ESPN SEC spin has begun

[AlaCyclone]

Oh - I agree. But here’s a quote from a E$PN talking head. Granted, this is on par with claiming Alabama’s loss to Vandy wasn’t a bad loss. But it technically is true the Big 12 champ isn’t guaranteed a first round bye.

Bonagura: We've been operating on the assumption that the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC champions would get the first-round byes, but I want to challenge that this week. If Boise State is good enough to go to Autzen Stadium and almost beat Oregon -- playing the No. 2-ranked Ducks as tough as Ohio State did -- why should they drop to No. 12 in the seeding by default? I would pick the Broncos to beat either BYU or Iowa State right now, which are the two other options for the No. 4 seed.

My question is why do folks like Bonagura automatically assume BSU would fall to #12 by default if they don't get the #4 seed? If it is that close, Boise State could be seeded 5-8 and host a home game in the first round. Personally, I'm not too worried about it. ISU will be just fine if they keep winning.

 

[Cyclonsin]

Oh - I agree. But here’s a quote from a E$PN talking head. Granted, this is on par with claiming Alabama’s loss to Vandy wasn’t a bad loss. But it technically is true the Big 12 champ isn’t guaranteed a first round bye.

Bonagura: We've been operating on the assumption that the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC champions would get the first-round byes, but I want to challenge that this week. If Boise State is good enough to go to Autzen Stadium and almost beat Oregon -- playing the No. 2-ranked Ducks as tough as Ohio State did -- why should they drop to No. 12 in the seeding by default? I would pick the Broncos to beat either BYU or Iowa State right now, which are the two other options for the No. 4 seed.

It isn't impossible Boise State gets the 4th bye over a 2/3-loss Big XII champ.

But if that happens, it's almost a guarantee the Big XXII champ isn't thought highly enough to be seeded 5-8, either. And both of those have to happen in order for the Big XII champ to host a playoff game.

The only way this is possible, imho, is in a year where there's a truly transcendent G% team, like Cincy was the year they made, so they can leapfrog the Big XII champ without them falling 4+ spots.

 

[RagingCloner]

Oh - I agree. But here’s a quote from a E$PN talking head. Granted, this is on par with claiming Alabama’s loss to Vandy wasn’t a bad loss. But it technically is true the Big 12 champ isn’t guaranteed a first round bye.

Bonagura: We've been operating on the assumption that the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC champions would get the first-round byes, but I want to challenge that this week. If Boise State is good enough to go to Autzen Stadium and almost beat Oregon -- playing the No. 2-ranked Ducks as tough as Ohio State did -- why should they drop to No. 12 in the seeding by default? I would pick the Broncos to beat either BYU or Iowa State right now, which are the two other options for the No. 4 seed.

If the committee is giving points for almost winning, Idaho should get credit for almost beating Oregon, and Bowling green should get credit for almost beating PSU

 

[GoHawks]

Not sure how tie breakers go but there could be a large logjam at the top of the conference..

Oregon is likely to win out right now. Hardest game is @ Michigan in a couple of weeks (but watch out for top 5 wrecker Purdue this week).

It looks as if Penn State and Ohio State are going to be playing for that 2nd spot. That game on November 2nd is going to be huge. If OSU wins, I think they carry that momentum and beat both Indiana and Michigan at home to solidify the birth.

If Penn State wins, cake walk to the title game. Could they still slip up? Sure, but chalk puts them in.

Indiana is also interesting. If Indiana can win the next three, which one is against Michigan in Bloomington, then they'll play Ohio State the next week to go to the title.

You could also have a crazy scenario where there are four 8-1 teams tied for that second spot in Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana and Iowa.

Both penn state and Oregon play at Wisconsin. Wisconsin might be figuring some things out based only off last couple weeks. I was t suprised they beat either but I didn't think they would beat Rutgers by 35. I think at Wisconsin is a tougher game than michigan. Michigan is kind of like Iowa now. Good defense but really bad defensively. I think they go 7-5

 

[GoHawks]

If they win out there is a decent chance imo.and winning out isn't hat far fetched. They would only have one loss in conference and could end up in the title game. There could be other examples of this in these massive conferences.

