Things have changed. Fun day in college football! My projected top 10:
Clemson
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Baylor
Iowa
Oklahoma State
LSU
Stanford
Utah
Nice top ten. I'll try this:
Clemson
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Baylor
Oklahoma State
Stanford
LSU
Iowa
Utah/Florida
Six through nine could be coins flips but I'll go this way as it seems the committee is valuing who they have beat rather then then just wins over lesser opponents
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
MSU still has OSU, Northwestern and Penn State on the schedule
MSU looses one more game... does not really matter to who for the moment.
OSU still has a game in Champaign, MSU followed by Michigan
Iowa looks be in control in the West...
UM has Indiana, Penn State and OSU...
What if UM runs the table and beats Iowa? Does a two loss UM team make the playoffs? Does the Big Ten get shut out of the playoffs? Be careful what you wish for...
This could happen.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
MSU still has OSU, Northwestern and Penn State on the schedule
MSU looses one more game... does not really matter to who for the moment.
OSU still has a game in Champaign, MSU followed by Michigan
Iowa looks be in control in the West...
UM has Indiana, Penn State and OSU...
What if UM runs the table and beats Iowa? Does a two loss UM team make the playoffs? Does the Big Ten get shut out of the playoffs? Be careful what you wish for...
This could happen.
MSU doesn't have Northwestern they have Maryland instead. But good point regardless. I think Iowa may have problems with Nebraska but yes in theory they have three lay ups left.
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Originally posted by: coinkat For the Big Ten followers:
MSU still has OSU, Northwestern and Penn State on the schedule
MSU looses one more game... does not really matter to who for the moment.
OSU still has a game in Champaign, MSU followed by Michigan
Iowa looks be in control in the West...
UM has Indiana, Penn State and OSU...
What if UM runs the table and beats Iowa? Does a two loss UM team make the playoffs? Does the Big Ten get shut out of the playoffs? Be careful what you wish for...
This could happen.
yes in theory they have three lay ups left.
As does Alabama.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Yah, Alabama plays at the number 20 team in the county next week. Only helps their strength of schedule.
Iowa finishes against teams 4-5, 2-7 and 4-6. Yes, it's the same. Wow.
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Do we wear ourselves out arguing about a dozen Teams that can claim, for one reason or another, that they should be in the Playoff?? I just did a little figuring and a 16 Team Playoff would really make sense and be "doable" if the NCAA leadership just had some sack and told the schools how it was going to be. If each of the FBS Conferences had a champion along with 5 at large Teams everyone would have nothing much to complain about. Adjust schedules so the Championship games are Thanksgiving weekend and then start the Playoff round that would crown a National Champ in early January the same as we do now.
In reality there would still be plenty to debate as Teams that lose out at the Conference level scramble to win the popularity contest of an "at large" ticket. From my perspective it would erase a really negative way that things always seem to end for many really good one-loss Teams.
As for the Top Four this Tuesday and the next six hopefuls:
Do we wear ourselves out arguing about a dozen Teams that can claim, for one reason or another, that they should be in the Playoff?? I just did a little figuring and a 16 Team Playoff would really make sense and be "doable" if the NCAA leadership just had some sack and told the schools how it was going to be. If each of the FBS Conferences had a champion along with 5 at large Teams everyone would have nothing much to complain about. Adjust schedules so the Championship games are Thanksgiving weekend and then start the Playoff round that would crown a National Champ in early January the same as we do now.
In reality there would still be plenty to debate as Teams that lose out at the Conference level scramble to win the popularity contest of an "at large" ticket. From my perspective it would erase a really negative way that things always seem to end for many really good one-loss Teams.
As for the Top Four this Tuesday and the next six hopefuls:
Clemson
Alabama
Baylor
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Stanford
LSU
Iowa
Oklahoma State
Florida
I would love it. Maybe shorten the regular season to 11 teams to allow for it easier. Your top ten looks good too.
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Yah, Alabama plays at the number 20 team in the county next week. Only helps their strength of schedule.
