Takeaways from the pre-conference championship Playoff rankings
Smell ya later, Tuesday Playoff rankings shows.
That was the last one of the year. Thankfully. I’m all for mid-week college football talk — it’s something that’s pretty important here at SDS — but the over-dramatic reveal and nonsense breakdowns are absurd.
I’m just glad we’re not sitting here talking about if a 3-loss team should make it in the Playoff. Shoutout to 2016 USC.
It feels like this is all about the fourth spot and not too much else. Could that impact an SEC team? If LSU gets to No. 1 next week, yes.
But let’s dig into some important takeaways from the latest Playoff poll:
1. The battle for No. 1
They’re both in. Yeah, the Buckeyes and Tigers are both Playoff-bound without a loss heading into conference championship weekend.
Ohio State is still No. 1, and frankly, that’s not a surprise. Yes, LSU had a complete win. But all Ohio State did was go on the road and beat a top-15 team like a drum.
So I’ve changed my tune on this a bit. After last week’s poll, I said that I thought Ohio State, if it won out, would have the No. 1 seed. I pointed to Ohio State’s opportunity to rack up a pair of quality, top-15 wins away from home as opposed to LSU, which ended the season with unranked Texas A&M and had No. 4 Georgia in the SEC Championship.
Based on what we’ve seen from the selection committee and how they reward Ohio State for being the more “complete” team, I think that if both teams have standard wins this weekend, I think the Buckeyes get the No. 1 seed, especially after Wisconsin got moved all the way up to No. 8.
But can LSU make a louder statement than Ohio State? Absolutely. We’ve seen the selection committee value conference championship weekend statements a ton in years past. If Ohio State has to grind out a win and LSU beats Georgia 35-10, that’s going to matter in the selection committee room. The Tigers will have beaten every elite team from the SEC.
We know that the selection committee holds Georgia in a high regard because of the quality wins. That’s why the Dawgs have been the top-ranked 1-loss team in the poll week after week. If LSU blows the doors of that elite Georgia defense, don’t be surprised if some last-minute shuffling atop the poll happens.
2. Why that Alabama-Auburn shakeout is fascinating for a non-Playoff reason
After the Iron Bowl, I tweeted this:
Interesting overlooked debate: Is 9-3 Auburn gonna get a New Year’s 6 Bowl bid over 10-2 Alabama?
Auburn has the head-to-head and wins over 2 current Top 25 teams compared to none for Alabama.
— Connor O’Gara (@cjogara) December 1, 2019
I was extremely interested in that because the New Year’s 6 Bowls come down to Playoff rankings. This isn’t a selection process, so it doesn’t matter if one team is a bigger brand than another, and matchups are totally out of the bowl executives’ control.
That’s why Auburn getting the ranking ahead of Alabama was incredibly significant. It would be strange to see those teams flip after conference championship weekend, which would mean that the Tigers would have the inside track to a New Year’s 6 Bowl.
Good for the selection committee for giving Auburn credit for actually beating Alabama. They didn’t just take the lazy way out with the records and give Alabama that spot. That stuff matters for someone like Gus Malzahn, who is now in favorable position to go to his third New Year’s 6 Bowl in 4 years.
And to be fair, I don’t think this means as much to Alabama as it does to Auburn. A non-Playoff New Year’s 6 Bowl isn’t going to be much different for Alabama than going to the Citrus Bowl.
If you’re Auburn, you’re rooting for Wisconsin to get smacked by Ohio State to fall out of the top 10 and become another 3-loss team.
3. The numbers you need to know for Playoff hopefuls
As I always say, I do these every week. Here are the numbers I track and believe the selection committee puts a lot of stock in.
(I changed it from “Power 5 teams with a winning record” to “Power 5 teams with bowl eligibility” because the regular season in the books.)
WINS VS. POWER 5 TEAMS WITH BOWL ELIGIBILITY (6 WINS)
- Georgia: 7
- Clemson: 6
- LSU: 6
- Ohio State: 5
- Baylor: 4
- Oklahoma: 4
- Utah: 4
WINS VS. TEAMS IN CURRENT PLAYOFF TOP 25
- Ohio State: 4
- Georgia: 3
- LSU: 3
- Oklahoma: 2
- Baylor: 1
- Clemson: 0
- Utah: 0
AVG. MARGIN OF VICTORY VS. POWER 5 TEAMS
- Ohio State: +35.6
- Clemson: +33.5
- Utah: +25
- LSU: +20
- Georgia: +16.9
- Oklahoma: +16.2
- Baylor: +13
The Ohio State margin of victory through 12 games is stupid. Just stupid. A team that has more AP Top 25 wins (current) than anyone also having the highest margin of victory vs. Power 5 teams is wild.
