Just dont get CFB rankings

[mrmcgrail]

The sec has been lucky with having great teams at the top but they aren't some great conference all around the last two years in bowl games they are 13-13

 

[mrmcgrail]

And this year they aren't great at the top

 

[MPClinton22]

Those ESPN $$$$s were pretty compelling

 

[MPClinton22]

This is true, but what is also true is that over the last decade, the top SEC teams have gone on to prove they're the best in football. It's played out on the field. No one, not named Clemson or OSU, has been able to come close to competing with them*. They've earned that benefit of the doubt, imo. Forget the rest of the conference. It's Bama/Georgia and everyone else until proven otherwise.

*I know they have lost regular season games, but I'm speaking about playoffs and championships.

I think the issue is, yes the SEC usually has one or two excellent/elite teams but then somehow that extends down the line to the whole conference, and carries over year to year even when actual results would tell you otherwise. Bama lost their only meaningful OOC game and then had some absolute clunkers in conference - but because in recent years the SEC has been competitive, those close wins are still seen as good wins. The thing about college football is, teams (especially now with the portal) vary widely year to year. Recent quality can be a factor, but it shouldn't be the be-all, end-all. This season's results should ALWAYS trump last season's, but with the SEC it doesn't always feel like that's the case.

Now, Bama probably will go out and win this whole thing going away and I'll have egg on my face, but that doesn't negate the fact that the process to get here was broken.

 

[Kingbish01]

All fair points. The talent in the south is undeniable.

When was the last time an SEC team was willing to play in the north during the colder months? What's the average distance traveled for most SEC teams? How often are they willing to travel away from home, out of conference?

There was an incredible stat related to this that I didn't bookmark. If I find it, I'll add it here. It was incredible how little the SEC does to prove it's superiority. They have a recipe that is working:

First there are a couple programs every year that have more talent than anyone else around.
Secondly, they schedule a couple FCS schools to have additional 'bye' weeks between their vaunted SEC conference schedules.
Third, they refuse to travel great distances or up north.

All of this amounts to a better rested team, that has better athletes and good to great coaches. They don't extend themselves and it's working. No one questions it.

I'd love to see an article that showed miles traveled/team/year. This results in very late nights, late flights, disrupted sleep schedules, etc.

I think the SEC has been fortunate in this regard and I don't think other conferences can replicate it because of their member's geographic diversity.

I think you make great points, that can't be denied or overlooked. Points that I've made over the years, I moved to Atlanta from Pittsburgh (20 years ago) so for years down here all I did was defend the B10/ACC and talk tons of shit on the SEC. My first really big L was when I talked shit for a month that Ohio St was gonna beat UF in 2007 Natty, and I kept taking L's over and over again. But after really getting into the local high school scene and now pulling for UGA as my second fave team....I try to look at it more unbiased, and I just feel a certain way now about the SEC. I think OU and UT are just going to make it more dominant. I'm shooting from the hip here...But I'm almost certain Bama will handle Michigan just like UGA did to them a few years back when it was 34-3 late. Or like they handled FSU a few years back when it was a top 5 matchup. I was on the other side of those SEC matchups....and I always looked foolish. Anthony Knapp from Roswell Ga, is a 3 star hometown kid. I'd take a 3 star Ga boy all day everyday.

 

[irishnd31]

Say you and I are both street fighters...and I fight thirteen 9 year olds and don't lose. You fight twelve 19 year olds and go 11-1. Does that make you a better fighter? And on top of that, you now have a broken leg...and you have to let your girlfriend fight...but now it's time to fight 19 year olds...what do you think happens??

I'm calling Child Protective Services for starters

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

The sec has been lucky with having great teams at the top but they aren't some great conference all around the last two years in bowl games they are 13-13

Alabama has done the heavy lifting. UGA had won the last two. Tebow Florida was early BCS era. Newton Auburn got one. LSU was 03, 07, 19. You have to go back to 1998 Tennessee to find someone other than Bama, UGA, Florida or LSU.

They have done an excellent job of messaging and building that brand for football despite Saban really being the true "dominant" force.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I do agree that college football is more popular than ever and the sport is not being hurt by NIL or the portal. It may even be increasing the popularity despite the grumbling that goes on by die hard college football fans.

