College Football Playoff Rankings 2015 (ND #8...)

[Fbolt]

Crushing Stanford is all ND can do. Crush them, watch others fall, and step back into the chase.

 

[greyhammer90]

I don't really see it as a beauty pageant... we had two ugly wins against crappy teams. Got Ws, but we didn't execute. IMO, we won on pure talent, even though a lot of that talent was sloppy. MichSt had a sexy road win. Iowa is undefeated. OK on the other hand had a sloppy hold-on win vs a team that used to be sexy... I do think we can jump OK with a sexy win at Stanford so long as OK does not pound OKSt.

Doesn't see it as a beauty pageant.

Describes every team as either sexy or ugly.

 

[Irish YJ]

Doesn't see it as a beauty pageant.

Describes every team as either sexy or ugly.

you see what I did there... lol

 

[Junkhead]

Bottom line (for me at least), is that ND needs to beat Stanford by a few TDs, and simply play better. If we play like the last few weeks, we will be embarrassed in the playoffs anyway. Injuries are a huge part of it, but oh well. I would've never picked us to have only one loss with all the season ending injuries.

 

[aubeirish]

I got Oklahoma State winning at home against the sooners. If we win, we should be ok I think. We shall see, but a win at Stanford will change the recent perception derived from the past 2 weeks.

 

[Irish Insanity]

See, this is more what I expected from the beginning. We have no allies in that room, and we shouldn't expect to get in over a conference champ.

I'm disappointed that I ever believed we'd get a fair shake.

This.

The final standings will be

1. ACC Champ
2. SEC Champ
3. B1G Champ
4. Big 12 (altho without a championship game) Champ

5. ND left standing with our cock in our hand.

I think there is only one way left we get in. Beat Stanford, and UofM wins the B1G Championship.

 

[GATTACA!]

"Never tell me the odds." -Han Solo

Oklahoma is SOOOOOO overrated. The only solace I can take in these ratings, if they end up they way they are this week, is that Saban will be out for blood in that rematch. Bama will beat Oklahoma like they stole something.

 

[NDgradstudent]

See, this is more what I expected from the beginning. We have no allies in that room, and we shouldn't expect to get in over a conference champ.

I'm disappointed that I ever believed we'd get a fair shake.

I didn't realize that we are formally held to a higher standard than other teams in that we have to be "definitively" better than a conference champ to get into the playoff. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know that was actually a written rule (I assumed it was merely informal).

That means that we have to be clearly better than two conference champs to get in, which means that we have to be undefeated, which means that we aren't really in a better position than with the BCS. Which means we need an 8 team playoff.

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

I didn't realize that we are formally held to a higher standard than other teams in that we have to be "definitively" better than a conference champ to get into the playoff. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know that was actually a written rule (I assumed it was merely informal).

That means that we have to be clearly better than two conference champs to get in, which means that we have to be undefeated, which means that we aren't really in a better position than with the BCS. Which means we need an 8 team playoff.

There it is.

 

[IrishLax]

As someone pointed out on another site, this whole thing is starting to seem suspiciously hyped/controlled by ESPN. The committee rankings pretty much always reflect their power rankings. The committee also uses ESPN's completely-fucking-bogus FPI as one of their tools. Check out their power rankings from this week: NCAA College Football Power Rankings Week 13 - ESPN

Pay special attention to the narrative:

There are no bad wins at this time of the year, but Notre Dame looked nothing like a playoff contender at Fenway Park. The Irish committed five turnovers (three in the red zone) and could have lost if Boston College posed a viable offensive threat. DeShone Kizer needs to be much sharper at Stanford, the best team Notre Dame has faced since Clemson. Remember, Notre Dame has to be definitively better than a conference champion vying for the No. 4 spot.

It mirrors the talking points from the hosts today... "out gained by Wake Forest" (despite beating them by more points than virtually anyone)... and the like. This is in direct contrast to what they said last week while slotting us at 4... ESPN goes "They whipped Wake Forest on Saturday, but their perch might not be secure with Oklahoma State and Iowa remaining unbeaten." So like what the hell is going on? It seems really clear someone had a producers meeting and said "OK, Notre Dame is getting moved down two spots... here is the narrative to justify that."

It really wouldn't surprise me if having ND high up in initial rankings was a ploy to drive ratings/buzz for these shoes and there was never any intent to have us over a conference champ.

 

[IrishLax]

Last thing... the obvious way that Notre Dame back doors their way in is an SEC miracle. If Alabama loses to Auburn somehow, then I can't see them possibly getting in over Notre Dame. That would be the most corrupt thing ever.

Florida surely loses to Florida State, and then would play Ole Miss in the SEC title game. Wouldn't matter who wins.

 

[GreenSox04]

Nebraska beating Iowa-> Iowa beating Sparty. No B1G.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Aube, I hope you are correct. But, did you watch Baylor vs. OSU? As well as, Baylor vs. OK?

