Pros and Cons with the new playoff system

[Schnauzer]

some thoughts regarding the new playoff structure...

First, the background:

1. 12 teams, 4 with first round byes and 8 (4 first round winners and 4 that had first round byes) that play in the quarter final round.
2. first round is played at the home stadium of the higher seed. Seeds 5-12 around December 20 or so.
3. The quarterfinal games are played in rotating traditional New Year's 6 bowls with one on New Years Eve and the other three on New Years Day.
4. The semifinals are played at the remining two rotating New Year's six sites, around January 8-9. So all six of the biggest bowls host one playoff game (four quarter finals and two semi finals)
5. The two remaining finalists meet in the national championship game, hosted at a bid site around January 20.

In general, I like it and I like the dates and prospective sites selected to host each round. I do think it will be better than the four team playoff, which was becoming more of an elite invitational event with the same teams every year than it was a "playoff."

But, there are a few things that are wonky...

1. No bowls for the first round losers. For example, say Indiana gets into the playoff and has to travel (and loses) an away game in the opposition's stadium. Their once-in-a-lifetime season could end on a frigid evening in front of a hostile crowd. No bowl swag packs. No battles of the bands on a field under palm trees or on a beach. No opportunity for throngs of fans gobbling up tickets and hotel rooms to party a holiday weekend away ready to cheer their favorite team on.

2. Because of #1, the non playoff bowls will further degenerate into "exhibitions" instead of exciting bowls played between big programs that normally don't see each other in the regular season. These "other" bowls were already in decline. Players sitting out. Coaches moving on to other jobs prior to gameday. Etc. You really have to wonder if the shine will come off of the long lineup of lesser bowls in an accelerated way.

3. Bank-breakers for fan bases going deep into the playoffs. This one is pretty self-explanatory but as a fan how would you like to fork over vacation, money, plane tickets, hotels, etc. for, let's say, the Rose bowl on Jan 1, then the Sugar Bowl on Jan 9, and then the championship on Jan 20. Will some of these big time games be played in front of half-full stadiums?

The bowl culture is so strong, it is easy to see why it has taken this long to come up with a 12 team tourney.

 

[Some guy]

Best thing about it is that an unbeaten school like army has a chance to win the whole thing

Second best thing about it is that Indiana type schools that lose one game aren’t eliminated automatically in favor of 1 loss helmet school. Now they’re both in.

Third best thing is that rather than everyone just assuming the SEC is the best and giving them the benefit of the doubt, now the SEC #2 has to earn a trip to the final 4 by winning two games.


The worst thing is that we might have a one loss Boise state left out for a 9-3 SEC number 5 (if unbeaten army wins the American)

The second worst thing is that the regular season is devalued by having 5 automatic bids and 7 at larges.
Would rather have the ratio be more automatics and fewer at larges. Even if that means multiple automatics for some leagues.

The third worst thing is that the committee just makes it up. Need an objective ranking, could do like ncaa hockey pairwise. Could do BCS, etc

 

[stocker08]

I didn't really think about #1, but that's a solid point. Don't see #2 as being a problem. Those are basically going to be like NYD game bowls. Still plenty of really good teams and really good matchups to be found outside of the top 12.

 

[Ope3]

CFB Championship seems to have been a barely relevant event following the NYD Bowls/Semis with regards to the overall sports landscape, especially with NFL Playoffs ramping up at the same time.

I don't know if having 3 games (Semis & Championship) now after NYD reverses that trend.

Semi 1 will be on Thursday, Jan 9. Semi 2 will be on Friday, Jan 10. I will be curious about the TV/Streaming viewership numbers.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

1. No bowls for the first round losers. For example, say Indiana gets into the playoff and has to travel (and loses) an away game in the opposition's stadium. Their once-in-a-lifetime season could end on a frigid evening in front of a hostile crowd. No bowl swag packs. No battles of the bands on a field under palm trees or on a beach. No opportunity for throngs of fans gobbling up tickets and hotel rooms to party a holiday weekend away ready to cheer their favorite team on.

I mean, wouldn't that first game "be" their bowl game if they lost? It's played after their regular season, it's played in a different location, etc. just like a bowl game would be. Sure, it's in the other team's stadium so the crowd won't be a 50/50 split, but that seems minor.

