 50% of the entire top 25.
If you’re in the SEC or B1G, you are likely already given a 10 meter head start in a 60 meter race. Add to that, the SEC plays “Mercer” in November instead of a 9th conference game.
Now…as has been done, look deeper at Alabama’s losses. Tennessee is a legit loss, and if that was all they had, fine…you get no argument from me. Even a loss to 6-6 Oklahoma probably gets a pass from me. I mean…**** happens and as Josh Pate says (as I roll my eyes), Oklahoma has a **** ton of 4/5 stars so can beat anyone (such a stupid argument, but I’ll let it slide). Unfortunately, Alabama has ANOTHER loss, to ANOTHER 6-6 team in Vanderbilt. The same Vanderbilt who lost to Georgia…wait for it…STATE. Not Georgia, but Georgia State. George State is 3 and f’ing 9, losing to such perennial powers like Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, Marshall, UCONN (football) and Arkansas State.
Get out of here.
I can get pissed about 3 loss Ole Miss and 3 loss South Carolina being ranked ahead of any Big12 team, but it really doesn’t matter because neither will make the playoff: Alabama is the head scratcher. As long as SMU wins the ACC, 3 loss Alabama is in and a 2 loss Big12 team (BYU) is out. No two ways about it, and that doesn’t make sense to me.
You can say Alabama has more “ranked wins” all you want, but that does nothing for me when a preseason top 25 poll that included these teams sets the tone for the entire season:
USC (6-6) at 23
Oklahoma (6-6) at 16
Michigan (7-5) at 9
Not to mention:
Oklahoma State (3-9) at 17
Florida State (2-10) at 10
This same preseason top 25 consisted of 9 SEC and 6 B1G schools, which by my math is over 50% of the entire top 25.
If you’re in the SEC or B1G, you are likely already given a 10 meter head start in a 60 meter race. Add to that, the SEC plays “Mercer” in November instead of a 9th conference game.
Now…as has been done, look deeper at Alabama’s losses. Tennessee is a legit loss, and if that was all they had, fine…you get no argument from me. Even a loss to 6-6 Oklahoma probably gets a pass from me. I mean…**** happens and as Josh Pate says (as I roll my eyes), Oklahoma has a **** ton of 4/5 stars so can beat anyone (such a stupid argument, but I’ll let it slide). Unfortunately, Alabama has ANOTHER loss, to ANOTHER 6-6 team in Vanderbilt. The same Vanderbilt who lost to Georgia…wait for it…STATE. Not Georgia, but Georgia State. George State is 3 and f’ing 9, losing to such perennial powers like Georgia Southern, Old Dominion, Marshall, UCONN (football) and Arkansas State.
Get out of here.
OU went 2-6 in the SEC with wins coming against 5-7 Auburn andddd Alabama. They also beat Houston by 4 at home. They won 2 games in the month of October and November combined. FCS Maine (5-7) and Alabama (playoff contender).
Josh, let's not prop up OU.
I think they start the rankings way too early. They create a perception of who is "good" and who is "not good" half way through the season and then everything becomes relative from there. The Big 12 wound up being a much better league than it looked like half way into the year. Baylor, TCU, Tech and Colorado all came on late. Kansas started figuring it out the last month. But by that point, the perception of the league was formed and you couldn't justify any teams making big jumps in the standings. They were just kind of stuck where they started.
So I totally agree with this but many people will point out how OU finished third in the Big12 last year (Texas obviously first) and traditionally did very well as an indictment that the Big12 is weak and the SEC is much better using that drop in record. People that pay attention know OU is on a downward trajectory but that’s the perception people see
Of those three teams, Miami has by far the least impressive wins and schedule strength. Surely you don’t think they have comparable wins to Indiana or Penn State? Or Georgia? Or Alabama?
It doesn't matter if it does or not, it's our only choice. If we accomplish our ultimate goals, we'll end up there anyway. We have, and never will have, any hope of winning the CFP so winning the conference is the primary goal, and anything on top of it is gravy.
What about Vanderbilt who finished 0-8 in the SEC last year compared to 3-5 this year.
I’m not picking on you, but I’m curious to understand the perception relative to that use case in relation to the strength of the SEC. Is it stronger this year because now Vanderbilt won a few games, or is it down because Vanderbilt won a few games?
OR does nobody bat an eye because it’s Vanderbilt and nobody gives a **** about Vanderbilt?
I think Vandy was a pretty good team this year.
Texas won the Big 12 last year, yes, and prior to that they hadn't won one in 15 years. OU certainly had room to talk with their success on a year in year out basis.
And year to year comparisons are dumb. Look at Florida State and Michigan. Michigan stinks (lol OSU) and Florida State is arguably the worst team in P4.
I do agree with what you're saying though, and you probably are in agreement.
The Vanderbilt loss is a bad loss their other two wins are against the dregs of the SEC so it gets dismissed. The OU loss isn’t considered a bad loss as it’s OU and just about every other team behind them also has a really bad loss. I know this board likes to hype Kansas but having 3 ranked teams lose to a squad that isn’t making a bowl game and got obliterated by Baylor isn’t doing the league perception any favors.
They have two wins against bowl eligible teams this year, and one of them was mighty Alabama (very good win). They also have one of the worst losses out there in Georgia State.
Yep, if FSU didn’t completely unravel then teams would be getting a little more love too for beating them due to the previous year and it being FSU.
Almost gets back to the “talent” argument although Michigans talent ran pretty dry this season. Next season will be interesting
Bad losses matter unless you are from the SEC, got it.
