Superconferences & Realignment

[stlnd01]

It seems odd to be using Wisconsin as an example - a two loss conf champion that was ranked near #10?

That's my point. Last year, a four-team, conference champs-only playoff would have included Wisconsin but not Alabama. In 2010, a two-loss, 8th-ranked Oklahoma team would have been in, because they won the Big 12.
The conference champs thing looks clean on paper, but personally I'd rather watch the best teams.

As for the future of conferences, the Big East and ACC both started as basketball conferences and it would seem that's where they're heading once again. Maybe that's OK.

 

[woomba]

But it would have included Ok State and Oregon - #3 and #5 on the BCS rankings.

I think it would work out fine - sure, some worthy teams will be sent home but the match ups would be more interesting.

Besides, I think its more likely that a hybrid solution will be adapted which will allow for at least one at-large bid...so Alabama would've still had a shot there. I was in strong favor of the top 3 conference champions + 1 at-large bid system, but given the recent bowl movements I think a plus one system where you take the top 2 ranked teams after the bowls is as equally likely (top 2 ranked after Rose, Champion, Orange(ACC vs at-Large?))

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

It should be conference champions if top 6. If there are conference champions ranked #1, #2, #4, and #6, they should get in. If they are ranked #1, #2, #4, and #7, then the #3 team should get in. People don't want to see rematches, and playing conference champions make it almost a certainty that it won't be a rematch.

 

[Wolverine1997]

Doesn't work that way. How many of those the did ACC win before the B1G broke through?

ACC dominated the challenge, 10 straight. But their last win was back in 2008.

 

[beryirish]

Miami Committed To ACC - ESPN Video - ESPN

 

[RubberSoul]

ACC dominated the challenge, 10 straight. But their last win was back in 2008.

Indiana was down those years. They're back and are going to be a top 10 staple again going forward.

The Big 10 will win it again next year easily.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Indiana was down those years. They're back and are going to be a top 10 staple again going forward.

The Big 10 will win it again next year easily.

Not if Mike Brey takes their talent.

 

[beryirish]

ESPN Insider

College Football Rumors - Rumor Central - NCAA - ESPN

BigXII is a better possibility

"I hear Notre Dame won't join the Big Ten, partly because that conference would not allow the Irish to play traditional rivals USC, Stanford and Navy and would force them to play all nonconference games in September..."

ND said they would agree to play Texas and Oklahoma six out of the next eight years.

 

[phork]

ESPN Insider

College Football Rumors - Rumor Central - NCAA - ESPN

BigXII is a better possibility



ND said they would agree to play Texas and Oklahoma six out of the next eight years.

I find it hard to believe that they won't allow them to play USC and Stanford, considering the BIG and Pac12 have a home & home series agreement... Seems like it could be real easy to do.

 

[stlnd01]

I find it hard to believe that they won't allow them to play USC and Stanford, considering the BIG and Pac12 have a home & home series agreement... Seems like it could be real easy to do.

Playing both USC and Stanford might be tough regardless of what conference we'd wind up in (so we'd drop Stanford, which would be unfortunate). And the Big Ten's all-nonconference-games in September thing seems to be for real. When was the last time a Big Ten team went nonconference late in the season?
That said, the Big Ten season has traditionally wrapped up before the weekend before Thanksgiving, right? If we wanted to go out west for the holiday, what would be the harm?

 

[phork]

Playing both USC and Stanford might be tough regardless of what conference we'd wind up in (so we'd drop Stanford, which would be unfortunate). And the Big Ten's all-nonconference-games in September thing seems to be for real. When was the last time a Big Ten team went nonconference late in the season?
That said, the Big Ten season has traditionally wrapped up before the weekend before Thanksgiving, right? If we wanted to go out west for the holiday, what would be the harm?

Right before our theoretical BIG Championship game? No thanks.

 

[woomba]

Playing both USC and Stanford might be tough regardless of what conference we'd wind up in (so we'd drop Stanford, which would be unfortunate). And the Big Ten's all-nonconference-games in September thing seems to be for real. When was the last time a Big Ten team went nonconference late in the season?
That said, the Big Ten season has traditionally wrapped up before the weekend before Thanksgiving, right? If we wanted to go out west for the holiday, what would be the harm?

