All Things Alabama

[Wingman Ray]

They've said before they want the four best teams. If Bama wins out, they will have beaten Auburn who beat Oregon. Right now the standings have Bama as next team in.

Let me start this off by saying I am NOT a Bama fan in ANY stretch of the word!

But the fact is, Bama is one of the top 4 teams. No other team in the top four has the talent top to bottom that Bama has. Oregon vs Bama is a bad, bad day for Oregon. People may push Oregon because they are tired of seeing Bama win and get in the Playoffs year after year but I dont think anyone realistically feels that Oregon is in any way a better team than Bama. Oregon has not played a single ranked opponent all year except Auburn, who happens to be the SEC #5 team, which they lost to.

Bama will be playing plenty motivated here on out. Two joke game and the last game against a 3 loss Auburn team. That Auburn game wont be close because Saban knows he needs that to be a dominating win to change minds.

GA loses to LSU in the SEC conf championship. You cannot put a two loss GA team over a 1 loss Bama team that lost by 1 score to the #1 team. If you believe that, then the hope and dream of ND fans had of having a chance after losing to GA week 1 is completely invalidated.

I mean honestly, as it stands today, can you honestly say an Oregon or Minn is better than Bama? I mean really? Bama would beat either of those teams by 14+. Minn probably more like 21+. Any other thinking is just wishful thinking.

Trust me, I would love Bama to fall. Im tired of hearing it to be honest. And the whole academic sham of a school that is football only makes me sick. But it is what it is.

 

[BobbyMac]

If the Top 10 teams played a 10 team round robin schedule this year on neutral fields everyone here who knows anything about football would bet heaviest on LSU, OSU & Bama and Clemson. Period, don't say you wouldn't.

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

If the Top 10 teams played a 10 team round robin schedule this year on neutral fields everyone here who knows anything about football would bet heaviest on LSU, OSU & Bama and Clemson. Period, don't say you wouldn't.

I'd put some apples in the Oklahoma basket too, that offense is good enough to win a lot of games, but yes I get your point.

 

[Wild Bill]

If the Top 10 teams played a 10 team round robin schedule this year on neutral fields everyone here who knows anything about football would bet heaviest on LSU, OSU & Bama and Clemson. Period, don't say you wouldn't.

Right. And if Clemson lost this weekend in a close game, your statement is still probably true. The question is, do they deserve a playoff spot over another one loss team like Oklahoma, Utah or Oregon?

Hell, if bama loses to Auburn your statement is still true. Does a two loss bama team deserve a playoff spot over a one loss team?

 

[Rack Em]

Let me start this off by saying I am NOT a Bama fan in ANY stretch of the word!

But the fact is, Bama is one of the top 4 teams. No other team in the top four has the talent top to bottom that Bama has. Oregon vs Bama is a bad, bad day for Oregon. People may push Oregon because they are tired of seeing Bama win and get in the Playoffs year after year but I dont think anyone realistically feels that Oregon is in any way a better team than Bama. Oregon has not played a single ranked opponent all year except Auburn, who happens to be the SEC #5 team, which they lost to.

Bama will be playing plenty motivated here on out. Two joke game and the last game against a 3 loss Auburn team. That Auburn game wont be close because Saban knows he needs that to be a dominating win to change minds.

GA loses to LSU in the SEC conf championship. You cannot put a two loss GA team over a 1 loss Bama team that lost by 1 score to the #1 team. If you believe that, then the hope and dream of ND fans had of having a chance after losing to GA week 1 is completely invalidated.

I mean honestly, as it stands today, can you honestly say an Oregon or Minn is better than Bama? I mean really? Bama would beat either of those teams by 14+. Minn probably more like 21+. Any other thinking is just wishful thinking.

Trust me, I would love Bama to fall. Im tired of hearing it to be honest. And the whole academic sham of a school that is football only makes me sick. But it is what it is.

But this isn't a talent or recruiting competition, it's football. And Bama doesn't have a win on it's resume that should put it in the top 4. Georgia's loss to South Carolina is bad, but they also beat us and Florida. I think it's fair to put them at 5 or even 6 and let another team "lose" their way out of the top 4.