Iowa finishes against teams 4-5, 2-7 and 4-6. Yes, it's the same. Wow.
mark
Alabama plays...get this...Charleston Southern. Oh boy
At 8-1 albeit against lesser competition they could probably hang with Purdue who Iowa plays that week. But just in case you didn't notice Alabama plays number 20 on the road first and end with The Iron Bowl at Auburn. I will explain this to you out of courtesy. Having been to an Iron Bowl and countless Michigan-OSU games the rivalry is exactly the same. Throw the records out the window. Free lesson my friend. You can thank me later
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
...and end with The Iron Bowl at Auburn. I will explain this to you out of courtesy. Having been to an Iron Bowl and countless Michigan-OSU games the rivalry is exactly the same. Throw the records out the window. Free lesson my friend. You can thank me later
mark
Having grown up in LA going to UCLA v. USC every year the truth in your statement is so accurate out here too... just like for all the rivalry games. The rest of the season doesn't matter if you can pull the guys together and win that one. In fact, the "underdog" really comes in with an advantage in those games. Their season can suck but they know if they win that one the season ends on a positive note and they get local bragging rights. Alabama will not have it easy with Auburn. Fun stuff!
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
So let's see who comes closest to picking the final 4, not the 4 tomorrow but the 4 teams that make the "playoffs".
In no particular order, mine are: Alabama Clemson Notre Dame Oklahoma
I've got Iowa getting close but losing in the Big 10 Conference Champ game against the Wolverines, and the two loss Pac champ Stanford Cardinal getting left out as well. Oklahoma doing a meteoric rise up through the standings as they get way too much credit for dumping Baylor, TCU, and Okie State.
What say you? (Not about mine, but who is your projected playoff 4)
Yah, Alabama plays at the number 20 team in the county next week. Only helps their strength of schedule.
Iowa finishes against teams 4-5, 2-7 and 4-6. Yes, it's the same. Wow.
mark
Alabama plays...get this...Charleston Southern. Oh boy
At 8-1 albeit against lesser competition they could probably hang with Purdue who Iowa plays that week. But just in case you didn't notice Alabama plays number 20 on the road first and end with The Iron Bowl at Auburn. I will explain this to you out of courtesy. Having been to an Iron Bowl and countless Michigan-OSU games the rivalry is exactly the same. Throw the records out the window. Free lesson my friend. You can thank me later
mark
FPI says Alabama has a 99% chance to beat Charleston so I would say yes its lesser competition. Miss state is just another overranked sec team like texas a@m and ole miss. Auburn almost lost to Jacksonville state.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Originally posted by: thenavarro So let's see who comes closest to picking the final 4, not the 4 tomorrow but the 4 teams that make the "playoffs".
In no particular order, mine are: Alabama Clemson Notre Dame Oklahoma
I've got Iowa getting close but losing in the Big 10 Conference Champ game against the Wolverines, and the two loss Pac champ Stanford Cardinal getting left out as well. Oklahoma doing a meteoric rise up through the standings as they get way too much credit for dumping Baylor, TCU, and Okie State.
What say you? (Not about mine, but who is your projected playoff 4)
My projected 4:
Ohio State Alabama Stanford North Carolina
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
My projected Top 4: Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa and Michigan
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Originally posted by: keets My projected Top 4: Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa and Michigan
WOW, the Funny emoticon doesn't even do this one justice........................it's classic!!!
my final four in no specific order.................... Clemson Notre Dame Ohio State Stanford
Since Notre Dame and Stanford are playing each other the last game of the season, there is almost 0 chance both of these teams get in the playoffs. And I'm surprised so many people here think ND is going to beat Stanford when Stanford will probably be favored at home.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Iowa-Minnesota play for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy- this is a huge game for both schools with Minnesota holding a reasonable lead in the series. There have been national ramifications in this series with the 1960 game being quite significant.