Do I think LSU has a better win? Yes, but throttling Michigan like that certainly added to the belief that the Buckeyes are better than the second half against Penn State showed.
Also, Utah’s margin of victory is huge right now. That’s what happens when the Pac-12 lacks elite teams and you don’t face a Power 5 opponent in nonconference play.
Also, I’m not gonna sit here and debate if Clemson would make the field with an ACC Championship loss because if the Tigers lose as a 28-point favorite, we’d have plenty of time to talk about that. For now, though, it’s not worth my time.
(But seriously, that strength of schedule continues to baffle me.)
4. Predicting the field
I’m not picking against LSU or Ohio State. And I’m also not betting on LSU to blow out Georgia, which is what the Tigers would need to just to have any shot at the No. 1 seed. And like I said earlier, I’m not going to waste time thinking about Clemson losing on Saturday, either.
That makes 1-3 fairly easy for me, as boring as that is. The question everyone wants to know is what happens at No. 4. With Georgia eliminated in that scenario, the battle would obviously come down to Utah and the Big 12 winner. By putting Utah at No. 5 ahead of both Oklahoma and Baylor, I’d say there’s no guarantee that it’s simply “win and in” for anyone (assuming there’s a Georgia loss).
This, however, is interesting:
Good news for No. 5 Utah. In four of the previous 5 CFP seasons, the No. 5 team going into championship weekend has made the Football Four.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) December 4, 2019
Oregon at No. 13 compared to either Oklahoma at No. 6 or Baylor at No. 7 doesn’t make for that drastic of difference in terms of quality wins. That’s interesting considering Utah has 0 wins vs. the current Top 25 compared to 2 for Oklahoma and 1 for Baylor.
But the selection committee’s theme all Playoff long has been looking like a complete team. Ohio State got rewarded for it, as did Alabama. Utah is, too. Since suffering that 7-point loss to now-Top 25 USC, Utah has only played in one, 1-possession game. They have an average scoring margin against Power 5 opponents of +25, which is incredibly impressive.
There’s 1 reservation I have to this before I pencil Utah in. The Pac-12 Championship is going to be played on a Friday night, and it’s at 5 o’clock local time in Santa Clara. That usually makes for a half-empty stadium that becomes somewhat of an afterthought by Saturday night. If Utah grinds out a win and then Oklahoma pounds Baylor in a packed house in Jerry World, might be see the Sooners get the bump? I would guess yes.
I’ll say that happens and that Jalen Hurts gets another crack at a national title.
So to recap, here’s what I think the selection committee will rank on Sunday:
- Ohio State
- LSU
- Clemson
- Oklahoma
One. More. Poll.
Since when did the word stupid become such a prevalent adjective to describe something? If a team is beyond anyone else then Thier performance is “stupid”. I guess I’m too old for all this nonsense.
So I’m hoping for one of two scenarios to happen.. 1, Georgia gets blown out this weekend, like 45-7, and the gators jump them for the sugar bowl, or two, they win LSU but barely in a close game, then they both go to the playoffs, and Florida goes to the sugar bowl still..
Gators aren’t jumping UGA.
Nope not happening, even with a blow out. Maybe if Fromm/Swift gets injured or enters the transfer portal after the game.
Don’t see Georgia falling behind Florida, especially since UGA won on a neutral field.
But, Florida should be in the Orange Bowl, and that’s pretty darn good.
Why is Ohio States margin of victory stupid? It should be called excellent or extraordinary. Not stupid.
Do you really think he thinks OSU margin of victory is dumb? Like come on. Any person with a brain knows what he means.
Well I guess if you are old like you say you are, this is understandable.
According to whole world we won’t win. I’m happy either way cause we beat all our rivals….Fla..Aub…Gatech in same year. Doesn’t happen very often. Plus 11 wins and Ny 6 bowl. Helluva year. Go Dawgs!
