Commissioner Jim Phillips on CFP

[Eli]

Seriously, if you can’t rise to the challenge and pressure of beating a lessser team how in the hell do you expect to be in the playoffs, or to succeed if you did make it? I watched Miami vs. Cuse, they are playing like trash, typical end of the season collapse by the Canes.

So Alabama getting beat 24-3 by a 5-5 Oklahoma team is considered what exactly? Oh wait they did beat Mercer two weeks ago so you’re right they are playing great ball..

 

[slugboy]

So Alabama getting beat 24-3 by a 5-5 Oklahoma team is considered what exactly? Oh wait they did beat Mercer two weeks ago so you’re right they are playing great ball..

The problem about the “last team in” is that they all have reasons they don’t belong.

I wish the committee would stop ignoring the reasons Bama doesn’t belong. They have enough advantages before the committee gives them an extra edge

 

[UgaBlows]

So Alabama getting beat 24-3 by a 5-5 Oklahoma team is considered what exactly? Oh wait they did beat Mercer two weeks ago so you’re right they are playing great ball..

No i don't think thats right either, but i think they would crush Miami right now

 

[Eli]

No i don't think thats right either, but i think they would crush Miami right now

Based on what exactly? The fact Bamas defense has been thrashed all year by any QB with a pulse?

 

[FredJacket]

So Alabama getting beat 24-3 by a 5-5 Oklahoma team is considered what exactly? Oh wait they did beat Mercer two weeks ago so you’re right they are playing great ball..

You seem sure Miami is markedly better than Alabama or very obviously deserves to be in the playoff ahead of Alabama. I just don't see how you can really objectively differentiate them. You've mentioned Alabama's loss to Oklahoma. Clearly the biggest 'problem' with Alabama's resume. But Alabama beat UGA... the SEC runner-up (at worst). Miami has lost 2 of their last 3 games. They got VERY lucky in 2 wins (Va Tech and Cal). I have no idea if the committee cares about almost losses... but I do when comparing close teams. I'd like it if both Miami and Alabama had 4 or more losses and totally out of the picture... but to me... both are ranked right next to each other appropriately because their resumes make them pretty equal (on paper).

 

[yeti92]

You seem sure Miami is markedly better than Alabama or very obviously deserves to be in the playoff ahead of Alabama. I just don't see how you can really objectively differentiate them. You've mentioned Alabama's loss to Oklahoma. Clearly the biggest 'problem' with Alabama's resume. But Alabama beat UGA... the SEC runner-up (at worst). Miami has lost 2 of their last 3 games. They got VERY lucky in 2 wins (Va Tech and Cal). I have no idea if the committee cares about almost losses... but I do when comparing close teams. I'd like it if both Miami and Alabama had 4 or more losses and totally out of the picture... but to me... both are ranked right next to each other appropriately because their resumes make them pretty equal (on paper).

Objectively, Miami has a better record. Objectively, Bama has multiple losses to teams with worse records than Miami's losses were to, and those losses were by more combined points than Miami's losses were.

 

[FredJacket]

Objectively, Miami has a better record. Objectively, Bama has multiple losses to teams with worse records than Miami's losses were to, and those losses were by more combined points than Miami's losses were.

Based on that cherry picking... Army should be ranked ahead of both of them & probably somewhere around 8th.

 

[yeti92]

Based on that cherry picking... Army should be ranked ahead of both of them & probably somewhere around 8th.

lol I'd be fine with Army getting in if they win their conference, I think the playoff should only be conference champions.

You asked for objective reasons and I gave you objective reasons. Sorry you don't like what you asked for.

 

[FredJacket]

lol I'd be fine with Army getting in if they win their conference, I think the playoff should only be conference champions.

Yeah... don't get me wrong. I like the discussion. I just can't look at Alabama & Miami ... and come to the conclusion one deserves a playoff spot over the other. Obviously others see it differently.

 

[Eli]

You seem sure Miami is markedly better than Alabama or very obviously deserves to be in the playoff ahead of Alabama. I just don't see how you can really objectively differentiate them. You've mentioned Alabama's loss to Oklahoma. Clearly the biggest 'problem' with Alabama's resume. But Alabama beat UGA... the SEC runner-up (at worst). Miami has lost 2 of their last 3 games. They got VERY lucky in 2 wins (Va Tech and Cal). I have no idea if the committee cares about almost losses... but I do when comparing close teams. I'd like it if both Miami and Alabama had 4 or more losses and totally out of the picture... but to me... both are ranked right next to each other appropriately because their resumes make them pretty equal (on paper).

