ESPN SEC spin has begun

[NorthCyd]

Conference champions do not host a playoff game.

Penn State vs Alabama in Happy Valley is the correct answer here. The white out will be more effective with snow.

One of the conference champions/ top group of 5 representative does not get a bye. So if the the group of 5 team is rated higher than the Big XII champ then the Big XII champ plays in the first round. At least that's what I've seen stated multiple times now.

 

[Cyclonsin]

One of the conference champions/ top group of 5 representative does not get a bye. So if the the group of 5 team is rated higher than the Big XII champ then the Big XII champ plays in the first round. At least that's what I've seen stated multiple times now.

That is correct.

However, if that comes to fruition, there's a good chance the Big XII champ dropped a couple games and will almost certainly be seeded low enough they wouldn't host a playoff game anyway.

 

[Cyhig]

Conference champions do not host a playoff game.

Penn State vs Alabama in Happy Valley is the correct answer here. The white out will be more effective with snow.

There’s actually no rule stating the big 12 winner will automatically get a first round bye. Some are beginning to throw Boise State into the mix for the 4 seed

 

[Clonehomer]

There’s actually no rule stating the big 12 winner will automatically get a first round bye. Some are beginning to throw Boise State into the mix for the 4 seed

I see no possible scenario that ISU gets a 5-8 seed.

 

[Al_4_State]

An undefeated or 1 loss ISU isn't getting jumped by Boise. A 2-3 loss Big 12 champ might.

 

[Statefan10]

i really think kstate is the only team with a realistic shot at beating you guys--unless the injuries get worse. Injuries to key people can derail any team, especially at qb.

I also believe if ISU and WVU traded coaching staffs, WVU would have won that game. Isnt it funny that WVU cant even snap the ball against PSU and ISU, and has no issues snapping it against kansas, albany, or oklahoma state? NB pisses his pants when the lights are bright, and the team reflects nervousness.

Sorry... but 3 teams that stink? And to your other point about the coaching staffs, sure. We have a tremendous staff and have a better HC, DC and OC, but we also have better players. We were and are better at a lot of the positions on the field.

 

[Statefan10]

There is still A LOT of shakeup that's going to happen around the country.

I don't think saying nice things about a Vanderbilt team that has improved from its normal "total doormat" status is necessarily meant to pump up Alabama. Let's give Vandy some due.

The bracket if you go purely on FPI right now assuming the highest-ranked team wins their conference...

1 = Texas (SEC champion)
8/9 = Notre Dame (at-large) / Tennessee (at-large) (South Bend, IN)

4 = Iowa St. (Big 12 champion)
5/12 = Alabama (at-large) / Boise St. (highest G5) (Tuscaloosa, AL)

2 = Ohio St. (Big Ten champion)
7/10 = Ole Miss (at-large) / Oregon (at-large) (Oxford, MS)

3 = Clemson (ACC champion)
6/11 = Georgia (at-large) / Penn St. (at-large) (Athens, GA)

5 SEC
3 Big Ten
1 monied independent
1 ACC
1 Big 12
1 MWC
= 12

They don't need to talk Vandy up to do something like this here.

We might as well get ready for it.

There is still A LOT of shakeup that's going to happen around the country. I think Notre Dame loses again. They still play @ Navy, vs. Army and @ USC, three teams that are more than capable of getting them. I think there's even a chance that the SEC teams all of at least 1 loss that are in the CFP. That's after the SEC Title game of course. I also think Penn State beats OSU in Happy Valley and plays Oregon for the Big 10 Title with Oregon winning. Doesn't really do a whole lot to your picture above overall though.

 

[PSYclone22]

I think you're exactly the opposite of correct on this. The better the bottom half of the SEC looks, the easier it is to justify letting 3-loss SEC teams in.

It doesn't matter how bad the bottom is, it's still the "S E C!!" They can make the argument all day that they're the best conference. They've done it for 15 years.

So, I'd rather the 4th and 5th best SEC teams be 9-3 than 10-2. Losses are still king when it comes to dropping teams in rankings.

 

[TitanClone]

We're going to get 3 loss team in soon. Absolutely.
The way the conferences are now and travel, it'll be really tough not to.

Yep, the way it is currently there's almost a guarantee that 1 3 loss SEC or B10 team gets in every year. That's fine as long as there's not a situation where there's say a 13-0, 12-1 and 11-1 B12 team.

 

[ISU_Guy]

I think there will be a good chance of the big12 runner up being a 1-2 loss team gets passed up by 3 loss team from sec and big.
What I have an issue with is if its a 3 loss team like an Iowa who didn't have to play the majority of the top teams in the BIG, gets in.

 

[Sigmapolis]

The SEC will get down to 4 once they start playing each other more. Bama, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi will all have at least one or two more losses. I’d guess we’ll see 2 from the ACC as a result. Unless ISU and BYU run the table to the CCG. Then there’s a chance for both to make it.

There is still A LOT of shakeup that's going to happen around the country.

There is still A LOT of shakeup that's going to happen around the country. I think Notre Dame loses again. They still play @ Navy, vs. Army and @ USC, three teams that are more than capable of getting them. I think there's even a chance that the SEC teams all of at least 1 loss that are in the CFP. That's after the SEC Title game of course. I also think Penn State beats OSU in Happy Valley and plays Oregon for the Big 10 Title with Oregon winning. Doesn't really do a whole lot to your picture above overall though.

I wasn't making an informal prediction or formal projection.

Just wondered how it would look if you went straight down the FPI list.

 

[jbhtexas]

The playoff is a TV product to sell. If they can get a team that they believe will bring more eyeballs and money than another, they can and will do it. Quality of team and who’s earned it is not the determining factor it should be.

Yup. I'm pretty sure I heard Tim Brando say during his rant towards the end of the ISU/WVU game that the CFP committee is going to "gerrymander" (literally used that word) the teams the way they want them. I thought that was a bold statement for an announcer, but he's right on.

 

[GoHawks]

I think there will be a good chance of the big12 runner up being a 1-2 loss team gets passed up by 3 loss team from sec and big.
What I have an issue with is if its a 3 loss team like an Iowa who didn't have to play the majority of the top teams in the BIG, gets in.

Iowa's not getting in. That ships sailed

 

[VeloClone]

Yup. I'm pretty sure I heard Tim Brando say during his rant towards the end of the ISU/WVU game that the CFP committee is going to "gerrymander" (literally used that word) the teams the way they want them. I thought that was bold statement for an announcer, but he's right on.

ONe of the few things he said that I agreed with during that game...

 

[ISU_Guy]

Iowa's not getting in. That ships sailed

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.

 

[Cyclonsin]

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.

If Iowa wins out the LAST thing they want is a spot in the title game. I think their playoff odds are much higher as a 10-2 team than a 10-3 team coming off yet another CCG blowout (in all likelihood).

 

[JM4CY]

I really don't think Iowa will win out. There's another bed crapper coming.

 

[Statefan10]

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.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

I think there will be a good chance of the big12 runner up being a 1-2 loss team gets passed up by 3 loss team from sec and big.
What I have an issue with is if its a 3 loss team like an Iowa who didn't have to play the majority of the top teams in the BIG, gets in.

If a team gets in with 3 losses it’s going to be a blue blood. An Ole Miss, Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois, etc. has no shot at 3 losses

 

[Cyhig]

I see no possible scenario that ISU gets a 5-8 seed.

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.