Unbalanced Schedules

[cbrown]

As we near the end of the season and playoff debates are starting to heat up (which I think is great for CFB), how the playoff committee incorporates SOS will be massive. For example, If it comes down to an 11-1 Indiana vs a 10-2 Tennessee (or any other 10-2 SEC team for that matter), how will Indiana's SOS be judged? I don't know how many ratings are out there, but I found a few below with a quick search. While Indiana has had a fantastic year, only one of their conference opponents to this point has a winning record OVERALL (Nebraska at 5-4). Even though Tennessee has only played two conference teams with winning records (Alabama at 7-2 and Arkansas at 5-4), I would argue that, from top to bottom, the SEC is still a much stronger league than the Big10 and the teams in the bottom half of the SEC are generally going to be better than their Big10 counterparts. 69% of SEC teams currently have a winning record overall compared to 44% of the Big10.

If we were to be left out in favor of Indiana, how would that affect our scheduling moving forward? For example, if we had attempted to schedule and beaten another blue blood this year, would that have made a difference? Does the SEC add a 9th conference game if they believe SEC teams were penalized for only playing eight? There will be some interesting scheduling implications based on how this plays out.

ESPN: Tennessee #35, Indiana #100
Sagarin: Tennessee #36, Indiana #81
Team Rankings: Tennessee #13, Indiana #56
Massey: Tennessee #32, Indiana #63

 

[VolCalls]

As we near the end of the season and playoff debates are starting to heat up (which I think is great for CFB), how the playoff committee incorporates SOS will be massive. For example, If it comes down to an 11-1 Indiana vs a 10-2 Tennessee (or any other 10-2 SEC team for that matter), how will Indiana's SOS be judged? I don't know how many ratings are out there, but I found a few below with a quick search. While Indiana has had a fantastic year, only one of their conference opponents to this point has a winning record OVERALL (Nebraska at 5-4). Even though Tennessee has only played two conference teams with winning records (Alabama at 7-2 and Arkansas at 5-4), I would argue that, from top to bottom, the SEC is still a much stronger league than the Big10 and the teams in the bottom half of the SEC are generally going to be better than their Big10 counterparts. 69% of SEC teams currently have a winning record overall compared to 44% of the Big10.

If we were to be left out in favor of Indiana, how would that affect our scheduling moving forward? For example, if we had attempted to schedule and beaten another blue blood this year, would that have made a difference? Does the SEC add a 9th conference game if they believe SEC teams were penalized for only playing eight? There will be some interesting scheduling implications based on how this plays out.

ESPN: Tennessee #35, Indiana #100
Sagarin: Tennessee #36, Indiana #81
Team Rankings: Tennessee #13, Indiana #56
Massey: Tennessee #32, Indiana #63

Finally, a sound, rational argument for comparing two teams using one of the same data points the CFP committee uses. If it comes down to these two competing for the final at-large spot, the Vols are in for the reasons you stated.

 

[NATHAN05]

Finally, a sound, rational argument for comparing two teams using one of the same data points the CFP committee uses. If it comes down to these two competing for the final at-large spot, the Vols are in for the reasons you stated.

I agree with you and OP as well............but the biggest reason for the committee / NCAA / ESPN / bowl sites will be turnout and audience tune-in........all about that $$$ nowadays. (which will still get TN in based on fan base)

 

[GVF]

As we near the end of the season and playoff debates are starting to heat up (which I think is great for CFB), how the playoff committee incorporates SOS will be massive. For example, If it comes down to an 11-1 Indiana vs a 10-2 Tennessee (or any other 10-2 SEC team for that matter), how will Indiana's SOS be judged? I don't know how many ratings are out there, but I found a few below with a quick search. While Indiana has had a fantastic year, only one of their conference opponents to this point has a winning record OVERALL (Nebraska at 5-4). Even though Tennessee has only played two conference teams with winning records (Alabama at 7-2 and Arkansas at 5-4), I would argue that, from top to bottom, the SEC is still a much stronger league than the Big10 and the teams in the bottom half of the SEC are generally going to be better than their Big10 counterparts. 69% of SEC teams currently have a winning record overall compared to 44% of the Big10.

If we were to be left out in favor of Indiana, how would that affect our scheduling moving forward? For example, if we had attempted to schedule and beaten another blue blood this year, would that have made a difference? Does the SEC add a 9th conference game if they believe SEC teams were penalized for only playing eight? There will be some interesting scheduling implications based on how this plays out.

