SEC armor - hypothetical results

[mggoph]

Speaking of SEC armor.....where did this laughable concept of Nick Saban becoming the "commissioner" of college football come from? It wasn't James Franklin first, was it? Last thing college football needs is an SEC donkey with clear bias in an authoritarian position.

Penn State coach James Franklin says Nick Saban should be college football's commissioner

Franklin made the suggestion on Sunday at Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl.

apnews.com

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

I'm starting to like Pat McAfee...

Bromance .

Have you started wearing only short sleeve shirts, one size too small, to show off them

I watched ten minutes once and that was enough to last me the rest of my life; who knew getting older meant, more taste?

If you don't know, he went to school in West Virginia and refers to himself as a northerner. I don't agree with all his takes in this 14 minute video including the one that Tennessee couldn't handle the cold (they are only a few hours south of the OSU stadium by car), but I do like that he has a strong enough brand of his own that he does not feel the need to toe the ESPN company line!

 

[Some guy]

Preseason rankings definitely skew the way early season games are viewed. Best example was last year when Colorado beat TCU, spurred a ton of hype in Colorado that was not deserved because TCU was not the team the preseason polls pegged them to be.

In the end the back portion of the playoff is going to be largely dependent on schedule luck. If you gave Alabama Indiana's schedule this past season they probably go 11-1 or 10-2 and make the playoff. Give Indiana Alabama's schedule and they probably go 9-3, 8-4 and miss the playoff.

And in both cases Alabama or Indiana loses to Notre Dame in the first round of the playoff.

I am not sure there is any data to back that up?
Why would Alabama automatically beat teams like UCLA, Michigan, Nebraska, and Washington when they lost to Oklahoma and Vanderbilt?


I think there is a better argument to be made that Indiana would’ve gone 10-2 or 9-3 against bama’s schedule because maybe they lose to Texas and Georgia and a 50/50 game with South Carolina.

bama probably goes 9-3 against Indiana’s schedule. Bama was mediocre against mediocre teams and there are plenty of those on Indian’s schedule

 

[Some guy]

“I don’t want to hear about… wins”

Herbstreit and McDonough selling out to ESPN to this degree saddens me because I have enjoyed them doing college football for many years.

As long as this only ever stays as just talk, I can live with it. But if a 1 loss B1G team ever fails to make the playoff so a 3 loss SEC team can get in, I’ll implode.

I think it would be quite a power move for the other 8 conferences to sign an agreement on a playoff and exclude the SEC in negotiations

Once it is settled they could invite the SEC to participate if they want.


Not sure the legal ramifications of such an action.

Call it “the alliance”

 

[short ornery norwegian]

ESPN carries the SEC. so they are going to promote the conference that they feature. it's in their best interests from a business standpoint - currying favor with the teams they cover, the fan bases and advertisers.

if the SEC was on CBS and ESPN carried the B1G, I have no doubt that ESPN would be beating the drums for the B1G and down-playing the SEC.

I know this is completely unreasonable, but I just wish that ESPN would be honest about the situation - just come right out and say "We are the SEC network. we promote the SEC and we want the SEC to win." that's not going to happen, because money will always outweigh honesty.

 

[Some guy]

ESPN carries the SEC. so they are going to promote the conference that they feature. it's in their best interests from a business standpoint - currying favor with the teams they cover, the fan bases and advertisers.

if the SEC was on CBS and ESPN carried the B1G, I have no doubt that ESPN would be beating the drums for the B1G and down-playing the SEC.

I know this is completely unreasonable, but I just wish that ESPN would be honest about the situation - just come right out and say "We are the SEC network. we promote the SEC and we want the SEC to win." that's not going to happen, because money will always outweigh honesty.

I get all this and this is all true…..


But ESPN also carries the ACC, Big 12, Sun Belt, MAC and CFP
So it is, IMO, to disparage their own products is going to be detrimental to their own products

 

[Unregistered User]

I get all this and this is all true…..


But ESPN also carries the ACC, Big 12, Sun Belt, MAC and CFP
So it is, IMO, to disparage their own products is going to be detrimental to their own products

ESPN also owns the SEC network.

Just like fox owns the B10 network.

 

[Some guy]

ESPN also owns the SEC network.

Just like fox owns the B10 network.

They also own the ACC network

 

[MNVCGUY]

I am not sure there is any data to back that up?
Why would Alabama automatically beat teams like UCLA, Michigan, Nebraska, and Washington when they lost to Oklahoma and Vanderbilt?


I think there is a better argument to be made that Indiana would’ve gone 10-2 or 9-3 against bama’s schedule because maybe they lose to Texas and Georgia and a 50/50 game with South Carolina.

bama probably goes 9-3 against Indiana’s schedule. Bama was mediocre against mediocre teams and there are plenty of those on Indian’s schedule

No data to back any of it up.