However, TV ratings are being counted differently in 2023 than previous years, so it hard to just say that viewership is up.

Changes Coming to TV Audience Measurement | www.dunhamandcompany.com

www.dunhamandcompany.com

A lot of Die Hard college football fans love them some status quo. NIL, The Portal, Deion Sanders scares the life out of them. Some of them will start staying away, but will that portion of the audience be replaced if not augmented? My guess would be yes.

Interesting nugget about TV. Someone posted a tweet here in another thread that this season had the highest amount of collective viewership, or something to that effect. There were some pretty big marquee games this year that helped with that, but I think it speaks to the overall popularity of the sport as you state.

 

[BleedingGold]

You can't honestly think the SEC is afraid to schedule the ACC....Right? Look at all the SEC out of schedule games the last few years. I mean Bama beat UT last year. Below is a break down and matchups by conference record, do you think the SEC goes 4-6 when comparing apples to apples?? I see 9-1 MAAAAAYBE 8-2

As ND fans we watch a ton of ACC football, and living in Atlanta I watch a ton of SEC football. It's like watching two different sports. The kids are just flat out better down here, and that's why 16 of the last 17 Natty were won down here in the South. It's literally undebatable....My last point to emphasize competition down here....Dylan Raiola (#1 HS QB, dominated out west) transferred to the BEST high school football team in the state of Georgia (7A).....And lost in the quarterfinals...Everyone is good down here, it's life...and you wouldn't understand, unless you've lived it. I was an SEC hater for years, then I realized I was just a hater.

Bama (W) vs FSU
UGA (W) vs L'ville
Mizzu (W) vs NC State
Ole Miss (W) vs G tech
LSU (W) vs VA tech
Tenn (W?) vs Clemson
A&M (W) vs NC
Aub (W) vs Duke
Fla (L) vs Miami
KY (W) vs BC

I will say I do think a lot of southern teams, including many of the SEC are afraid to schedule games in the frozen tundra after October 15th.

 

[Kingbish01]

Alabama has done the heavy lifting. UGA had won the last two. Tebow Florida was early BCS era. Newton Auburn got one. LSU was 03, 07, 19. You have to go back to 1998 Tennessee to find someone other than Bama, UGA, Florida or LSU.

They have done an excellent job of messaging and building that brand for football despite Saban really being the true "dominant" force.

Even Miss St was #1 with Dax, and Ole Miss and A&M had a few years in the top 5. But you make a good point, it's not been just Bama and UGA. Like the B10has been just OSU (and recently UM) and the ACC is pretty much just Clemson and FSU. I wouldn't be shocked when it goes 12 teams to see and LSU or a Ole Miss have a nice run and win one. I'll tell you who won't have a nice run and win one....95% of both the B10 and ACC.

 

[BleedingGold]

Then pick a different sport to follow that uses the direct results of teams records and tiebreaks to determine playoff seeding. CFB has always had an element of subjectivity to it and that's a big reason why many of us love the sport. Is there anything more fun that arguing and predicting rankings every week?

You may be right about that initial point, I’ve never been less enthusiastic about college football than I have been over the last few years between the rules and gameplay becoming more like the NFL, paying players, a full fledged annual free agency, and the postseason doing the same. I’ve considered giving it up the last few years.

 

[Irish#1]

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I think you make great points, that can't be denied or overlooked. Points that I've made over the years, I moved to Atlanta from Pittsburgh (20 years ago) so for years down here all I did was defend the B10/ACC and talk tons of shit on the SEC. My first really big L was when I talked shit for a month that Ohio St was gonna beat UF in 2007 Natty, and I kept taking L's over and over again. But after really getting into the local high school scene and now pulling for UGA as my second fave team....I try to look at it more unbiased, and I just feel a certain way now about the SEC. I think OU and UT are just going to make it more dominant. I'm shooting from the hip here...But I'm almost certain Bama will handle Michigan just like UGA did to them a few years back when it was 34-3 late. Or like they handled FSU a few years back when it was a top 5 matchup. I was on the other side of those SEC matchups....and I always looked foolish. Anthony Knapp from Roswell Ga, is a 3 star hometown kid. I'd take a 3 star Ga boy all day everyday.

No disagreements from me on this.

