The Big 12 expansion groundswell

[Omaha 680]

Independence may not be an option for long when even the Pac-whatever is pushing for a playoff...



If the playoff comes then BYU will have no choice but to conference up, IMO.

I'm resigned to the fact a playoff will happen. I just hope it's four teams and not 8 or 16. I understand the clamor for a playoff, but Scott claiming the BCS poll doesn't account for strength of schedule is funny.

[Pelado]

I'm resigned to the fact a playoff will happen. I just hope it's four teams and not 8 or 16. I understand the clamor for a playoff, but Scott claiming the BCS poll doesn't account for strength of schedule is funny.

It definitely accounts for strength of schedule, but he's right. Teams can get more benefit from being undefeated than by losing a game against a top schedule. Teams are generally dissuaded from scheduling top tier matchups. Recent teams that have bucked that trend:

LSU last year
Alabama with its Penn State contract
USC pretty much all the time

[ERCougar]

I'm resigned to the fact a playoff will happen. I just hope it's four teams and not 8 or 16. I understand the clamor for a playoff, but Scott claiming the BCS poll doesn't account for strength of schedule is funny.

Why do you hope it's not 8? I think 6 or 8 would be perfect (16's too big). Two rounds before Christmas, championship after.

[Omaha 680]

Why do you hope it's not 8? I think 6 or 8 would be perfect (16's too big). Two rounds before Christmas, championship after.

I like the college football regular season...much more than I care about a clear national championship. I realize I am in a tiny minority though. 4 teams wouldn't diminish the value of any games. If you go to 8 and start guaranteeing spots to conference champions, September effectively becomes the NFL preseason. Also, many of the epic, season-ending rivalry clashes between highly ranked teams would mean less as more playoff spots are added.

[Uncle Ted]

Why do you hope it's not 8? I think 6 or 8 would be perfect (16's too big). Two rounds before Christmas, championship after.

But I would love watching 16th seed BYU knock off top seed Oklahoma...

[Eddie]

Independence may not be an option for long when even the Pac-whatever is pushing for a playoff...

If the playoff comes then BYU will have no choice but to conference up, IMO.

That can't possibly be real. The PACXII wants a playoff? But what about the hundreds of years of tradition? What about the Rose bowl? What is wrong with them, throwing that all away!!!

[Paperback Writer]

I like the college football regular season...much more than I care about a clear national championship. I realize I am in a tiny minority though. 4 teams wouldn't diminish the value of any games. If you go to 8 and start guaranteeing spots to conference champions, September effectively becomes the NFL preseason. Also, many of the epic, season-ending rivalry clashes between highly ranked teams would mean less as more playoff spots are added.

Something to consider that you should be familar with. In 1981, Nebraska's OOC schedule was: Iowa, Florida St., Penn St., and Auburn. Back then, teams were not afraid of losing one game and being eliminated from BCS title game consideration. Having a playoff where major conference winners were guaranteed spots in a post-season playoff would most likely result in more high-quality OOC games. So a team like 1981 Nebraska could still lose a couple of tough OOC games and still make the playoffs by winning their conference.

Also factored in with the fear of losing a tough OOC game and being eliminated from BCS title game consideration, is the greed of major programs like Nebraska that insist on 7-home game schedules. That results in buying games that an opponent has little chance of winning and getting an that extra home game. If a playoff resulted in more high quality OOC games and an end to scheduling Idaho St., South Dakota St., or Chattanooga; I'm all in favor of it.

Anyway, I'd like to see an 8 team playoff with auto bids for the PAC-12, Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, and ACC. And I think there will be a better chance of getting more high quality OOC games if a team makes the playoffs by winning their conference. Playing tough OOC games gives a program a much better idea where it stands before entering conference play.

[Omaha 680]

Something to consider that you should be familar with. In 1981, Nebraska's OOC schedule was: Iowa, Florida St., Penn St., and Auburn. Back then, teams were not afraid of losing one game and being eliminated from BCS title game consideration. Having a playoff where major conference winners were guaranteed spots in a post-season playoff would most likely result in more high-quality OOC games. So a team like 1981 Nebraska could still lose a couple of tough OOC games and still make the playoffs by winning their conference.

