Playoff Expansion

[peaygolf]

You just made my point.

No. FBS should too

 

[Boston Vol]

I’m not going to wade through 5 pages so I apologize if this POV has already been posted, but can we at least wait until we get competitive semifinals before we expand?

 

[sjt18]

Strength of schedule is rightly a stronger argument that will and should be a key part of the process. When the BCS was coming into play, a friend of mine argued to me that Notre Dame should get in, "because they are Notre Dame". Screw them. Those jerks just need to wake up, smell the roses, and join a conference. As does every other independent. Reserving a spot for an independent let's them get an easy pass into the 8 every year. While I wouldn't mind that one spot going to the best champion in the group of five, if there really is one that earns it per strength of schedule, I truly believe strength of schedule should still override placement over conference championships.

You'll never get strength of schedule and a group of five champion no matter how good they are.

I loath ND... but they do the best they can to play a quality schedule. IIRC, they play USC, Michigan, Mich St, USC, BC, and Stanford every year. Again I hate them but you can't blame them because those teams happen to stink at any particular point in time.

I have said before here that independents should be shut out. If they want in then they should have to join a conference. That's not realistic though.

If I truly had my "rathers"... the NCAA would take the best 64 programs and organize them into the top tier of football. That would require the creation of 8 conferences with 8 teams each or 4 conferences with 16 teams and two divisions of eight each. At the end you either have 8 conference champions or 4 conference championships producing 4 playoff entries.


I think there are a number of ways to do it... I don't think the current way is good enough. I feel pretty strongly that P-5 conference champs should all make it in.

 

[TNnative]

I don't want to get in the weeds here, but then why do HS 's have playoffs..... 14/15 games for the teams in the finals? The vast majority of those kids have zero shot at playing at a higher level.

The argument of "too many games" and "health reasons" for an FBS playoff of 8, 16, 24 teams is absurd. Every other division does it. JMO. We can agree to disagree.

Years ago before most of us were born, Tennessee high schools had their ten game schedule, and played bowls. And since the TSSAA started a playoff system, it gave more HS players opportunities to be scouted. For a few years, HS not eligible for the playoff played bowls. Not many scouts showed up.

So, yeah, you not only got into the weeds, I think you might be hoplessly lost in the swamp, and you're standing in quicksand.

 

[TNnative]

You'll never get strength of schedule and a group of five champion no matter how good they are.

I loath ND... but they do the best they can to play a quality schedule. IIRC, they play USC, Michigan, Mich St, USC, BC, and Stanford every year. Again I hate them but you can't blame them because those teams happen to stink at any particular point in time.

I have said before here that independents should be shut out. If they want in then they should have to join a conference. That's not realistic though.

If I truly had my "rathers"... the NCAA would take the best 64 programs and organize them into the top tier of football. That would require the creation of 8 conferences with 8 teams each or 4 conferences with 16 teams and two divisions of eight each. At the end you either have 8 conference champions or 4 conference championships producing 4 playoff entries.


I think there are a number of ways to do it... I don't think the current way is good enough. I feel pretty strongly that P-5 conference champs should all make it in.

Not to be blunt about it, but the only parts of your message I can start to agree with is your "rathers". But even if you did that, they would still cupcake it up somehow. The association of the poor would whine about their lack of funding, and the greed of some would still allow it. I think that will never happen though. But it would be more fun if it did. Furthermore, if the remaining programs have two or three championships and prove their worth? Somebody moving up and somebody moving down would need to be possible.

And as to the current way not being good enough? I agree with that too. But not this year.

As to the rest? Pure poppycock. In the current 4 team system, there has already been years more than one team from a single conference were the two best teams in the nation. And those teams were from the SEC. Not that I have a special love for the conferences, but the other 4 didn't earn it. And the conference champions that were shut out damn well deserved to be shut out. That tells me, even if they one day expand to 8 teams, they still need to earn it. And some will be 12-0 playing a cupcake OOC schedule and their rivals will be down for various reasons like the PAC-12 this year. And I don't buy Notre Dame maintaining a strong schedule. Check their previous schedules for the last 25 years. And the only reason I see them being in a conference as "not realistic" is due to their overinflated self worth, and the number of fans they have.