There’s a misstatement in this article (that a number of people get wrong). When Sugar/Rose/Orange lose a conference champion, they are NOT required to select the next highest ranked CFP team. They default to their existing agreement with the conferences, and can invite whoever they want (so long as the team has 6 wins). The CFP has no say-so and doesn’t “assign” the replacement team (the way they assign teams to Cotton, Peach and Fiesta – the “Access Bowls.”). This is important, because it does not mean that Georgia automatically goes to the Sugar Bowl with an LSU loss. The Sugar Bowl can invite who they want, and Georgia played there last year. It’s entirely possible they’d invite Florida.
Highest-ranked non-CFP SEC team to the Sugar Bowl, per SEC spokesperson. https://twitter.com/SEC_Chuck/status/1196889344772132866/photo/1
The rankings don’t stop the bowls from honoring their tie-in agreements, though. The Orange will have an ACC team even though one may not be ranked if Clemson beats Virginia.
You, sir, would be incorrect. The NY6 bowls do have to uphold their conference tie-in obligations, but the committee rankings are what determine which teams get selected. Highest ranked non-playoff SEC and Big XII teams will go to the Sugar Bowl. While that COULD be Florida instead of Georgia, that would require the committee to rank Florida ahead of Georgia in the final rankings. Same goes for Rose and Orange with their conference alignments. Cotton and Fiesta (on non-playoff hosting years) are at-large and go with the highest ranked available teams.
Actually, I’m pretty sure that has all changed in the last few years. I believe it’s still true for only the Rose, and even the Rose has stated they will tend to go with the higher ranked.
Whether you go or we go to Sugar doesn’t change fact we beat you in Jax. Good luck watching game Sat. Hope your dreams come true.
My dream is for your to understand that stupid can be used as a superlative. But we all know that’s not going to happen.
Yesssss, watching that smack down will be enjoyable.. Good luck next year in the playoffs..
Yes, watching your 2nd biggest rival do the job for you from your couch.
Connor….why do you use stupid to describe a superlative?
Stupid just means “extreme” or “very.” Kind of like when your wife sees your instagram posts and says “Harold, you’re being extra.” You get it, right?
Ohio St, LSU, Clemson and Oklahoma is likely right. But it shouldn’t be.
But it really all comes down to the reason why the committee ranked OS over LSU in the first playoff ranking – the one everybody was saying didn’t mean anything – it meant everything – it showed who this committee wanted, and that’s why they want to match OS up with an Oklahoma team that they know can’t challenge them.
It’s all about getting OS into the NCG, and if they have to play Clemson, their chances drop dramatically…
Ohio St has no business being ranked over LSU, and especially if they beat Georgia. Who has Ohio St really beat? When was the last time Michigan, Penn St, or Wisconsin challenged anybody for anything significant? None of those teams comes close to matching Alabama, Auburn or Georgia…
Ohio St recruits circles around the entire B1G, and they do it each and every year.
Utah. Tired of the names programs getting the benefit of the doubt. Utah looks better.
I wouldnt mind seeing Utah there…but they dont have a top 25 win, still. Will have just 1 after Friday if they win.
I think the Oklahoma/Baylor winner deserves it more, unless Utah just really crushes Oregon and the Big 12 title game is real tight.
Utah is better and would probably be more competitive, but Oklahoma may end up with a much better resume.
Copying and pasting, since apparently either a word that starts with “h” and rhymes with “deck” or an intact url warrants moderation around here, which never actually appears to happen. Apologies if both text walls eventually post.
If the SEC scheduled 9 conference games and banned FCS matchups like the B1G did, LSU would be #1 right now, assuming of course, that they still made it to 12-0. The easiest way not to lose is not to play (which is why a six-team playoff with byes is a horrible idea; just revert to the BCS at that point). The second easiest way not to lose is to schedule teams from the FCS. As to OSU’s “business” being ranked above LSU, I’d say they’ve got at least as much claim as LSU to the top spot. See the nearly unbroken line of 1s here: masseyratings[dot]com/cf/compare[dot]htm Sure, people and algorithms can be wrong, but that’s a [redacted filthy swear word that’d curl your toes and strip the paint right off the pretty little toenails] of a lot more consensus than some of Alabama’s claimed NCs.
