2020 CFP Rankings

[InKellyWeTrust]

ND beats Clemson. Bama beats Florida. Ohio St wins out. TAMU wins out. Does ND get a playoff matchup with TAMU to avoid TAMU vs Bama rematch?

 

[IrishLax]

ND beats Clemson. Bama beats Florida. Ohio St wins out. TAMU wins out. Does ND get a playoff matchup with TAMU to avoid TAMU vs Bama rematch?

Yes. They’ll jerryrig TAMU to #3 or ND to #1 to avoid the rematch. They’ve done similar before and spoken about why.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Something I've been wondering. Is there merit to having some individuals in the gambling world aka oddsmakers, involved in the ranking of these teams? The reason I ask is there's something they know that any coach, analyst, administrator, doesn't that allows them to make these spreads that are all too often spot on.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Something I've been wondering. Is there merit to having some individuals in the gambling world aka oddsmakers, involved in the ranking of these teams? The reason I ask is there's something they know that any coach, analyst, administrator, doesn't that allows them to make these spreads that are all too often spot on.

This gets into the "best teams" metric. Which is stupid and I hate it.

Because if you're building a projection system you're going to avoid the sample size issues of results in a single season and add in factors which correlate with success but don't have anything to do with on-field results in the current season. Things like average attendance, recruiting rankings, coach salary, results from prior seasons, pre-season rankings, etc., etc., etc. likely all have a positive correlation with team quality. But do we really want to say these are legitimate ways to determine team quality for the playoff?

 

[phillyirish]

Yes. They’ll jerryrig TAMU to #3 or ND to #1 to avoid the rematch. They’ve done similar before and spoken about why.

Which is stupid. Not that I have a preference on who to face, but it’s shouldn’t be the committee’s job to set up the most ideal matchups, but to put forth the 4 best teams in that order, which should be the order they earned.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I could give less than half a shit what people "claim." I don't care if the teams in the playoff are Cinci, Coastal Carolina, and Iowa State. Similarly, I don't care if our opponents have to forfeit because of COVID, etc. Nobody will remember that crap.

It's the sports equivalent of possession being 9/10 of the law. Nothing trumps "LOL Scoreboard."

 

[IrishLion]

Which is stupid. Not that I have a preference on who to face, but it’s shouldn’t be the committee’s job to set up the most ideal matchups, but to put forth the 4 best teams in that order, which should be the order they earned.

Honestly, though, if ND beats Clemson again, there's an argument that those two wins, plus a win over UNC, are a better resume than Bama with wins over TAMU and UF. And that's probably what the committee would say in moving ND to #1 over Bama to create an ND/TAMU matchup in round one.

 

[IrishLax]

Which is stupid. Not that I have a preference on who to face, but it’s shouldn’t be the committee’s job to set up the most ideal matchups, but to put forth the 4 best teams in that order, which should be the order they earned.

I think it's actually somewhere in the criteria (or was at least unwritten criteria discussed when the CFP was formed) to avoid rematches if possible. This is what they said on the topic years ago -- https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...playoff-bill-hancock-avoid-rematches/4345529/

This makes total sense because no one wants to see two teams play each other repeatedly when the entire point of bowl season is inter-sectional and inter-conference play. Like it tells you nothing to default an ACC team into the playoffs by rematching the ACCCG should ND lose.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Obviously I hope ND takes care of biz and wins the rematch, avoid all debates. However, hypothetically, if ND keeps it close and comes up short:

If Bama beats UF, we are in, in my opinion. I can't see A&M getting the nod with the same record as us after how badly they got stomped at home. This scenario is: 1. Bama, 2. Clemson, 3. OSU, 4. ND. This avoids rematches, as well.

If UF beats Bama, and we lose a close one, the committee will have a mutiny on their hands regardless of who they choose.

UF would be a lock, IMO. Bama would likely be in. Clemson is in. It comes down to OSU v. ND. How on earth could they look at OSU's shortened schedule (likely 6-0, MAYBE 7-0 if they pick up another game), and compare it to 10-1 with a win over a #1 ranked opponent. OSU hasn't played a soul outside of IU, and do we really think IU v. Clemson is all that comparable, TL or not?

It's not a position I want to be in, to say the least. The Committee loves OSU for historical reasons in the playoff era. But how can you compare those two resumes and not put ND in.

Honestly, time to expand the playoff. Why are we having these subjective debates each and every December. Expand it to 6 or 8, and the problem largely takes care of itself. Sure, you will still have an issue with the last couple teams with 6 or 8, but how likely are those teams to win it all anyways. It's just a ticket to the dance in all honestly.

