2023 College football thread - That's A Wrap (2 Viewers)

[nysfl2]

Just be thankful they don’t use ESPN’s FPI to determine the playoff.

2025 College Football Power Index - ESPN

View the 2025 College Football power index on ESPN. The FPI is the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season.

www.espn.com

1. Michigan
2. Ohio State
3. Penn State
4. Oregon

Good lord - lot of teams

need to have their senators write a letter apparently.

Here are Jeff Sagarin’s final Top 10 using his computer model that’s been around forever:

01 - Michigan
02 - Oregon
03 - Ohio State
04 - Texas
05 - Penn State
06 - Alabama
07 - Georgia
08 - Oklahoma
09 - Washington
10 - Florida State

His computer must have crashed if Oregon is 2 and Washington is 9. Most of the list doesn’t make sense. Was this preseason rankings?

Yeah this makes absolutely zero sense, considering they had basically the exact same schedule, but Washington then beat Oregon twice. And it's not even like Oregon is barely ahead. #2 vs #9.

Washington even has the toughest out of conference game. AND Oregon played an FCS team.

Bizarre.

My only guess is that margin of victory is getting way too much weight in the ranking

 

[The Commish]

BREAKING: NCAA president proposes new subdivision.
@TheIronSheik’s Super Elite Upper Tier has arrived.

Will be interesting to see if any P5 schools don’t opt in…Vandy, NW..? Maybe too much profit still hanging in.

This just an attempt to keep power they see slipping away. The conferences need to tell the NCAA to pound sand once and for all.

 

[whoknew]

Citrus Bowl - TN v Iowa. The O/U is 35.5.

I mean - WAY WAY under. If I were a bettor.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

Is OSU really losing two 5* and 7 4* to the portal?

Yes. And that's not good.

Stars are very important at the biggest schools because obviously those players are awesome. But some of it makes no sense. They way players get stars is to be ranked/reviewed by enough college recruiters. They recruit more in places like TEX, GA, FLA, and CA. So players in those states typically get a lot of stars because more recruiters rank them. If you don't get enough reviews, you won't get stars even if the reviews you get are great. It's about location as much as quality. Which is why you often see a players with say 3 stars in a lesser state end up at a top program.

For example, the 21st ranked player in Virginia is a 3 star going to Georgia. Georgia is also getting 22nd ranked player in NC who is a 3 start. UGA could easily get another 4 or 5 star. But a 3 star in a lesser state might be a diamond in the rough that simply didn't get reviewed much. They are passing up the 1-20 ranked players in the state simply because the reviews in those lesser states make little sense.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

BREAKING: NCAA president proposes new subdivision.
@TheIronSheik’s Super Elite Upper Tier has arrived.

Will be interesting to see if any P5 schools don’t opt in…Vandy, NW..? Maybe too much profit still hanging in.

Half of them should. They have zero chance to compete financially. There's about 10-15 schools that really can. There will probably be another 20 that think they can and another 20 that will pay players the bare minimum as long as the profits still exist and don't really care about the win loss record.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Michigan is expected to purchase UCLA's star freshman QB. This is where college football is now. Even someone like UCLA can't even keep a good player. They are all going to funnel to the top 15 teams. UCLA will then buy a QB from a lower tier P4 school and then that P4 school will buy a QB from a G5 program like Liberty, James Madison, Toledo, Memphis, or similar.

 

[Tecumseh]

Words I have NEVER uttered in my entire life. . . . Roll Damn Tide!

Ouch, how can you? I cheered so hard for you guys against Georgia last year.

Sorry, I. . . just can't. . . no hate just a little bitterness.

I am the opposite, I root for OSU every game except that last one in November. The better they look, the better we look in comparison.

That’s the difference between Buckeye fans and Wolverine fans. Buckeye fans won’t even say or write the word Michigan, much less root for them.