In putting OSU over LSU, the committee has sent the tiniest, most inconsequential message regarding their thoughts on deliberate schedule padding, and even then, OSU had to thrash every team on the schedule to convince them to do it. The entire South is acting like they’re ready to secede again over it. If you’re right about how good the SEC and LSU are and how fake OSU is, it won’t matter. If you’re wrong, it also won’t matter. No sense getting your blood pressure up in the meantime. Anything else sure starts to sound like the SEC fears Clemson. Put Clemson 4th or OSU 2nd. OSU won’t care. OSU owes them in a big way, and I’m sure they’re eager to see Dabo collect that debt, with interest. The SEC isn’t getting blocked out of the playoff over it (a la OSU in favor of ND last year), even if the committee is dead wrong (a la ND over OSU last year, not that OSU had much chance to have won the NCG last year, but they were undeniably better).
Incidentally, and completely OT, it’s good to see Jeaux “Buckeye” Burreaux having such awesome success at his second collegiate stop. The guy always struck me as a hard worker and never a drama queen [looks in the general direction of Miami]. It’s always a bummer to see talent on the bench that never gets an opportunity to shine. Regardless of how the postseason plays out, I’m glad he’s played his way into a round 1 pick; he 100% deserves it.
To the buckeye:I think you’re WAY off base.
I don’t think the committee is valuing OSU’s scheduling, I think they are valuing the fact OSU has an elite defense and an elite offense based on statistics. Defensively, OSU has the number 4 scoring defense,LSU is 31. OSU is number 1 in total defense, LSU 35. I could go on in the disparity in the defensive numbers, but the offenses are about equal.
LSU has some good wins, but they gave up 30+ to Bama, 30+ to Texas, 28 to Florida, 21 to Auburn. Ohio st has given up 20 or more points twice, LSU has 7 times. So though while I think LSU is better, statistically Ohio St is the better team all around, and the committee is giving them credit for blowing out teams and not letting the score.
I think you’re misunderstanding me. I’m not saying any of that is wrong. I’m saying if LSU doesn’t play Northwestern St. and beats one of the top G5 programs (e.g. Memphis, Cincy, Boise, etc.) or another average P5 program (comparable to Texas) instead, OSU’s dominance probably doesn’t matter. LSU’s schedule at that point would probably be enough to overcome what OSU has done, because they wouldn’t have gone chasing tomato cans. Maybe not; we’ll never know, of course.
I don’t think the likes of FAU or Miami Ohio are much more impressive than Northwestern State. I do think OSU has done everything asked of them to attain #1 status, but it still feels like LSU’s resume is better. Whichever team gets put in the #2 spot, if they win it all, will have gone through one of the toughest gauntlets so far.
Miami (OH) is playing for the MAC championship this week. FAU is playing for the C-USA championship. If you want to condemn wins against G5 divisional (and possibly conference) champs, then we can open the books and look at EVERY G5 opponent the SEC has on the slate, in addition to all that FCS whipped cream. The SEC’s OOC scheduling is absolutely indefensible compared to the B1G’s and in particular OSU’s.
You are right, though, that if one of these two teams wins it all, there will be no question as to whether they deserve it. They will have beaten some fantastic top-end competition.
Sounds like you are pretty confident the Buckeyes will steamroll any of the other playoff contenders.Dabo would not be speaking out defending his Tigers if they and the ACC were not under constant attack by the media,CFB playoff committee,and fans of other teams.Is he not permitted to stick up for his program?Geezzzz,sounds like a Liberal dimbocrap antifa style way of saying if we call you names and criticize you with fake news you are not allowed to defend yourself because free speech not allowed for those who do not fall in step with our liberal views.Me thinks some folks are about to have their m emories of 365 days ago refreshed because Clemson is stocked,cocked,and ready to rock.A huge can of whoopazzzz is about to be opened up on their next 3 opponents because of people like Paul FinnyBum who has poured so much rocket fuel on the Tiger bulletin board its going to be a site to see.Good luck to you all.
Good points.The young Clemson defense has not given up more than 20 points in any game this season,and have yet to give up 300 yds of offense to any team.Not only that,half of those points and yards were given up by freshmen and sophomore bench players in the 2nd,3rd,and 4th qtrs.Clemson is a building team who can say with certainty “the best is yet to come” !