But every year there seems to be 5 legitimate contenders and we have the group of 5 argument. Expand it. Solves more problems than it creates, IMO.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Obviously I hope ND takes care of biz and wins the rematch, avoid all debates. However, hypothetically, if ND keeps it close and comes up short:

If Bama beats UF, we are in, in my opinion. I can't see A&M getting the nod with the same record as us after how badly they got stomped at home. This scenario is: 1. Bama, 2. Clemson, 3. OSU, 4. ND. This avoids rematches, as well.

If UF beats Bama, and we lose a close one, the committee will have a mutiny on their hands regardless of who they choose.

UF would be a lock, IMO. Bama would likely be in. Clemson is in. It comes down to OSU v. ND. How on earth could they look at OSU's shortened schedule (likely 6-0, MAYBE 7-0 if they pick up another game), and compare it to 10-1 with a win over a #1 ranked opponent. OSU hasn't played a soul outside of IU, and do we really think IU v. Clemson is all that comparable, TL or not?

It's not a position I want to be in, to say the least. The Committee loves OSU for historical reasons in the playoff era. But how can you compare those two resumes and not put ND in.

Honestly, time to expand the playoff. Why are we having these subjective debates each and every December. Expand it to 6 or 8, and the problem largely takes care of itself. Sure, you will still have an issue with the last couple teams with 6 or 8, but how likely are those teams to win it all anyways. It's just a ticket to the dance in all honestly.

But every year there seems to be 5 legitimate contenders and we have the group of 5 argument. Expand it. Solves more problems than it creates, IMO.

If this happens, I hope they look back at the year they put one loss OU in and the angle was "they beat everybody on their schedule" when they lost to UT in the regular season and beat them in the Big12 Championship game.

I'm mentally preparing for OSU to be in, though.

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze has tested positive for COVID 19 the school announces.</p>— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/status/1337415211469271040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[zelezo vlk]

Again?

 

[phork]

With Florida's loss to LSU I believe ND is in the CFP even with a 10.5 point loss. TAMUs only data point is now invalid to an impending 8-3 Florida team falling into the high teens/low twenties with a loss to Alabama.

 

[phillyirish]

Yup. ND would have wins over top 3 Clemson and borderline top 10 UNC. Nobody else has a comparable resume.

 

[ThePiombino]

My Christmas wish:

ND beats Clemson and (deservedly) jumps Bama in the rankings based on resume (big thanks to UNC as well), USC somehow backdoors its way into the playoff at #4, ND playas SC in semis. Jail sex ensues...

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[dad4aa]

My Christmas wish:

ND beats Clemson and (deservedly) jumps Bama in the rankings based on resume (big thanks to UNC as well), USC somehow backdoors its way into the playoff at #4, ND playas SC in semis. Jail sex ensues...

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

I like your way of thinking

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I have convinced myself nobody has a chance vs Bama this year. So we have to beat Clemson so we can avoid the embarrassment of a 3+ td loss in the playoff to Bama. We'd be competitive vs anyone else. I just don't think anyone can hang with Bama.

 

[ThePiombino]

Assuming a competitive loss at worst, I just don't see how ND falls below #3 in the rankings. OSU has done nothing (sorry, a narrow victory over IU =/= a victory over Clemson or an impressive victory over UNC) to earn a spot in the playoff, let alone jump ND or Bama. As much as I'm sure the committee would do anything in their power to avoid ND/Clemson III (should Clemson win the ACCCG), I think ND's floor heading into the playoff is should be 3. Basically I see it playing out like this:

ND WINS ACCCG:
1) ND
2) Bama
3) OSU
4) A&M/Cinci

ND LOSES ACCCG:
1) Bama
2) Clemson/ND *
3) ND/Clemson *
4) A&M/OSU

* ACCCG MOV would determine the order

-----

I know it won't play out that way, but that seems the most logical IMO. Granted, ND could get bent over by Clemson (doubt it). In which case, we could be looking at something like this:

1) Bama
2) Clemson
3) OSU
4) ND/A&M/Cinci

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

Assuming a competitive loss at worst, I just don't see how ND falls below #3 in the rankings. OSU has done nothing (sorry, a narrow victory over IU =/= a victory over Clemson or an impressive victory over UNC) to earn a spot in the playoff, let alone jump ND or Bama. As much as I'm sure the committee would do anything in their power to avoid ND/Clemson III (should Clemson win the ACCCG), I think ND's floor heading into the playoff is should be 3. Basically I see it playing out like this:

ND WINS ACCCG:
1) ND
2) Bama
3) OSU
4) A&M/Cinci

ND LOSES ACCCG:
1) Bama
2) Clemson/ND *
3) ND/Clemson *
4) A&M/OSU

* ACCCG MOV would determine the order

-----

I know it won't play out that way, but that seems the most logical IMO. Granted, ND could get bent over by Clemson (doubt it). In which case, we could be looking at something like this:

1) Bama
2) Clemson
3) OSU
4) ND/A&M/Cinci

If we lose to Clemson we drop to 4 if only to avoid a rematch.

