The Road to the Playoff

[irishfan]

Nice strawman.

I choose the season long playoff that the entire system was designed around (unless your team was Alabama). The fact that you call making LSU play a team they've already beat again after playing a championship game against good competition that the other team didn't have to play in because they lost "perceived fairness" just shows how far out of whack and how biased you are. It's not perceived. It's fairness.

Also after doing a little research:

--5/7 BCS computer rankings had Oklahoma State at #2 and Bama at #3. The other two had Bama #2 and Oklahoma State #3.

--According to the final BCS Standings, Bama beat #6, #22, and #25. Oklahoma State beat #8, #12, #14, and #24.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Nice strawman.

I choose the season long playoff that the entire system was designed around (unless your team was Alabama). The fact that you call making LSU play a team they've already beat again after playing a championship game against good competition that the other team didn't have to play in because they lost "perceived fairness" just shows how far out of whack and how biased you are. It's not perceived. It's fairness.

OK... if you want to go that route. Is is fair or unfair that ND doesn't have to play a CCG? Or the Big 12 for that fact. We could go on and on with this hammer... but it really doesn't matter now. 2011 is gone. And all we have now is 2014.

All that matters is winning the games this season and moving on in to the playoffs. And right now, I have been very open and objective in stating that I haven't seen any team thus far that's worthy of being that one team yet... let alone four.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Also after doing a little research:

--5/7 BCS computer rankings had Oklahoma State at #2 and Bama at #3. The other two had Bama #2 and Oklahoma State #3.

--According to the final BCS Standings, Bama beat #6, #22, and #25. Oklahoma State beat #8, #12, #14, and #24.

A lot of computers have four current SEC teams ranked 1-4 in their polls this week. Kinda seems silly asking computers to rank football IMO.

 

[greyhammer90]

OK... if you want to go that route. Is is fair or unfair that ND doesn't have to play a CCG? Or the Big 12 for that fact. We could go on and on with this hammer... but it really doesn't matter now. 2011 is gone. And all we have now is 2014.

All that matters is winning the games this season and moving on in to the playoffs. And right now, I have been very open and objective in stating that I haven't seen any team thus far that's worthy of being that one team yet... let alone four.

Ok, lets go down that route. I think that is something that ND would be penalized for by a committee or poll (and rightfully so) if it came down to it. There you go. Not that tough of a question.

You make the "lets forget about it because this year is all that blah blah blah" argument but if that's the case why do we even care? The history of the sport matters actually. And when someone says that Alabama deserved the 2011 championship, I'm going to take umbrage. Because I think you're dead wrong.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Ok, lets go down that route. I think that is something that ND would be penalized for by a committee or poll (and rightfully so) if it came down to it. There you go. Not that tough of a question.

You make the "lets forget about it because this year is all that blah blah blah" argument but if that's the case why do we even care? The history of the sport matters actually. And when someone says that Alabama deserved the 2011 championship, I'm going to take umbrage. Because I think you're dead wrong.

But the question was whether it was fair? Not whether they would be penalized for not having to play in it.

And you are entitled to your opinion on 2011. Just as the overwhelming majority of CFB fans who still think to this day that the 2012 NCG was played in ATL. They're dead wrong... but it's their opinion.

 

[MNIrishman]

A lot of computers have four current SEC teams ranked 1-4 in their polls this week. Kinda seems silly asking computers to rank football IMO.

Several algorithms might, but a computer is just a tool. Decide what constitutes the best team before the season, and use the season to fill in the data for the algorithm.

Objective analysis can often defy superficial observation. Just because the sun goes in a circle in the sky doesn't mean the Earth is the center of the solar system, and it took data and algorithms to prove that. If the SEC and ESPN were in charge of things, we'd still be sitting in our caves huddled around fires because every human advancement "failed the eye test."

Edited Addendum: The data are weakly connected right now, which means that it's basically useless until the end of the season.

 

[Black Irish]

That would probably be true most years but I look back at Bama in 2011. They essentially was third in the SEC due to finishing second in their division. And nobody will convince me that there was a better team in the country than them that year. It worked out for us then, but the same scenerio could play out with another team, in another conference, in another year.