Illinois and Ohio State play for the Illnibuck trophy which is the second oldest trophy game in the conference next to the Little Brown Jug. While Ohio State is a 16 point favorite, this series has hand some great games- I still remember the 1968 game. OSU built up a 24-0 halftime lead only to see Illinois respond with three TDs followed by 2 point conversions after each score to tie the game at 24. OSU went on to win 31-24 and won the National championship. This was an Illinois team that was destroyed earlier in the season by Notre Dame, Missouri and Kansas.
My point is simple- anything can happen in either of these games. And those outside the Big Ten need to appreciate what is at stake. This is not about style points and all the modern play-off crap. These traditions are too important to be reduced to the new order of the NCAA.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Baylor and Alabama have top 20 matches ups this week so there will be changes next week.
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Alabama ahead of Ohio State lol. I guess the committee forgot about Zeke's 230 yard performance in the sugar bowl when Alabama was #1.
And don't give me the last years results don't mean anything bullcrap. Its clearly a double standard putting them ahead of all the undefeated teams. They didn't put Ohio State in the top 4 last year after they beat Michigan state. This committee is a farce.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
--- I will confess ignorance in not knowing that Stanford and ND play each other at season's end: will you guys allow me to edit my final four picks??
--- it appears that the "committee" has a similar view when it comes to both Baylor and Ohio State. Baylor seemed to have the undeniable top Offense and slowed when they lost one player --- OSU is clearly a different team with JTB playing and he'll almost certainly run things for the rest of their games. both Teams should probably be higher than are.
--- although I expected Alabama to be ahead of Ohio State it defies logic, placing a one-loss Team ahead of the defending National Champion(and other undefeated's) in the throes of a 22 game winning streak.
Just like all pro sports, I think a season of College Football is really about the peak, when a Team seems to hit its stride and plays to the top of its ability. an example of a Team that peaked early this year is Michigan while OSU peaked at just the right time last year. it allowed them to beat Oregon who played at a peak level for the entire season, right?? I wonder if Baylor might have had a small letdown last "weak" and now will rise back and play at the level they had been at? this Saturday should answer my questions, I just wish I didn't have to work and had 6-7 TV's so I could watch multiple games.
I had made a general comment a few pages earlier in response to Mark's Strength of Schedule post and this is exactly the type of thing I was alluding to. Though we didn't realize it at the time, LSU is apparently weaker than suspected and Alabama benefitted from that with a win over them. I suspect that the SEC bias will prevail and Alabama will either stand pat or move up. Already that bias is showing in the media: Alabama's 31-6 "shellacking" vs. Ohio State with a 28-3 win that "held serve" for them. It is observational comedy.
What became clearer this weekend isn't who's in but who's out. With the losses that took place it now appears to be a six horse race:
Clemson
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Iowa
Oklahoma State
Unless I missed something, only five of the six can make it through the Conference Championship round undefeated with either Ohio State or Iowa coming out of that game and being a Top Four Team. Next week will be good, maybe two Teams fall and clear it up some. It is entirely likely that OSU could lose in the next two weeks and then eliminate Iowa in the Championship game.
Another interesting scenario would be North Carolina beating Clemson in the ACC Championship game... Then what??
Iowa gets Floyd back, the Illinibuck trophy stays in Columbus and UM survives an amazing game with Indiana.
November and early December should be entertaining... I have this feeling that at the end of this season more questions will remain unanswered-
Wouldn't it be great to see North Carolina and UM play in the Title game? (FTR, I am not predicting it, but it seems within the realm of what is possible...)
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Well, should NC beat Clemson (and that is a tall order...) with Clemson standing in the top spot... why not? The NC loss was the first game of the season and they have played well most, if not all, of their games since...
We don't really have to worry about this scenario until it happens. But based on numbers and what seems to be considered for this playoff system, it seem difficult to deny NC a spot in the play-offs as ACC Champs. It will be hard to deny a UM team with two losses an opportunity as well.
Be careful what you wish for...
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
My Top Eight and I think the committee will agree ; )
Clemson
Alabama
OSU
Notre Dame
Iowa
OSU
Oklahoma
Florida
Not sure how they will treat 9 and 10. Probably MSU at 9. Michigan or Baylor might be 10.