As I grew up in Ohio, have lots of friends on social media who are Buckeyes fans. They either use “*” or “TTUN” (That Team Up North) to refer to Michigan. They also routinely post photos of words or businesses that start with a capital M with the “M” crossed out. Die hard Buckeyes fans will NEVER root for Michigan, even if it’s against their own interest. Just ask @Sullie. “Roll Tide” posts are littering my feed right now.

Truth. And I strangely find myself becoming a Washington fan now because I don't like Alabama or Texas either.

ETA...I will be pulling for Alabama over TTUN, but I won't like it.

Same. I hope Bama boat races ttun, but Washington wins the whole thing.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Heisman finalists: Daniels, Nix, Penix, and Harrison Jr.

I wonder how many of these guys would be playing in a 12 team tournament if we had one this season. It seems highly unlikely any of them will play in their non-playoff bowl games, but I wonder what would happen if they get into the playoff tournament as a lower seed? If the committee gives such important weight to a quarterback's injury when seeding these teams that they leave an undefeated p5 conference champion out of the top 4, would they not also have to consider whether the top quarterbacks and other star players might sit out if they get in as a 9 or 10 seed in the playoff next season?

 

[The Commish]

Michigan is expected to purchase UCLA's star freshman QB. This is where college football is now. Even someone like UCLA can't even keep a good player. They are all going to funnel to the top 15 teams. UCLA will then buy a QB from a lower tier P4 school and then that P4 school will buy a QB from a G5 program like Liberty, James Madison, Toledo, Memphis, or similar.

Are you referring to Moore? One of the few in state misses in the recruiting cycle for this year and ended up with the kid from NC. Would be interesting to see them both compete for the job. I'm still not convinced McCarthy is leaving, but we'll see.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

So today the transfer portal opens. It’s been a great thing for some students to improve their situation and is the best they can do for now until the whole thing blows up.

That said, teams are blowing up today. Bowl games are gonna be complete trash outside of the playoffs. But because of the timing of kids needing to be enrolled at their new school for next semester vs bowl timing, next year’s playoff expansion gets even messier.

If tOSU is in a 12 team playoff, is McCord still gone? If not, he might be stuck next year and not start in his last year of eligibility. Will definitely present weird scenarios I suspect.

I saw a couple Texas guys entered the portal this week and wonder how many other players there are who are in the final 4 but are looking to transfer for one reason or another. It must be agonizing for them to have to decide whether to declare now and be seen as quitting on a national championship opportunity.

 

[timschochet]

Michigan is expected to purchase UCLA's star freshman QB. This is where college football is now. Even someone like UCLA can't even keep a good player. They are all going to funnel to the top 15 teams. UCLA will then buy a QB from a lower tier P4 school and then that P4 school will buy a QB from a G5 program like Liberty, James Madison, Toledo, Memphis, or similar.

Is it a question of money? Because UCLA should have enough money to keep Moore. I suspect Moore was pissed off at Kelly for benching him half of the season.

 

[The Commish]

Michigan is expected to purchase UCLA's star freshman QB. This is where college football is now. Even someone like UCLA can't even keep a good player. They are all going to funnel to the top 15 teams. UCLA will then buy a QB from a lower tier P4 school and then that P4 school will buy a QB from a G5 program like Liberty, James Madison, Toledo, Memphis, or similar.

Is it a question of money? Because UCLA should have enough money to keep Moore. I suspect Moore was pissed off at Kelly for benching him half of the season.

I don't know the details at all. I DO know many other places offer significantly more in the way of NIL than Michigan does. And if it's a playing time thing, going back to Michigan probably isn't smart. He's gonna have to compete for the job.

 

[The Commish]

SEC Roll Call - The Playoff Trial

With the regular season and championship week behind us, the playoff committee made the controversial decision to leave undefeated Florida State out of the p...

www.youtube.com

 

[JAA]

FSU got hosed imo

I think there’s a distinction between feeling bad for them and them getting hosed. I don’t think they got hosed based on the process but I do think they cosmically got hosed because their QB got hurt and Georgia lost to Bama.