You mean ND playing a one week delayed schedule to accomodate an additional game before bowl season? I think Penn State was looking into this when they first joined to accomodate one of their traditional rivals but had it abandon it due to it violating one of the rules (not sure if its NCAA or Big Ten) that mandates that all conference teams start their season the same week.

 

[rock_knutne]

Not if Mike Brey takes their talent.

 

[rock_knutne]

No question it does. The only way BC, NC & Duke leave though, is if the ACC gets raided down to a pulp by the Big 12 & SEC. Then I think they would want to come to the B1G and the B1G would be giddy.

The B1G has beat the ACC in the challenge the past three years, so I'll let that speak for itself

With all due respect, when it matters most........around tournament time, the ACC has proven time and again that they will be there. O$U was overrated IMO and beat a Duke team in that challenege that had just returned from Maui and headed directly to Columbus to play a team who NEVER travels in the opening weeks of play.

JMHO.................

 

[rock_knutne]

Was watching CFB Live this morning and the proposed 4 team playoff is getting some mixed feeling as to how and who will participate. The Big10, Big12 and PAC12 want all conference champions, while the SEC wants the top 4 ranked teams to play it off. I must say, for all the grief they get, the SEC seems to be the only conference who's looking at this in a rational way, also, it would benefit ND.

 

[beryirish]

I agree with the SEC on this one....any of the conference champions could have won their conference but have a horrible record....horrible to the point they shouldn't be considered for the NC so why should they be in the 4-team playoff for it...?

Top 4 teams in the country period....even if they are from the same conference....near impossible but just stating my point.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I agree with the SEC on this one....any of the conference champions could have won their conference but have a horrible record....horrible to the point they shouldn't be considered for the NC so why should they be in the 4-team playoff for it...?

Top 4 teams in the country period....even if they are from the same conference....near impossible but just stating my point.

But that begs the question, how do you determine the top four teams?

 

[Rack Em]

All along I've wanted an arrangement like this:

6 team playoff
#4 v. #5 - Sugar Bowl
#3 v. #6 - Fiesta Bowl

#1 v. (winner of #4 v #5) - Rose Bowl
#2 v. (winner of #3 v. #6) - Orange Bowl

Winner of previous games play in the National Championship

-Conference Champs of BigXII, B1G, Pac12, ACC, SEC, and Big East get the 6 spots
-If the conference champ doesn't finish in the top 12, then the spot is forfeited to the highest ranked team without an invite to the playoff
-If these 6 conferences hold up as is without major realignment, Notre Dame can take the Big East's spot if the Big East conference champ isn't in the top 12
-Notre Dame automatically qualifies for the playoff if they finish in the top 8 and another conference forfeits their spot

 

[Rack Em]

But that begs the question, how do you determine the top four teams?

BCS

 

[Whiskeyjack]

@DanWolken:

Someone please ask Mike Slive what this stupid empty talking point of "four best teams" means. SEC propaganda going unchallenged.

The word "best" is loaded from the jump. A 1-4 computer ranking is just that - a ranking. May not reflect "best" teams.

 

[rock_knutne]

^^^^FWIW, I don't see it that way at all. Playing all conference champions is a crock IMO. I feel that a true champion isn't crowned in any of the conferences except for the Big 12 this year who will play a true round robin and the Big East doesn't count. How can you be a true conference champ when you don't play every single team with in that conference? Just because you win a conference title game doesn't mean you're the best team in that conference.

It's got to go top 4 in some type of ranking system, be it BCS or not.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

It's got to go top 4 in some type of ranking system, be it BCS or not.

The current ranking system-- heavily influenced by self-interested and poorly informed pollsters-- is terrible. A conference champion model obviously has its own problems, but it's (1) simple; and (2) 100% objective. That's a huge selling point, imo.

If the CFB power brokers can come up with a fair and largely objective ranking system, then I'd be all for it. But if it's conference champs v. BCS ranking, I'll take conference champs in a heartbeat.

 

[phork]

The current ranking system-- heavily influenced by self-interested and poorly informed pollsters-- is terrible. A conference champion model obviously has its own problems, but it's (1) simple; and (2) 100% objective. That's a huge selling point, imo.