That’s nonsense. They put Ohio State over LSU because they didn’t want an LSU Alabama rematch as Bama was all set up to move to the fourth spot.
Not nonsense at all. They don’t care about any of that.
Ohio St. is #1 because they think they are the best team, period. They do have a tougher schedule and better wins than almost any SEC fan is willing to admit on here, and theyve been incredibly dominant all the way.
Computer rankings arent perfect, of course…but they have zero bias or concern for any of these things many of you talk about.
On Massey they have rankings from over 100 computers. ALL BUT 9 OF THEM have Ohio St. #1. They don’t care about team names, they don’t care about conferences, or any of that crap. It’s just data.
Like I said, computer rankings arent perfect, but it should prove these explanations regarding motives and bias that people have are ludicrous. Again, computers are unaware of any of that crap, they just have data.
They care. They definitely care. They are propping up the Big 10 and demoting the SEC. All you have to do is look at the two major polls to see the ridiculousness of the committee’s actions. They are trying to make Ohio State’s schedule look better than it is. It’s obviously fooling some people
The committee doesn’t look at the AP or Coaches polls when ranking teams. I don’t even pay attention to the AP poll anymore. It hasn’t been relevant since it decided to give USC a championship instead of LSU who actually won the national championship game. It’s just a media poll voted on by biased members of the media who value brand names over on-feld performance.
“They care. They definitely care”
No, the computers absolutely do not care.
And again, Over 90% of them have Ohio St. #1. All they care about our data.
The computers, again they don’t care, claim Ohio St. had the #7 toughest schedule in the country. And if you put your anti-big10 bias away and actually looked at the schedule, you could see why.
Your argument is purely based on opinion and perception.
“It’s just a media poll voted on by biased members of the media who value brand names over on-feld performance.”
Exactly. Bias comes from people voting in polls, not computers.
I also have no idea what the AP/Coaches rankings are right now, because you’re 100% right. Theyre meaningless.
I’ll tell you what, arguing that the AP and Coaches polls expose the bias in the computer algorithms is some rich stuff, my man.
9 game conference schedule? Really?
What difference would it make if LSU added 3-9 Vanderbilt to their schedule.
None. LSU has already played Florida, Alabama and Auburn, all of which would skate through OS’s schedule essentially every year.
If LSU wins the SEC CG they will have beaten Florida, Auburn, Alabama and Georgia.
You can’t find any two teams on OS’s 9 game B1G schedule who would win a game against any 2 of those top rated SEC teams.
Penn St, Michigan and Wisconsin wouldn’t hold up to Georgia, Auburn or Alabama, and likely not Florida either.
The B1G is overrated and top heavy to the point of tipping over. Ohio St is light years beyond any B1G team with recruiting. The SEC has 6 teams who recruit better than any B1G team besides Ohio St.
No! The SEC should not add another SEC team to their schedule. They already play a much tougher schedule. Making it harder would only benefit the other weaker conferences…
Idk how you can say the Big 10 is top heavy without saying the same about the SEC. Past the top 5 SEC teams this year the SEC is garbage.
Ohio St. would have been in the playoffs the last 2 years if they had not played the extra 9th game. Those were the games they actually lost.
“Idk how you can say the Big 10 is top heavy without saying the same about the SEC. Past the top 5 SEC teams this year the SEC is garbage.”
You’re right on again.
They say it because they can’t be objective.
kodyaufan2, LSU looks like the best in the SEC and a legit top 4 team this year. Last year that team was Alabama. 2017 it was Alabama No.1 and Georgia No.2.
Will Alabama be the clear cut favorite to win the SEC next year? Will it be Georgia? Will it be LSU?
Do you know who will be the clear cut favorite to win the B1G next year? That will be Ohio St. How about in 2021, 2022, etc, etc…
The B1G is Ohio State, and nobody else. Mickey Mouse could be hired as HC, and they would still recruit circles around every other school in that conference. Will Alabama, Georgia or LSU be able to out recruit every other SEC team for the next 10-15 years. No they wont…
The team Ohio State lost to in previous season which ultimately kept them out of the playoffs were bad teams and thus bad losses. It matters not that they were conference opponents, because it stands to reason that since Ohio State lost to inferior conference opponents, they could very well have lost to either inferior, equal, or superior non-conference opponents. Playing an additional conference game doesn’t necessarily matter if the conference opponent is garbage. If Georgia added an SEC West bottom feeder, how would that really impact anything? In fact, by not being laden with an addition non-conference game, it allows more flexibility for scheduling quality non-conference games (ie, Notre Dame).