I did. Right now OK will whoop OK State. OK state could not beat Baylor. Baylor is on their 3rd string QB who was a WR at the beginning of the season. He lit them up. Baylor was also without 2 of their starting Dlineman, and a safety was hurt too. In the first half Jarrett had a bad back, then couldn't walk with an ankle injury They got beat down by both QB's. While OK really had control of the Game the whole time.

So, I really see no way of OK losing the game to OK. And I believe OK qb is hurt too.

Just my opinion.

So, I truly believe we have to totally dominate Stanford to have any chance. And still after our showings in the BC, Wake, and Pitt games basically sealed our fate. As this last rankings proved.

 

[irishfan]

As someone pointed out on another site, this whole thing is starting to seem suspiciously hyped/controlled by ESPN. The committee rankings pretty much always reflect their power rankings. The committee also uses ESPN's completely-fucking-bogus FPI as one of their tools. Check out their power rankings from this week: NCAA College Football Power Rankings Week 13 - ESPN

Pay special attention to the narrative:

It mirrors the talking points from the hosts today... "out gained by Wake Forest" (despite beating them by more points than virtually anyone)... and the like. This is in direct contrast to what they said last week while slotting us at 4... ESPN goes "They whipped Wake Forest on Saturday, but their perch might not be secure with Oklahoma State and Iowa remaining unbeaten." So like what the hell is going on? It seems really clear someone had a producers meeting and said "OK, Notre Dame is getting moved down two spots... here is the narrative to justify that."

It really wouldn't surprise me if having ND high up in initial rankings was a ploy to drive ratings/buzz for these shoes and there was never any intent to have us over a conference champ.

Last year, they kept Minesota at #25 in the final ranking to justify OSU>Baylor. I'm going to be very interested what would happen if Pitt goes 9-3 and we would then potentially have four top-25 wins. Pitt at 9-3 would probably deserve to be ahead of 9-3 TCU given their schedules and how they ended the season. If they sneak in 8-4 Temnessee or 8-4 WVU without any impressive wins into the final rankings then it's safe to say that they are cooking the books in their rankings.

For the record, compare 8-4 Minnesota and 8-4 OU last season and tell me why one was ranked and one was not ranked. It was simply to justify OSU>Baylor in their final rankings.

So ya, I definitely agree there is something to this being media-driven and also probably influenced by typical college sports politics.

 

[Bishop2b5]

Ultimately, I think most of the committee's final decision on who's in and who's out is the eyeball test: who they think are genuinely the four best teams in the country. SOS, record, good wins, good losses, margin of victory, conference champ or not, etc., etc. are just parts of the larger equation. In the end, it's the total body of work with recent performance given greater weight than what happened two or three months ago, and a team that's been kicking butt and taking names will likely be seen as better than a team that's winning, but looking anything but dominant in doing so. ND's played a tough schedule, you have the best loss of anyone, and your record is good enough, but the apparent inability to just dominate lesser opponents and run roughshod over them has hurt you guys in the eyes of the committee.

 

[koonja]

I still think we get in, but fuck the committee. Beating a shitty tcu isn't significantly more impressive than beating bc.

 

[irishfanjho15]

So what's going to happen if ND beats Stanford? This week it's Stanford is a top ten team that has outside playoff chance and is the favorite to win the Pac 12. With an ND win the narrative will be "well they are a three loss team in a weak Pac 12". ND could win by three scores, no way they get in now without absolute pandemonium.

 

[Bishop2b5]

So what's going to happen if ND beats Stanford? This week it's Stanford is a top ten team that has outside playoff chance and is the favorite to win the Pac 12. With an ND win the narrative will be "well they are a three loss team in a weak Pac 12". ND could win by three scores, no way they get in now without absolute pandemonium.

I sort of disagree. ND has a lot of things in its favor for getting in, but the lack of domination in games is the big thing that's keeping you out right now. A completely dominant win against a team like Stanford puts you right back into the thick of things with a very good chance of getting in.

 

[NDWorld247]

I'm disappointed we were dropped and, seemingly, are going to be on the outside looking in barring some very lucky upsets in the next two weeks, which I think is entirely possible because that happens every year in college football. But, we had our chances the past two weeks and didn't take advantage so we really don't have anyone to blame but ourselves.

However, what I'm more disappointed about is it seems the committee is just making shit up as they go. They haven't shown much consistency and lack a set of very clear criteria for picking the best teams, which is admittedly an extremely difficult task. It just doesn't feel right to me. That's not coming from a sour grapes ND fan as I didn't have much confidence with the "win and we're in" mentality, and I'm not entirely convinced we deserve it over any 1-loss conference champ. I had the same feeling in 2014 and we weren't in the discussion.