I don't see them winning out happening. You bring up an interesting scenario that will be interesting. What's going to happen to teams ranked 10th to 12th that go into conference championship games and lose? Are idle teams specifically if it's same conference going to pass them?

 

[Clonehomer]

Oh - I agree. But here’s a quote from a E$PN talking head. Granted, this is on par with claiming Alabama’s loss to Vandy wasn’t a bad loss. But it technically is true the Big 12 champ isn’t guaranteed a first round bye.

Bonagura: We've been operating on the assumption that the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC champions would get the first-round byes, but I want to challenge that this week. If Boise State is good enough to go to Autzen Stadium and almost beat Oregon -- playing the No. 2-ranked Ducks as tough as Ohio State did -- why should they drop to No. 12 in the seeding by default? I would pick the Broncos to beat either BYU or Iowa State right now, which are the two other options for the No. 4 seed.

So he’s neglecting that Oregon looked like hot garbage to start the season and that team looked nothing like the team that beat tOSU. Oregon also didn’t pull away against Idaho. Should they be considered for a CFP spot as well?

ESPN just needs to die off already.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

So he’s neglecting that Oregon looked like hot garbage to start the season and that team looked nothing like the team that beat tOSU. Oregon also didn’t pull away against Idaho. Should they be considered for a CFP spot as well?

ESPN just needs to die off already.

His scenario was a double-edged sword in that it bumped the B12 from receiving a bye. But he also had both ISU and BYU earning at-large. Not sure how plausible that is or how I’d feel about it if that happened

 

[Clonehomer]

His scenario was a double-edged sword in that it bumped the B12 from receiving a bye. But he also had both ISU and BYU earning at-large. Not sure how plausible that is or how I’d feel about it if that happened

It would have to be a 2 loss team beating an undefeated team in the CCG for that to happen. That’s for sure possible, but it seems like the less likely outcome.

 

[AuH2O]

If the committee is giving points for almost winning, Idaho should get credit for almost beating Oregon, and Bowling green should get credit for almost beating PSU

Sorry, if your "signature game" is a loss, you aren't in the top 4. You just aren't. Anybody voting them there is an idiot. A signature game that's a loss to a team that beat mighty Idaho by 10 at Autzen?

For the millionth time, what makes playing in the power leagues difficult isn't that you've got a single game against a top 5 team. It's that week after week you have teams that are rarely worse than 50th in most power rankings. ISU has had some mediocre and even bad teams "almost" beat really good teams. North Dakota and Arkansas State would be middle of the pack MWC teams per Sagarin. BSU is good. UNLV is decent. The rest is pretty much crap.

What do we really know about any of the three of Ohio State, Oregon and BSU? Outside the games among the three teams, who has a really good win? OSU beating Iowa in Columbus? BSU beating WSU in Boise? Those are probably the only good wins outside of Oregon beating the other two.

 

[Statefan10]

Both penn state and Oregon play at Wisconsin. Wisconsin might be figuring some things out based only off last couple weeks. I was t suprised they beat either but I didn't think they would beat Rutgers by 35. I think at Wisconsin is a tougher game than michigan. Michigan is kind of like Iowa now. Good defense but really bad defensively. I think they go 7-5

Yeah that is true, however Wisconsin isn't beating both of them. That three game stretch of Penn State, @ Iowa, Oregon is absolutely brutal too.

 

[Statefan10]

I don't see them winning out happening. You bring up an interesting scenario that will be interesting. What's going to happen to teams ranked 10th to 12th that go into conference championship games and lose? Are idle teams specifically if it's same conference going to pass them?

