The Official Big Ten Era Has Begun

[Paperback Writer]

A one loss Penn State would have to be in over Ohio State. I don't care if everyone thinks Ohio State is the second best team. Results and championships have to count for something. I'm not crying about Penn State being left out, but a part of me hates the precedent the committee has set here. You can't use the argument that the Big Ten is the strongest conference to justify your rankings all year and then exclude the champion in favor of someone they beat because you think the team that lost is better. It's not as bad as it could be because of the Pitt loss but I still don't like it based on what I want the regular season to be. I know I'm in the minority.

I've stated before that I wouldn't have a problem with Penn St. getting the playoff invite over Ohio St. even with the loss to Pitt. My reasoning is that it makes head-to-head victories and conference championships meaningful. The assumption is that Ohio St. would have defeated Wisconsin again in a CCG rematch and I think that is a poor assumption. Last season, the playoff committee got it right when Michigan St. was invited over Ohio St. based on the Spartans victory over the Buckeyes and Michigan St. winning the Big Ten. Ohio St. may have been the better team as the Buckeyes only loss in 2015 was to Michigan St. The silver lining this season is that Ohio St. is being rewarded for playing OU. However, Penn St. is being punished for playing Pitt while Washington is being rewarded for playing Rutgers, Idaho, and Portland St.

I was very surprised to see that quote coming from Urban as I have no doubt that he has publicly stated the win against Oklahoma was a key win to help build their case to have a shot in the CFP.

This was discussed as well on the local radio and they mentioned this quote in the context of Penn St. not getting in and a bit of a slight to Washington.

Truthfully, if he wants to complain about anything, he should speak to Gene Smith and the conference about the fact we had to play back to back games against Wisconsin and Penn St. Who both were coming off of their bye week.. Talk about a tough schedule and then you add those two teams having 2 weeks to prepare for Ohio St. on top of it.

On the other hand, Ohio St. played Nebraska at home a week after Nebraska traveled to Wisconsin...and it showed.

[smokymountainrain]

I've stated before that I wouldn't have a problem with Penn St. getting the playoff invite over Ohio St. even with the loss to Pitt. My reasoning is that it makes head-to-head victories and conference championships meaningful. The assumption is that Ohio St. would have defeated Wisconsin again in a CCG rematch and I think that is a poor assumption. Last season, the playoff committee got it right when Michigan St. was invited over Ohio St. based on the Spartans victory over the Buckeyes and Michigan St. winning the Big Ten. Ohio St. may have been the better team as the Buckeyes only loss in 2015 was to Michigan St. The silver lining this season is that Ohio St. is being rewarded for playing OU. However, Penn St. is being punished for playing Pitt while Washington is being rewarded for playing Rutgers, Idaho, and Portland St.


On the other hand, Ohio St. played Nebraska at home a week after Nebraska traveled to Wisconsin...and it showed.

the worst part of the whole thing is that Ohio State was rewarded by not being allowed (forced?) to play in the conference championship game. Before the game was even played, they were a lock for the playoff. had they played in the game and lost to either PSU or Wisconsin and lost, they would have been out. Alabama, Washington and Clemson all had to play and by so doing - risk losing (for Alabama, it wouldn't have mattered, but in the case of Washington and Clemson a loss eliminates them) - in the conf championship game. it should never be to a team's advantage to not make the championship game.

[Paperback Writer]

the worst part of the whole thing is that Ohio State was rewarded by not being allowed (forced?) to play in the conference championship game. Before the game was even played, they were a lock for the playoff. had they played in the game and lost to either PSU or Wisconsin and lost, they would have been out. Alabama, Washington and Clemson all had to play and by so doing - risk losing (for Alabama, it wouldn't have mattered, but in the case of Washington and Clemson a loss eliminates them) - in the conf championship game. it should never be to a team's advantage to not make the championship game.

I agree. I think there needs to be a mechanism to make conference championships meaningful. In the past, I have been a defender of the 4-team playoff but am starting to rethink that stance. I like what MLB does with wild card teams in that they play a one-game playoff before moving on. So winning one's division in MLB is important since a team can be eliminated in one game by an opponent's ace pitcher. Perhaps college football moves to a 12-team playoff with the four best conference champions getting a first round bye and the other eight teams play with the higher seeded team getting to host the game. That might be a good balance between ensuring conference championships are important but still allowing deserving teams into the playoffs. To make sure all conferences are on equal footing, the Big 12 would be forced to expand by adding BYU and playing a CCG.

[dabrockster]

The Official Big Ten Era Has Begun

I agree. I think there needs to be a mechanism to make conference championships meaningful. In the past, I have been a defender of the 4-team playoff but am starting to rethink that stance. I like what MLB does with wild card teams in that they play a one-game playoff before moving on. So winning one's division in MLB is important since a team can be eliminated in one game by an opponent's ace pitcher. Perhaps college football moves to a 12-team playoff with the four best conference champions getting a first round bye and the other eight teams play with the higher seeded team getting to host the game. That might be a good balance between ensuring conference championships are important but still allowing deserving teams into the playoffs. To make sure all conferences are on equal footing, the Big 12 would be forced to expand by adding BYU and playing a CCG.

It will be 12 years before we see any expansion on the CFP format. And even longer to get to 12. The more likely next step will be to 8 teams. Of course there will be posturing on the eligibility criteria of those 8 teams. I can see P5 Conferences wanting their Conference Champ to be automatically in and allow for 3 wild cards.

That makes more sense to me.


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[smokymountainrain]

I'd go 8 teams, 5 conference champions are auto bids with two wild cards from P5 and one from G5.

