ND's Path to the 2015 Playoffs

[Irish Insanity]

Ole Miss could cause complete chaos by winning the SEC West. If they go 3-0 (vs. Arkansas, vs. LSU, at Miss St) then they'll win the SEC West and maybe keep an 11-1 Bama or 10-1 LSU out of the playoffs. It would be hard to justify putting a team who couldn't win their division in over a conference champion.

Or the playoffs would then be Clemson, Ole Miss, LSU, amd Bama. Just sayin

 

[GoIrish41]

I'm not sure Bama/LSU matters - either of them wins the SEC they are in the playoff with one loss or less. Ole Miss or some East team pulling the CCG out of their rear are the only routes I see to SEC getting left out.

LSU, MSST, CHSO, Auburn for Bama (hey, kudos for scheduling that FCS team in late November)

Bama, Ark, Ole Miss and TAMU are a much tougher row to hoe for LSU. In that sense, I think I want LSU to win b/c they have a better chance of dropping one later.

Might not matter who wins, but if Bama loses they have two losses and even the committee can't justify putting them in the top four. If they win, and LSU and Bama both have only one loss -- the SEC is likelly to have two teams in the playoff. So, I'm really hoping for a Bama loss and for TCU, OU, and Baylor to take turns beating each other.

My final 4 includes LSU, Clemson, OSU or MSU, and ND (if they keep winning)

 

[BobbyMac]

I'm predicting some important losses for this week will include:

TCU to OkieSt
Bama to LSU

Memphis to Navy
FSU to Clemson

BIG schedules are garbage this week.

Not so fast my friend! Iowa's going down to Coach Corso's mighty Hoosiers in Bloomington!

Can't wait for the Navy @ Memphis game. I have no idea who's gonna win, I'll go with what ever the FEI projection is.

Clemson eliminates FSU

Freshly and wrongfully eliminated Duke eliminates UNC

Washington eliminates Utah

K State hands Baylor an L. OU beats them next week too which would have been an elimination game by itself because OU is winning out and taking the BIG 12 crown.

I hope you're right about TCU losing to OSU but I'm taking the Frogs to hand OSU their 1st loss. OSU then losses on the road next week to ISU and gets eliminated.

Unfortunately, I see OSU and Baylor imploding and not being able to hand OU and TCU evenly distributed, round robin losses. I see them both with 3 losses to close the year. It wouldn't surprise me if Baylor losses the last 5.

Bama beats LSU. Hopefully LSU wins or at least Bama doesn't win convincingly. Would love Bama to be eliminated.

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ohio State back in playoff field in latest <a href="https://twitter.com/SInow">@SInow</a> Bowl Projections <a href="https://t.co/XQNPbNDxKr">https://t.co/XQNPbNDxKr</a> <a href="https://t.co/IKJUs7VcwI">pic.twitter.com/IKJUs7VcwI</a></p>— Zac Ellis (@ZacEllis) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZacEllis/status/661559206852599808">November 3, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Fiesta Bowl vs Memphis

 

[ACamp1900]

If we don't make the playoffs... absolutely, for the first time since freakin ever, give me a game against a lesser opponent in a major bowl... it was so frustrating seeing ND put up against the best opponent possible any time they could sniff a major bowl... it's more than overdue to play a team like Memphis.

 

[BobbyMac]

If we don't make the playoffs... absolutely, for the first time since freakin ever, give me a game against a lesser opponent in a major bowl... it was so frustrating seeing ND put up against the best opponent possible any time they could sniff a major bowl... it's more than overdue to play a team like Memphis.

Memphis? Too much to lose. I'll take a 1 loss OKSt. instead.
If ND loses to Stanford, the Irish have the inside track on the Russell Athletic as the ACC #2 vs the BIG-12's #3. I think that's OKSt or Baylor (without seeing Stidham play QB for the Bears yet.)

A one loss, no playoff ND will be in the Sugar if the SEC champ goes to the playoffs or the Fiesta Bowl if the Sugar can't pick ND.

The Rose Bowl can pick too but Stanford will most likely be the PAC champ and they would have played ND in the last regular season game so they will go with the B1G #2 instead. If someone other than Stanford or SC win the PAC, the IRish could be headed to LA.

.

 

[Irish#1]

I am absolutely certain no one can predict the final outcome of the teams listed this season.

One reason we have a chance is if we beat Stanford, no team in the PAC 12 can argue they should be in ahead of us.

With Clemson, it could go either way, but 0 and 2 are better for us than 1.

The Big 12 will cannibalize itself. The Big 12 does not have a championship game, so as such, recognizes no champion, yet has the top teams all playing each other round-robin style down the stretch. Not good for the Big 12 schools, sweet for ND.