I think it depends. If they play a solid game, then I'd be all for putting them in. But if the reason you got in was because of a tie breaker scenario and that team gets blown out, then I wouldn't have a problem with another team making it.

 

[danvillecyclone]

And the spin continues….

It all starts with the preseason polls.

Point being:

Texas A$M prime example.

2022 preseason ranking #6
5-7 record (2-6 in SEC)

That obviously earns them…
2023 preseason ranking #17
7-5 record (4-4 in SEC)

So 2024???
Start them at #20?

If they are all ranked higher for no apparent reason other than they play in the SEC, then it’s easier for them to stay or not be jumped by slightly better teams. While maintaining “quality” wins for their big dogs.

Then the bowls come around and the losses come. But next year it’s all hyped up again.

It’s a joke.

 

[Clonehomer]

And the spin continues….

It all starts with the preseason polls.

Point being:

Texas A$M prime example.

2022 preseason ranking #6
5-7 record (2-6 in SEC)

That obviously earns them…
2023 preseason ranking #17
7-5 record (4-4 in SEC)

So 2024???
Start them at #20?

If they are all ranked higher for no apparent reason other than they play in the SEC, then it’s easier for them to stay or not be jumped by slightly better teams. While maintaining “quality” wins for their big dogs.

Then the bowls come around and the losses come. But next year it’s all hyped up again.

It’s a joke.

They are being ranked based on the recruiting classes. Which, are ranked by ESPN.

 

[Cloned4Life]

Not sure how tie breakers go but there could be a large logjam at the top of the conference..

Oregon is likely to win out right now. Hardest game is @ Michigan in a couple of weeks (but watch out for top 5 wrecker Purdue this week).

It looks as if Penn State and Ohio State are going to be playing for that 2nd spot. That game on November 2nd is going to be huge. If OSU wins, I think they carry that momentum and beat both Indiana and Michigan at home to solidify the birth.

If Penn State wins, cake walk to the title game. Could they still slip up? Sure, but chalk puts them in.

Indiana is also interesting. If Indiana can win the next three, which one is against Michigan in Bloomington, then they'll play Ohio State the next week to go to the title.

You could also have a crazy scenario where there are four 8-1 teams tied for that second spot in Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana and Iowa.

Goodness, it is truly amazing how easy Iowa’s schedule turned out to be, AGAIN. They most definitely SHOULD win out. Getting the worst Washington team in forever at Home, along with Wisky and Nebby at Home is glorious for them. Cakewalk road trips to UCLA and Maryland, and of course, Michigan State this weekend. Cannot make this up

 

[Statefan10]

Goodness, it is truly amazing how easy Iowa’s schedule turned out to be, AGAIN. They most definitely SHOULD win out. Getting the worst Washington team in forever at Home, along with Wisky and Nebby at Home is glorious for them. Cakewalk road trips to UCLA and Maryland, and of course, Michigan State this weekend. Cannot make this up

Yeah this year is definitely favorable. I don't think Wisconsin or Nebraska are going to be easy games by any means but getting both at home is very favorable. With how big the conferences are now it makes sense that there are going to be years where it lines up that you're going to miss a couple good teams and end up playing some duds. Iowa State finally falls into that luck as well this year. We don't play BYU or ASU and Utah ends up losing Cam Rising and might just not be that good.

The annoying part is that Iowa gets this type of schedule AGAIN whereas this is the first time in a while we've had a schedule this easy.

 

[Cloned4Life]

Yeah this year is definitely favorable. I don't think Wisconsin or Nebraska are going to be easy games by any means but getting both at home is very favorable. With how big the conferences are now it makes sense that there are going to be years where it lines up that you're going to miss a couple good teams and end up playing some duds. Iowa State finally falls into that luck as well this year. We don't play BYU or ASU and Utah ends up losing Cam Rising and might just not be that good.

The annoying part is that Iowa gets this type of schedule AGAIN whereas this is the first time in a while we've had a schedule this easy.