Be careful, your South is showing. grin:

 

[GowerND11]

A lot of computers have four current SEC teams ranked 1-4 in their polls this week. Kinda seems silly asking computers to rank football IMO.

Because having asshats with extreme biased opinions voting in the AP poll is much better.

And I'm sorry, but don't you think these people in the selection committee aren't going to have agendas? Even if people can't discuss certain teams there is still going to be an awful lot of politics and pressure to pick the "most exciting matchups" that ESPN can hype.

 

[koonja]

Because having asshats with extreme biased opinions voting in the AP poll is much better.

And I'm sorry, but don't you think these people in the selection committee aren't going to have agendas? Even if people can't discuss certain teams there is still going to be an awful lot of politics and pressure to pick the "most exciting matchups" that ESPN can hype.

I don't think they'll have an agenda, but they will be influenced by all of the polls they've been seeing, which have been extremely SEC friendly.

The most pathetic one is the ESPN 'Power Rankings' which has a huge incentive to pump the SEC, and to no surprise, has them all at the top of the power rankings.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Because having asshats with extreme biased opinions voting in the AP poll is much better.

And I'm sorry, but don't you think these people in the selection committee aren't going to have agendas? Even if people can't discuss certain teams there is still going to be an awful lot of politics and pressure to pick the "most exciting matchups" that ESPN can hype.

I think the selection committee will be pretty fair. It won't be easy picking four teams but that's their job. As you stated, there are rules in place to help try and prevent some of the issues that could come up. Somehow I don't think a committee member representing the Pac 12 gives a darn about an ACC committee member trying to "politic" his team in. It will work itself out in the end.

And I don't think ESPN or any other media outlet will have any issues hyping the playoff.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I don't think they'll have an agenda, but they will be influenced by all of the polls they've been seeing, which have been extremely SEC friendly.

The most pathetic one is the ESPN 'Power Rankings' which has a huge incentive to pump the SEC, and to no surprise, has them all at the top of the power rankings.

Most of the reps on the committee know college football. I don't think they really care about a poll. They will have watched enough football to have a good idea about every team in consideration.

 

[koonja]

Most of the reps on the committee know college football. I don't think they really care about a poll. They will have watched enough football to have a good idea about every team in consideration.

Tommy, I can't change your mind and I hope you're right.

But I don't believe (nor do I blame) the committee will be able to over look that 100%. It's natural to believe that when you see a lower # attached to a team's name, you're watching better football. Subconciously if nothing else.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Tommy, I can't change your mind and I hope you're right.

But I don't believe (nor do I blame) the committee will be able to over look that 100%. It's natural to believe that when you see a lower # attached to a team's name, you're watching better football. Subconciously if nothing else.

Maybe... but it's what we got. Might as well let them do their jobs. Will be plenty of time to gauge them once they release their first initial standings.

 

[koonja]

My biggest grief is with ESPN pumping their 'power rankings' and loving the SEC more than any poll I've seen. If they didn't have a partnership with them, then I'd have less of a problem with it. Conflict of interest much?

 

[greyhammer90]

My biggest grief is with ESPN pumping their 'power rankings' and loving the SEC more than any poll I've seen. If they didn't have a partnership with them, then I'd have less of a problem with it. Conflict of interest much?

Best joke I've seen today was on the college football subreddit. A guy with the Username "ESPNHeadlines" posted

HOW A 3 LOSS LSU TEAM CAN MAKE THE PLAYOFFS:

Spot on.

 

[T Town Tommy]

My biggest grief is with ESPN pumping their 'power rankings' and loving the SEC more than any poll I've seen. If they didn't have a partnership with them, then I'd have less of a problem with it. Conflict of interest much?

They have only had two teams in the top five at any point thus far. I don't believe that's really all that biased.

 

[koonja]

They have only had two teams in the top five at any point thus far. I don't believe that's really all that biased.

I must have seen ESPN's FPI ranking, or whatever it is then. The one that still has Georgia in the top 4.

Regardless of whether or not their Power Rankings have 2 or more in the top 5, they shouldn't put out a poll when they have a direct interest of the SEC doing well.

