Playoff Expansion

[thehill98]

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

I guess I am. It’s one of the few sports where the champion is for the whole season not just who wins a tournament. I think games in September should be as important as games in November.

 

[peaygolf]

What I think will happen is the Power 5 schools will leave the NCAA one day and form their own Association, or petition to have their own Division.

 

[TNnative]

I guess I am. It’s one of the few sports where the champion is for the whole season not just who wins a tournament. I think games in September should be as important as games in November.

And in the current format, they still are. Every game does count. It did this year. But if you actually miss watching the games on Saturday, and waiting until Tuesday for a bunch of sports writers to tell you who your champion is? God man, I can't be nostalgic about that. That sucked.

 

[leon]

Why not switch to 4 major conferences. Championship games would be the first round on an 8 team playoff.

 

[thehill98]

And in the current format, they still are. Every game does count. It did this year. But if you actually miss watching the games on Saturday, and waiting until Tuesday for a bunch of sports writers to tell you who your champion is? God man, I can't be nostalgic about that. That sucked.

And I’m ok with the current format. I’m not for expansion. I’m sure they will eventually get to 6 or 8 teams, which we not be too bad, but hopefully it won’t go past that. I understand the desire for a post season playoff format, college football has been so unique. And I think once they had all the conferences tied in at least it was the right champion most every time, and the plus one has pretty much solved a problem like this year where there are 3 very deserving teams with a chance. I think if it goes beyond that it will lose a lot of what has made it great.

 

[TNnative]

And I’m ok with the current format. I’m not for expansion. I’m sure they will eventually get to 6 or 8 teams, which we not be too bad, but hopefully it won’t go past that. I understand the desire for a post season playoff format, college football has been so unique. And I think once they had all the conferences tied in at least it was the right champion most every time, and the plus one has pretty much solved a problem like this year where there are 3 very deserving teams with a chance. I think if it goes beyond that it will lose a lot of what has made it great.

I think as time passes, it will evolve. And I feel if it doesn't become the 8 team model, it will be a 6 team with the top two getting a first round bye. But just declaring all power 5 conference champions in because they won their conference championship? I still feel strength of schedule should tip the scales on seating, and if a power 5 champion plays too many cupcakes, and a group of five team has the better quality wins, so be it. That is awarding performance over prestige.

 

[MikeVol44]

I'd be fine with expanding the playoffs to 6 teams, P5 conference champions and 1 wild card. Top 2 seeds get a 1st round bye.

1 caveat - P5 schools can only play P5 schools. That will keep the value of the regular season.

I like it but will take it without the caveat....5 Conference champions have to beat enough quality conference teams to become champions.

Conference championships played 2 weeks after last regular season game.

The 1 at large team must be the team with the hardest strength of schedule---PERIOD!
No subjective measures of game control......blah...blah....blah crap!

 

[hog88]

I like it but will take it without the caveat....5 Conference champions have to beat enough quality conference teams to become champions.

Conference championships played 2 weeks after last regular season game.

The 1 at large team must be the team with the hardest strength of schedule---PERIOD!
No subjective measures of game control......blah...blah....blah crap!

I think making the P5 play only P5 schools keeps the regular season important and the system simple. The 1 at large team will be the team with the toughest schedule.

 

[MikeVol44]

I think making the P5 play only P5 schools keeps the regular season important and the system simple. The 1 at large team will be the team with the toughest schedule.

I agree...I just don't think scheduling one "patsy" as a rest week impacts conference wins in a negative way.
However--it certainly could be detrimental to "strength of schedule" rankings when trying to compete for a playoff spot.....

Either way---I am in complete favor of the 6 team format with automatic bids to Conference Champions as a way to AFFIRM the importance of winning your own Conference Crown.

Good idea!

 

[Orange defense]

let’s just go to 16, I’m ready for some football.