 

[peaygolf]

Years ago before most of us were born, Tennessee high schools had their ten game schedule, and played bowls. And since the TSSAA started a playoff system, it gave more HS players opportunities to be scouted. For a few years, HS not eligible for the playoff played bowls. Not many scouts showed up.

So, yeah, you not only got into the weeds, I think you might be hoplessly lost in the swamp, and you're standing in quicksand.

I thought the argument about not having more games was due to players safety. If that is the argument......it’s a cop out and total bu!! Shi+

 

[KINGSVOL]

I am in favor of a 6 game playoff. The slots would not be tied to conferences but decided in much the same way as it is now. For player safety the 1 and 2 ranked teams get a bye. 3/6 and 4/5play. 1st plays lowest winner and so on. The key is to eliminate 1 regular season game! Expand bowl practice to 20 practices and allow non bowl eligible teams to have 5 "winter" practices. Lastly, get rid of "early"signing day. Make that day the ONLY signing day. Students that graduate can sign in to the school and go through bowl practices but not play in the bowl!

 

[hUTch2002]

Having four has already devalued the regular season and the bowls. I enjoyed the BCS. Unless you actually believe the best team always wins, why is a playoff superior to the BCS?

It’s superior because those rare years that you have a 3rd undefeated team, like 2004 Auburn and Clemson this year, then that team gets a shot at the title. How crappy would it be for a defending National Champion Clemson team to run the table a second straight year yet not get a chance to defend their title?

 

[hUTch2002]

I’m in the don’t expand crowd. However, I also believe expansion is inevitable. So if it is going to happen anyway I say screw 8 and go all the way to 16. Let every single conference champion in the playoff, even the Sunbelt and then fill the remaining 6 spots with at large teams. That’ll shut the Group of 5 teams up and generate excitement for them the years you do have a UCF or Boise that can compete. Plus, maybe teams won’t be afraid to play big time OOC teams because they can lose a game or two and still make the playoff. I think it could help the recruiting spread out a little more too due to more exposure for teams not named Bama, Ohio St, or Clemson along with a couple other names.

 

[Firebirdparts]

I agree. No need for expansion when we haven’t had a strong 4 seed in years. Once we have multiple deserving teams competing for the fourth spot, then expansion can be discussed. I can’t think of a year when there were 5 or 6 teams with a legitimate argument for #1.

That’s it exactly. We are arguing about who is #6 and it simply does not matter. There is a lot of history saying that you will usually have 1, 2, or 3 undefeated teams for what that is worth.

 

[Vol865]

I keep hearing everybody argue between 4 and 8 teams in the playoffs. Personally I believe 4 is fine and any more than that just continues to devalue the regular season. Which is what makes college football great and unique. Which got me thinking..

Why doesn’t CFB just use the NFL 6 team method? Top 2 have byes. 3 plays 6 and 4 plays 5. You could do the power 5 champions and one wild card team or just let the committee pick all 6. Nets 2 extra games and would be a happy middle ground for the debate. Just a random thought, what do you guys think?

I think 8 is perfect if done the right way and it would bring more meaning to conference championships. P5 Conference Champs get automatic bids as long as no more than 2 losses and then 3 at large bids. If a conference champ has more than 2 losses, it opens up another at large bid. Use NY6 bowl locations or better seeded team's home stadium for 1st round

 

[thehill98]

A lot of people say that other sports have a playoff, so should college football. Part of the reason I like college football is because it’s different. Let it be different, watch the nfl if you want playoffs. I like that you have to be great the whole season to win, not just get hot at the end.

 

[TNnative]

I thought the argument about not having more games was due to players safety. If that is the argument......it’s a cop out and total bu!! Shi+

What the Hell does that have to do with what I said? I thought Austin Peay guys were at least that smart. Maybe you need to get back on the golf course, and clear your mind. Cabin fever, perhaps?

 

[TNnative]

A lot of people say that other sports have a playoff, so should college football. Part of the reason I like college football is because it’s different. Let it be different, watch the nfl if you want playoffs. I like that you have to be great the whole season to win, not just get hot at the end.

Oh, so you are one of these people who miss journalists telling you who the champion is? Really? Thank God you got outvoted.

 

[peaygolf]

What the Hell does that have to do with what I said? I thought Austin Peay guys were at least that smart. Maybe you need to get back on the golf course, and clear your mind. Cabin fever, perhaps?