I hope Bama smashes Michigan. I think Michigan has had one litmus test in tOSU but they've not had to play a complete defense. The problem is that Bama is capable of really poor offensive play. We really need their QB to have an A+ game against Michigan can look as foolish as possible before being served by the NCAA>

There is an obvious reason we want to recruit Georgia, the coastal states, Florida, etc: per capita, the talent is unmatched.

But the idea the SEC is this loaded conference usually doesn't hold true. There are power teams in every conference, usually 1-2. The rest waxes and wanes. Just look at the record of cross-conference play over the past few years as a very crude proxy.

 

[Kingbish01]

I will say I do think a lot of southern teams, including many of the SEC are afraid to schedule games in the frozen tundra after October 15th.

I can see that, but until it hurts them in the NFL it probably won't change. Xavier McKinney went from Roswell to Bama and now the Giants. I'm sure it was a rude awakening playing in the snow for the first time in the NFL, but one he's handled pretty well.

 

[NDpendent]

 

[Kingbish01]

No disagreements from me on this.

I hope Bama smashes Michigan. I think Michigan has had one litmus test in tOSU but they've not had to play a complete defense. The problem is that Bama is capable of really poor offensive play. We really need their QB to have an A+ game against Michigan can look as foolish as possible before being served by the NCAA>

There is an obvious reason we want to recruit Georgia, the coastal states, Florida, etc: per capita, the talent is unmatched.

But the idea the SEC is this loaded conference usually doesn't hold true. There are power teams in every conference, usually 1-2. The rest waxes and wanes. Just look at the record of cross-conference play over the past few years as a very crude proxy.

Agreed....Bama, UGA, FSU, Clem, OSU and Mich....aren't all that far off to be honest...even though when the going gets tough it seems like UGA and BAMA always come through.

I just think the gap between LSU/Ole Miss/UF....is wider compared to a Penn St/Iowa/Wisconsin or L'ville/Miami/NC St. But this is where I may be wrong.

 

[Bishop2b5]

Kinda hard for them to lose to those schools when they won't schedule them.

And Bama did schedule one real out of conference game...and they lost.

During the Saban era, Bama has played several major programs during the regular season: Clemson, Penn State, Florida State, USC, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Miami, Oklahoma, and Texas, We're 8-3 in those regular season OOC games against major programs. We've played most of those same programs, as well as others such as Wisconsin, Michigan St., Ohio St., Washington, and Notre Dame, during the post season for an overall record against them of 21-6.

 

[BeauBenken]

During the Saban era, Bama has played several major programs during the regular season: Clemson, Penn State, Florida State, USC, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Miami, Oklahoma, and Texas, We're 8-3 in those regular season OOC games against major programs. We've played most of those same programs, as well as others such as Wisconsin, Michigan St., Ohio St., Washington, and Notre Dame, during the post season for an overall record against them of 21-6.

Fair. But this year your team is 0-1 against P5 OOC schools. FSU is 2-0.

 

[NDRock]

I still can’t believe there has been no discussion about Michigan being the undefeated team left out. I think a big part is the preseason rankings.

I’m beginning to think I’ve raised my kids wrong. Everything I’ve preached to them has been wrong. Michigan took the easy way out (scheduled cupcakes), cheated (recruiting, sign stealing), refused to own up to their mistakes and got rewarded for it all. Truly bizarre.

 

[Irish#1]

I can see that, but until it hurts them in the NFL it probably won't change. Xavier McKinney went from Roswell to Bama and now the Giants. I'm sure it was a rude awakening playing in the snow for the first time in the NFL, but one he's handled pretty well.

It won't change. I was at the game against FSU in 2018. Before the game started half the FSU team spent warmups over on the heated benches. If they weren't contractually obligated I doubt they would agree to schedule a November game up north.

 

[BleedingGold]

I still can’t believe there has been no discussion about Michigan being the undefeated team left out. I think a big part is the preseason rankings.

I’m beginning to think I’ve raised my kids wrong. Everything I’ve preached to them has been wrong. Michigan took the easy way out (scheduled cupcakes), cheated (recruiting, sign stealing), refused to own up to their mistakes and got rewarded for it all. Truly bizarre.

Very off topic, but not unusual. FEMA typically rewards those that aren’t responsible enough to prepare for an emergency by holding insurance or reserve funds. The unspoken rule is why be responsible when the feds will reward you for not being.