 

[Wingman Ray]

But this isn't a talent or recruiting competition, it's football. And Bama doesn't have a win on it's resume that should put it in the top 4. Georgia's loss to South Carolina is bad, but they also beat us and Florida. I think it's fair to put them at 5 or even 6 and let another team "lose" their way out of the top 4.

GA loses this weekend so they are out with two losses. So that leaves Oregon if they beat Utah. No disrespect to Utah but come on now. So is Oregons loss to the 5th ranked SEC team on neutral ground better than a loss to the #1 ranked team by 6 pts? Especially with the assumption that Bama beats Auburn who beat Oregon?

 

[Bishop2b5]

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[ulukinatme]

Not bad, liked the Georgia one more after the South Carolina upset. The guy playing the Alabama fan could have been better.

 

[NDRock]

But this isn't a talent or recruiting competition, it's football. And Bama doesn't have a win on it's resume that should put it in the top 4. Georgia's loss to South Carolina is bad, but they also beat us and Florida. I think it's fair to put them at 5 or even 6 and let another team "lose" their way out of the top 4.

Exactly. So tired of “eye test” bullshit. Makes me just want to follow the NFL more. Where things are actually decided on the field and not judged by some committee like it’s figure skating.

 

[ACamp1900]

Exactly. So tired of “eye test” bullshit. Makes me just want to follow the NFL more. Where things are actually decided on the field and not judged by some committee like it’s figure skating.

I feel the exact opposite with the same exact conclusion. I loved cfb because it WASN'T the NFL. The tradition, the regionality, the bowls, the polls... it was perfect. Then a bunch of non cfb fans (NFL) started paying more attention and wanted it to become more and more like the NFL college edition, and they won... why dafaq would I care as much if that's all cfb is to become?? So i watch more and more NFL... ten years ago if you had told me I'd be more hyped for Sundays than Saturdays this time of year I'd have laughed my butt off... but here I am. I hardly watch cfb outside of ND anymore.

 

[NDRock]

I feel the exact opposite with the same exact conclusion. I loved cfb because it WASN'T the NFL. The tradition, the regionality, the bowls, the polls... it was perfect. Then a bunch of non cfb fans (NFL) started paying more attention and wanted it to become more and more like the NFL college edition, and they won... why dafaq would I care as much if that's all cfb is to become?? So i watch more and more NFL... ten years ago if you had told me I'd be more hyped for Sundays than Saturdays this time of year I'd have laughed my butt off... but here I am. I hardly watch cfb outside of ND anymore.

Interesting take. I definitely liked it better in the past. Last year finally broke me. Notre Dame goes 12-0 and it was one of the least enjoyable seasons ever. Seemed like all I heard about was that we didn’t deserve to be in the playoffs. I couldn’t enjoy the games and victories because I had to worry if we won by enough so some committee would give us validation. Just not fun anymore I’m retiring after this year.

 

[Wingman Ray]

Interesting take. I definitely liked it better in the past. Last year finally broke me. Notre Dame goes 12-0 and it was one of the least enjoyable seasons ever. Seemed like all I heard about was that we didn’t deserve to be in the playoffs. I couldn’t enjoy the games and victories because I had to worry if we won by enough so some committee would give us validation. Just not fun anymore I’m retiring after this year.

I have to admit this but I havent watched a live game in years. Just wasnt enjoyable anymore. So now I check the scores on my phone and go back to watch the games afterwards during the week. Then come and stir crap with you guys!!!!

#weaksaucefan
#cupcakefan4life

 

[ickythump1225]

The question is how much value will the committee place on winning the conference over not winning the conference when both teams have 1 loss?

Better loss, Bama, Oregon or Utah? Bama
Stronger conference schedule, Bama, Oregon or Utah? Bama
SOS,Bama, Oregon or Utah? Bama

Keep in mind that UCF was an undefeated conference champ last year. They weren't a P5 school, but the committee basically ignored what they did and took a 1 loss OU team.

Okay but who will have the best win by season's end. Oregon or Utah will.

Can you give me any other playoff bound team that has a top 25 record and have beaten three teams with a record better than .500?

Your have the B10 which is flipping terrible. OSU has played absolutely zero good teams. Minn? Wis? Mich? Give me a break. None of those teams would last ten minutes versus a playoff bound team. Can you imagine any of those lining up vs Bama? That would be over by halftime. If you doubt, go ask Michigan who tried it.