My only real point was that the separation between the teams in the back of the 12 team field is probably razor thin but in the end those teams are not likely to win it all anyway.

It really is tough to say just how good Indiana was....they blew out the mediocre teams on their schedule and got manhandled by the good ones they played. Their win over Michigan does look a little better given how Michigan finished off the season.

As for Alabama.....they proved they didn't belong in the playoff with their loss to Michigan and put a major dent in the SEC arrogance as well. Big Ten at 4-1 head to head against the SEC so far. Gotta love it.

 

[Some guy]

No data to back any of it up.

My only real point was that the separation between the teams in the back of the 12 team field is probably razor thin but in the end those teams are not likely to win it all anyway.

It really is tough to say just how good Indiana was....they blew out the mediocre teams on their schedule and got manhandled by the good ones they played. Their win over Michigan does look a little better given how Michigan finished off the season.

As for Alabama.....they proved they didn't belong in the playoff with their loss to Michigan and put a major dent in the SEC arrogance as well. Big Ten at 4-1 head to head against the SEC so far. Gotta love it.

There is data to back up that bama would lose to mediocre teams. They have 3 losses to teams with 5 or more losses

To say bama would probably go 11-1 vs Indiana’s schedule is the only claim that there is data to prove false

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Alabama versus Nebraska for the CFB Hypothetical National Championship! Every year … forever.

 

[MNfootballfan]

As for Alabama.....they proved they didn't belong in the playoff with their loss to Michigan and put a major dent in the SEC arrogance as well. Big Ten at 4-1 head to head against the SEC so far. Gotta love it.

Once again, Iowa is an embarrassment.

 

[MNfootballfan]

I think they setup of the playoffs is good. Arizona State proved they are as good as anyone. Came within a 4th down stop of beating Texas. Reward your conference champs and guess who the next 8 best teams are.

Funny thing - in the old 4 team playoffs you would have had Oregon, Texas, Penn State, and Georgia based off of the last rankings.

Oregon is dead, Texas nearly got beat, Georgia may lose this afternoon. Ohio State is probably the leader in the clubhouse right now, but they wouldn't have been given a chance after losing to Michigan.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I think they setup of the playoffs is good. Arizona State proved they are as good as anyone. Came within a 4th down stop of beating Texas. Reward your conference champs and guess who the next 8 best teams are.

Funny thing - in the old 4 team playoffs you would have had Oregon, Texas, Penn State, and Georgia based off of the last rankings.

Oregon is dead, Texas nearly got beat, Georgia may lose this afternoon. Ohio State is probably the leader in the clubhouse right now, but they wouldn't have been given a chance after losing to Michigan.

If Ohio State goes on to win it all it would justify the expansion of the playoffs since as you pointed out, under the previous system they wouldn't have been in the mix for the National Championship.

In the end, I don't really care how they do the playoff system, but I am all for more opportunities to watch football. Even with how messed up college athletics are right now it is still entertainment. I have enjoyed the new 12 team format so far. It is far from perfect, but have enjoyed watching the games.

 

[Some guy]

I think they setup of the playoffs is good. Arizona State proved they are as good as anyone. Came within a 4th down stop of beating Texas. Reward your conference champs and guess who the next 8 best teams are.

Funny thing - in the old 4 team playoffs you would have had Oregon, Texas, Penn State, and Georgia based off of the last rankings.

Oregon is dead, Texas nearly got beat, Georgia may lose this afternoon. Ohio State is probably the leader in the clubhouse right now, but they wouldn't have been given a chance after losing to Michigan.

I think the rankings would’ve been completely different in a 4 team playoff.

They would’ve been:
1) Oregon
2) Notre Dame
3) Georgia
4) Texas

Perhaps flipping 2 and 3

They wouldn’t want SEC vs SEC in semifinal game.

So it’s Ohio state, notre Dame and Penn state for the 3 spot or 2 spot

They would’ve not wanted to ignore Ohio state beating Penn state. Easy way around it is choosing 1 loss Notre dame

 

[MNfootballfan]

I think the rankings would’ve been completely different in a 4 team playoff.

They would’ve been:
1) Oregon
2) Notre Dame
3) Georgia
4) Texas

Perhaps flipping 2 and 3

They wouldn’t want SEC vs SEC in 2-: game.

So it’s Ohio state, notre Dame and Penn state for the 3 spot or 2 spot

They would’ve not wanted to ignore Ohio state beating Penn state. Easy way around it is choosing 1 loss Notre dame

Yeah, it would have been interesting to see how the 4 teams would have played out. I just went to 1-4 in the last poll. I don't think they would have put Georgia/Texas 2 and 3 like I pointed out for a couple of reasons - it would be their third time playing and a repeat of the conference championship game.