*by not being laden with an addition conference game
Tim Rupert, this year that team wasn’t Alabama. But for most of the past decade, it’s been Alabama. Alabama won 5/10 SEC championships this decade. In the past 10 years Ohio St has won just 3 Big 10 titles. Now which conference has been carried by one team?
“It matters not that they were conference opponents,”
Completely disagree. The guy is arguing against the Big ten because he says Ohio St dominates and no one is anywhere close.
If 2 middle tier Big 10 teams beat Ohio St. in the last 3 years, that logically weakens that whole argument.
There’s honestly no way that the Big 10 will ever get actual respect from some SEC fans, because there’s always some excuse no matter what. First, its the Big 10 sucks because no one can beat Ohio St. But then when its pointed out teams do beat Ohio St., it becomes “oh those teams are bad, it doesnt matter”.
There is literally no way to convince some people. It’s like modern politics.
LOL you guys have some epically bad takes. Yes, OSU is going to be at or near the top of the B1G every year for the foreseeable future and generally recruit better than the rest of the conference. As has been pointed out, though, in recent history, the B1G has been more internally-competitive than the SEC.
And the reason adding a 9th conference game would matter is because y’all might just have to drop the FCS opponents if you want to go after the ND-type matchups. As far as I’m concerned, FCS matchups are purely exhibition games. Congrats to LSU on being 11-0.
Also, I’ll remind Tim that the clear-cut favorite to win the B1G this year was… Michigan, followed by Nebraska. That was obviously based on wrong assumptions, but people legitimately believed OSU would be behind as many as 4 other teams in the B1G this year. Remind me who was expected to win the SEC. Pretty sure it was the same old Gump U, followed by UGA, followed by LSU. The same 3 in the same order that it probably should be 9 years out of 10.
You guys need to relax. Nobody’s saying the SEC isn’t good and probably the best conference in college football. We’re just saying that it’s not so much better than every other conference as to support the points you want to make.
Well, maybe nine games would allow the fans of other schools who aren’t going to be considered playoff worthy in their or the ninth team’s stadium.
All of a sudden it about who you play, who you didn’t, etc..
Play someone other than the ‘baby seals’ and give the ticket buyers something to enjoy.
And ya, there are eight schools in the SEC who are going to be in the playoffs regularly.
Play nine games!
How do you qualify saying the SEC teams play tougher schedules? Maybe if the played nine conference games they might.
But we’ll never know will we?
Take a look at UGA’s non-conference opponents scheduled throughout this coming decade before you start talking about scheduling FCS opponents. It’s a deeply impressive array of opponents and that was made possible in part by having 8 conference games. Also, the point of my comment wasn’t that the Big10 isn’t good (it very clearly is), my point was the 9 conference games isn’t what makea it good and doesn’t inherently produce better results. It’s also difficult to complain about people not being able to change their mind while doing so through a recalcitrant comment.
Take a look at OSU’s. Being required to play 9 conference games and no FCS teams hasn’t stopped OSU from putting quality competition that they didn’t need to play on the schedule. Don’t try to feed me some BS line that UGA can only play the likes of ND because they’ve got Murray St. I have absolutely zero respect for that chickensh!t scheduling. We had a P5 and 2 decent G5 opponents this year before the P5 team backed out on us. Now our OOC only has 3 wins against G5 divisional champions all playing for their conferences this weekend. Shucks. Fact is, you’re choosing to close your eyes to the plain facts because they undermine what you want to believe.
Also, @Tim, I missed it before, but LSU DID have 3-9 Vandy on the schedule. They gave up 38 points to that 3-9 team. Imagine if they had to add another SEC opponent instead of their pick of the finest tomato cans the FCS has to offer.