Also factored in with the fear of losing a tough OOC game and being eliminated from BCS title game consideration, is the greed of major programs like Nebraska that insist on 7-home game schedules. That results in buying games that an opponent has little chance of winning and getting an that extra home game. If a playoff resulted in more high quality OOC games and an end to scheduling Idaho St., South Dakota St., or Chattanooga; I'm all in favor of it.

It could go that way in theory. But in reality I fear we'll lose the 1-2 good OOC matchups the BCS teams schedule per year. All September games will become tuneup games because there would literally be zero reason to schedule up. Of course, for the majority of the SEC this would not be a change.

[Paperback Writer]

But I would love watching 16th seed BYU knock off top seed Oklahoma...

While the 16-team playoff idea has much merit, the details are somewhat flawed. Your 16-team playoff has 5 teams from the Big 12. BYU better stay independent because under your bracket, half the Big 12 makes the playoffs with BYU in the Big 12. However, such a bracket could be defended if Nebraska were in the playoff picture I also like the fact that Georgia and Florida play each other in the first round - World's largest Outdoor Cocktail Party II. Will the game be played in Jacksonville?

[Portland Ute]

I like the college football regular season...much more than I care about a clear national championship. I realize I am in a tiny minority though. 4 teams wouldn't diminish the value of any games. If you go to 8 and start guaranteeing spots to conference champions, September effectively becomes the NFL preseason. Also, many of the epic, season-ending rivalry clashes between highly ranked teams would mean less as more playoff spots are added.

I agree with this.

Anymore than 6 or 8 and you'd be better served by eliminating all but one OOC game early in the year and then moving into a playoff and bowls for teams that are good but don't make the cut.

Also, many of the epic, season-ending rivalry clashes between highly ranked teams would mean less as more playoff spots are added.

Disagree. Most of those games are already played between in-conference foes. The conference championship and pride and a trip to the playoff will still be on the line. Outside of in-conference games between rivals, it's rare that your scenario happens. It's not as if the USC/ND game is determining which one will be a NC or, say, the Clemson/SC game. There just aren't that many rivalries that are out of conference that involve two highly ranked teams for this to matter.

[Paperback Writer]

It could go that way in theory. But in reality I fear we'll lose the 1-2 good OOC matchups the BCS teams schedule per year. All September games will become tuneup games because there would literally be zero reason to schedule up. Of course, for the majority of the SEC this would not be a change.

I guess I see it differently. I think major programs would schedule more high-quality OOC games. It depends how one looks at it. If Alabama has LSU early in the SEC schedule, would they not have an advantage from already playing Penn St. and Oklahoma? I also think the networks would encourage better OOC games for the sake of ratings. College football fans of all programs want to see Alabama-Oklahoma. And if the Crimson Tide loses to both Penn St. and Oklahoma, they can still make the playoffs and win another national title by winning the SEC.

[LiveCoug]

Guys. Back on track, please.

[SeattleUte]

I don't know why we're talking about a playoff when the topic clearly states: "Big 12 Expansion Groundswell".

This topic is so old, I suggest we dig up Anne Richards grave. Let's exhume that whole story, it's just as relevant as the current discussion.

You have no right to post here.

[Uncle Ted]

While the 16-team playoff idea has much merit, the details are somewhat flawed. Your 16-team playoff has 5 teams from the Big 12. BYU better stay independent because under your bracket, half the Big 12 makes the playoffs with BYU in the Big 12. However, such a bracket could be defended if Nebraska were in the playoff picture I also like the fact that Georgia and Florida play each other in the first round - World's largest Outdoor Cocktail Party II. Will the game be played in Jacksonville?

I don't see the problem.

BTW, ESPN picked these teams but, of course, they are heavily invested in the B12.

[Art Vandelay]

LOL!!!

I'm not sure that I don't have a right to post here. But regardless, I do anyway. And I always will. LOL! You're funny SeattleUte. Nice try.

I wish I had this man's single-mindedness towards any one thing in my life. I barely have the effort to think of a new work password every 90 days, yet he somehow can go through the effort to create a new moniker, in order to make one (usually stupid) post. Impressive, in its own demented way.