With Alabama's dominate win at Starksville I don't see any reason why Ohio State would jump them. While OSU is 10-0 they have the 101st ranked RPI strength of schedule ( Sagarin 67th) and no signature wins. Their best win is against Penn State at home. It will improve the next two weeks. Beat somebody first before and then maybe they can get out of the third spot.
Maybe just maybe Alabama jumps Clemson this week.
I can't see Iowa jumping ND either with a 40-35 home win against a very average Minnesota team. Matter of fact the Big Teams will have a hard time getting more then 7 teams to 6 wins to qualify for Bowls.
Nebraska has this week off to prepare for Iowa at home and they will need to win to get to a bowl. I'm liking Nebraska to upset Iowa.
Probable elimination games for next week MSU- against OSU. Baylor-Oklahoma State & TCU-Oklahoma set set also to be elimination games.
Mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Originally posted by: coinkat Well, should NC beat Clemson (and that is a tall order...) with Clemson standing in the top spot... why not? The NC loss was the first game of the season and they have played well most, if not all, of their games since...
We don't really have to worry about this scenario until it happens. But based on numbers and what seems to be considered for this playoff system, it seem difficult to deny NC a spot in the play-offs as ACC Champs. It will be hard to deny a UM team with two losses an opportunity as well.
Be careful what you wish for...
I can't imagine a two loss UM team getting into the playoffs. What, after their big overtime win against Indiana? Lol. Sure, it could happen but lots of other teams would have to lose. I would take two loss Utah before two loss UM.
UM has lost 2 games and they obviously need to run the table and beat Iowa in the Big Ten Championship for any consideration for a spot in the playoffs. So even if they beat OSU and Iowa, that's not good enough because they had a tough game with Indiana - as did Iowa and Ohio State? Sorry... I think the Utah argument fails to pass the strait face test. Yes Utah beat UM which as the first game of the season for both teams at Utah, but if this scenario plays out, UM will have beaten OSU and Iowa.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Originally posted by: coinkat UM has lost 2 games and they obviously need to run the table and beat Iowa in the Big Ten Championship for any consideration for a spot in the playoffs. So even if they beat OSU and Iowa, that's not good enough because they had a tough game with Indiana - as did Iowa and Ohio State? Sorry... I think the Utah argument fails to pass the strait face test. Yes Utah beat UM which as the first game of the season for both teams at Utah, but if this scenario plays out, UM will have beaten OSU and Iowa.
I hear ya but the straight up game should mean more I would think, no!?
As for your comment about the Big 10 being shut out. I don't think they will be shut out. However, the comment about last year being relevant I don't know. I would hope that last year is irrelevant. Why should it matter?
If it did come down to North Carolina with a win over Clemson, I don't see how the committee could put Notre dame over them considering Notre Dame lost to Clemson.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Not that is matters much anymore but the AP has the following top ten
Clemson
OSU
Alabama
OSU
Notre Dame
Iowa
Oklahoma
Florida
MSU
Baylor
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Originally posted by: coinkat I suppose last year has some relevance in that OSU was the National Champions and they still have not lost yet...
Keep in mind, all I have written are just possible scenarios... nothing more... nothing less.
I don't understand the last year relevance. In a sport where 25% of the players are new each year, on average, how could last year matter? OSU could be the champion again for sure but I don't see why they should get a boost in the standings for what they did last year. Looking at their schedule they have played nobody so far... THIS year. They have won all the games but played nobody. If they beat UM and MSU then I'll be impressed. Not yet for me. As stated above there's a ton more football to play though. Time will tell.
Last year is not supposed to matter. It does play into the AP and Coaches Poll tough as they have pre season polls so several teams start out at an advantage or disadvantage if you will.
The committee starts out fresh every single polling. At least that's what they state.
mark
Walker Proof Digital Album Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Comments
Big Ten has 6 ranked teams.
North Carolina finally gets some respect at #17.
Michigan State should still be undefeated.
