2025 College Football Playoffs

[rtrn2glory]

We are at a point where it might actually be best to completely blow up the conferences, create a 32 team super league where everyone is independent (or maybe you do 8 team divisions with 5 games of scheduling freedom), and host a 16 team playoff for that group. Because I actually sympathize with the SEC/Big Ten that it is definitely not "apples to apples" trying to compete to Big 12 or ACC teams. The idea that Oregon could get left out if they lose to USC but BYU (who is ass) and Georgia Tech, UVA, Pitt all have clear paths is crazy. 12 is too few of a number in the new era of parity where you are giving away autobids to unworthy G5 and ACC teams.

Definitely seems to be heading towards this and I'm actually surprised that it isn't getting more action

 

[IrishLax]

I really don’t want a mini NFL to be honest. If they were to “blow it up” I’d prefer a different route that’s distinct from the NFL.

I think if we are all honest that the current system doesn't work, what is the system that does short of capping conferences at 10 teams? Which I doubt will ever happen.

 

[NDRock]

I think if we are all honest that the current system doesn't work, what is the system that does short of capping conferences at 10 teams? Which I doubt will ever happen.

I'd love to do a pyramid style with a regional slant. First division of 64 teams, 8 teams in 8 conferences. Make them all regional again. 2nd division of 64 teams with 8 teams in 8 conferences. Last place in the 1st division drops down to their corresponding conference in the 2nd division. First place teams moves up. Winners of the 8 conferences make the playoffs. You play every team in your conference, no committees, 5 games available for intersectional games Example:

PAC 8 1st Division:
USC
UCLA
Cal
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
Washington
Washington St.

PAC 8 2nd Division:
San Jose St.
Fresno State
San Diego State
UNLV
Nevada
Utah State
Wyoming
Colorado State

Just do that for the whole of FBS. Hell, you could add the FCS teams and have four levels. Fun. Regional. Different than the NFL.

 

[BabyIrish]

So you think they are a title contender?

I agree with Lax, I do not think they could hang with Ohio State. But I think any other opponent they could hang with and ultimately win. I don't see them getting blown out by us, Georgia, A&M, Indiana, Alabama, etc.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

I agree with Lax, I do not think they could hang with Ohio State. But I think any other opponent they could hang with and ultimately win. I don't see them getting blown out by us, Georgia, A&M, Indiana, Alabama, etc.

Fair, I don't see them in that group. My opinion

tier 1: OSU

tier 2: IU, Georgia, TAMU, ND

tier 3: Oregon, Oklahoma, TTech, Bama, Ole Miss.

I think only that 2nd tier has a realistic shot at beating Ohio St and therefore winning a championship.

 

[Bane]

My point is I would not characterize them as this year's Indiana. They are much better than that. But I agree, the playoffs are an altogether different matter. I also agree about their offense.

I feel like the best way to look at TT is to compare them to Ohio State. Ohio State has an even better defense and then has unicorn WRs on the outside that no one can cover.

If Ohio State played Texas Texh does anyone really think they'd keep the score within 10 points? I don't. So I can see TT making some noise but absolutely cannot see them winning a championship unless someone takes out the Ohio States + Georgias of the world for them.

It think TT is better than IU last year and concede the could win a game in the playoffs which IU wasn't going to do last year short of getting paired up with SMU in the first round. But TT is also not as good as their fans think they are.

 

[Dale]

Texas Tech’s has a poor OL and Morton has a fractured leg. That definitely gives 2024 IU vibes with Rourke.

 

[RDU Irish]

I'd love to do a pyramid style with a regional slant. First division of 64 teams, 8 teams in 8 conferences. Make them all regional again. 2nd division of 64 teams with 8 teams in 8 conferences. Last place in the 1st division drops down to their corresponding conference in the 2nd division. First place teams moves up. Winners of the 8 conferences make the playoffs. You play every team in your conference, no committees, 5 games available for intersectional games Example:

PAC 8 1st Division:
USC
UCLA
Cal
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
Washington
Washington St.

PAC 8 2nd Division:
San Jose St.
Fresno State
San Diego State
UNLV
Nevada
Utah State
Wyoming
Colorado State

Just do that for the whole of FBS. Hell, you could add the FCS teams and have four levels. Fun. Regional. Different than the NFL.

I'm with Rock on this one - add relegation with a second tier 64 team mirrored regional conference with one or two up and down each year. 32 is too small for a 16 team playoff. Only get to schedule teams one tier below you - Tier 2 can schedule FCS but Tier 1 cannot.

Effectively your 4, 16 team super conferences with two divisions each but relegation so Rutgers and Maryland can go play in the basement where they belong and GT/Vandy/Indiana can earn their way back to relevance in short order.

 

[Bane]

Fair, I don't see them in that group. My opinion

tier 1: OSU

tier 2: IU, Georgia, TAMU, ND

tier 3: Oregon, Oklahoma, TTech, Bama, Ole Miss.