The B1G0T conference is in a unique position. Both Michigan teams and pOSU are in one conference, while Iowa is in another. This could bode really well or badly for the conference. Scenario's like MSU losing to OSU and beating Iowa in the championship game, or a one loss Iowa team winning the championship really curtail the argument for stellar inclusion of the conference.

Really if all the above happens, ND could argue that from the three mentioned conferences, no one has a better right than ND to make the playoff.

The SEC could end up like a frog in a blender and have a two loss champion with one bad loss. The will get in but again, by how much, and compared to who?

That leaves the ACC and that whole mess, with only Clemson and FSU really having a shot.

We will see.

Bingo!

 

[ACamp1900]

Memphis? Too much to lose. I'll take a 1 loss OKSt. instead.
If ND loses to Stanford, the Irish have the inside track on the Russell Athletic as the ACC #2 vs the BIG-12's #3. I think that's OKSt or Baylor (without seeing Stidham play QB for the Bears yet.)

A one loss, no playoff ND will be in the Sugar if the SEC champ goes to the playoffs or the Fiesta Bowl if the Sugar can't pick ND.

The Rose Bowl can pick too but Stanford will most likely be the PAC champ and they would have played ND in the last regular season game so they will go with the B1G #2 instead. If someone other than Stanford or SC win the PAC, the IRish could be headed to LA.

.

I want to see ND win a major bowl... 1994 was a long ass time ago...

 

[phork]

I want to see ND win a major bowl... 1994 was a long ass time ago...

So was 2012.....

 

[irishfan]

Memphis? Too much to lose. I'll take a 1 loss OKSt. instead.
If ND loses to Stanford, the Irish have the inside track on the Russell Athletic as the ACC #2 vs the BIG-12's #3. I think that's OKSt or Baylor (without seeing Stidham play QB for the Bears yet.)

A one loss, no playoff ND will be in the Sugar if the SEC champ goes to the playoffs or the Fiesta Bowl if the Sugar can't pick ND.

The Rose Bowl can pick too but Stanford will most likely be the PAC champ and they would have played ND in the last regular season game so they will go with the B1G #2 instead. If someone other than Stanford or SC win the PAC, the IRish could be headed to LA.

.

Can't tell how I would feel about ND/USC in the Rose Bowl if it ever happened somehow. I feel like the Rose Bowl would go for the repeat matchup.

 

[BobbyMac]

Can't tell how I would feel about ND/USC in the Rose Bowl if it ever happened somehow. I feel like the Rose Bowl would go for the repeat matchup.

You think the Rose Bowl would pick ND over MSU to play SC in the Rose Bowl?

I don't see it.

 

[irishfan]

You think the Rose Bowl would pick ND over MSU to play SC in the Rose Bowl?

I don't see it.

True. B1G will have a great team to offer up. Maybe even Michigan if they win out too. I guess they wouldn't want to annoy the B1G.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

sittin at #5. Suprising but awesome

 

[ickythump1225]

The path is clear...win and we're in baby. #5...I can't believe it.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I just changed my mind about this. The "Clemson Factor" is WAY bigger than I thought that it could be. So now it looks like if we soundly/solidly win the next three, and beat Stanford anyway possible, we're likely in with the PAC-12 and the BIG-12 sitting on the sidelines.

 

[BobbyMac]

The path is clear...win and we're in baby. #5...I can't believe it.

You can't say that. If Baylor wins out, they WILL jump the Irish, I'd bet TCU would too. I thought OKSt was a lock to finish above the Irish if they were undefeated but they got hosed. I think they are going to lose 2 or 3 games but still.

Utah has to scare you too. If they win out and beat Stanford in the PAC chanpionship game more soundly than the Irish did then there is that situation.

All kinds of football left to play but at least we know the committee is looking at the Irish in a VERY positive light.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

ND's Path to the 2015 Playoffs

You can't say that. If Baylor wins out, they WILL jump the Irish, I'd bet TCU would too. I thought OKSt was a lock to finish above the Irish if they were undefeated but they got hosed. I think they are going to lose 2 or 3 games but still.



Utah has to scare you too. If they win out and beat Stanford in the PAC chanpionship game more soundly than the Irish did then there is that situation.



All kinds of football left to play but at least we know the committee is looking at the Irish in a VERY positive light.

So Utah gets the nod over ND in this scenario for beating Stanford more soundly, but nobody cares they were HUMILIATED by a team ND beat by double digits?!?!?!

 

[ulukinatme]

To all you guys that were praying for Clemson to lose, I think the playoff committee just spoke loud and clear. Hopefully they get past FSU and have a smooth ride to the playoff, and we take no more losses from here on out. SoS is fairly important, based on the Big 12's current playoff plight.

That said, just because we're at #5 doesn't mean we're not moving down, even after the LSU/Alabama game. TCU/Baylor/OK State/Oklahoma are all lower right now because none of them (Outside of Oklahoma maybe) have played anyone. That will change in November, and obviously if one of them runs the table they'll likely be ahead of us. If they all have 1 loss, and Clemson remains undefeated, it seems pretty likely we remain ahead of the Big 12.