The process?

They are a power 5 conference champion who is 13-0 in this day and age of the transfer portal and parity across the country. They have arguably the top defense in the country as well. They carried them to two wins to finish the season.

They earned the right to play for the prize. Period.

Bama.....lost to Texas who is in the dance.

It's fraudulent.

Their SOS was far worse than the others in contention for the top 4 spots. It is unfortunate for them that opened the door for the committee to exclude them because of the QB injury.

Please compare UM and FSU SoS.

Then tell me about Iowa. Then @LSU. Then Clemson and Duke.

Michigan beat Ohio State. That's a huge win.

I still think FSU got jobbed, but let's not forget Michigan owns a more impressive victory than anything FSU can point to this season.

What was Michigans SoS?

 

[Mookie Gizzy]

Words I have NEVER uttered in my entire life. . . . Roll Damn Tide!

Ouch, how can you? I cheered so hard for you guys against Georgia last year.

Sorry, I. . . just can't. . . no hate just a little bitterness.

I am the opposite, I root for OSU every game except that last one in November. The better they look, the better we look in comparison.

That’s the difference between Buckeye fans and Wolverine fans. Buckeye fans won’t even say or write the word Michigan, much less root for them.

As I grew up in Ohio, have lots of friends on social media who are Buckeyes fans. They either use “*” or “TTUN” (That Team Up North) to refer to Michigan. They also routinely post photos of words or businesses that start with a capital M with the “M” crossed out. Die hard Buckeyes fans will NEVER root for Michigan, even if it’s against their own interest. Just ask @Sullie. “Roll Tide” posts are littering my feed right now.

Sadly, this is true in my case, however, I am my own person, I'm not big on following the crowd and I don't speak for anyone else but I absolutely cannot root for my rival team. I never have and I never will and I don't state that proudly, just as a matter of fact. I hope and pray for them to have all the success in the world off the field and on gameday I always want them to be safe and healthy, however, I cannot root for them to win, ever. I love guys like Charles Woodson and Devin Gardner but, again, I simply cannot bring myself to root nor cheer for their team to win on gameday. Since I am so extremely childish, petty and immature, I will always root against them each and every time they take the field. The Commish is a bigger/better man than me that way, I very much appreciate fans like him but I am not going to lie and pretend I would root for them because I know that I won't. I am what I am, I will never change nor do I have any desire to change.

This x1000. There is no way I’m rooting for another Big 10 team to do good if Michigan isn’t in the running. I feel no conference pride. And it makes no sense to me people saying another Big 10 team winning makes Michigan look better. If we suck we suck. If we lose a heartbreaker to OSU like 2006 and 2016 I’m not going to feel better if they win it all and say at least we lost the the champs. No, I’ll feel worse

 

[JAA]

Are we to believe that Georgia is no longer one of the top 4 teams in the country because they lost by 3 points in part due to questionable officiating?

By questionable officiating I'm referring to them not reviewing the Bond catch on 4th and 4, allowing Alabama to get points right before the half instead of turning the ball over on downs.

I absolutely believe Georgia is one of the 4 best teams.

So if the 2 best teams are in the NFC, should the Super Bowl be 2 teams from the NFC?

I'm not even advocating that Georgia should get in. Just that, they're one of the 4 best teams.


I think you can acknowledge that college sports and pro sports are not the same. So we shouldn't conflate the 2.
The NFL and NBA have 2 conferences. College has how many? Again. You really can't compare the 2. Sure, the pro leagues have divisions. But the divisions are still under the umbrella of each conference.

The NFL has a very structured playoff system. It's very clearly laid out how the playoffs work. The NBA has a very clearly laid out playoff structure.

