So I've read it several places and I have to wonder myself: Why did the Committee release weekly rankings? I assume it was because ESPN wanted a weekly show to boost its ratings. Otherwise it only served to build to the crap we had last night. That needs to go away. Which means the ENTERTAINMENT Sports Programing Network will make it come out sooner next year...
Being a B10 fan, I am glad the Buckeyes got in but not sure the present 4 team system is that much of an improvement over the BCS. Hope the controversies this year result in expaning the format to an 8 team playoff with the first round games played at the home field of the higher seeded team.
I think most of would prefer an eight team playoff. This is the first year of a twelve year contract with ESPN. Does that mean we would have to wait twelve years to change the format or simply modify the existing contract?
kp's assessment of the Big 12's dilemma makes sense. Plus, it looks like OSU's impressive win ON A NEUTRAL FIELD in its 13th game was enough to boost it over TCU and Baylor. Like others here, I hope the ensuing controversy influences expansion to an 8-team format, the 5 power conference champs plus 3 others.
Well I don't agree with it, and I don't like it. But congrats to the Buckeyes they did what they had to do to get in! Looking forward to the playoffs!
I do think that Baylor and TCU were punished for being ...well Baylor and TCU. If that was Texas and Oklahoma...I don't believe Ohio State would have made the final 4.
I thought Finebaum said it best a few minutes ago. To paraphrase, he said 'the committee was so worried about establishing and maintaining credibility that they lost it, even though they got the 4 teams right.' TCU and Baylor were punished because their conference head is a moron. If he puts in place the rules deciding to use head-to-head, than he would probably have a team in. Since they don't, there's no true champion of the Big12 and they both got lost in the wash. I wish I could say I feel bad for the Big12 teams, but I just don't. They were a major part of the problem that caused all this change in college football. They have made several bad decisions over the years, and this is just one more. The schools should demand better leadership.
That would require a certain institution in Austin to act like a partner rather than an ape. Not gonna happen.
two more things. 1. Bobda, we need to go to 8 but the 4 is MUCH better than the BCS. Keep in mind, if this is the BCS, your NC game would be Florida State and Alabama.. period. That may well wind up being the NC game, but we'll at least give Ohio State and Oregon a shot on the field to do something about it. 2. Strength of Schedule. Which ranking system are these guys using? ESPN is throwing around numbers that clearly don't match what we're talking about here (Sagarin). They're saying Ohio State is 9 spots higher in SOS than TCU and much better than Baylor. So, which one are we using?
ESPN is full of caca. Sagarin is the respected and peoven model for strength of schedule. Someone needs to challenge ESPN's parameters and expose their self-serving drivel.
I've been getting laughed at for years for saying that. The horse is out of the barn there. I've just decided to steer into the skid and enjoy the insane ride. I don't really get the SOS rankings here though. I know people say the loss to Virginia Tech is bad, but how is the loss to West Virginia any better? I think one is a 5 loss team and the other is a 6 loss team. I can make the argument that a 6 loss team from the ACC, which just housed the SEC down the stretch, is every bit as 'respectable' as a 5 loss team from the Big12.
I'm not losing any sleep over it, I think Tcu played a tougher schedule and they beat the common opponent much easier. But I am happy for our Buckeye fans a class bunch of guys.
Sagarin SOS only works late in the season. Its early and mid-season SOS is usually skewed. So you have to be careful.
I understand. I was reacting to ESPN's SOS claim which I assume was based on the current records. If they can produce compelling evidence that their claim has merit, I'm all ears. I just don't have confidence in ESPN as a source of accurate, unbiased analysis.
Terry, I completely understand what you are saying and I am certain I would feel the same way if we would have not made the playoffs! We have never had much success against SEC teams, hopefully that will change this time around. Sid, thanks for your support.
I watched that show on ESPN and was interested to see that he analyst who seemed the most opposed to OSU being picked over TCU was Joey Galloway.
George, That surprises me, but the controversy was bound to happen. Another interesting note I found this morning: COLUMBUS — ESPN wanted the standard camera shot of the Ohio State team gathered around a big screen, watching their Sunday Selection Show for the College Football Playoff. (The Ozone) Coach Meyer declined and let the team members and coaches watch the show at their own discretion and location. I applaud him for that decision.
I have to say this, OSU after losing their opening game with a first time starting QB, had no margin of error all season. They've won 12 in a row which I believe is second only to FSU in length. I can't see Baylor or TCU beating Wisc. by 59 with their 3rd string QB making his first start. That impressed the hell out of me.