As to my obstinacy, I don’t go into a debate half-cocked. Not on religion, not on philosophy, not on politics, and certainly not on college football. If I’m willing to die on a hill, it’s because I’ve already considered the available facts from multiple angles and formed an informed opinion. This particular hill is that OSU and LSU each have as much claim to the top spot as the other. Those attacking my position are basing their argument on the premise that the SEC and/or the top 5 or so thereof is SO much better than the B1G that OSU’s accomplishments to date cannot justify ranking them above LSU. That is simply not true, as quantifiable data from this season attests.
W T S, “I’ll remind Tim that the clear-cut favorite to win the B1G this year was… Michigan.”
I just about fell out of my chair! Michigan?
The AP pool (Week 2) had Ohio St at No. 5 and Michigan at No.7.
Michigan – Hilarious! We should all be so lucky.
Michigan can’t fight their way out of a wet paper bag…
Doesn’t change the fact that UM was picked to win the B1G preseason, buddy. Way to ignore everything else, though.
Professing to be imovable because you consider your position 100% correct, is absolute folly. Strategic recalcitrance, however justified, has no material impact on being right and impedes the ability to assess the weaknesses in your position.
Calling an 8 conference game schedule “chickensh!t scheduling” is a horrible take and overly hyperbolic. Also, I came into this debate only with regard to the issue of number of conference games, not the ranking of Ohio State. And my ultimate point is that a 9 conference game schedule isn’t inherently better than an 8 game schedule, or vice versa — other factors determine the strength of schedule. I didn’t mean to suggest that quality OOC games are only possible by scheduling inferior opponents, only that it affords more flexibility in scheduling marquee OOC games should a program be interested.
The other side of the coin with scheduling FCS opponents is that a lot of those programs couldn’t survive without being paid to play FBS programs. I don’t disagree FCS games are exhibition games, but 1) Very good FCS teams can present the same overall opponent quality as low-tier FBS opponents, and 2) this is ultimately an amateur sport that is already monumentally grueling for the players, I think having a game or two of a 12 game schedule that provides a breather is perfectly reasonable.
The ridiculous part of putting OSU above LSU would mean that LSU would need to beat OSU, Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Auburn, and Texas if they are going to win a NC. That’s got to be the greatest season of all time.
OSU being ranked above LSU is all about trying to keep the SEC out of the championship game. We all know the toughest semi final game will be against Clemson.
No way LSU should be ranked behind anyone. After this weekend IF they beat UGA, they will have potentially beaten 4 top ten teams (uga, UF, Auburn, bama). OSU will have beaten 1 in Penn State. I think LSU runs the table, but the CFP has definitely tried to shift the perception of conference power away from the SEC this year. Lastly, while I don’t care that bama fell to 12, that is a bit much. No reason that Wisconsin or PSU is ahead of UF, Auburn or bama.
You all really gotta quit with the conspiracy crap.
There is absolutely nothing to show in the first 5 years that this committee has any bias against the SEC whatsoever.
Ohio St. above LSU is the right call. There’s a reason pretty much every computer has Ohio St. has #1.
Computers don’t have bias and don’t care who is who.
Why is there “no reason” Wisconsin or PSU is ahead of UF, Auburn, or Bama?? Personally, I have both PSU and Wisconsin ahead of both Bama and Auburn purely based on data and resume. That’s what counts, not the pre-conceived perceptions of conference homers.
MrSoul77, Yes there is something to back up the fact that Alabama, Georgia and Auburn are better than any B1G team not named Ohio St.
I’m talking about talent. I’m talking about depth. I’m talking about teams who have actually won something – Conference championships – Teams who have actually made the playoff – Teams who have played for and or actually won a National Championship.
The SEC has multiple teams who actually can compete for those accomplishments. The B1G has only one team who can…
When was the last time Michigan, Penn St, or Wisconsin actually had a real chance? Many, many years…
1. This is the 2019 College football playoff. Previous years are completely irrelevant.
2. Saying teams have more “talent” and “depth” are comments affected by perception. I’m an SEC person, myself, but the majority of SEC people do not give the Big 10 the credit it deserves, at all.
3. Since the CFP started, the Big 10 has had just as many different teams as the SEC…2.
4. Ohio St. has been kept out of the last 2 because they were beaten by lower Big 10 teams…handily. As in, they were kept out by their own conference.