I think only that 2nd tier has a realistic shot at beating Ohio St and therefore winning a championship.

I'm still on the fence about IU. I just have to see it from them. I think they're good enough to win a playoff game, maybe two depending on the matchup, but I just don't see them stringing together 3 (or 4 if they don't get a bye) wins in a row in the playoffs. I don't think they have the depth or top end talent to sustain that. Granted, that's very difficult and only 1 team will do it so it's not a knock on them by any means, I just don't really view them as true contenders. If they prove me wrong, well good for them.

 

[RDU Irish]

This is why I like the 4 bye set up - those teams are typically top tier that will curb stomp the bottom 4 teams. Give the bottom four a chance to win one and keep the next four honest (5-8) and opportunity to celebrate a great season with a home playoff win.

16 is too many - keep it competitive and reward success.

 

[Wild Bill]

I think the outcome of the BIGCG could have a big impact on how both IU and OSU look in the playoffs. An IU win validates the belief in themselves, and they’ll likely play with more confidence. An OSU loss, probably just pisses them off and refocuses them, similar to the Michigan loss last year.

OSU blowing IU out probably makes both more vulnerable - it rattles IU's confidence and OSU may get complacent.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

We are at a point where it might actually be best to completely blow up the conferences, create a 32 team super league where everyone is independent (or maybe you do 8 team divisions with 5 games of scheduling freedom), and host a 16 team playoff for that group. Because I actually sympathize with the SEC/Big Ten that it is definitely not "apples to apples" trying to compete to Big 12 or ACC teams. The idea that Oregon could get left out if they lose to USC but BYU (who is ass) and Georgia Tech, UVA, Pitt all have clear paths is crazy. 12 is too few of a number in the new era of parity where you are giving away autobids to unworthy G5 and ACC teams.

EDIT: Who says no to this? Top 4 teams from each division go to playoffs, no OOC games factor into standings so you can play as many tough games as you want without consequence. 9 teams each division for 8 round robin games.

WEST
USC
Oregon
Washington
Utah
Texas
Texas A&M
Oklahoma
Colorado
UCLA

MIDWEST
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Michigan
Nebraska
Indiana
Minnesota
Iowa
Illinois
Michigan State

SOUTHEAST
Bama
LSU
Florida
Georgia
Tennessee
Ole Miss
Arkansas
Missouri
Kentucky

EAST
Penn State
Clemson
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia Tech
Florida State
Miami
Pitt
Maryland

We already have this. It's called the NFL.

 

[Bane]

I think the outcome of the BIGCG could have a big impact on how both IU and OSU look in the playoffs. An IU win validates the belief in themselves, and they’ll likely play with more confidence. An OSU loss, probably just pisses them off and refocuses them, similar to the Michigan loss last year.

OSU blowing IU out probably makes both more vulnerable - it rattles IU's confidence and OSU may get complacent.

I just have to actually see IU beat a team like OSU before I believe it will happen. IU struggled against PSU in large part because despite being a deeply flawed team, PSU had much more talent than IU.

 

[dankgesang]

Boy the FanDuel "Notre Dame to Make the Playoff" y/n line took a turn for the worse this morning, huh. (edit: it's still like implied 90% to go good, just saying.)

 

[rtrn2glory]

Still -2500 on draftkings. was it -4000?

 

[IrishinSyria]

I think if we are all honest that the current system doesn't work, what is the system that does short of capping conferences at 10 teams? Which I doubt will ever happen.

Just go back to the bowls and vote for the champ system.

 

[dankgesang]

Still -2500 on draftkings. was it -4000?

Yesterday FD was:
-3200 Yes
+1260 No

 

[Wild Bill]

I just have to actually see IU beat a team like OSU before I believe it will happen. IU struggled against PSU in large part because despite being a deeply flawed team, PSU had much more talent than IU.

Completely agree, and that's why I think a bad loss to OSU will cripple them mentally going into the playoffs.

Boy the FanDuel "Notre Dame to Make the Playoff" y/n line took a turn for the worse this morning, huh. (edit: it's still like implied 90% to go good, just saying.)

I wonder why it dropped even if it was an insignicant drop.

Oklahoma line went from -9.5 to -6.5, and Pribula may play. That has to make ND's playoff chances look better from an odds perspective. OK, Oregon or Ole Miss loss combined iwth ND winning out almost assures ND of finishing no worse than 9, making it impossible to get bumped out by a lower ranked conference champ.

 

[NorthDakota]

The Cinderella stories like Ga. Tech and Vandy, and the transfer-fueled out-of-nowhere teams like Texas Tech and Indiana, make for great stories - and high hopes - in October and November. In December and January the teams that are loaded with experienced talent (and the stud players who many of the transfers were stuck behind) will win out.