Yeah it feels good knowing that we should be getting suckeye-like schedules going forward. But yeah, the football gods have continued to give them every possible advantage. I have near 0 confidence that Wisky or Nebby have the toughness to go win at Kinnick.

 

[Cyhig]

I don't see them winning out happening. You bring up an interesting scenario that will be interesting. What's going to happen to teams ranked 10th to 12th that go into conference championship games and lose? Are idle teams specifically if it's same conference going to pass them?

Nebraska made the BCS Championship game even though they didn't win the Big 12 North in the 2001-2002 season. In fact, Colorado destroyed Nebraska in the final regular season game 62-36. That alone should had been enough to show the BCS was flawed (but that's another topic for another day)

So yes, it's quite possible to see a team not go to the conference title game, and even lose their final regular season game, and would still take a playoff spot

 

[GoHawks]

Nebraska made the BCS Championship game even though they didn't win the Big 12 North in the 2001-2002 season. In fact, Colorado destroyed Nebraska in the final regular season game 62-36. That alone should had been enough to show the BCS was flawed (but that's another topic for another day)

So yes, it's quite possible to see a team not go to the conference title game, and even lose their final regular season game, and would still take a playoff spot

Bcs was a total different animal. I just think it could be interesting if you got conference losers moving out because they made championship game. Like if you're Number 9 or 10 it might be better to lose tiebreaker for conference championship game so you don't take another loss maybe

 

[KidSilverhair]

Bcs was a total different animal. I just think it could be interesting if you got conference losers moving out because they made championship game. Like if you're Number 9 or 10 it might be better to lose tiebreaker for conference championship game so you don't take another loss maybe

It’s still mind-boggling to me that winning a conference championship isn’t the one and only qualification for making the playoff. If you can’t even win your own conference, what gives you the right to claim you’re the best team in the country?

And having the possibility of getting a better chance at advancing in the playoff by missing your conference championship game just highlights how dumb this entire system is. Is it a great entertainment show for TV? Yes. Does it actually crown the “best” team in the nation? No, it does not.

Criticize the BCS all you want, but at least those metrics weren’t biased by a human committee with their own agendas. The computers said Nebraska was one of the top 2 teams even with an ugly loss at the end of the season; I’d say that’s similar to the committee saying an undefeated ACC champion wasn’t deserving of a playoff spot, or a Big 12 champion that lost one close game to another 1-loss team getting left out in favor of a B1G team that lost to a mediocre Virginia Tech.

If you don’t have clear guidelines for qualifying based on winning something (like your conference title), you’re automatically cheapening the whole selection process by giving some hand-picked squads a second chance, deserved or not.

 

[Cyhig]

It’s still mind-boggling to me that winning a conference championship isn’t the one and only qualification for making the playoff. If you can’t even win your own conference, what gives you the right to claim you’re the best team in the country?

And having the possibility of getting a better chance at advancing in the playoff by missing your conference championship game just highlights how dumb this entire system is. Is it a great entertainment show for TV? Yes. Does it actually crown the “best” team in the nation? No, it does not.

Criticize the BCS all you want, but at least those metrics weren’t biased by a human committee with their own agendas. The computers said Nebraska was one of the top 2 teams even with an ugly loss at the end of the season; I’d say that’s similar to the committee saying an undefeated ACC champion wasn’t deserving of a playoff spot, or a Big 12 champion that lost one close game to another 1-loss team getting left out in favor of a B1G team that lost to a mediocre Virginia Tech.

If you don’t have clear guidelines for qualifying based on winning something (like your conference title), you’re automatically cheapening the whole selection process by giving some hand-picked squads a second chance, deserved or not.

To be fair, that's how playoffs work for the majority of sports. You'll see NFL teams go to the superbowl even though they were in the wild card round; same is true for MLB, NBA, NHL. Heck even college basketball will have teams make the Final 4 as lower seeds

The playoffs is really just a season ending tournament to crown an overall champion