ESPN: Tennessee #35, Indiana #100
Sagarin: Tennessee #36, Indiana #81
Team Rankings: Tennessee #13, Indiana #56
Massey: Tennessee #32, Indiana #63

Even though some teams may no longer be ranked, fact also remains that Tennessee has already played 4 ranked opponents at the time of the game, with one left. So, they will have had 5 ranked regular season games at game time. IU - none. OSU coming up will be their only one for the season. I don't think that carries as much weight as it should. It's not our fault that OU, for instance, fell apart this season, but they were ranked top 20 when we played them. We, or any other team, should not be penalized for that. At the least it should carry a favorable weighted consideration since a victor has no control over the season outcome of a ranked team they beat early in the season.

 

[GVF]

I agree with you and OP as well............but the biggest reason for the committee / NCAA / ESPN / bowl sites will be turnout and audience tune-in........all about that $$$ nowadays. (which will still get TN in based on fan base)

That's gonna be even more scrutinized as the top 12 are vacated from bowls for the playoffs.

 

[VolCalls]

Even though some teams may no longer be ranked, fact also remains that Tennessee has already played 4 ranked opponents at the time of the game, with one left. So, they will have had 5 ranked regular season games at game time. IU - none. OSU coming up will be their only one for the season. I don't think that carries as much weight as it should. It's not our fault that OU, for instance, fell apart this season, but they were ranked top 20 when we played them. We, or any other team, should not be penalized for that. At the least it should carry a favorable weighted consideration since a victor has no control over the season outcome of a ranked team they beat early in the season.

Do you think anyone is bragging about beating Florida State this year? They were ranked #4 in preseason.

 

[GVF]

Do you think anyone is bragging about beating Florida State this year? They were ranked #4 in preseason.

Not at all. Opposing coaches are prob denying having played them. They are an epic implosion never before seen I would imagine. Even "bad" FSU teams in recent years were atleast a .500 team.

 

[VolCalls]

Not at all. Opposing coaches are prob denying having played them. They are an epic implosion never before seen I would imagine. Even "bad" FSU teams in recent years were atleast a .500 team.

That's exactly my point - we can't argue that our schedule is tougher simply because we played teams who were once ranked but turned out to be mediocre.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

That's gonna be even more scrutinized as the top 12 are vacated from bowls for the playoffs.

I think they thought through the impact on bowls write large--and especially the bottom line $$.

Twelve teams will play a total of 11 games, 6 of those games being existing bowls (the 4 quarterfinals, and 2 semifinals--Fiesta, Peach, Rose, Sugar, and then Orange, Cotton).

Prior to the playoffs, those 6 bowls would have hosted 12 teams.

So there is zero real impact on bowl largesse, except that the NCAA and conferences get 5 more games (4 hosted by #5 through #8, and the last the national title game) than we had prior.

So, more money, more attendance, more largesse, all around.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

Posted in another thread but will repost here:

Sankey is smart but over played his hand.

The love of money is the root of all evil.

He sacrificed the whole conference(other sports, tradition, regionality, etc) for the guaranteed money from ESPN to expand.

Now the Big 10 will always be guaranteed 3 teams who play no one but each other and the SEC will be fighting to get 3 or more in Because they beat each other up during the regular season. The good news is the SEC regular season will have the highest ratings of all CFB because the best teams will be from the top 1/3 of SEC and great games will be occurring every weekend.

During sankey’s midnight nightmares he has realized this so he is pushing for CFP-16 with 4 guaranteed SEC and 4 Big10 teams which is actually worse because the fourth Big 10 team will get in with 3 regular season loses including to the nun school down the road.

Sankey trying to save face for his screwups.

BTW……wait till he sells out the SEC for the money for the 9 game regular season, it will only get worse….but the love of money is……

FYI….none of this can be solved as long as the majority northern based media and other conferences are part of the ranking process because they over rate the Big10 off name kind of like Bama being rated ahead of UT even when UT beats them.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

OSU beats Indiana by 21+ which will expose their weak schedule.

 

[GVF]

That's exactly my point - we can't argue that our schedule is tougher simply because we played teams who were once ranked but turned out to be mediocre.

But, we can argue that a team was duely ranked for a reason at the time we played them. OTOH, FSU has been a wounded possum all season by comparison. Vandy will be unranked, but no one can deny the wins they did get and the fits they gave everyone else except USCjr. That will not be an easy win if we don't show up to win and win big.