 

[Riddickulous]

Say ND beats Clemson and OSU loses the Big 10 title game. Who else gets in? TAMU and Cinci?

 

[Irish YJ]

Say ND beats Clemson and OSU loses the Big 10 title game. Who else gets in? TAMU and Cinci?

I'm going to hope the Vols have their one-good-game-per-year next weekend and knocks TAMU off... I know..

My dream scenario....

ND beats Clemson
FL beats Bama
Vols beats TAMU

1 ND
2 OSU
3 Bama
4 Cinci

 

[notredomer23]

A first round matchup with TAMU would be amazing.

 

[irishtrooper]

Pattie Fitzgerald saying he thinks OSU is the number 2 team is garbage. Based on what!? Who they’ve beaten? Give me a break Pattie! I know you’ve always had it in for ND and suffer from inferiority complex, but no serious person should be rating OSU over ND at this point. The resumes aren’t comparable right now. There’s a better argument that ND should be at 1 over Bama. Perhaps that’s what he meant (yeah right)

 

[phork]

My dream scenario is beatibg Clemson again. Then beating OSU in the Rosebowl. A double finger to the BIG. The revenge tour Bama in the Final.

 

[IrishLax]

Pattie Fitzgerald saying he thinks OSU is the number 2 team is garbage. Based on what!? Who they’ve beaten? Give me a break Pattie! I know you’ve always had it in for ND and suffer from inferiority complex, but no serious person should be rating OSU over ND at this point. The resumes aren’t comparable right now. There’s a better argument that ND should be at 1 over Bama. Perhaps that’s what he meant (yeah right)

Fitzgerald is David Shaw with less success and a worse inferiority complex. He can't stomach his own irrelevance and losing Chicagoland recruits to ND. For a decade now he has done nothing but spew unapologetic propaganda.

Good football coach, wins a moderate amount of games with little to no talent on his roster. But he's the annoying little guy always trying to pick fights in bars to show how tough he is.

 

[Irishize]

Pattie Fitzgerald saying he thinks OSU is the number 2 team is garbage. Based on what!? Who they’ve beaten? Give me a break Pattie! I know you’ve always had it in for ND and suffer from inferiority complex, but no serious person should be rating OSU over ND at this point. The resumes aren’t comparable right now. There’s a better argument that ND should be at 1 over Bama. Perhaps that’s what he meant (yeah right)

How does Fitzgerald have time to watch all 10 ND games? Oh yeah,, the B1G only played half that many so he had plenty of down time to scout a team he doesn’t even play. What an idiot.

 

[Irish YJ]

Pattie Fitzgerald saying he thinks OSU is the number 2 team is garbage. Based on what!? Who they’ve beaten? Give me a break Pattie! I know you’ve always had it in for ND and suffer from inferiority complex, but no serious person should be rating OSU over ND at this point. The resumes aren’t comparable right now. There’s a better argument that ND should be at 1 over Bama. Perhaps that’s what he meant (yeah right)

It's not really about resumes at this point for many. It's just eye test. And unfortunately many eyes out there are blurry when it comes to the Irish due to some of the past..

As far as Fitz is concerned, he's simply trying play OSU up, so when OSU stomps them next week, he can feel good about himself.

If I'm being honest though, IF I HAD TO BET money on an OSU/ND game, money that I couldn't lose, I too would think OSU is the fav. That has zero to do with resume though. More PTSD perhaps.

 

[texbender]

Not sure where it stands but heard something about the Rose Bowl considering being played in Arlington? Probably since Texas allows 50% capacity, allowing for 40-50K fans? No fans allowed in CA.

 

[NDisme]

Fitzgerald is David Shaw with less success and a worse inferiority complex. He can't stomach his own irrelevance and losing Chicagoland recruits to ND. For a decade now he has done nothing but spew unapologetic propaganda.

Good football coach, wins a moderate amount of games with little to no talent on his roster. But he's the annoying little guy always trying to pick fights in bars to show how tough he is.

Pretty much nail on the head. Fitz is just an annoying asshat

 

[phillyirish]

UNC only moved up one spot in the AP poll after their abuse of top 10 Miami. Hopefully they get a bigger. Imp in the CFP rankings.