In my opinion, we need to get to the point of having four major conferences. You win your conference and you get a bye. I also think I would move everything up a week. The bye week may be somewhat of a penalty because even the teams that didn't earn the bye... still got a few weeks off. Ohio State played Michigan on November 30 and didn't play again until December 21.

 

[Some guy]

Yeah, it would have been interesting to see how the 4 teams would have played out. I just went to 1-4 in the last poll. I don't think they would have put Georgia/Texas 2 and 3 like I pointed out for a couple of reasons - it would be their third time playing and a repeat of the conference championship game.

In my opinion, we need to get to the point of having four major conferences. You win your conference and you get a bye. I also think I would move everything up a week. The bye week may be somewhat of a penalty because even the teams that didn't earn the bye... still got a few weeks off. Ohio State played Michigan on November 30 and didn't play again until December 21.

I think they should start the season the week before Labor Day.
Conference title game week is thanksgiving weekend

First two rounds at home sites first two weekends in December
Tell army navy they have to play earlier or can say they are opting to not be in the playoff…their call.

Semi finals Jan 1

The entire season for all but two teams ends Jan 1.

Portal opened Jan 2-Jan 15

 

[disco]

I think they should start the season the week before Labor Day.
Conference title game week is thanksgiving weekend

First two rounds at home sites first two weekends in December
Tell army navy they have to play earlier or can say they are opting to not be in the playoff…their call.

Semi finals Jan 1

The entire season for all but two teams ends Jan 1.

Portal opened Jan 2-Jan 15

Other issue with Army-Navy going forward, is they are in the same conference now. Which means they could play a regular season game, or even a conference championship game.

I'd rather see an expansion to 16 teams and eliminate the byes. It almost seems like the bye weeks are as much a disadvantage as they are a benefit.

 

[upnorthkid]

Other issue with Army-Navy going forward, is they are in the same conference now. Which means they could play a regular season game, or even a conference championship game.

I'd rather see an expansion to 16 teams and eliminate the byes. It almost seems like the bye weeks are as much a disadvantage as they are a benefit.

Just drop it down to 8. No byes. First round at home. Teams 9-12 are not winning it barring some crazy luck in formatting or injuries and really they’re not going to be having teams with crazy good resumes sitting in those slots crying foul.

 

[Some guy]

Other issue with Army-Navy going forward, is they are in the same conference now. Which means they could play a regular season game, or even a conference championship game.

I'd rather see an expansion to 16 teams and eliminate the byes. It almost seems like the bye weeks are as much a disadvantage as they are a benefit.

I only want 16 if there are 8 or 9 auto bids for conference champs

 

[Some guy]

Just drop it down to 8. No byes. First round at home. Teams 9-12 are not winning it barring some crazy luck in formatting or injuries and really they’re not going to be having teams with crazy good resumes sitting in those slots crying foul.

If they go down to 8 no byes you’re leaving out 11-1 Indiana or 12-1 Boise state via no rationale other than team name

Which is fine, we have done that forever I guess

 

[upnorthkid]

If they go down to 8 no byes you’re leaving out 11-1 Indiana or 12-1 Boise state via no rationale other than team name

Which is fine, we have done that forever I guess

Boise is in as part of the 5 ccs. Indiana not in I have no remorse over. Same as I guess would’ve happened to OSU. Regular season still matters. Now those teams have more mulligans and less chances for the likes of rivals to ruin their seasons (would’ve been even more epic had that Michigan win booted osu from postseason contention)

 

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

I am not sure there is any data to back that up?
Why would Alabama automatically beat teams like UCLA, Michigan, Nebraska, and Washington when they lost to Oklahoma and Vanderbilt?


I think there is a better argument to be made that Indiana would’ve gone 10-2 or 9-3 against bama’s schedule because maybe they lose to Texas and Georgia and a 50/50 game with South Carolina.

bama probably goes 9-3 against Indiana’s schedule. Bama was mediocre against mediocre teams and there are plenty of those on Indian’s schedule

I think they lose to Michigan (they did in their Bowl), Washington, and depending on when they play them, one of two for UCLA and Nebraska. That is in addition to OSU.

 

[GophersInIowa]

Get rid of conference championship games, and just have everyone play 13 games. All P4 play 10 conference games and have to play 2 P4 nonconference games.

Go back to using the BCS or something similar for the rankings. Top 4 teams in the rankings gets the byes.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

ESPN carries the SEC. so they are going to promote the conference that they feature. it's in their best interests from a business standpoint - currying favor with the teams they cover, the fan bases and advertisers.

if the SEC was on CBS and ESPN carried the B1G, I have no doubt that ESPN would be beating the drums for the B1G and down-playing the SEC.