 

[ryno 24]

They have only had two teams in the top five at any point thus far. I don't believe that's really all that biased.

in their most recent FPI they had the top four teams as Georgia Auburn Texas A&M and Auburn. I was a little surprised but yea there could be a little bias based on the numbers

 

[T Town Tommy]

I must have seen ESPN's FPI ranking, or whatever it is then. The one that still has Georgia in the top 4.

Regardless of whether or not their Power Rankings have 2 or more in the top 5, they shouldn't put out a poll when they have a direct interest of the SEC doing well.

Ah... ok. I looked at the power rankings.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Wisconsin Badgers athletic director Barry Alvarez offers glimpse into his College Football Playoff criteria - ESPN

Alvarez says polls won't affect his decision making. Guess we will see. Oct 28th when the first committee poll is released.

 

[Booslum31]

Wisconsin Badgers athletic director Barry Alvarez offers glimpse into his College Football Playoff criteria - ESPN

Alvarez says polls won't affect his decision making. Guess we will see. Oct 28th when the first committee poll is released.

Let's see...Oct 28th will be ten days after we throttle FLA State. Look forward to the first committee poll.

 

[koonja]

College Football Playoff Forecast: Notre Dame - ESPN Video - ESPN

 

[greyhammer90]

College Football Playoff Forecast: Notre Dame - ESPN Video - ESPN

Pretty much what we knew. Win and we're in.

 

[stlnd01]

Pretty much what we knew. Win and we're in.

Well yeah. That's true for us and pretty much every other major team.
Harder to game what happens if we have one loss. But as Edwards pointed out, if we beat FSU we'll likely have beat the ACC champ, which should mitigate our not having a conference title game on our resume. We could wind up beating the Pac-12 champ, too (Stanford? USC?) though that seems less likely considering Oregon and UCLA are in the mix, and both look better so far than any of our Pac-12 opponents.
Obviously a lot of dominoes yet to fall, but if we lose one we're going to need a real statement win, and that's probably FSU. A must-win for our playoff hopes.
But, one week at a time. Beat Stanford first.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Updating for Week 5:

FLORIDA STATE
Polls: AP - 1; USAT - 2
Who They've Beat: #24 Oklahoma State; Clemson;
Last Week: Beat NC State, 56-41 Grade: C
Who They'll Face: vs. #8 Notre Dame (10/18); @Louisville (10/30); *ACC Championship Game (12/4)
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 4

OREGON
Polls: AP - 2; USAT - 4
Who They've Beat: #9 Michigan State
Last Week: Beat Washington State, 38-31 Grade: C
Who They'll Face: @ #8 UCLA (10/11); vs. #14 Stanford (10/18); Pac 12 Championship Game (12/5);
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 5

ALABAMA
Polls: AP - 3; USAT - 2
Who They've Beat: NR West Virginia
Last Week: Beat Florida, 42-21 Grade: B-
Who They'll Face: @ #11 Ole Miss (10/4); vs. #6 Texas A&M (10/18); @ #15 LSU (11/8); #12 Miss State (11/15); vs. #5 Auburn (11/29); *SEC Championship Game (12/6);
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 8

OKLAHOMA
Polls: AP - 4; USAT - 3
Who They've Beat: @ NR West Virginia
Last Week: Idle
Who They'll Face: vs. #23 K-State (10/18); vs. #7 Baylor; vs. #21 Oklahoma State (12/6);
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 5

AUBURN
Polls: AP - 5; USAT - 5
Who They've Beat: @ #25 K-State
Last Week: Beat La Tech, 45-17 Grade: B
Who They'll Face: vs. #15 LSU (10/4); @ #12 Miss State (10/11); vs. # NR South Carolina (10/25); @ #11 Ole Miss (11/1); vs. #6 Texas A&M (11/8); @ #13 UGA (11/15); @ #3 Alabama (11/29); *SEC Championship Game (12/6);
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 11

TEXAS A&M
Polls: AP - 6; USAT - 7
Who They've Beat: @ #9 South Carolina
Last Week: Beat Arkansas, 35-28 (OT) Grade: C
Who They'll Face: @ #14 Miss State (10/4); vs. #10 Ole Miss (10/11); @ #3 Alabama (10/18); @ #5 Auburn (11/8); vs. Mizzou (11/15); vs. #17 LSU (11/27); *SEC Championship Game (12/6);
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 9