[Paperback Writer]

It will be 12 years before we see any expansion on the CFP format. And even longer to get to 12. The more likely next step will be to 8 teams. Of course there will be posturing on the eligibility criteria of those 8 teams. I can see P5 Conferences wanting their Conference Champ to be automatically in and allow for 3 wild cards.

That makes more sense to me.


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I'd go 8 teams, 5 conference champions are auto bids with two wild cards from P5 and one from G5.

I would be on-board with that. I'd also allow the four highest conference champs to host the first round of the play-offs with the remaining games following the current bowl format. That would provide incentive to win a conference: having the first round of the playoffs at home. I'm not sure about holding a spot for a G5 team although that would be to BYU's benefit. Does anyone really think #15 Western Michigan is more deserving than #8 Wisconsin or #9 USC?

[Donuthole]

I would be on-board with that. I'd also allow the four highest conference champs to host the first round of the play-offs with the remaining games following the current bowl format. That would provide incentive to win a conference: having the first round of the playoffs at home. I'm not sure about holding a spot for a G5 team although that would be to BYU's benefit. Does anyone really think #15 Western Michigan is more deserving than #8 Wisconsin or #9 USC?

They have fewer losses and won their conference. So, yes.

[dabrockster]

The Official Big Ten Era Has Begun

I would be on-board with that. I'd also allow the four highest conference champs to host the first round of the play-offs with the remaining games following the current bowl format. That would provide incentive to win a conference: having the first round of the playoffs at home. I'm not sure about holding a spot for a G5 team although that would be to BYU's benefit. Does anyone really think #15 Western Michigan is more deserving than #8 Wisconsin or #9 USC?

If we look at it in this year's final rankings, USC and Wisconsin would be out as the two wild cards would more than likely go to Ohio St. And Michigan.. this would assume Penn St. would be in the auto for Conference Champ.

Of course that is where there will need to be a review of the criteria of the wild card positions. Which may include each P5 can only have two teams in the CFP which would open the door for Oklahoma and leave Michigan still out (BAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!)




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[dabrockster]

Actually a more in depth look and we would possibly have these 8-Games.

1-Bama vs. WC/8-W. Michigan
2-Clemson vs. 7-USC
3-Ohio St. vs. 5-Penn St.
4-Washington vs. 6-Oklahoma



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[Paperback Writer]

If we look at it in this year's final rankings, USC and Wisconsin would be out as the two wild cards would more than likely go to Ohio St. And Michigan.. this would assume Penn St. would be in the auto for Conference Champ.

Of course that is where there will need to be a review of the criteria of the wild card positions. Which may include each P5 can only have two teams in the CFP which would open the door for Oklahoma and leave Michigan still out (BAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!)

That's my point, there is three wild cards and #15 Western Michigan would get the third wild card over #8 Wisconsin or #9 USC. I don't share Donuthole's view that #15 Western Michigan earns the wildcard spot. USC has played very well over the past two months. Would be interesting to see how they would fare against Alabama in a playoff after getting blown out by the Crimson Tide the first week of the season. There is a reason why Western Michigan is ranked #15 by the playoff committee despite being undefeated and wining their conference.

[dabrockster]

That's my point, there is three wild cards and #15 Western Michigan would get the third wild card over #8 Wisconsin or #9 USC. I don't share Donuthole's view that #15 Western Michigan earns the wildcard spot. USC has played very well over the past two months. Would be interesting to see how they would fare against Alabama in a playoff after getting blown out by the Crimson Tide the first week of the season. There is a reason why Western Michigan is ranked #15 by the playoff committee despite being undefeated and wining their conference.

Actually USC would get in as Big Ten will have two slots which would leave Wisconsin out.. see my other post..


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[Paperback Writer]

Actually a more in depth look and we would possibly have these 8-Games.

1-Bama vs. WC/8-W. Michigan
2-Clemson vs. 7-USC
3-Ohio St. vs. 5-Penn St.
4-Washington vs. 6-Oklahoma

Earlier you mentioned Michigan earned a wild card spot along with Ohio St. What happened to the Wolverines?

[dabrockster]

Earlier you mentioned Michigan earned a wild card spot along with Ohio St. What happened to the Wolverines?

Going off of the Conference Champ getting auto bid and Ohio St. Ranked higher and getting the second slot. Leaving Michigan outside looking in and the committee going to the next highest ranking team. Which would also exclude Wisconsin..




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[Paperback Writer]

Going off of the Conference Champ getting auto bid and Ohio St. Ranked higher and getting the second slot. Leaving Michigan outside looking in and the committee going to the next highest ranking team. Which would also exclude Wisconsin..

No college football committee that has assembled or that ever will assemble will include Western Michigan at the expense of Michigan. Just get rid of the G5 inclusion mandate and leave it at 5 conference champs and 3 wild cards. Maybe put a cap at three teams from a conference which would put USC in the playoffs instead of Wisconsin. Most college football fans will live with that. But Western Michigan instead of Michigan? That won't fly.

[smokymountainrain]

That's my point, there is three wild cards and #15 Western Michigan would get the third wild card over #8 Wisconsin or #9 USC. I don't share Donuthole's view that #15 Western Michigan earns the wildcard spot. USC has played very well over the past two months. Would be interesting to see how they would fare against Alabama in a playoff after getting blown out by the Crimson Tide the first week of the season. There is a reason why Western Michigan is ranked #15 by the playoff committee despite being undefeated and wining their conference.

and Western Michigan hasn't?

if USC and Wisconsin don't want to be left out, win more games and/or don't lose to shitty teams(looking at you, USC).