5. Michigan has been the #7 team according to ESPN’s SP+ in the CFP era. Take away Ohio St. and they would likely have been in at least 2 playoffs.
6. Michigan, Ohio St., Michigan St., Penn St., Wisconsin have all finished within the top 10 in the last 5 years. If you’re finishing in the top 10, to me, that certainly seems like competing at a high level.
These aren’t the same committee members. This group is a clown show.
It’s irrelevant how long it’s been since any of those teams competed for a national championship. That has no bearing on the quality of those teams this year.
“These aren’t the same committee members. This group is a clown show.”
Clown show? Based on what?
Gee whiz man. You are the only guy in the country defending these guys. Good for you. I’m sure your dad is proud that you are out there defending him. The 100 computer polls was the best. Like there are 100 legitimate computer polls out there. I’m done here.
AU and UA are not both sneaking back into the top 10. You might get one in. On the other hand, Wisconsin may not drop out of the top 10 with a second loss to OSU. In that case, you’re looking at 2 or 3 top ten teams for LSU to 2 for OSU (but 3 top ten wins for OSU). The realistic best-case for LSU, they have 3 top ten wins to 1 for OSU. Deserving of #1 on Sunday? Maybe. I wouldn’t really argue against it if the committee went that route. Then again, LSU’s had some pretty lackluster defensive showings, and a win against an FCS opponent. Average that FCS win against a top ten win, give the stink eye at them giving up almost 40 points to a couple not-good teams, and it wouldn’t shock me if they kept LSU at 2. There’d be nothing wrong or conspiratorial about it.
I’m really not the only person defending the rankings. A lot of people absolutely agree with them.
What’s confusing is when people say things are jokes or clown shows, and then they can’t give one legitimate reason to support that.
The purpose of using computer rankings is based on the constant complaint of “bias” by the committee. Computers have no bias, and they have many of the same conclusions, such as Wisconsin and Penn St. in the top 10, Ohio St. #1.
It’s hard to argue Ohio St. is only #1 because of committee “bias”, when the most non-biased determinants out there have Ohio St. #1, too. In fact, it doesnt make sense.
A lot of claims here of what’s dumb or biased, but almost zero logic or evidence to actually back those claims up. Just a lot of assumption and preconceptions.
garbage. Their schedule strengths are pretty close, if youre not basing things on preconceived perception, and Ohio St. has been more dominant and complete. There’s a reason Ohio St. is #1 in like every computer poll.
When you say blanket stuff like Penn St., Michigan, Wisconsin are nothing “close” to Alabama, Auburn, or Georgia, you have zero to back that up, other than your own perception and bias.
Thankfully, the committee doesnt operate based on extreme SEC fan bias.
Ohio state has been more complete against who? Non ranked teams? The schedule LSU has played, you may just go ahead and give them the NC title.. No need for another game..
Ha, now youre clearly just trolling.
But i’ll bite..
“Ohio state has been more complete against who? Non ranked teams?”
I guess you’re unaware that Ohio St. has wins over 4 ranked opponents (2 in the top 10) by an average of 27.5 points.
Those shouldn’t be too 10 teams. The committee put them there to fool people just like you.
Really scraping the bottom of the barrel now saying one team’s quality wins aren’t legitimate because the teams they beat are overrated. It’s hard to go undefeated against any schedule. Ask Georgia. On any given day a team with far inferior talent can jump up and bite you.
The argument could be made about a team from any conference that the ranked conference opponents they’ve beaten were only ranked based on other teams in their conference being ranked (duh) and not based on how that conference compares to another conference. The reality is it’s impossible to know exactly how conferences stack up until after bowl season, which is why any championship-deciding format that chooses participating teams before bowl season will always be extremely controversial.
“Those shouldn’t be too 10 teams. The committee put them there to fool people just like you.”
The committee put them there because they are actually looking at the data. I’m a data and list nerd,and I make my own poll before the committee puts anything out. I have Penn St. and Wisconsin both in the top 10, just like the computers do, based on results and data.
All your arguments are opinion, with little to no supporting data or evidence at all.
All I know is that Clemson has risen to the top of the college football world with recruiting classes just barely in the top 10,but that is about to change.Not only is the 2020 class rated #1,but many say perhaps the greatest recruiting class in college football history…. LOOKOUTTTttttttttttttt !