College Football and basketball have committees. There are no clear cut guidelines. It's largely objective, but there is also a lot of subjective in there. If they feel their mission is to get the 4 best teams, then that's what they're going to do. If 2 of the best 4 teams are in the SEC, then those teams get to play in the playoffs.

Some people are advocating for a system that gives each Power 5 Champion a bid, and the best group of 5. If they up and decide we're going to do a bid tied to winning each conference, then cool. That's just not the current system.

My point is that it isnt/shouldnt be about the team "who look to be the best teams". It should be about the teams who have "earned the right" to play in the playoffs.

I understand you feel that way. A lot of people agree.

A lot of people think it should be the 4 best teams. The CFP committee--who is the only vote that matters--agrees with that line of thinking.

In the NFL, if you win your division, you are in the playoffs. Doesn't matter if you have a losing record. Win your division and you're in. It's clearly defined.

That doesn't exist in college. People like the idea that an undefeated conference champion gets in. But there's no where in the rules that it's an automatic bid. The agreed upon way is that the committee decides.

You have an opinion. I respect it. But a lot of people think differently. Both line of thought are ok. Bringing the NFL into it doesn't really help the argument since their post-season rules are so clearly defined and we're arguing because college football isn't doing that very thing.

Agree on opinions.

However, I do believe the logic being used to "determine who should play in the CFP" is flawed and downright unethical.

The entire FSU staff has fought blood, tooth, and nail to compete in those playoffs. They won a championship game with their #3 QB (SF couldnt do that in the NFC championship game). The team is really good. And the CFP decided to SPECULATE they werent good enough to win. DISGUSTING!!

College Football Playoff executive director stands behind 'ethical, deliberate, detailed' voting process

Why are the votes of CFP Selection Committee members not made public?

www.cbssports.com

"It was gut-wrenching," that committee member told CBS Sports under the condition of anonymity. "For me, individually, I evaluated [whether they could] make it through and win a national championship with the team they had."

That person concluded the Seminoles could not win the national title without injured starting quarterback Jordan Travis. The potential ability for a team to win a national championship is not part of the CFP's selection protocol.

That might be the most revelatory statement made since this controversy erupted Sunday afternoon when the four-team bracket was announced. For the first time, the committee left an undefeated Power Five conference champion out of the Football Four.

 

[JAA]

FSU got hosed imo

I think there’s a distinction between feeling bad for them and them getting hosed. I don’t think they got hosed based on the process but I do think they cosmically got hosed because their QB got hurt and Georgia lost to Bama.

The process?

They are a power 5 conference champion who is 13-0 in this day and age of the transfer portal and parity across the country. They have arguably the top defense in the country as well. They carried them to two wins to finish the season.

They earned the right to play for the prize. Period.

Bama.....lost to Texas who is in the dance.

It's fraudulent.

Their SOS was far worse than the others in contention for the top 4 spots. It is unfortunate for them that opened the door for the committee to exclude them because of the QB injury.

Please compare UM and FSU SoS.

Then tell me about Iowa. Then @LSU. Then Clemson and Duke.

I will just refer you to a previous post I made in this thread:

Per ESPN:

FPI:

• Michigan 1
• Alabama 5
• Texas 7
• FSU 11
• Washington 13

SOS:

• Alabama 5
• Washington 11
• Texas 13
• Michigan 33
• FSU 55

Top 25 FPI record, ordered loosely in order of impressiveness IMO:

• Washington - 5-0 - Oregon (4), Oregon (4), Oregon State (18), Arizona (22), Utah (25)
• Alabama - 5-1 - wins: Georgia (6), LSU (9), Texas A&M (14), Ole Miss (15), Tennessee (17); losses: Texas (7)
• Michigan - 2-0 - wins: Ohio State (2), Penn State (3)
• FSU - 4-0 - wins: LSU (9), Clemson (19), Louisville (23), Miami (24)
• Texas - 2-1 - wins: Alabama (5), Kansas State (12); losses: Oklahoma (8)

Taking everything into consideration, IMO FSU should have been in over Texas. But FSU's schedule obviously opened the door for the QB situation to be used against them. Too bad for FSU that (1) Clemson was down; (2) Florida was down; and (3) they didn't have Notre Dame on the schedule this season.