My original reply was to someone else, about the playoffs. You jumped in and got all pissy. Take it easy chief. Trust me, I have more than enough knowledge about this to debate it with you!

 

[TNnative]

I’m in the don’t expand crowd. However, I also believe expansion is inevitable. So if it is going to happen anyway I say screw 8 and go all the way to 16. Let every single conference champion in the playoff, even the Sunbelt and then fill the remaining 6 spots with at large teams. That’ll shut the Group of 5 teams up and generate excitement for them the years you do have a UCF or Boise that can compete. Plus, maybe teams won’t be afraid to play big time OOC teams because they can lose a game or two and still make the playoff. I think it could help the recruiting spread out a little more too due to more exposure for teams not named Bama, Ohio St, or Clemson along with a couple other names.

Nice try, but with so many power 5 conferences with 14 teams? It won't happen. As long as players are student athletes, they won't have any teams play 16 games. It is more likely college football is replaced with Men's college soccer, and high school football players aspiring for the NFL are recruited by regional semi pro developmental teams.

 

[peaygolf]

Nice try, but with so many power 5 conferences with 14 teams? It won't happen. As long as players are student athletes, they won't have any teams play 16 games. It is more likely college football is replaced with Men's college soccer, and high school football players aspiring for the NFL are recruited by regional semi pro developmental teams.

Now....you are actually talking about the ORIGINAL topic. Every other division of college football does it. Why can’t FBS do it?

 

[TNnative]

My original reply was to someone else, about the playoffs. You jumped in and got all pissy. Take it easy chief. Trust me, I have more than enough knowledge about this to debate it with you!

You replied to me, squaw. Pay attention to who you are replying to. So get your nine iron outta your backside, and your knowledge has been found wanting.

 

[hUTch2002]

Nice try, but with so many power 5 conferences with 14 teams? It won't happen. As long as players are student athletes, they won't have any teams play 16 games. It is more likely college football is replaced with Men's college soccer, and high school football players aspiring for the NFL are recruited by regional semi pro developmental teams.

No, they’ll expand to 8 and make the regular season mean absolutely nothing while we argue about whether or not teams like Florida or Auburn should make the playoffs.

 

[TNnative]

Now....you are actually talking about the ORIGINAL topic. Every other division of college football does it. Why can’t FBS do it?

They won't. 130 teams in D-1. It is not financial beneficial to the powers that be. As to what every other division does? I don't waste my time with that, unless one of my local high school kids invite me to come once or twice.

 

[peaygolf]

You replied to me, squaw. Pay attention to who you are replying to. So get your nine iron outta your backside, and your knowledge has been found wanting.

Whatever..........

 

[TNnative]

No, they’ll expand to 8 and make the regular season mean absolutely nothing while we argue about whether or not teams like Florida or Auburn should make the playoffs.

Well, it won't be for a good many years. They are contractually bound to it.

But if they ever do, it will be because some portion of power 5 schools get tired of being shut out and they raise enough Hell. Just as the BCS was considered less than fair. And in time, I expect the idiotic targeting rules to continue to evolve into more stupid changes, and the product will continue to be lessened. But that is another subject.

 

[peaygolf]

They won't. 130 teams in D-1. It is not financial beneficial to the powers that be. As to what every other division does? I don't waste my time with that, unless one of my local high school kids invite me to come once or twice.

126 FCS teams

And......I don’t want a playoff of more than 4 teams.

 

[Vol737]

FCS, D2 and D3 been doing it forever. We could go to six or 8 no problem.

 

[hUTch2002]

Well, it won't be for a good many years. They are contractually bound to it.

But if they ever do, it will be because some portion of power 5 schools get tired of being shut out and they raise enough Hell. Just as the BCS was considered less than fair. And in time, I expect the idiotic targeting rules to continue to evolve into more stupid changes, and the product will continue to be lessened. But that is another subject.

I think they could expand as soon as 2023 or 2024 so not nearly as far as it seems. I’m jut hoping these last couple of years have shown that maybe it isn’t the best idea. It’s crazy how it seems to always work itself out.

The NCAA has to get a handle on targeting. It isn’t difficult. Stop kicking kids out for a single offense. That’s a great start.