 

[GVF]

I think they thought through the impact on bowls write large--and especially the bottom line $$.

Twelve teams will play a total of 11 games, 6 of those games being existing bowls (the 4 quarterfinals, and 2 semifinals--Fiesta, Peach, Rose, Sugar, and then Orange, Cotton).

Prior to the playoffs, those 6 bowls would have hosted 12 teams.

So there is zero real impact on bowl largesse, except that the NCAA and conferences get 5 more games (4 hosted by #5 through #8, and the last the national title game) than we had prior.

So, more money, more attendance, more largesse, all around.

True and valid point.

 

[VolCalls]

But, we can argue that a team was duely ranked for a reason at the time we played them. OTOH, FSU has been a wounded possum all season by comparison. Vandy will be unranked, but no one can deny the wins they did get and the fits they gave everyone else except USCjr. That will not be an easy win if we don't show up to win and win big.

FSU was ranked #10 in both polls at the time Georgia Tech played them, so that is a signature win for them, right? Almost as good as their win over Miami.

 

[VolCalls]

OSU beats Indiana by 21+ which will expose their weak schedule.

I'll take that bet.

 

[GVF]

FSU was ranked #10 in both polls at the time Georgia Tech played them, so that is a signature win for them, right? Almost as good as their win over Miami.

I think rankings at game time are extremely relevant. How would you propose predicting said team will be worthless 9 games in and not giving decent credit for the vistory.

 

[GVF]

OSU beats Indiana by 21+ which will expose their weak schedule.

Or Indy wins and exposes OSU's weak schedule. Oregon is only legit team in that conference, and they were before they arrived.

 

[Godfatha]

Penn State, BYU can be added to that list too.

I would say Notre Dame, but at least they went to A&M and won. Thanks, A&M.

 

[onevol74]

OSU beats Indiana by 21+ which will expose their weak schedule.

The B1G will tell OSU to take their foot off the pedal.

 

[VolCalls]

I think rankings at game time are extremely relevant. How would you propose predicting said team will be worthless 9 games in and not giving decent credit for the vistory.

At game time, yes. But all that matters on selection day is where things stand at that particular moment. And today, we only have one win vs a ranked team, which doesn’t do us any favors. It is what it is.

At some point you have to take off the orange colored glasses and look at things objectively.

 

[EZE]

Posted in another thread but will repost here:

Sankey is smart but over played his hand.

The love of money is the root of all evil.

He sacrificed the whole conference(other sports, tradition, regionality, etc) for the guaranteed money from ESPN to expand.

Now the Big 10 will always be guaranteed 3 teams who play no one but each other and the SEC will be fighting to get 3 or more in Because they beat each other up during the regular season. The good news is the SEC regular season will have the highest ratings of all CFB because the best teams will be from the top 1/3 of SEC and great games will be occurring every weekend.

During sankey’s midnight nightmares he has realized this so he is pushing for CFP-16 with 4 guaranteed SEC and 4 Big10 teams which is actually worse because the fourth Big 10 team will get in with 3 regular season loses including to the nun school down the road.

Sankey trying to save face for his screwups.

BTW……wait till he sells out the SEC for the money for the 9 game regular season, it will only get worse….but the love of money is……

FYI….none of this can be solved as long as the majority northern based media and other conferences are part of the ranking process because they over rate the Big10 off name kind of like Bama being rated ahead of UT even when UT beats them.

The only guarantee should be for a conference champ. Geez, all these morons have to do is look to the basketball tournament.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

The only guarantee should be for a conference champ. Geez, all these morons have to do is look to the basketball tournament.

Sankey is pushing for more guarantees for SEC because of ease of Little10 schedule, it will always be a

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

FWIW, Josh Pate said on last night’s show that UT, TU, Bummer, UGA, and Ole Miss would all be in the playoff with 10 wins. 1 G5, 1 ACC, 1 Big 12, 3 B1G, 5 SEC.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

The B1G will tell OSU to take their foot off the pedal.

Laughable

 

[volbound1700]

FWIW, Josh Pate said on last night’s show that UT, TU, Bummer, UGA, and Ole Miss would all be in the playoff with 10 wins. 1 G5, 1 ACC, 1 Big 12, 3 B1G, 5 SEC.

You are missing Notre Dame but you counted only 2 spots. I still think B1G can get 4 in with Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, and Indiana. Best bet is Notre Dame dropping a game.