Your likely 4 loss Auburn team beat Oregon on a neutral field. The same Oregon who has played exactly no one else all year with a remote pulse.

Yes LSU was the better team vs Bama no doubt. But Bama is better than any of the others all day.

Wisconsin and Michigan both have better wins on the season than Alabama. Oregon or Oregon will have a better win by season's end. UGA has two better wins than Alabama. LSU has an unbelievable resume. The Gophers currently have a better win than Alabama and also have a chance for two more wins in the regular season that are at least as good as Alabama's current best win (Iowa and Wisconsin).

OSU by season's end will have a win better than Alabama's (Minnesota) or I guess potentially if Minnesota pulls off a massive upset they will have another win better than Alabama's best win.

The "best loss" narrative is a massive COPE that the committee has never shown any interest in.

But this isn't a talent or recruiting competition, it's football. And Bama doesn't have a win on it's resume that should put it in the top 4. Georgia's loss to South Carolina is bad, but they also beat us and Florida. I think it's fair to put them at 5 or even 6 and let another team "lose" their way out of the top 4.

UGA absolutely deserves it's rankings (as much as I hate them).

 

[Irish#1]

Okay but who will have the best win by season's end. Oregon or Utah will.

Let me say that I’m not supporting Alabama or think they deserve to be in. I’m just going off the way things have panned out before. While it shouldn’t be taken into consideration, I think subconsciously the committee gives them the benefit of doubt because of their past performances.

 

[irishtrooper]

It’s not going to happen. I’m sorry but putting in Bama as a 2nd SEC team OVER two 1 loss conference conference champions will cause too much uproar. We can talk about today’s rankings, but that doesn’t matter until the CCGs. They’ll use those to vault Oregon/Utah/Oklahoma over Bama as a 13th data point argument. This whole argument is futile. I’m not saying Bama isn’t one of the 4 best teams, but it isn’t a recruiting beauty contest or a talent show. You’re judged by your resume (mostly with a touch of bias from perceived greatness regardless of record).

 

[Irish YJ]

Maybe. Let's see where the chips fall. UGA right now has the better resume IMO. The wind over ND and UF outweigh the loss to USC. But lots of football to be played.

IDK, the loss to SC is very bad. But the UGA stuff will work itself out. I don't see UGA beating LSU. Good chance they lose to Auburn IMO. But you're right, lots of FB to be played. My UGA buds are all split. Half think they have a very good shot at beating LSU, the others think they get slaughtered. Personally, I think LSU beats them easily by 14+

Yeah but if Oregon wins the Pac-12 it's likely over a 1 loss Utah (you could even reverse this and it would still be true) which either way would be better than any of Alabama's wins. Alabama doesn't have a top 25 record and they've only beaten like what 3 teams with a record better than .500? They've lost to the one good team they've played this year and kudos to them to fight back and make it look better from an optics stand point but their defense got absolutely blasted. With the exception of a few drives in the 3rd quarter LSU moved the ball at will against Alabama. They hung 33 on them in the first half alone and where up by 20 at halftime.

I see a lot of the "best loss" argument floated here but when has the CFP committee ever indicated they buy that line of reasoning? I don't care who Alabama lost to, by season's end who will they be able to say they've beaten? A (likely) 4 loss Auburn team and a middling Texas A&M. If they get into the CFP with that resume the whole thing is a joke and we should burn it down and start over with something else.

Not feeling the PAC argument. That's still a weak @ss conference. Neither Utah or Oregon have a win over a current top 25 team. Oregon's strongest game is a L to Auburn who Bama will likely beat easily. Utah's best win is vs a Washington team that's no longer ranked. If Auburn beats UGA, they'll likely be top 10 by the time they play Bama, and will likely remain in the top 25. The only top 25 win Utah and Oregon might have is the one win over the other.

I'm sure it could happen (PAC getting in), but it would be a "deserves", not "best" pick IMO.