Also, has it been determined they won't get "swag packs" for the first round of the playoffs? Maybe, but I don't see why they can't get them for this first round game. Did teams get them for the semifinal games for the past 10 years?

Why can't the bands still battle it out? Maybe if the game is in a northern climate? But there's talk of playing inside in those cases, isn't there?

Can't the fans "gobble" up tickets and hotel rooms and party for the first round game? Wouldn't they still be "ready to cheer their favorite team on"?

You act as if the first round game will have nothing in common with previous years' games.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

CFB Championship seems to have been a barely relevant event following the NYD Bowls/Semis with regards to the overall sports landscape, especially with NFL Playoffs ramping up at the same time.

I don't know if having 3 games (Semis & Championship) now after NYD reverses that trend.

Semi 1 will be on Thursday, Jan 9. Semi 2 will be on Friday, Jan 10. I will be curious about the TV/Streaming viewership numbers.

Yeah, I think they made a mistake with the timing. After NYD, people whose teams aren't playing anymore will be focusing on the NFL and the college basketball season. They might have the TV on in the background though, since it's a weeknight after work and live TV always rules.

 

[Schnauzer]

I mean, wouldn't that first game "be" their bowl game if they lost? It's played after their regular season, it's played in a different location, etc. just like a bowl game would be. Sure, it's in the other team's stadium so the crowd won't be a 50/50 split, but that seems minor.


You act as if the first round game will have nothing in common with previous years' games.

Well then, if an away game at an opponent's stadium can be their "bowl game", we could say that about any away game. We should have reminded Maryland their recent trip to Minneapolis was their bowl game this year.

I'm simply saying the first round losers will oddly miss out on the typical bowl experience where the fan base collects, travels, and everyone enjoys the build up and participation in a bowl in a warm place. It could still be in a warm place but even though it is a playoff game, it is an away game in a hostile environment without a large traveling fan base.

It should go without saying that with the new system it is FAR more desirable to make the playoff in any form and in any seed with any result compared to getting the call for any bowl. I'm not suggesting a decent bowl game is better than making the playoff of course.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Well then, if an away game at an opponent's stadium can be their "bowl game", we could say that about any away game.

You ignored how I also stated that it's played after their regular season, so your Maryland analogy isn't accurate.

See, other teams (Nebraska) play road games but not bowl games.

I'm simply saying the first round losers will oddly miss out on the typical bowl experience where the fan base collects, travels, and everyone enjoys the build up and participation in a bowl in a warm place. It could still be in a warm place but even though it is a playoff game, it is an away game in a hostile environment without a large traveling fan base.

I'm simply saying they are still going to do that. I assume by "fan base collects" you mean get together to travel, right? Are you implying that fans won't? I'd think they would. People travel to see away games all the time, making the playoff should get more people excited to travel to that game, not less.

It should go without saying that with the new system it is FAR more desirable to make the playoff in any form and in any seed with any result compared to getting the call for any bowl. I'm not suggesting a decent bowl game is better than making the playoff of course.

Yeah, I agree.

I'm not trying to piss on your cereal, I like new posts and things to get people talking. I just think the first round losing team's fans won't notice that much of a difference. Heck, being in a playoff game that people are actually watching might outshine the fact that they are in the hostile road environment.

Agree to disagree.

 

[MaxyJR1]

I mean, wouldn't that first game "be" their bowl game if they lost? It's played after their regular season, it's played in a different location, etc. just like a bowl game would be. Sure, it's in the other team's stadium so the crowd won't be a 50/50 split, but that seems minor.

Also, has it been determined they won't get "swag packs" for the first round of the playoffs? Maybe, but I don't see why they can't get them for this first round game. Did teams get them for the semifinal games for the past 10 years?

Why can't the bands still battle it out? Maybe if the game is in a northern climate? But there's talk of playing inside in those cases, isn't there?

Can't the fans "gobble" up tickets and hotel rooms and party for the first round game? Wouldn't they still be "ready to cheer their favorite team on"?

You act as if the first round game will have nothing in common with previous years' games.

It will be a decision if $$ is a thing. Do I fork out the $$ to travel to the first-round game or hope they win and go to the quarterfinal?