I know this is completely unreasonable, but I just wish that ESPN would be honest about the situation - just come right out and say "We are the SEC network. we promote the SEC and we want the SEC to win." that's not going to happen, because money will always outweigh honesty.

It's this and the number of players in the NFL.

There is also the truth that until the last couple of years, I think Ohio State was really the only program that was willing to build like an SEC school. Michigan eventually got there with Harbaugh and now the new era in college football - - many programs are doing this.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Just drop it down to 8. No byes. First round at home. Teams 9-12 are not winning it barring some crazy luck in formatting or injuries and really they’re not going to be having teams with crazy good resumes sitting in those slots crying foul.

Byes really do screw it up. Having teams on 11 days rest playing against teams on 25 days rest can be a disadvantage to the higher seeded team. January 20th it too late for a championship game that ends its season the first Saturday in December/Last Saturday of November.

Since conference championship games won't always have the best two conference teams in it due to tie breakers and unbalanced schedule, just have the top 2 in the P4 get auto bids.

In 2026 an expansion could look like this.
Season ends on 27th/28th with selection Sunday on the 29th.
December 4th/5th is round of 16 on Campus
December 11th/12th is (Rotate, 2-3 time zones, possibly on campus)
December 19th Semi Finals (Rotate 4 major bowls)
January 1st Championship Game Location Bid)

(Maybe put it on the conferences to determine their 2 Auto bids as the top 2 in their conference)

Auto bids (Go Back to Week 15 Rankings)
2 SEC (Georgia and Texas)
2 B1G (Oregon and Penn State)
2 B12 (Arizona State and Iowa State)
2 ACC (Clemson and SMU)
2 G5 (Boise and UNLV) (Ole Miss gets in if only one G5)
6 At-Large Teams (Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Indiana, Alabama, Miami)


Seed 1-16 and play the games.

16UNLV at 1Oregon
15Clemson at 2Texas
14Iowa State at 3Penn State
13Arizona State at 4Notre Dame
12Miami at 5Georgia
11Alabama at 6Ohio State
10Boise at 7Tennessee
9Indiana at 8SMU




PORTAL OPENS ON JANUARY 2nd.

 

[MNfootballfan]

Just drop it down to 8. No byes. First round at home. Teams 9-12 are not winning it barring some crazy luck in formatting or injuries and really they’re not going to be having teams with crazy good resumes sitting in those slots crying foul.

For what it is worth, and doesn't strengthen my argument, but Ohio State was ranked 8th and may be the current favorite to win it. True, they weren't 9-12... but if in the first year the 8th ranked team wins it would be hard argument to say the #9 team will never win it.

 

[MNfootballfan]

I think they should start the season the week before Labor Day.
Conference title game week is thanksgiving weekend

First two rounds at home sites first two weekends in December
Tell army navy they have to play earlier or can say they are opting to not be in the playoff…their call.

Semi finals Jan 1

The entire season for all but two teams ends Jan 1.

Portal opened Jan 2-Jan 15

Your situation makes sense as well...

Next year, without making drastic changes:
Season ends 11/29
Conference Championship Game 12/6
First round games December 12/13
Quarterfinals December 19/20
Semi Finals Jan 1
Final Jan 12

Cons:
- Loser of conference championship game does not get any time off and plays a team that could potentially have a bye week (Ohio State, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Indiana, didn't play in conference championship game).
- Have to manipulate the tournament a bit so the Rose Bowl is always Jan 1 - they would always host a semi final

Pros:
- No team would have more than a week off *
* Teams would have 1.5 weeks off from quarterfinals to semi finals and 1.5 weeks off from semi finals to championship game.

The conference championship games are weird now. The conferences are too big to not have divisions and have the division champs play. Schools like the Big Ten would be better to have their 16 team league split into two divisions and just give auto bids to each division champion.

 

[upnorthkid]

For what it is worth, and doesn't strengthen my argument, but Ohio State was ranked 8th and may be the current favorite to win it. True, they weren't 9-12... but if in the first year the 8th ranked team wins it would be hard argument to say the #9 team will never win it.

Apologies. Should say not deserving to win for accuracy sake.
If OSU wins, it will be the first national champion since 2007 LSU to have more than one loss and I’d imagine Oregon is still going to be pretty bitter given they split H2H and lost one fewer game. LSU is the only 2 loss champ since the bcs era started (and at least since 1970 but im not digging back further)

 

[MNfootballfan]

Apologies. Should say not deserving to win for accuracy sake.
If OSU wins, it will be the first national champion since 2007 LSU to have more than one loss and I’d imagine Oregon is still going to be pretty bitter given they split H2H and lost one fewer game. LSU is the only 2 loss champ since the bcs era started (and at least since 1970 but im not digging back further)

I get what you're saying and that makes sense.