Alabama losing to a unranked team should be left out of the top 6.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Things have changed. Fun day in college football! My projected top 10:
Clemson
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Baylor
Iowa
Oklahoma State
LSU
Stanford
Utah
Nice top ten. I'll try this:
Clemson
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Baylor
Oklahoma State
Stanford
LSU
Iowa
Utah/Florida
Six through nine could be coins flips but I'll go this way as it seems the committee is valuing who they have beat rather then then just wins over lesser opponents
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
MSU still has OSU, Northwestern and Penn State on the schedule
MSU looses one more game... does not really matter to who for the moment.
OSU still has a game in Champaign, MSU followed by Michigan
Iowa looks be in control in the West...
UM has Indiana, Penn State and OSU...
What if UM runs the table and beats Iowa? Does a two loss UM team make the playoffs? Does the Big Ten get shut out of the playoffs? Be careful what you wish for...
This could happen.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
For the Big Ten followers:
MSU still has OSU, Northwestern and Penn State on the schedule
MSU looses one more game... does not really matter to who for the moment.
OSU still has a game in Champaign, MSU followed by Michigan
Iowa looks be in control in the West...
UM has Indiana, Penn State and OSU...
What if UM runs the table and beats Iowa? Does a two loss UM team make the playoffs? Does the Big Ten get shut out of the playoffs? Be careful what you wish for...
This could happen.
MSU doesn't have Northwestern they have Maryland instead. But good point regardless. I think Iowa may have problems with Nebraska but yes in theory they have three lay ups left.
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
For the Big Ten followers:
MSU still has OSU, Northwestern and Penn State on the schedule
MSU looses one more game... does not really matter to who for the moment.
OSU still has a game in Champaign, MSU followed by Michigan
Iowa looks be in control in the West...
UM has Indiana, Penn State and OSU...
What if UM runs the table and beats Iowa? Does a two loss UM team make the playoffs? Does the Big Ten get shut out of the playoffs? Be careful what you wish for...
This could happen.
yes in theory they have three lay ups left.
As does Alabama.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Yah, Alabama plays at the number 20 team in the county next week. Only helps their strength of schedule.
Iowa finishes against teams 4-5, 2-7 and 4-6. Yes, it's the same. Wow.
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
In reality there would still be plenty to debate as Teams that lose out at the Conference level scramble to win the popularity contest of an "at large" ticket. From my perspective it would erase a really negative way that things always seem to end for many really good one-loss Teams.
As for the Top Four this Tuesday and the next six hopefuls:
Clemson
Alabama
Baylor
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Stanford
LSU
Iowa
Oklahoma State
Florida
Yah, Alabama plays at the number 20 team in the county next week. Only helps their strength of schedule.
Iowa finishes against teams 4-5, 2-7 and 4-6. Yes, it's the same. Wow.
mark
Alabama plays...get this...Charleston Southern. Oh boy
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Do we wear ourselves out arguing about a dozen Teams that can claim, for one reason or another, that they should be in the Playoff?? I just did a little figuring and a 16 Team Playoff would really make sense and be "doable" if the NCAA leadership just had some sack and told the schools how it was going to be. If each of the FBS Conferences had a champion along with 5 at large Teams everyone would have nothing much to complain about. Adjust schedules so the Championship games are Thanksgiving weekend and then start the Playoff round that would crown a National Champ in early January the same as we do now.
In reality there would still be plenty to debate as Teams that lose out at the Conference level scramble to win the popularity contest of an "at large" ticket. From my perspective it would erase a really negative way that things always seem to end for many really good one-loss Teams.
As for the Top Four this Tuesday and the next six hopefuls:
Clemson
Alabama
Baylor
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Stanford
LSU
Iowa
Oklahoma State
Florida
I would love it. Maybe shorten the regular season to 11 teams to allow for it easier. Your top ten looks good too.
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Yah, Alabama plays at the number 20 team in the county next week. Only helps their strength of schedule.