Wonder what the visiting team ticket allotment will be for these first round of games.

 

[highwayman]

I mean, wouldn't that first game "be" their bowl game if they lost? It's played after their regular season, it's played in a different location, etc. just like a bowl game would be. Sure, it's in the other team's stadium so the crowd won't be a 50/50 split, but that seems minor.

Also, has it been determined they won't get "swag packs" for the first round of the playoffs? Maybe, but I don't see why they can't get them for this first round game. Did teams get them for the semifinal games for the past 10 years?

Why can't the bands still battle it out? Maybe if the game is in a northern climate? But there's talk of playing inside in those cases, isn't there?

Can't the fans "gobble" up tickets and hotel rooms and party for the first round game? Wouldn't they still be "ready to cheer their favorite team on"?

You act as if the first round game will have nothing in common with previous years' games.

I agree with you. I'd travel home or away on that (from Phx). That would be my bowl game. Be great to have it in Mpls.

 

[corcorangopher]

I enjoyed the charm of bowl games and would gladly take an old Rose Bowl experience over any playoff. BCS fed the destruction of Bowl games, this broader playoff may advance that. I think co-National champions are cool and even provides endless sports talk show fodder to engage over for decades. With the 12 team playoff - that means 11 great teams end the year with the bad taste of a loss. But yeah, in all things, money wins.

 

[maroonfive]

It would be quite nauseating for instance that Iowa or Wisconsin would change their game to US Bank stadium if the world was ending and they made the playoff. I am not sure this would even be possible. Iowa State and their fans however would be more than welcome.

 

[Some guy]

I enjoyed the charm of bowl games and would gladly take an old Rose Bowl experience over any playoff. BCS fed the destruction of Bowl games, this broader playoff may advance that. I think co-National champions are cool and even provides endless sports talk show fodder to engage over for decades. With the 12 team playoff - that means 11 great teams end the year with the bad taste of a loss. But yeah, in all things, money wins.

Co conference champs even cooler

 

[HitMeAgainIAmStillMoving]

The third worst thing is that the committee just makes it up. Need an objective ranking, could do like ncaa hockey pairwise. Could do BCS, etc

That is true. I am all for playoffs and making money and paying players their fair share, but BS ranking behind the scenes smokey room stuff is happening.

 

[btowngopher]

There is nothing good about it. 1 vs 2 or just voting is the best model. Not only is it not good, but it ruins so much of what was good with college football.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Do I fork out the $$ to travel to the first-round game or hope they win and go to the quarterfinal?

Such troubles in life. If that's the reason people miss out on the experience, I'm not losing too much sleep over it.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

It would be quite nauseating for instance that Iowa or Wisconsin would change their game to US Bank stadium if the world was ending and they made the playoff. I am not sure this would even be possible. Iowa State and their fans however would be more than welcome.

If I were either of those schools, there is no way I would accept hosting the playoff game in a completely different state. Sure, some fans will make the trip, but not as many as if it was in your own backyard, so the crowd will be more like 50/50, which isn't fair since it'll never be played in a neutral state down south.

As much as I dislike those schools, watching a southern team play in their stadium in December would be enjoyable.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

I'm fine with the playoff. I think/suspect that it will eventually be increased to 16 teams with no byes - because the TV networks will be willing to pay for the rights.

but for this year - I think it depends on who makes it. for a traditional power, playing in a 5 vs 12 playoff game may not seem special. But for the #12 seed - especially if that is the G5 representative - that is going to be a huge deal and I would expect the fans of that team to show up in force.

looking long-term - I could see some of the lesser 'regular' bowl games going away because of lack of interest - and lack of sponsors willing to bankroll a game that doesn't matter. the non-playoff bowls that survive will be in warm-weather cities that attract fans. unless Joe Fan is an absolute die-hard, does he really want to travel to watch two 6-6 teams play in Detroit, or would he rather just stay at home and watch the playoffs on the big-screen TV?