UM SoS:

NCAAF Strength-of-Schedule Rankings

See the 2023 college football strength-of-schedule rankings, based on last year's efficiency, returning production, incoming transfers, and more.

www.sportsbettingdime.com

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/ncaa-football-rankings/college-football-schedule-rankings-2023

No offense, but ESPN stands to profit the most from this. I cannot consider them honest in this process.

 

[JAA]

Oregon is way too strong for Liberty. I hate that matchup for both teams. Liberty deserves a shot at a decent game but against somebody they would have a chance to beat, like Iowa or Oregon State for instance.

I hate that Ohio St is playing Missouri instead of Oregon.

Not that you don’t have a good point (you do); we also felt the same way about Oklahoma v. Boise State way back when. These G5 teams are picking off P5 teams on a semi regular basi now. This ain’t your pop pop’s college football.

How did USC do against their non-P5 team Tulane?

Appy state vs Michigan?

... this is what makes college athletics so exciting

 

[JAA]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

 

[JAA]

4 teams just is not enough for a "playoff" with so many conferences. There needs to be an 8 or 12 team tournament.

The playoff goes to 12 next year. A year too late for some, but I believe this is the first year 6ish teams had a legit claim to be in it.

UGA should not be considered IMO

These games are played on the field, not at the draft combine, scout rankings, or eye test. They are played until there is a final score and thats what decides who the better team is.

 

[JAA]

FSU got hosed imo

I think there’s a distinction between feeling bad for them and them getting hosed. I don’t think they got hosed based on the process but I do think they cosmically got hosed because their QB got hurt and Georgia lost to Bama.

The process?

They are a power 5 conference champion who is 13-0 in this day and age of the transfer portal and parity across the country. They have arguably the top defense in the country as well. They carried them to two wins to finish the season.

They earned the right to play for the prize. Period.

Bama.....lost to Texas who is in the dance.

It's fraudulent.

Their SOS was far worse than the others in contention for the top 4 spots. It is unfortunate for them that opened the door for the committee to exclude them because of the QB injury.

Please compare UM and FSU SoS.

Then tell me about Iowa. Then @LSU. Then Clemson and Duke.

Michigan beat Ohio State. That's a huge win.

I still think FSU got jobbed, but let's not forget Michigan owns a more impressive victory than anything FSU can point to this season.

@LSU is a pretty darn good win

How about Bama and Auburn? How did that turn out? Lucky for Bama but it isnt held against them?

 

[JAA]

On a scale of 1 to 10 how angry would you be if Bama wins it in controversial fashion while you guys beat UGA by 20?

I mean there are too many variables at play, so hard to say. I do think we got the hardest opponent of all the 6 teams considered which is oddly hilarious.

To answer part of the question, if we beat UGA by 20 I will forever be mad. 14-0 with that kind of win at the end? Hang the banner. Teams have claimed titles for less.

How likely do you think it is that FSU wins, much less by 20? I think they likely lose by 20+.

UGA is one of the best 4 teams IMO.

Great. I understand why you think that.

However, they didnt win when it was most needed. So tough luck, see ya next year!

 

[JAA]

Proving that fsu can score in national championship games, the fsu women piled up 4 goals and won the soccer title today.

WVU vs Clemson in the men's semi's!

 

[JAA]

Trevor Lawrence injured. Jags have been voted out of the playoffs.

EXACTLY!!

 

[The Commish]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

 

[Todem]

FSU got hosed imo

I think there’s a distinction between feeling bad for them and them getting hosed. I don’t think they got hosed based on the process but I do think they cosmically got hosed because their QB got hurt and Georgia lost to Bama.