Yeah I think it's pretty doable for these "best of the rest" teams to put together a pretty good team but eventually you have to play teams that have dudes all over the field.

 

[bcole2]

-109 for a parlay of just Oklahoma, Oregon, and Miami all winning tomorrow. It's remarkable how many things would have to happen for us to have any significant chance of being left out at this point.

 

[Bane]

Just go back to the bowls and vote for the champ system.

What I wanted to happen was to have the bowl season, do a final ranking, and have #1 and #2 play to decide the national champion. It keeps the extreme value of the regular season and keeps the tradition of the bowls mattering, while also allowing for a big championship game. It will never happen though, the cats out of the bag now and the playoffs will only get bigger.

 

[rtrn2glory]

-109 for a parlay of just Oklahoma, Oregon, and Miami all winning tomorrow. It's remarkable how many things would have to happen for us to have any significant chance of being left out at this point.

Just threw that down with Army for plus money. If Army let's me down it only proves more true what my marine grandpa told me 24 years ago

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I'd love to do a pyramid style with a regional slant. First division of 64 teams, 8 teams in 8 conferences. Make them all regional again. 2nd division of 64 teams with 8 teams in 8 conferences. Last place in the 1st division drops down to their corresponding conference in the 2nd division. First place teams moves up. Winners of the 8 conferences make the playoffs. You play every team in your conference, no committees, 5 games available for intersectional games Example:

PAC 8 1st Division:
USC
UCLA
Cal
Oregon
Oregon State
Stanford
Washington
Washington St.

PAC 8 2nd Division:
San Jose St.
Fresno State
San Diego State
UNLV
Nevada
Utah State
Wyoming
Colorado State

Just do that for the whole of FBS. Hell, you could add the FCS teams and have four levels. Fun. Regional. Different than the NFL.

I'm with Rock on this one - add relegation with a second tier 64 team mirrored regional conference with one or two up and down each year. 32 is too small for a 16 team playoff. Only get to schedule teams one tier below you - Tier 2 can schedule FCS but Tier 1 cannot.

Effectively your 4, 16 team super conferences with two divisions each but relegation so Rutgers and Maryland can go play in the basement where they belong and GT/Vandy/Indiana can earn their way back to relevance in short order.

This the way.

I'm not a soccer fan, but I've heard some people talk about the different leagues and relegation and how great it works. With so many teams in college football and so much parity and changing landscapes, it makes sense to allow for free flowing movement. But the best teams always need to be in the top tier, playing against each other, with the highest stakes for a championship. Everyone else is just vying for a shot to earn their way into the top tier. No handouts, no lower tier auto-bids.

 

[IrishLax]

We already have this. It's called the NFL.

Correct, and IMO it would be better than the current shitshow, which is leading to more and more watered down schedules and other nonsense.

I think you either need to go with an NFL model or you need to revert back to 10 team conferences. This inbetween is awful for everyone.

 

[Bane]

Correct, and IMO it would be better than the current shitshow, which is leading to more and more watered down schedules and other nonsense.

I think you either need to go with an NFL model or you need to revert back to 10 team conferences. This inbetween is awful for everyone.

They can take the B1G and split it in half. They can have teams like, oh I don't know, USC, Oregon, Washington, and UCLA in the Western division, they can add in free agents like Oregon State and Washington State. If we find 4 more, we can can call it the "Pacific 10."

 

[burmafrd1944]

Divisions in the conferences meeting in the Championship game should return
BUT no conference Championship should mean an automatic spot in the playoffs.

No three loss team should be in the playoffs no matter what their schedule

 

[EvilleIrish]

Yesterday FD was:
-3200 Yes
+1260 No

At -2200 now. Not really sure what would cause such a big shift.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Correct, and IMO it would be better than the current shitshow, which is leading to more and more watered down schedules and other nonsense.

I think you either need to go with an NFL model or you need to revert back to 10 team conferences. This inbetween is awful for everyone.

I orginally was on board with the above. Then someone responded withe below...

They can take the B1G and split it in half. They can have teams like, oh I don't know, USC, Oregon, Washington, and UCLA in the Western division, they can add in free agents like Oregon State and Washington State. If we find 4 more, we can can call it the "Pacific 10."View attachment 3061261

...and it's why I think Rock and RDU have it right. You have to revert back to regional divisions and add tiers with relegation.

 

[NDWarrior]

I'm a damn broken record but just have USC take care of The Ducks tomorrow and have 'duzzi and The Panthers knock off GT and Miami in consecutive weeks and we're all set!

 

[Bane]

i'm a damn broken record but just have USC take care of The Ducks tomorrow and have 'duzzi and The Panthers knock off GT and Miami in consecutive weeks and we're all set!

Honestly, we probably only need one of those things to happen. If Oregon loses they're dropping behind us, not a doubt in my mind. At that point, we'll have enough buffer between us and Miami that it won't matter if Miami finds its way into the field despite its best efforts.