 

[upnorthkid]

I'm fine with the playoff. I think/suspect that it will eventually be increased to 16 teams with no byes - because the TV networks will be willing to pay for the rights.

but for this year - I think it depends on who makes it. for a traditional power, playing in a 5 vs 12 playoff game may not seem special. But for the #12 seed - especially if that is the G5 representative - that is going to be a huge deal and I would expect the fans of that team to show up in force.

looking long-term - I could see some of the lesser 'regular' bowl games going away because of lack of interest - and lack of sponsors willing to bankroll a game that doesn't matter. the non-playoff bowls that survive will be in warm-weather cities that attract fans. unless Joe Fan is an absolute die-hard, does he really want to travel to watch two 6-6 teams play in Detroit, or would he rather just stay at home and watch the playoffs on the big-screen TV?

agreed entirely on the current lower tier bowl system. none of this is about in person attendance. It's all about putting something on TV in a relative dead sports time for viewership dollars.

 

[Ope3]

I'm fine with the playoff. I think/suspect that it will eventually be increased to 16 teams with no byes - because the TV networks will be willing to pay for the rights.

I'm not sure 16 teams is all that attractive to TV/Networks, there are are only so many windows to have stand alone games and not go head-to-head with the NFL.

As it is, they will have 1 game on Friday, 12/20 and then 3 on Saturday, 12/21. More games would force overlap or less optimal TV windows and possibly during NFL windows.

I also think they want to ensure the Top 4 teams are playing in the Quarters over NYD.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I like it. If it were me, I'd have made the quarterfinals at the higher seed home stadium as well. Then allow the 8 teams that don't make it to the semifinal play in a bowl game. I know timing and logistics would be tough for this though.

Or at a minimum, how it currently is, have the 4 teams that lose the first round go to 2 designated bowl games.

 

[FireDaveLee]

Pros:

• Inclusive: All teams have a path to the playoff, whether it be a G5 or a power conference team that may not win their conference that doesn't have name brand (Indiana)
• 1 loss doesn't kill you: Georgia (2023), Ohio State (2015)....I'm sure we all can name a bunch more that fall into the category. Would be interesting to see if there were different national champions in the past years had this system existed. I can argue a few (Ohio State 98, Miami 00, USC 02, Insert 8 different teams 07, OSU 15, UGA 23)
• Conference Champion still means something: Carrot of getting a bye means something.
• Home Sites: I also would prefer the quarterfinals be at home sites, then make the Rose Bowl a permanent semifinal site & play both semis on 1/1 & rotate the other semi & championship among the others the next Monday, between 7-14 days from the semis.

Cons:

• Diminishes other bowls: One thing I did like about the BCS was that the other bowls, whether it be the other BCS ones or that next tier were fun with good teams.
• Travel for fans of teams: if a team is on the road the first round & goes on a run, that's going to be one expensive ride.
• Calendar: I will preface this by saying I am a 100% advocate of the Rose Bowl on January 1 in it's usual time slot till the end of time. Because of that & rotations, if a Rose Bowl is a quarter final, that would mean this thing would get long. I run on the platform of making the Rose Bowl a permanent semi final site on 1/1 with game at it's usual time slot.

 

[Ope3]

I like it. If it were me, I'd have made the quarterfinals at the higher seed home stadium as well. Then allow the 8 teams that don't make it to the semifinal play in a bowl game. I know timing and logistics would be tough for this though.

Or at a minimum, how it currently is, have the 4 teams that lose the first round go to 2 designated bowl games.

I just can't see there being any appetite for teams losing in the Playoff to then go to a Consolation Bowl, which would also possibly be a 15th game. Too many players want to move on to the portal, prepare for the NFL Draft, heal for next season or get on with life especially after National Title hopes were just dashed.

I would think the Coaching staffs would just assume focusing on recruiting, portal acquisitions and get ready for spring ball.

These games would also be going on while most fans are focusing on the remaining teams still in contention for the Championship.

 

[PMWinSTP]

It would be quite nauseating for instance that Iowa or Wisconsin would change their game to US Bank stadium if the world was ending and they made the playoff. I am not sure this would even be possible. Iowa State and their fans however would be more than welcome.

My guess is that if the world was actually ending, that game would not happen. Seriously thought, I really can't see the option of changing the venue...logistics, cost, availability, etc.