 

[Circa]

Say you and I are both street fighters...and I fight thirteen 9 year olds and don't lose. You fight twelve 19 year olds and go 11-1. Does that make you a better fighter? And on top of that, you now have a broken leg...and you have to let your girlfriend fight...but now it's time to fight 19 year olds...what do you think happens??

LOL. This acceptance of the overall conspiracy.... In reality- Truth.... Is amazing.


The field'.. in Between the white lines, and all the integrity that goes into the reality of CFB, should show you,... and all of the discombobulation that happens behind the scenes...
"I'm better than you" because 'we' cheat fans... Is really Something... we all see, and can't really call out.

I got a few words for ya.... And I'm not allowed to express my pure true honest opinion for your dishonest situation.... on this thread.


Good Luck.

 

[stlnd01]

I still can’t believe there has been no discussion about Michigan being the undefeated team left out. I think a big part is the preseason rankings.

I’m beginning to think I’ve raised my kids wrong. Everything I’ve preached to them has been wrong. Michigan took the easy way out (scheduled cupcakes), cheated (recruiting, sign stealing), refused to own up to their mistakes and got rewarded for it all. Truly bizarre.

It's a good point.

When it comes to the cheating scandal, the CFP basically said, in their first rankings: "Not our problem. That's an NCAA affair." And that seemed to end the conversation that Michigan might be penalized by the playoff committee for their obvious cheating in games played this very season.

When it comes to their schedule, it is not Michigan's fault that their entire Big Ten schedule save Ohio State sucked donkey balls this year. But they did. And it is Michigan's fault that they played three tomato cans out of conference. Are they penalized for that? Nope.

To their credit, they clearly outplayed everyone they faced, did all that they were asked, and yes have the bonus points of being highly ranked coming because they made the CFP last year. But their offense is a snoozefest; they'll have a hard time keeping pace in the playoffs.

Either way, in a more just world, it would have been Michigan left out, not FSU. FSU played just as tough a schedule (figuring LSU and OSU are comparable talent). Maybe tougher.

 

[Circa]

I still can’t believe there has been no discussion about Michigan being the undefeated team left out. I think a big part is the preseason rankings.

I’m beginning to think I’ve raised my kids wrong. Everything I’ve preached to them has been wrong. Michigan took the easy way out (scheduled cupcakes), cheated (recruiting, sign stealing), refused to own up to their mistakes and got rewarded for it all. Truly bizarre.

No. If you did the exact oposite... You have done what Jesus told us all. Keep on keeping on... and don't take my word for it.


Evil has a way.... It's prevalent In these days.

 

[dublinirish]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[AllTimeIrish]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hahahaha!

 

[IrishinSyria]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This really helps crystallize why I hate this decision so much.

The sports stories that become legend are the ones that involve teams overcoming adversity despite the odds, that involve the scrappy underdog standing up and punching the invulnerable Titan in the nose. The lessons that come from that are why we play sports to begin with.

The committee’s decision-explicitly based on the injury-says fuck you to all of that. It says we’re not interested in seeing what the underdog can do because we think it will probably lose. Why? Vibes, mostly. Not the ACC’s record against the SEC this season. Not FSU’s record against SEC teams this season. Not anything Alabama did out of conference this season. No, FSU overcame adversity after their stud qb went down and isn’t that boring. Let’s just assume the semi-professional team is better and give them their slot, even though they didn’t do everything they could to win this season.

 

[ndfanatic78]

I do agree that college football is more popular than ever and the sport is not being hurt by NIL or the portal. It may even be increasing the popularity despite the grumbling that goes on by die hard college football fans.

However, TV ratings are being counted differently in 2023 than previous years, so it hard to just say that viewership is up.

Changes Coming to TV Audience Measurement | www.dunhamandcompany.com

www.dunhamandcompany.com

Well attendance is down across all teams. So maybe viewership is up but I am watching a lot less and so is the majority of people I know. Dont even ask about the kids, teenagers, and 20 somethings they dont even know what football is about. So color me shocked that television ratings would be up.

 

[NDWarrior]

 

[NDWarrior]

Not sure where to put this but I think some of you mentioned this SI scandal and I think it was in this channel: Execs fired after AI scandal at SI