Miami has lost 2 of their last 3 games against a top 25 Syracuse team and Tech who should have beat UGA. Bamas last 3 games are against Oklahoma, Mercer and Auburn. (All teams .500 or below) All while the committee has rewarded them by moving them up each week with wins over Mercer and Auburn. Meanwhile that same committee just dropped Miami 7 spots for getting beat by 4 points to a ranked Syracuse team. If we are just going off of who we think is better then don’t even play regular season games. The committee can just save us 5 months of football and pick the top 12 in August…

 

[LT 1967]

I have been thinking about the best path forward for SMU. Based on what happened last year, there is a good chance they are at risk of missing the playoff if they play and lose to Clemson. However, if they opt out of the game, they guarantee themselves a spot. It all depends on if they care about winning the national championship or conference championship more. Of course they could do both, but it is a greater risk.

More discussion about SMU opting out of the ACC Championship. I am pretty confident that this would not happen, but interesting comments below.

MSN

 

[forensicbuzz]

You seem sure Miami is markedly better than Alabama or very obviously deserves to be in the playoff ahead of Alabama. I just don't see how you can really objectively differentiate them. You've mentioned Alabama's loss to Oklahoma. Clearly the biggest 'problem' with Alabama's resume. But Alabama beat UGA... the SEC runner-up (at worst). Miami has lost 2 of their last 3 games. They got VERY lucky in 2 wins (Va Tech and Cal). I have no idea if the committee cares about almost losses... but I do when comparing close teams. I'd like it if both Miami and Alabama had 4 or more losses and totally out of the picture... but to me... both are ranked right next to each other appropriately because their resumes make them pretty equal (on paper).

The first differential, and then you can stop, is that Miami is 10-2 and Alabama is 9-3. Don't need to go any further than that. If Miami were a G5 team it would be a different story, but they're not.

The committee doesn't care about losses or wins. They care about the name on the front of the jersey and the conference they come from. It's not about merit, it's about TV money.

 

[CEB]

More discussion about SMU opting out of the ACC Championship. I am pretty confident that this would not happen, but interesting comments below.

MSN

Right now it’s just talk but we all saw this coming a mile away.
Conference championship games are going away if weaponized against losers.

 

[Techster]

If you want to know why it's important for GT to leave the ACC once the GOR is figured out or someone legally solves it (besides being on the wrong side of the impending ginormous revenue gap that will separate the Big 2 from the "Other 2"), the playoff selection charade is one of the bigger reasons. SEC and B1G have already said they want more guaranteed spots (most likely 3-4 spots) for their respective conferences, which will leave the ACC/Big 12/rest of FBS to fight over the scraps.

BTW, another data point is coming in favorably for GT to the B1G:



When GT is good, and we play good teams, audiences tune in. A good GT team playing a B1G schedule should be one of the top draws for that conference. Get paid, a good chance to be in the playoffs if we finish in the top 4 of a major conference, and be the biggest fish in the Southern Market for the B1G...that's a LOT to like.

 

[Northeast Stinger]

You seem sure Miami is markedly better than Alabama or very obviously deserves to be in the playoff ahead of Alabama. I just don't see how you can really objectively differentiate them. You've mentioned Alabama's loss to Oklahoma. Clearly the biggest 'problem' with Alabama's resume. But Alabama beat UGA... the SEC runner-up (at worst). Miami has lost 2 of their last 3 games. They got VERY lucky in 2 wins (Va Tech and Cal). I have no idea if the committee cares about almost losses... but I do when comparing close teams. I'd like it if both Miami and Alabama had 4 or more losses and totally out of the picture... but to me... both are ranked right next to each other appropriately because their resumes make them pretty equal (on paper).

You left out Georgia’s loss to Tech. Oh, wait, the refs protected the playoff narrative for uga just in time.

 

[Thwg777]

Right now it’s just talk but we all saw this coming a mile away.
Conference championship games are going away if weaponized against losers.

I’m no lawyer but wonder what the consequences (if any) would be for sitting out the ACCCG?

It makes logical sense for SMU to say thanks for the invite but abstains from playing in the ACCCG. It ‘should’ then guarantee them in CFP. And benefits the the ACC in general (guarantees two teams in.

I remember a few years ago in the last week of the NFL season, two teams played for one playoff spot. However if that game ended in a draw both teams would be in the playoffs. There was a lot of talk about both teams taking alternate kneel downs but they played instead. Ironically, it went to OT but one team lost and went home.

 

[stinger78]

I think the playoff should only be conference champions.

 

[TechPhi97]

You left out Georgia’s loss to Tech. Oh, wait, the refs protected the playoff narrative for uga just in time.

Imagine Carson Beck gets hurt in the first quarter of the SEC Championship game. Gunner Stockton comes in and stinks the place up. The committee should drop them out of the playoff for the same reason as FSU last year.

 

[orientalnc]

Imagine Carson Beck gets hurt in the first quarter of the SEC Championship game. Gunner Stockton comes in and stinks the place up. The committee should drop them out of the playoff for the same reason as FSU last year.

I want uga to lose. But this is not the way I would choose.

 

[UgaBlows]

I’d like to see the refs really just bend uga over in favor of TX