Agree. I believe there’s just too much ‘splainin to do to put Bama in (even though they’re probably “better”). Sometimes better doesn’t matter though. This is the argument the SEC people had last year trying to put GA in over an undefeated ND. You might be great, but who did you actually beat and what is your actual resume? I would enjoy the scrambling and tap dancing that would occur to put in Bama over 2 one loss conf champs, but I don’t think it’ll happen

That's exactly why I want Bama to get in (the chaos and outrage) frankly. Just more push to an 8 game playoff. I'd also enjoy Bama getting left out, and ending up pimp slapping one of the other conference champions. The Bama fans would be heart broken (to miss out on the NC), and a team like a PAC12 or Big12 champ would also have their pride smashed. Best of all worlds lol.

 

[NDRock]

Let me say that I’m not supporting Alabama or think they deserve to be in. I’m just going off the way things have panned out before. While it shouldn’t be taken into consideration, I think subconsciously the committee gives them the benefit of doubt because of their past performances.

Absolutely. If Mississippi State had the exact same record and score lines as Alabama, no way would they be ranked as high.

 

[Ndaccountant]

IDK, the loss to SC is very bad. But the UGA stuff will work itself out. I don't see UGA beating LSU. Good chance they lose to Auburn IMO. But you're right, lots of FB to be played. My UGA buds are all split. Half think they have a very good shot at beating LSU, the others think they get slaughtered. Personally, I think LSU beats them easily by 14+

We will see, at least I hope we will see.

LSU beat UF by 14. That game was tied midway through the 3rd and LSU scored with 5 minutes or so left to get the MOV to 14.

UF scored with 3 minutes left against UGA to make it a 7 point game.

IMO, UGA defense > Bama's defense.

I think Bama offense > UGA offense.

I suspect the game would be closer than you think. Ironically, I think the lack of explosiveness for UGA would keep the game closer.

 

[Irish YJ]

We will see, at least I hope we will see.

LSU beat UF by 14. That game was tied midway through the 3rd and LSU scored with 5 minutes or so left to get the MOV to 14.

UF scored with 3 minutes left against UGA to make it a 7 point game.

IMO, UGA defense > Bama's defense.

I think Bama offense > UGA offense.

I suspect the game would be closer than you think. Ironically, I think the lack of explosiveness for UGA would keep the game closer.

I think UGA's run D is much better than their pass D. Just my opinion, but I think Burrow has a good day. UGA is really streaky too. I think this weekend will tell us a lot when they visit Auburn. I know folks are down on Auburn, but both their losses have been on the road, and close. I could see Auburn making it very rough for Fromm, and Auburn is good vs the run.

I'd love to see UGA lose to Auburn, then beat LSU.
2 loss conference champion, and two 1 loss SEC West teams. The chaos would be delicious.

 

[Irish#1]

It’s not going to happen. I’m sorry but putting in Bama as a 2nd SEC team OVER two 1 loss conference conference champions will cause too much uproar. We can talk about today’s rankings, but that doesn’t matter until the CCGs. They’ll use those to vault Oregon/Utah/Oklahoma over Bama as a 13th data point argument. This whole argument is futile. I’m not saying Bama isn’t one of the 4 best teams, but it isn’t a recruiting beauty contest or a talent show. You’re judged by your resume (mostly with a touch of bias from perceived greatness regardless of record).

We're all just speculating, but I wouldn't be upset if they put Bama in (assuming they win out). It would indeed create an uproar and drive us closer to an 8 team playoff.

 

[Wingman Ray]

It’s not going to happen. I’m sorry but putting in Bama as a 2nd SEC team OVER two 1 loss conference conference champions will cause too much uproar. We can talk about today’s rankings, but that doesn’t matter until the CCGs. They’ll use those to vault Oregon/Utah/Oklahoma over Bama as a 13th data point argument. This whole argument is futile. I’m not saying Bama isn’t one of the 4 best teams, but it isn’t a recruiting beauty contest or a talent show. You’re judged by your resume (mostly with a touch of bias from perceived greatness regardless of record).

Honestly, I think leaving Bama out would be good for CFB. To send a very strong message that if you intentionally schedule cupcakes, you miss the bus. Is Bama one of the top four teams? Yes they are. Would Bama crush Oregon/Utah/Minn/PSU by 14+? Definitely. But the fact is that year in, year out Bama plays very weak competition and destroys teams come playoff/bowl time.

So leave them out, listen to Tide fans cry about how CFB is discriminating against them because they win too much and send a very strong message to Saban and the AD that playing a decent schedule has merits.