 

[CrybabyVol]

Why in the heck would you ever give a conference champion an automatic bid? That is insanity. You would give Virginia a playoff spot this year if they upset Clemson? And then you'd obviously have to give Clemson a spot. Although we have all been indoctrinated with playoffs our entire lives, they are fairly pointless in most sports. I'd watch the NBA and MLB much more if there were no playoffs. Why play 82 games or 162 games (or whatever it is) and then have a laborious playoff? What is there to prove at that point? Football is a bit different, because it's impossible to round robin like those sports are capable of. But when did the BCS get it wrong? Who has been left out this year? Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

 

[nomads-11]

I think 99% of the time your winner is in the top 4 .... Maybe top 3, depending on matchups. So I'm good with the current system. You could talk me into a 6 team playoff, but not a fan of 8. That's just letting in a few teams who have no business playing with the big boys.......any given year, and increasing the risk if injury. Early blow outs vs competitive games.

 

[GreveHaller]

Why in the heck would you ever give a conference champion an automatic bid? That is insanity. You would give Virginia a playoff spot this year if they upset Clemson? And then you'd obviously have to give Clemson a spot. Although we have all been indoctrinated with playoffs our entire lives, they are fairly pointless in most sports. I'd watch the NBA and MLB much more if there were no playoffs. Why play 82 games or 162 games (or whatever it is) and then have a laborious playoff? What is there to prove at that point? Football is a bit different, because it's impossible to round robin like those sports are capable of. But when did the BCS get it wrong? Who has been left out this year? Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.

you forgot the blue font

 

[rusty11]

Tell that to the DII/III (FCS) playoff teams. They’ll probably pat ya on the head and say “move along, kid”.

The playoffs in the lower divisions gives them a chance to showcase their talents against the best in their divisions. That's good for them, but not necessary for the top division as their talents are showcased every week.

 

[Mccage]

I wonder how many of players could lose millions of dollars if they get hurt in the playoffs?

I wonder how many med students could lose millions if they get hurt?

 

[sechamp2012]

You can't keep expanding the playoff without hurting bowls.

I am 100% behind the Bowl system. The 4 team playoff is the best of both worlds scenario. Expanders will never be happy until the bowl system is eradicated imo.

Some of these Bowls are ridiculously bad. If if's not your team it's embarrassing for the Sport but TV still must be coming out in advertising dollars.
In the 1960's they had maybe 10 Bowl games they meant something then.
Advertising money took over and it's basically a trade off a participation trophy like bowls (the 10 or so bottom tier.)

 

[zaqhhh]

Some of these Bowls are ridiculously bad. If if's not your team it's embarrassing for the Sport but TV still must be coming out in advertising dollars.
In the 1960's they had maybe 10 Bowl games they meant something then.
Advertising money took over and it's basically a trade off a participation trophy like bowls (the 10 or so bottom tier.)

I think it's a great send off for seniors to have a bit game to end their career. And I don't think it's a participation trophy either. You have to go 6-6 in 99% of cases to make it in.

The few times 5-7 teams have gotten in it's been done by academic performance which I appreciate the NCAA sending the message that academics matter.

I agree not every bowl is fun to watch if you are a non fan but for fans it's huge imo. I love watching the Vols whether it's the Sugar Bowl or the Belk Bowl.

My point is that you can only expand the playoff so much without having people come and try to dismantle the bowls. I think the system is working very well as is.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

I think it's a great send off for seniors to have a bit game to end their career. And I don't think it's a participation trophy either. You have to go 6-6 in 99% of cases to make it in.

The few times 5-7 teams have gotten in it's been done by academic performance which I appreciate the NCAA sending the message that academics matter.

I agree not every bowl is fun to watch if you are a non fan but for fans it's huge imo. I love watching the Vols whether it's the Sugar Bowl or the Belk Bowl.

My point is that you can only expand the playoff so much without having people come and try to dismantle the bowls. I think the system is working very well as is.

I like the idea of 8. After that, it shouldn't matter. I also like keeping Notre Dame out if it if they don't join a conference in football.