I'm looking forward to the day they expand it. I think 6 is the right number. Conference champs plus one wild card. I think 8 is too many and waters down the regular season, but I'd definitely take either 6 or 8 over 4. It's just a matter of time.

 

[NDWorld247]

We just need to pound Stanford and let the chips fall while hoping for some luck...

Right now I'm wishing for.....
Iowa loss to Nebraska
Mich St loss to PSU
OhSU loss to scUM
OK loss to OKSt
Baylor Loss to TCU
Bama loss to Auburn
FL loss to FSU

I think we are going to get a lot of help this week. I'm not sure if it'll be enough, but help is on the way...

I'm really confident in Iowa losing to Nebraska this week. Nebraska is coming off a bye and is probably the best 6-loss team in the country. Plus, it's AT Nebraska. I just have a really good feeling about this one.

I think Florida loses to FSU. This doesn't really help unless Florida can then upset Alabama in the SEC championship.

I like the home teams' chances this week in the other matchups (Michigan, Oklahoma St and TCU).

I don't think PSU beats MSU, but it's possible. And, don't think there is much chance that Auburn beats Alabama, but that's the game that changes things for us more than any other game this week. I'll be rooting hard for the Tigers.

 

[philipm31]

We had our chance and the CFP committee has been pretty consistent. ND has failed the eye test for the last MONTH and was getting mad respect for losing to Clemson. That "best loss" feather is not getting us any more respect, because we did not absolutely DOMINATE shitty teams like Wake and BC, which a 1-loss ND would NEED to do.

ND shit the bed and it came back to haunt them. Even the Pitt game should have been a bigger difference for ND. It is that simple. If you lose once as an independent., then you need to leave NO doubt that you are better than the other 1-loss teams that are out there with you. Right now, there is no legitimate argument that clearly separates ND from MSU, OU, Bama, or tOSU, because they all have better wins than ND and it is not even close.

We should be happy that we are at 6, because it could have been far worse.

 

[philipm31]

I think we are going to get a lot of help this week. I'm not sure if it'll be enough, but help is on the way...

I'm really confident in Iowa losing to Nebraska this week. Nebraska is coming off a bye and is probably the best 6-loss team in the country. Plus, it's AT Nebraska. I just have a really good feeling about this one.

I think Florida loses to FSU. This doesn't really help unless Florida can then upset Alabama in the SEC championship.

I like the home teams' chances this week in the other matchups (Michigan, Oklahoma St and TCU).

I don't think PSU beats MSU, but it's possible. And, don't think there is much chance that Auburn beats Alabama, but that's the game that changes things for us more than any other game this week. I'll be rooting hard for the Tigers.

Even though my brother in law graduated from Bama, my sister graduated from Auburn. So I will be rooting for the Tigers anyway, just as I have for them since her freshman year there, over 25 years ago.

Bonus points if they win just because it might help the Irish.

 

[Senoj13]

All this crap about "eye test" is going to bring back the days from the 80's where running up scores is all that mattered. Back then, teams like Oklahoma and Nebraska would be favored by 63 pts against Rice and still cover. The committee claims they are watching all these games, but I don't buy it. I think many still relying on media coverage to formulate opinions.

 

[eNDzone]

To all of you who are saying that The Pitt and WF games hurt us in the rankings how do you explain that we were 4th after those games. If anything the BC game is the only real deciding factor on why we dropped to 6th.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

All this crap about "eye test" is going to bring back the days from the 80's where running up scores is all that mattered. Back then, teams like Oklahoma and Nebraska would be favored by 63 pts against Rice and still cover. The committee claims they are watching all these games, but I don't buy it. I think many still relying on media coverage to formulate opinions.

The committee needs to be locked in a hotel room, isolated from the world, except for a TV that only plays tapes of the games, with commentary edited out for the entire season!!!!!!

 

[Irish Insanity]

Nebraska beating Iowa-> Iowa beating Sparty. No B1G.

Or MSU losing this week and UofM beating Iowa for the B1G Championship

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[rtrn2glory]

We are in if Oklahoma state wins and we beat Stanford

 

[Irish Insanity]

With quality of loss meaning nothing it seams, Clemson losing may give us a shot too.

 

[Irish#1]

Even though my brother in law graduated from Bama, my sister graduated from Auburn. So I will be rooting for the Tigers anyway, just as I have for them since her freshman year there, over 25 years ago.

Bonus points if they win just because it might help the Irish.

A Bama loss to Auburn will definitely help us and hurt Bama. I can't see any way that Bama stays in the top four with two losses. The BC game hurt us, no doubt about it.

We now root for the Nittany Lions, Cowboys and Cornhuskers this week. If we win and at least one wins we're back in the top four. With OkSU and Neb at home, I like our chances. Also praying for a letdown by Sparty after their big win.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Always look in the bright side of life: this helps ND snag that #4 spot after the Stanford game and avoid Alabama in the semis.

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