If the CFB power brokers can come up with a fair and largely objective ranking system, then I'd be all for it. But if it's conference champs v. BCS ranking, I'll take conference champs in a heartbeat.

Easy fix for that is expand it to 8 teams, 4 BCS conf champs and 4 at large berths. Play the first round the week after conference championship week, which brings it down to 4. Play the next round on New Years Day, play the final a week later.

I should be the BCS commish.

 

[beryirish]

Easy fix for that is expand it to 8 teams, 4 BCS conf champs and 4 at large berths. Play the first round the week after conference championship week, which brings it down to 4. Play the next round on New Years Day, play the final a week later.

I should be the BCS commish.

This is how I picture you being the commish...

 

[pumpdog20]

The rankings can also put too much emphasis on preseason rankings and late losses.

 

[rock_knutne]

The current ranking system-- heavily influenced by self-interested and poorly informed pollsters-- is terrible. A conference champion model obviously has its own problems, but it's (1) simple; and (2) 100% objective. That's a huge selling point, imo.

If the CFB power brokers can come up with a fair and largely objective ranking system, then I'd be all for it. But if it's conference champs v. BCS ranking, I'll take conference champs in a heartbeat.

We can agree to disagree. Four conference champs would be a disaster because in the current set up, you can not 100% indentify a true conference winner, especially if that winner comes from the weaker division of said conference and pulls an upset in it's championship game (which has happened).

I will agree with you on a fair and objective ranking system but human polls can't be the 100% deciding factor on who gets in.

 

[Irishnuke]

All along I've wanted an arrangement like this:

6 team playoff
#4 v. #5 - Sugar Bowl
#3 v. #6 - Fiesta Bowl

#1 v. (winner of #4 v #5) - Rose Bowl
#2 v. (winner of #3 v. #6) - Orange Bowl

Winner of previous games play in the National Championship

-Conference Champs of BigXII, B1G, Pac12, ACC, SEC, and Big East get the 6 spots
-If the conference champ doesn't finish in the top 12, then the spot is forfeited to the highest ranked team without an invite to the playoff
-If these 6 conferences hold up as is without major realignment, Notre Dame can take the Big East's spot if the Big East conference champ isn't in the top 12
-Notre Dame automatically qualifies for the playoff if they finish in the top 8 and another conference forfeits their spot

So if Notre Dame finishes #2 and the six conference champs are all in the top 12, ND is out of the playoff. So...this isn't going to work.

 

[rock_knutne]

Easy fix for that is expand it to 8 teams, 4 BCS conf champs and 4 at large berths. Play the first round the week after conference championship week, which brings it down to 4. Play the next round on New Years Day, play the final a week later.

I should be the BCS commish.

Better yet.......as I suggested before, copy the NFL model and go with 12 teams complete with home field advantage and byes. Every regular season game, especially at year's end is huge.

 

[Irishnuke]

The current ranking system-- heavily influenced by self-interested and poorly informed pollsters-- is terrible. A conference champion model obviously has its own problems, but it's (1) simple; and (2) 100% objective. That's a huge selling point, imo.

If the CFB power brokers can come up with a fair and largely objective ranking system, then I'd be all for it. But if it's conference champs v. BCS ranking, I'll take conference champs in a heartbeat.

This doesn't work with the current system and would really only work if there were 4 super conferences. Even then it'd be hard to determine a true champion being that each team would only play about 8 other teams out of 16.

If this system were in place last season with the current conference configuration, Michigan, West Virginia, and Clemson would have made a playoff and the NC Bama, and #4 Stanford would have been out.

I get your point about the pollsters and agree a better system for ranking should be in place. Only logical solution I see now is take the top 8 or 4 based off of ranking and put them in a playoff. It's better than what we have in place now.

edit: Wisky was in the Rose Bowl, not UM. Swap those two and my point still stands.

 

[rock_knutne]

How I would do it:

Teams 1 thru 4 get a bye and a home game.

Set up the bracket according to seeds.

Round One:
Teams 5 thru 8 get a home game: 5 plays 12, 6 plays 11, 7 plays 10 and 8 plays nine.

Round Two:
1 thru 4 play the winners of round one where ever they fall in the bracket.

Round Three:
Semi-finals played at a neutral site.

Round Four:
Championship Game

That's four extra games that wouls gross more money than the bowls could ever dream of making.