Iowa finishes against teams 4-5, 2-7 and 4-6. Yes, it's the same. Wow.
mark
Alabama plays...get this...Charleston Southern. Oh boy
At 8-1 albeit against lesser competition they could probably hang with Purdue who Iowa plays that week. But just in case you didn't notice Alabama plays number 20 on the road first and end with The Iron Bowl at Auburn. I will explain this to you out of courtesy. Having been to an Iron Bowl and countless Michigan-OSU games the rivalry is exactly the same. Throw the records out the window. Free lesson my friend. You can thank me later
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
mark
Having grown up in LA going to UCLA v. USC every year the truth in your statement is so accurate out here too... just like for all the rivalry games. The rest of the season doesn't matter if you can pull the guys together and win that one. In fact, the "underdog" really comes in with an advantage in those games. Their season can suck but they know if they win that one the season ends on a positive note and they get local bragging rights. Alabama will not have it easy with Auburn. Fun stuff!
Baylor vs Oklahoma ( elimination game )
Alabama vs Mississippi State
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
In no particular order, mine are:
Alabama
Clemson
Notre Dame
Oklahoma
I've got Iowa getting close but losing in the Big 10 Conference Champ game against the Wolverines, and the two loss Pac champ Stanford Cardinal getting left out as well. Oklahoma doing a meteoric rise up through the standings as they get way too much credit for dumping Baylor, TCU, and Okie State.
What say you? (Not about mine, but who is your projected playoff 4)
Yah, Alabama plays at the number 20 team in the county next week. Only helps their strength of schedule.
Iowa finishes against teams 4-5, 2-7 and 4-6. Yes, it's the same. Wow.
mark
Alabama plays...get this...Charleston Southern. Oh boy
At 8-1 albeit against lesser competition they could probably hang with Purdue who Iowa plays that week. But just in case you didn't notice Alabama plays number 20 on the road first and end with The Iron Bowl at Auburn. I will explain this to you out of courtesy. Having been to an Iron Bowl and countless Michigan-OSU games the rivalry is exactly the same. Throw the records out the window. Free lesson my friend. You can thank me later
mark
FPI says Alabama has a 99% chance to beat Charleston so I would say yes its lesser competition. Miss state is just another overranked sec team like texas a@m and ole miss. Auburn almost lost to Jacksonville state.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
So let's see who comes closest to picking the final 4, not the 4 tomorrow but the 4 teams that make the "playoffs".
In no particular order, mine are:
Alabama
Clemson
Notre Dame
Oklahoma
I've got Iowa getting close but losing in the Big 10 Conference Champ game against the Wolverines, and the two loss Pac champ Stanford Cardinal getting left out as well. Oklahoma doing a meteoric rise up through the standings as they get way too much credit for dumping Baylor, TCU, and Okie State.
What say you? (Not about mine, but who is your projected playoff 4)
My projected 4:
Ohio State
Alabama
Stanford
North Carolina
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
1) Alabama
2) Clemson
3) Ohio State
4) Notre Dame
My projected Top 4: Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa and Michigan
mark
Alabama
TCU
Michigan State
UCLA
That's not looking so good now with Alabama being the only likely. As of today I'll predict:
Alabama
Clemson
Michigan State (but I hope it's Iowa)
Notre Dame
LONG way to go....
WOW, the Funny emoticon doesn't even do this one justice........................it's classic!!!
my final four in no specific order....................
Clemson
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Stanford
My projected Top 4: Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa and Michigan
WOW, the Funny emoticon doesn't even do this one justice........................it's classic!!!
my final four in no specific order....................
Clemson
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Stanford
Since Notre Dame and Stanford are playing each other the last game of the season, there is almost 0 chance both of these teams get in the playoffs. And I'm surprised so many people here think ND is going to beat Stanford when Stanford will probably be favored at home.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
think any Big 12 team will be undefeated and they will not be in.
Clemson needs to win every game. They are currently #1 because of their win over ND
and ND's only loss being to Clemson 24-22 helps ND, currently at #5. They need each
other.
So, thinking way ahead, I have Big 10 winner, SEC winner, Clemson and ND/Stamford winner,
assuming ND and Stamford are undefeated when they meet.