The process?

They are a power 5 conference champion who is 13-0 in this day and age of the transfer portal and parity across the country. They have arguably the top defense in the country as well. They carried them to two wins to finish the season.

They earned the right to play for the prize. Period.

Bama.....lost to Texas who is in the dance.

It's fraudulent.

Their SOS was far worse than the others in contention for the top 4 spots. It is unfortunate for them that opened the door for the committee to exclude them because of the QB injury.

Please compare UM and FSU SoS.

Then tell me about Iowa. Then @LSU. Then Clemson and Duke.

Michigan beat Ohio State. That's a huge win.

I still think FSU got jobbed, but let's not forget Michigan owns a more impressive victory than anything FSU can point to this season.

@LSU is a pretty darn good win

How about Bama and Auburn? How did that turn out? Lucky for Bama but it isnt held against them?

It should have been.........pure luck they won that one......Auburn blew it....and how about USF? They escaped with their lives.

It is rigged. The process stunk.

Anyway....next year 12 teams......we won’t even be talking about the 13th team.

 

[JAA]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

 

[JAA]

FSU got hosed imo

I think there’s a distinction between feeling bad for them and them getting hosed. I don’t think they got hosed based on the process but I do think they cosmically got hosed because their QB got hurt and Georgia lost to Bama.

The process?

They are a power 5 conference champion who is 13-0 in this day and age of the transfer portal and parity across the country. They have arguably the top defense in the country as well. They carried them to two wins to finish the season.

They earned the right to play for the prize. Period.

Bama.....lost to Texas who is in the dance.

It's fraudulent.

Their SOS was far worse than the others in contention for the top 4 spots. It is unfortunate for them that opened the door for the committee to exclude them because of the QB injury.

Please compare UM and FSU SoS.

Then tell me about Iowa. Then @LSU. Then Clemson and Duke.

Michigan beat Ohio State. That's a huge win.

I still think FSU got jobbed, but let's not forget Michigan owns a more impressive victory than anything FSU can point to this season.

@LSU is a pretty darn good win

How about Bama and Auburn? How did that turn out? Lucky for Bama but it isnt held against them?

It should have been.........pure luck they won that one......Auburn blew it....and how about USF? They escaped with their lives.

It is rigged. The process stunk.

Anyway....next year 12 teams......we won’t even be talking about the 13th team.

Agree. Excluding an undefeated Liberty for a 3 loss Penn State will be a lot easier to swallow ... hopefully

 

[General Malaise]

FSU got hosed imo

I think there’s a distinction between feeling bad for them and them getting hosed. I don’t think they got hosed based on the process but I do think they cosmically got hosed because their QB got hurt and Georgia lost to Bama.

The process?

They are a power 5 conference champion who is 13-0 in this day and age of the transfer portal and parity across the country. They have arguably the top defense in the country as well. They carried them to two wins to finish the season.

They earned the right to play for the prize. Period.

Bama.....lost to Texas who is in the dance.

It's fraudulent.

Their SOS was far worse than the others in contention for the top 4 spots. It is unfortunate for them that opened the door for the committee to exclude them because of the QB injury.

Please compare UM and FSU SoS.

Then tell me about Iowa. Then @LSU. Then Clemson and Duke.

Michigan beat Ohio State. That's a huge win.

I still think FSU got jobbed, but let's not forget Michigan owns a more impressive victory than anything FSU can point to this season.

@LSU is a pretty darn good win

How about Bama and Auburn? How did that turn out? Lucky for Bama but it isnt held against them?

I would have much preferred FSU to Bama for the playoffs. I think FSU got absolutely screwed.

But going back to my point, the Michigan win over OSU in late November is more impressive than FSU's win over LSU in early September (or was it August?). Again, just my opinion, but I don't think I'm alone.

 

[The Commish]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

Doesn't appear so. They will try to convince you there was something bigger, but that seems like it. Look at the rankings. They say "FSU isn't good enough to be in the top four but is better than the team that was number one just a week ago".