 

[maroonfive]

If I were either of those schools, there is no way I would accept hosting the playoff game in a completely different state. Sure, some fans will make the trip, but not as many as if it was in your own backyard, so the crowd will be more like 50/50, which isn't fair since it'll never be played in a neutral state down south.

As much as I dislike those schools, watching a southern team play in their stadium in December would be enjoyable.

I am just thinking if there was such a deep freeze and Camp Randall and Kinnick were deemed unplayable would the committee choose the nearest indoor stadium. I don't know how that would work but it would be sickening. I don't think that would happen in the near future. The Gophers are in better shape in this new landscape that either of them.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

I just can't see there being any appetite for teams losing in the Playoff to then go to a Consolation Bowl, which would also possibly be a 15th game. Too many players want to move on to the portal, prepare for the NFL Draft, heal for next season or get on with life especially after National Title hopes were just dashed.

I would think the Coaching staffs would just assume focusing on recruiting, portal acquisitions and get ready for spring ball.

These games would also be going on while most fans are focusing on the remaining teams still in contention for the Championship.

I was gonna say something pretty similar. Usually consolation games don't get much interest, plus everything else you said.

 

[Ope3]

I'm not sure 16 teams is all that attractive to TV/Networks, there are are only so many windows to have stand alone games and not go head-to-head with the NFL.

As it is, they will have 1 game on Friday, 12/20 and then 3 on Saturday, 12/21. More games would force overlap or less optimal TV windows and possibly during NFL windows.

I also think they want to ensure the Top 4 teams are playing in the Quarters over NYD.

I will backtrack on a possibility of a 16 Team field coming to fruition, but the trade-off would likely be eliminating the Conference Championship Games, and thus having the 1st Round on that that weekend (first Saturday in November).

I heard this plausible scenario on the Dan Patrick Show yesterday with guest, Greg McElroy.

 

[PMWinSTP]

I am just thinking if there was such a deep freeze and Camp Randall and Kinnick were deemed unplayable would the committee choose the nearest indoor stadium. I don't know how that would work but it would be sickening. I don't think that would happen in the near future. The Gophers are in better shape in this new landscape that either of them.

I guess I would question if the committee even has that ability, and how it would be realistic given the short timeframe.

 

[upnorthkid]

I will backtrack on a possibility of a 16 Team field coming to fruition, but the trade-off would likely be eliminating the Conference Championship Games, and thus having the 1st Round on that that weekend (first Saturday in November).

I heard this plausible scenario on the Dan Patrick Show yesterday with guest, Greg McElroy.

the conferences are now too big for this unless you're going to start the season earlier/shorten regular season games. you still need a CC and there's too many options where multiple end up undefeated (and then how do you decide who gets the higher seeding not to mention wins the conference which is also important to players and fans). The end all be all is not just the playoffs in CFB. We need to stop making it like it needs to be just like the NFL as there's too many teams and you'll just end up continually adding (I have no desire to watch a 1v16 matchup that's going to be a blowout between a mediocre MAC or CUSA champion at 10-2 who will get obliterated by Oregon the same as I don't need to see the 4th best B10 team sneak into a playoff (you had your shot in the regular season).

 

[Ope3]

the conferences are now too big for this unless you're going to start the season earlier/shorten regular season games. you still need a CC and there's too many options where multiple end up undefeated (and then how do you decide who gets the higher seeding not to mention wins the conference which is also important to players and fans). The end all be all is not just the playoffs in CFB. We need to stop making it like it needs to be just like the NFL as there's too many teams and you'll just end up continually adding (I have no desire to watch a 1v16 matchup that's going to be a blowout between a mediocre MAC or CUSA champion at 10-2 who will get obliterated by Oregon the same as I don't need to see the 4th best B10 team sneak into a playoff (you had your shot in the regular season).

I don't think I would be in favor of it either, but part of what was discussed is these Top 4 Seeds might want a Home game, as the 5-8 seeds will get currently.

Also this year, what if Oregon somehow went 9-0 this year, beat Ohio State already and is then forced to beat them again in the Conference Championship? The Buckeyes could even have potentially 2 Conference losses. Ohio St would have to beat Indiana lose to Michigan, and also have the Nits & Hoosiers drop another game, so it's not a rather likely scenario.

That would seem unfair too.