As expected, the PAC-12 isn't ahead of us, not at this point anyway. Hopefully Stanford becomes the eventual champion, but they take a loss from us.

Little disappointed that there are two SEC teams in the first playoff forecast, but it is still early and cannibalism will occur. Maybe LSU and Alabama both stay in the Top 4 if LSU has a close loss, but I'm hoping either Alabama crushes them, or LSU finds a way to win.

Michigan State wins out, they'll jump us and take tOSU's spot so I'm not worried about them. Iowa could probably do the same, but I don't see it happening.

 

[Irish Insanity]

So Utah gets the nod over ND in this scenario for beating Stanford more soundly, but nobody cares they were HUMILIATED by a team ND beat by double digits?!?!?!

We eventually get to a point where you could make an argument for a few teams. Let's just hope we rise to the top of that 1 loss argument at the end.

 

[WaveDomer]

I think the two teams to watch are Florida and Oklahoma. If Oklahoma rolls TCU, Baylor, and OSU, that's impressive. And if Florida can win out and win the SEC Championship Game. I can see both those scenarios. But ND can't ask for a better spot right now.

 

[NDRock]

I think the two teams to watch are Florida and Oklahoma. If Oklahoma rolls TCU, Baylor, and OSU, that's impressive. And if Florida can win out and win the SEC Championship Game. I can see both those scenarios. But ND can't ask for a better spot right now.

Oklahoma would jump us but Florida winning out just kicks both LSU and Bama out of the conversation.

 

[Irish Insanity]

But ND can't ask for a better spot right now.

This is where I'm at.
A handful of spots better than what most of us thought.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Oklahoma would jump us but Florida winning out just kicks both LSU and Bama out of the conversation.

There would be a nice debate though, and that is more than I expected.

 

[koonja]

So for this week,

Go Stanford, Go KSU, Go Temple, Go FSU?, Go ND, Go OKST/TCU?, Go LSU, Go Navy, Go Indianna, and the Miracle - Go ISU.

 

[WaveDomer]

So for this week,

Go Stanford, Go KSU, Go Temple, Go FSU?, Go ND, Go OKST/TCU?, Go LSU, Go Navy, Go Indianna, and the Miracle - Go ISU.

Can absolutely see Navy winning the American.

 

[ickythump1225]

Jeez we couldn't ask for a better position to be in and already people are going into chicken little mode. Some of you are so scared about winning out and being left out at #5 I'd hate to see what you guys were saying if we were ranked #10.

I've been saying it since we left Death Valley...if we win out we're in. We've already seen that the committee holds us in very high regard so if we keep winning we will make it. All of the bed wetting over Baylor, TCU, etc. is just the same thinking that goes on every year. We always think this will the be the year where the stars align and 10 teams go undefeated and we'll somehow be left out in the cold.

Keep winning, keep handling our business and it will all work out for us. Teams we don't expect to lose will go down to teams we don't expect them to. We just have to avoid the landmines and keep trucking. We're #5, we're respected. Just keep winning.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Jeez we couldn't ask for a better position to be in and already people are going into chicken little mode. Some of you are so scared about winning out and being left out at #5 I'd hate to see what you guys were saying if we were ranked #10.



I've been saying it since we left Death Valley...if we win out we're in. We've already seen that the committee holds us in very high regard so if we keep winning we will make it. All of the bed wetting over Baylor, TCU, etc. is just the same thinking that goes on every year. We always think this will the be the year where the stars align and 10 teams go undefeated and we'll somehow be left out in the cold.



Keep winning, keep handling our business and it will all work out for us. Teams we don't expect to lose will go down to teams we don't expect them to. We just have to avoid the landmines and keep trucking. We're #5, we're respected. Just keep winning.

I can get behind this. Thanks for the wake up call.

 

[ulukinatme]

So for this week,

Go Stanford, Go KSU, Go Temple, Go FSU?, Go ND, Go OKST/TCU?, Go LSU, Go Navy, Go Indianna, and the Miracle - Go ISU.

No, damn it, we just went over this!

If we lose Clemson as an undefeated, our SoS argument gets hurt. We are clearly at #5 right now based on a close loss to Clemson away, and a couple other decent match ups.

At this point we should hope all our opponents win out, except for weeks that they face us, and hope that the Big 12 all suffer at least 1 loss or more (Obviously only one can remain undefeated at this point, and hopefully it doesn't happen).

 

[BobbyMac]

So Utah gets the nod over ND in this scenario for beating Stanford more soundly, but nobody cares they were HUMILIATED by a team ND beat by double digits?!?!?!

I hear ya... But they'd have that 13th game, which would be a P5 championship victory.

 

[phork]

Not that I predicted #5 but I did say just win out and we are in.