SEC armor - hypothetical results

[Schnauzer]

I’ve long witnessed how the preseason rankings are so heavy in SEC teams, that it becomes difficult for those teams to drop out of the rankings. Rank em high, let them blow through digestible non conference opponents, and then let them mostly maintain their rankings when they lose because any losses are likely to other ranked teams in the SEC. The earlier in the season, the more hypothetical rankings are. With each week, there are more results to consider and the rankings become more objective.

With the playoff expanding, I’ve spent enough time on social media to see how consistently the SEC folk gravitate to hypothetical results over actual results, and how much this is based on the way they see team’s abilities related more to their accumulations of recruiting stars than actual head to head wins.

It really becomes obvious when you see what a tizzy they get worked into when they want to see Indiana out and Alabama in to the playoffs. Alabama hypothetically beating Indiana means everything. Alabama actually losing to Oklahoma and Vandy mean nothing. It’s like it didn’t happen because Alabama hypothetically beating those teams with their recruiting stars matters more than the actual game results.

It’s why I think many SEC people would love to see as few teams in the playoff as possible. Just count the stars and let two SEC teams play for the title. And if there are more teams in the playoff, pretty much only SEC teams and perhaps Ohio State are worthy.

Why bother with games at all?

 

[UpAndUnder43]

You good man?

Aren’t you currently mad about hypotheticals about an SEC team?

 

[RememberMurray]

I agree.

I loved watching Tennessee get blown out. I'm going to be rooting hard for Arizona State to beat Texas. For one of the few times in my life, I'll be pulling for Notre Dame to beat Georgia.

Over time, I've more than had my fill with the SEC/ESPN bullshit.

Whever I'm feeling down, I still replay the Gophers beating Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

 

[disco]

For one of the few times in my life, I'll be pulling for Notre Dame to beat Georgia.

Yikes. I'll have to think about this one...

 

[MaxyJR1]

Wins are hard and as you win they get harder. People forget about the psychology of the game.

You can’t allow more than one free loss to a team. SEC teams feel entitled to multiple losses not hurting them.

If you don’t wake up from a loss and you don’t qualify as a top 2 in your conference you don’t control your destiny.

No 1 loss P4 team should ever be left out. I’d argue that no 2 loss team that gets a second loss in a conference championship game should be left out.

When you have unbalanced schedules you have to reward winning games and not hypotheticals.

It’s a National tournament with 5 auto bids, I think they got it right.

 

[Ope3]

I’ve long witnessed how the preseason rankings are so heavy in SEC teams, that it becomes difficult for those teams to drop out of the rankings. Rank em high, let them blow through digestible non conference opponents, and then let them mostly maintain their rankings when they lose because any losses are likely to other ranked teams in the SEC. The earlier in the season, the more hypothetical rankings are. With each week, there are more results to consider and the rankings become more objective.

With the playoff expanding, I’ve spent enough time on social media to see how consistently the SEC folk gravitate to hypothetical results over actual results, and how much this is based on the way they see team’s abilities related more to their accumulations of recruiting stars than actual head to head wins.

It really becomes obvious when you see what a tizzy they get worked into when they want to see Indiana out and Alabama in to the playoffs. Alabama hypothetically beating Indiana means everything. Alabama actually losing to Oklahoma and Vandy mean nothing. It’s like it didn’t happen because Alabama hypothetically beating those teams with their recruiting stars matters more than the actual game results.

It’s why I think many SEC people would love to see as few teams in the playoff as possible. Just count the stars and let two SEC teams play for the title. And if there are more teams in the playoff, pretty much only SEC teams and perhaps Ohio State are worthy.

Why bother with games at all?

The Pre-Seaaon ratings don't mean squat. CFP Committee doesn't even meet until Week 10.

It was plenty of time for Indiana to be Unranked (not even getting a Vote) to rise to #8 the first time the they convened.