BAYLOR
Polls: AP - 7; USAT - 6
Who They've Beat:
Last Week: Won at Iowa State, 49-28 Grade: B-
Who They'll Face: @ NR West Virginia (10/18); @ #4 Oklahoma (11/8), vs. #24 Oklahoma State (11/22); vs. #25 K-State (12/6)
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 6

UCLA
Polls: AP - 8; USAT - 9
Who They've Beat: @ NR Arizona State
Last Week: Won at Arizona State, 62-27 Grade: A
Who They'll Face: @ #2 Oregon (10/11); vs. #16 USC (11/22); vs #14 Stanford; Pac12 Championship Game* (12/5)
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 7

NOTRE DAME
Polls: AP - 9; USAT - 8
Who They've Beat:
Last Week: Won at Syracuse, 35-15 Grade: B
Who They'll Face: vs. #14 Stanford (10/4); vs. NR North Carolina (10/11); @ #1 Florida State (10/18); @ #NR Arizona St. (11/8); vs. NR Louisville (11/22); @ #16 USC (11/29);
Schedule Degree of Difficulty: 8


Next Teams In: #10 Michigan State (threat level: 6 - not enough chances for good wins); #11 Ole Miss (threat level: 2 - no chance at surviving brutal schedule).

 

[ickythump1225]

We have a clear path to the playoffs. UCLA and Oregon are scheduled to play each other in 2 weeks and the SECw will cannibalize itself leaving plenty of room for us to move up in the rankings if we keep winning.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Texas A&M loses this Sat at Miss State. Lost in all the Kenny Hill hype is the fact that the Dogs rush for 270+ yards per game, and have a QB that can beat you with his arm - something Arkansas did not have. And the Aggie defense has been pretty pedestrian against the run. If Prescott plays close to where he has much of the year, the Dogs get it done.

This means the Irish - who beat Stanford as well - will move up at least one spot. Oregon has an interesting game this week, as does Alabama. LSU - despite all their flaws - always seem to play Auburn pretty tough. UCLA faces a pretty good Utah team. And Oklahoma beating TCU is not a given at this point. If everything falls right, the Irish could be staring at the top 5 come Sunday.

 

[Booslum31]

Texas A&M loses this Sat at Miss State. Lost in all the Kenny Hill hype is the fact that the Dogs rush for 270+ yards per game, and have a QB that can beat you with his arm - something Arkansas did not have. And the Aggie defense has been pretty pedestrian against the run. If Prescott plays close to where he has much of the year, the Dogs get it done.

This means the Irish - who beat Stanford as well - will move up at least one spot. Oregon has an interesting game this week, as does Alabama. LSU - despite all their flaws - always seem to play Auburn pretty tough. UCLA faces a pretty good Utah team. And Oklahoma beating TCU is not a given at this point. If everything falls right, the Irish could be staring at the top 5 come Sunday.

Well, I like the way you think. I also think A&M goes down this weekend.

 

[Rhode Irish]

A&M and Baylor, to me, are the weakest teams on the list. In addition, I don't see Auburn surviving their schedule. So those are three teams I'm will to write off now.

 

[Black Irish]

Texas A&M loses this Sat at Miss State. Lost in all the Kenny Hill hype is the fact that the Dogs rush for 270+ yards per game, and have a QB that can beat you with his arm - something Arkansas did not have. And the Aggie defense has been pretty pedestrian against the run. If Prescott plays close to where he has much of the year, the Dogs get it done.

This means the Irish - who beat Stanford as well - will move up at least one spot. Oregon has an interesting game this week, as does Alabama. LSU - despite all their flaws - always seem to play Auburn pretty tough. UCLA faces a pretty good Utah team. And Oklahoma beating TCU is not a given at this point. If everything falls right, the Irish could be staring at the top 5 come Sunday.

I hope it falls this way for the Irish. This Saturday should be very interesting; lots of potential shake-ups in the works.