The committee **** the bed and is trying to explain the mess away.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Words I have NEVER uttered in my entire life. . . . Roll Damn Tide!

Ouch, how can you? I cheered so hard for you guys against Georgia last year.

Sorry, I. . . just can't. . . no hate just a little bitterness.

I am the opposite, I root for OSU every game except that last one in November. The better they look, the better we look in comparison.

That’s the difference between Buckeye fans and Wolverine fans. Buckeye fans won’t even say or write the word Michigan, much less root for them.

As I grew up in Ohio, have lots of friends on social media who are Buckeyes fans. They either use “*” or “TTUN” (That Team Up North) to refer to Michigan. They also routinely post photos of words or businesses that start with a capital M with the “M” crossed out. Die hard Buckeyes fans will NEVER root for Michigan, even if it’s against their own interest. Just ask @Sullie. “Roll Tide” posts are littering my feed right now.

Truth. And I strangely find myself becoming a Washington fan now because I don't like Alabama or Texas either.

ETA...I will be pulling for Alabama over TTUN, but I won't like it.

Same. I hope Bama boat races ttun, but Washington wins the whole thing.

IN on that as well. I've liked Washington ever since they boat-raced MSU earlier this season. I think they are the complete deal.

 

[AAABatteries]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

I think there’s a list of reasons FSU got left out:

• ACC is seen as either the 4th or 5th best P5 conference
• SEC is seen as the best conference
• Alabama gets the benefit of the doubt due to history
• FSU QB getting injured and then they didn’t look great without him
• Money

 

[Summer Wheat]

Is OSU really losing two 5* and 7 4* to the portal?

From the current team or recruiting?

If the current team, the two five stars are McCord (qb) and Fleming (wr). I think Fleming is a bigger loss than McCord. Fleming has one year of eligibility left. He is a great blocker and team player but never developed into the top tier wr. Probably be a #1 wr at a smaller school/conference.

Most of their losses were guys that were trapped in the back of the depth chart.

Rumor is that McCord and his dad wanted a gurantee from Day that he was the starter next year. Day would not commit to that and he decided to enter the portal.

The days of competing for a spot are almost over. "If I aint starting, I am departing"

 

[3C's]

So today the transfer portal opens. It’s been a great thing for some students to improve their situation and is the best they can do for now until the whole thing blows up.

That said, teams are blowing up today. Bowl games are gonna be complete trash outside of the playoffs. But because of the timing of kids needing to be enrolled at their new school for next semester vs bowl timing, next year’s playoff expansion gets even messier.

If tOSU is in a 12 team playoff, is McCord still gone? If not, he might be stuck next year and not start in his last year of eligibility. Will definitely present weird scenarios I suspect.

I saw a couple Texas guys entered the portal this week and wonder how many other players there are who are in the final 4 but are looking to transfer for one reason or another. It must be agonizing for them to have to decide whether to declare now and be seen as quitting on a national championship opportunity.

Wish the transfer portal could be after the bowl games.

 

[General Malaise]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

I think there’s a list of reasons FSU got left out:

• ACC is seen as either the 4th or 5th best P5 conference
• SEC is seen as the best conference
• Alabama gets the benefit of the doubt due to history
• FSU QB getting injured and then they didn’t look great without him
• Money

But then FSU had an incredibly impressive win against an SEC school to start their season so bullet points 1 and 2 are mitigated.

The QB injury is the most likely culprit, which is complete and utter BS and unfair to FSU.

I'm ready to move on but I think the committee got it wrong. Can't wait until next year when we debate the bubble teams that got screwed.

 

[jplvr]

Welp I was dead wrong. That sucks.

Well, crap. Logged into the forum for the first time in over a year, I think, scrolled back to Sunday morning posts for schadenfreude, and this is the first one I see at the time of the announcement.