I don't care about Nebraska or Michigan State, but I think that "pushed out" call was a bad call.
I am an ND fan, but beating ND would go a long way for Wake or BC.
Illinois and Ohio State play for the Illnibuck trophy which is the second oldest trophy game in the conference next to the Little Brown Jug. While Ohio State is a 16 point favorite, this series has hand some great games- I still remember the 1968 game. OSU built up a 24-0 halftime lead only to see Illinois respond with three TDs followed by 2 point conversions after each score to tie the game at 24. OSU went on to win 31-24 and won the National championship. This was an Illinois team that was destroyed earlier in the season by Notre Dame, Missouri and Kansas.
My point is simple- anything can happen in either of these games. And those outside the Big Ten need to appreciate what is at stake. This is not about style points and all the modern play-off crap. These traditions are too important to be reduced to the new order of the NCAA.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Clemson
Alabama
Ohio State
ND
Iowa
Baylor
Stanford
Ok State
LSU
Utah
Reaction!?
Baylor and Alabama have top 20 matches ups this week so there will be changes next week.
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
And don't give me the last years results don't mean anything bullcrap. Its clearly a double standard putting them ahead of all the undefeated teams. They didn't put Ohio State in the top 4 last year after they beat Michigan state. This committee is a farce.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
--- I will confess ignorance in not knowing that Stanford and ND play each other at season's end: will you guys allow me to edit my final four picks??
--- it appears that the "committee" has a similar view when it comes to both Baylor and Ohio State. Baylor seemed to have the undeniable top Offense and slowed when they lost one player --- OSU is clearly a different team with JTB playing and he'll almost certainly run things for the rest of their games. both Teams should probably be higher than are.
--- although I expected Alabama to be ahead of Ohio State it defies logic, placing a one-loss Team ahead of the defending National Champion(and other undefeated's) in the throes of a 22 game winning streak.
Just like all pro sports, I think a season of College Football is really about the peak, when a Team seems to hit its stride and plays to the top of its ability. an example of a Team that peaked early this year is Michigan while OSU peaked at just the right time last year. it allowed them to beat Oregon who played at a peak level for the entire season, right?? I wonder if Baylor might have had a small letdown last "weak" and now will rise back and play at the level they had been at? this Saturday should answer my questions, I just wish I didn't have to work and had 6-7 TV's so I could watch multiple games.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
1. Ohio State
2. Clemson
3. Iowa
4. Oklahoma State
5. Alabama
6. Michigan state
7. Houston
8. Oklahoma
9. Notre Dame
10. North Carolina
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
I had made a general comment a few pages earlier in response to Mark's Strength of Schedule post and this is exactly the type of thing I was alluding to. Though we didn't realize it at the time, LSU is apparently weaker than suspected and Alabama benefitted from that with a win over them. I suspect that the SEC bias will prevail and Alabama will either stand pat or move up. Already that bias is showing in the media: Alabama's 31-6 "shellacking" vs. Ohio State with a 28-3 win that "held serve" for them. It is observational comedy.
What became clearer this weekend isn't who's in but who's out. With the losses that took place it now appears to be a six horse race:
Clemson
Alabama
Ohio State
Notre Dame
Iowa
Oklahoma State
Unless I missed something, only five of the six can make it through the Conference Championship round undefeated with either Ohio State or Iowa coming out of that game and being a Top Four Team. Next week will be good, maybe two Teams fall and clear it up some. It is entirely likely that OSU could lose in the next two weeks and then eliminate Iowa in the Championship game.
What fun!!!
Iowa gets Floyd back, the Illinibuck trophy stays in Columbus and UM survives an amazing game with Indiana.
November and early December should be entertaining... I have this feeling that at the end of this season more questions will remain unanswered-
Wouldn't it be great to see North Carolina and UM play in the Title game? (FTR, I am not predicting it, but it seems within the realm of what is possible...)
