Oh heck! I'm going to jump into this conversation despite my not-so-strong feelings against a playoff. It reminds me of the baseball hot stove time of the year. Re: Scott's question above. I believe you must include conference champions from at least 6 conferences (ACC, BE, B10, SEC, B12, Pac10) plus perhaps 2 at-large. I believe that the combination of record and schedule strength as rated by 3-4 reliable services must be a factor in the at-large selections. My rationale re: conference champs is to point out the NFL and MLB formats. One or more divisions may suck in a given year, but the division champs always are included in the playoffs. Look at the BE/ACC this year as the college FB version of MLB's NL West or the NFL's AFC West.
Sid, That's reasonable. Seeding would always reward the "tougher" conferences by letting them start off with the perceived light-weights.
In the case of an 8 team playoff I would drop my objection to non conference champions being included. I would go with Alabama, Florida from the SEC, Texas, Oklahoma from the Big 12, USC, Utah, Boise State and the eighth spot I would have to go with Penn State. Now if the Gators were to lose this weekend then we should be bumped in favor of Texas Tech or Ball State. If not one of those two latter then I think the Gators should be back in the hunt. Alabama would deserve to be in a 8 game format even with a loss to the Gators. I realize how not perfect my scenario is, but I don't feel that the ACC and Big East deserve someone in a playoff if all their teams have 2 or more losses. Cincy would be the standby.
A serious case can be made against any team that has a loss. But subjectivity does become a factor and the manner in which a team wins and who has the hot hand comes into play. No team has been hotter than Florida on both sides of the ball....which is why the SEC title game now becomes a national semifinal. Oklahoma has been that hot on offense but still leaves some question on defense and Texas has looked solid as well. Bama looked great vs. Auburn but had some sluggish close wins down the stretch. If Bama had one loss they would be as far back as TT or Penn St. But....the Tide is undefeated and that's the obvious huge difference maker for them.
Just can't bring yourself to admit that there is a chance the Gators win and don't make it can you MCG?
MCG, let me add, that your logic is good for the people who vote in the two polls but carries no weight what so ever with the computers. The simple fact is that the Gators can be number one in the Harris, Coaches and AP and still drop to 3rd because of the computers. You can deny, but that's the way it is. I'm going bowling and hope to break out of my season long slump.
And one could argue that they were read hot because the competition they were playing was so bad. One could argue that the run thru: -Arkansas -LSU -Kentucky -Georgia -Vanderbilt -South Carolina -Citadel -FSU is just not that difficult this year. There is no ifs/ands or butts about Alabama being a huge game but that is a mighty soft looking road to get there. You didn't mention USC in your little breakdown. They are 10-1 right now. In their 11 games, they have held their opponent to 10 points or less 9 times. That includes 3 shut outs and 3 others in which they held their opponent to only a FG. While I do believe that Florida is very hot, they also play a certain style of offense and defense. USC plays an entirely different style of offense and defense. You are essentially rewarding the style of play over the team. That means jack squat if they met on a neutral field. Like I said, a strong case can be made for any of them.
Corey, it does dumbfound me that USC is getting left out again. I don't see any scenario that gets them there this year and frankly that bothers me. They are the best team in football year in and year out right now but it seems they've been put in a position where then need to be unbeaten to make the game. You won't see me defend that. But if the Gators get there, you will see me be happy
Bill, And I hate that. People shouldn't have to slight your team and you guys should be proud. Teams shouldn't have to apologize for their success. I am just curious as to why the Pac10 rep always seems to be on the 'exception end' of the stick to the traditional means of measuring rankings and champions.. There is always some excuse, always.