Of course, while you are at it, send it to OSU too please.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Exactly. So tired of “eye test” bullshit. Makes me just want to follow the NFL more. Where things are actually decided on the field and not judged by some committee like it’s figure skating.

Everyone seems to think that the 8 team playoff format would take care of the subjectivity of the current 4 team CFP, but I think it would be just as bad with the three at large spots (assuming the first 5 slots are an auto-bid for the P5 Conference Champs).

The debate would continue to be filled with 3 or 4 SEC teams, because that conference hardly ever plays anyone with a heartbeat out of conference. They just play each other and let the pieces fall in place based on their reputation as a conference.

It would be just as big of a crap shoot IMO, just a bigger party with more drama.

Just spit balling here, but I wish they could have certain parameters to make scheduling more consistent across the board. I.e., if you play an FCS opponent, instead of just ignoring it as a non-factor and essentially tossing that "data point" aside, it should count AGAINST your SOS. Clemson playing Wofford or the SEC scheduling the Citadel in November is a *ucking joke.

Clemson has looked pretty average at times this year, and they are going to walk into the CFP after only beating TA&M for the most part. It's asinine. And I love how Clemson fans and others were up in arms that the committee ranked them #5 for the initial rankings like it wasn't going to solve itself anyways. Everyone knew they were moving up eventually, and it didn't take very long.

 

[Wingman Ray]

Pretty simple: Just make D2 games not count towards W-L and Offense/Defense rankings. That would take care of teams scheduling these guaranteed wins.

Oh, the Sabans and Miles (former LSU coach) will lie all they want about giving back to the community and supporting smaller schools but you know they could care less about anything other than an easy win, resting players and padding stats.

Personally, Im not a fan of scheduling MAC level teams either as those are usually guaranteed wins (not always) as well but not sure what you can do to with that. Fortunately, there arent that many teams to go around.

Then you have the scrub teams like IU, Vandy, ILL, Maryland, S Florida that are just guaranteed wins except all but the worst teams year in, year out as well.

 

[Irish#1]

Pretty simple: Just make D2 games not count towards W-L and Offense/Defense rankings. That would take care of teams scheduling these guaranteed wins.

Oh, the Sabans and Miles (former LSU coach) will lie all they want about giving back to the community and supporting smaller schools but you know they could care less about anything other than an easy win, resting players and padding stats.

Personally, Im not a fan of scheduling MAC level teams either as those are usually guaranteed wins (not always) as well but not sure what you can do to with that. Fortunately, there arent that many teams to go around.

Then you have the scrub teams like IU, Vandy, ILL, Maryland, S Florida that are just guaranteed wins except all but the worst teams year in, year out as well.

You better get up to speed. IU is 7-2 right now and ILL is 5-5.

 

[Wingman Ray]

You better get up to speed. IU is 7-2 right now and ILL is 5-5.

That just shows how pathetic the B10 is when IU sits at 7-2

 

[Irish YJ]

You better get up to speed. IU is 7-2 right now and ILL is 5-5.

Can't believe IU is top 25. They have a tough 3 weeks to finish off the regular season. I'd give my left pinky if they could beat scUM.....

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Can't believe IU is top 25. They have a tough 3 weeks to finish off the regular season. I'd give my left pinky if they could beat scUM.....

They haven't beaten anyone of note but a lot of us were singing that same tune for Minnesota/PSU...maybe they'll come out at home with a similar confidence and take it to those as*holes.

 

[irishtrain]

i'd love to see those &^%$#^ kept out this year-mix in a schedule for a change-cmon Auburn set their asses packing

 

[Sea Turtle]

Can't believe IU is top 25. They have a tough 3 weeks to finish off the regular season. I'd give my left pinky if they could beat scUM.....

Everytime they have a chance, the B1G officials step in and makes sure it doesn't happen.

Having said that, I can see them going 8-4 and that's damn good for being in the East.

 

[Irish#1]

That just shows how pathetic the B10 is when IU sits at 7-2

B1G isn’t that bad. It’s more of a reflection of IU starting to improve. Allen has been doing a good job on the recruiting trail and it’s starting to show.

Everytime they have a chance, the B1G officials step in and makes sure it doesn't happen.

Having said that, I can see them going 8-4 and that's damn good for being in the East.

That’s damn good for them regardless.