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Alabama
Ohio State
Clemson
ND
Then:
Iowa
OK State
Then... geez I don't know... teams needing a lot of help:
Florida
Michigan State
TCU
Baylor
Looks like the Pac 12 champ is out of the playoffs and rightly so. A two loss Stanford team doesn't seem playoff worthy to me.
As stated above what if UNC beats Clemson in the ACC championship game? I don't think either of them get into the playoffs.
We don't really have to worry about this scenario until it happens. But based on numbers and what seems to be considered for this playoff system, it seem difficult to deny NC a spot in the play-offs as ACC Champs. It will be hard to deny a UM team with two losses an opportunity as well.
Be careful what you wish for...
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Clemson
Alabama
OSU
Notre Dame
Iowa
OSU
Oklahoma
Florida
Not sure how they will treat 9 and 10. Probably MSU at 9. Michigan or Baylor might be 10.
With Alabama's dominate win at Starksville I don't see any reason why Ohio State would jump them. While OSU is 10-0 they have the 101st ranked RPI strength of schedule ( Sagarin 67th) and no signature wins. Their best win is against Penn State at home. It will improve the next two weeks. Beat somebody first before and then maybe they can get out of the third spot.
Maybe just maybe Alabama jumps Clemson this week.
I can't see Iowa jumping ND either with a 40-35 home win against a very average Minnesota team. Matter of fact the Big Teams will have a hard time getting more then 7 teams to 6 wins to qualify for Bowls.
Nebraska has this week off to prepare for Iowa at home and they will need to win to get to a bowl. I'm liking Nebraska to upset Iowa.
Probable elimination games for next week MSU- against OSU. Baylor-Oklahoma State & TCU-Oklahoma set set also to be elimination games.
Mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Well, should NC beat Clemson (and that is a tall order...) with Clemson standing in the top spot... why not? The NC loss was the first game of the season and they have played well most, if not all, of their games since...
We don't really have to worry about this scenario until it happens. But based on numbers and what seems to be considered for this playoff system, it seem difficult to deny NC a spot in the play-offs as ACC Champs. It will be hard to deny a UM team with two losses an opportunity as well.
Be careful what you wish for...
I can't imagine a two loss UM team getting into the playoffs. What, after their big overtime win against Indiana? Lol. Sure, it could happen but lots of other teams would have to lose. I would take two loss Utah before two loss UM.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
UM has lost 2 games and they obviously need to run the table and beat Iowa in the Big Ten Championship for any consideration for a spot in the playoffs. So even if they beat OSU and Iowa, that's not good enough because they had a tough game with Indiana - as did Iowa and Ohio State? Sorry... I think the Utah argument fails to pass the strait face test. Yes Utah beat UM which as the first game of the season for both teams at Utah, but if this scenario plays out, UM will have beaten OSU and Iowa.
I hear ya but the straight up game should mean more I would think, no!?
As for your comment about the Big 10 being shut out. I don't think they will be shut out. However, the comment about last year being relevant I don't know. I would hope that last year is irrelevant. Why should it matter?
If it did come down to North Carolina with a win over Clemson, I don't see how the committee could put Notre dame over them considering Notre Dame lost to Clemson.
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
IT CAN'T BE A TRUE PLAYOFF UNLESS THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS ARE INCLUDED
Keep in mind, all I have written are just possible scenarios... nothing more... nothing less.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Clemson
OSU
Alabama
OSU
Notre Dame
Iowa
Oklahoma
Florida
MSU
Baylor
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
I suppose last year has some relevance in that OSU was the National Champions and they still have not lost yet...
Keep in mind, all I have written are just possible scenarios... nothing more... nothing less.
I don't understand the last year relevance. In a sport where 25% of the players are new each year, on average, how could last year matter? OSU could be the champion again for sure but I don't see why they should get a boost in the standings for what they did last year. Looking at their schedule they have played nobody so far... THIS year. They have won all the games but played nobody. If they beat UM and MSU then I'll be impressed. Not yet for me. As stated above there's a ton more football to play though. Time will tell.
The committee starts out fresh every single polling. At least that's what they state.
mark
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......