Sorry brother

Doesn't seem fun to read through now.

 

[jplvr]

I do think Texas is skating by way too much in this discussion. The only thing people want to do is mention the Bama game and move on. Head to head should be considered, but not in a vacuum. I expect a rematch in Houston to figure that out now.

 

[bigbottom]

If it’s Texas and Bama in the championship, Houston might be burned to the ground.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

It's obvious that the committee did not want to leave the SEC Champ (Alabama) out of the playoffs - but the true monkey wrench was Texas also only having one loss and a victory over Alabama. How could they put in Bama and leave Texas out? So what to do? Well Florida State who otherwise earned a slot, loses it's QB making them the committee's patsy and they got kicked to the curb.

Obviously we will never know this for sure - but if Georgia wins the SEC Championship game I don't think there's any chance that the committee doesn't have 4 undefeated Power 5 teams in the playoffs.

So how exactly is Texas now considered the "better team" under the scenario where Alabama beat Georgia but wouldn't have been the "better team" if Georgia beat Alabama?

Sure, the committee will claim Texas would have been in either way - but come on, we KNOW that's just not the case. There was no chance FSU would have been left out for a one loss team if Georgia won that game.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I do think Texas is skating by way too much in this discussion. The only thing people want to do is mention the Bama game and move on. Head to head should be considered, but not in a vacuum. I expect a rematch in Houston to figure that out now.

They really did luck out that their good win just so happened to be against the exact other team on the bubble. Without that controversy I don't think they're even in the discussion. Their overall resume isn't really any better than Ohio State's, who isn't even talked about.

 

[The Commish]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

I think there’s a list of reasons FSU got left out:

• ACC is seen as either the 4th or 5th best P5 conference
• SEC is seen as the best conference
• Alabama gets the benefit of the doubt due to history
• FSU QB getting injured and then they didn’t look great without him
• Money

It's neither of the first two otherwise the committee wouldn't have FSU ranked above UGA. Committee thinks FSU with no QB is better than a completely healthy UGA....let that sink in a second. Once you come to terms with that, you see it's very likely only a combo of your fourth and fifth bullet points. They are putting more emphasis on what they think might happen in the future based on personnel than they are on what happened over the entirety of the season. That is what is causing their actions and words to be mismatched.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

It's obvious that the committee did not want to leave the SEC Champ (Alabama) out of the playoffs - but the true monkey wrench was Texas also only having one loss and a victory over Alabama. How could they put in Bama and leave Texas out? So what to do? Well Florida State who otherwise earned a slot, loses it's QB making them the committee's patsy and they got kicked to the curb.

Obviously we will never know this for sure - but if Georgia wins the SEC Championship game I don't think there's any chance that the committee doesn't have 4 undefeated Power 5 teams in the playoffs.

So how exactly is Texas now considered the "better team" under the scenario where Alabama beat Georgia but wouldn't have been the "better team" if Georgia beat Alabama?

Sure, the committee will claim Texas would have been in either way - but come on, we KNOW that's just not the case. There was no chance FSU would have been left out for a one loss team if Georgia won that game.

To be fair, if Alabama were a 2-loss team that win against them wouldn't have looked nearly as good (Bama would have been ranked near Ole Miss or Mizzou or PSU which people are barely even acknowledging as good wins).

But I agree that's an excuse and Texas skated by on the luck that their good win just happened to be against the other team whose total resume probably dictated they deserved that 4th spot (FSU 3rd, obviously).

In a year where there were so many deserving teams, somehow a 1-loss team with only one top 20 win snuck in, which is honestly kind of trash. I can remember 1-loss teams that beat 3-4 top 10 teams not getting a shot to play for the title, yet things broke just right for Texas such that a 1-loss team with 1 top 20 win seemed like it was in a position where they would have been "screwed" if they didn't get a chance.

 

[jplvr]

I do think Texas is skating by way too much in this discussion. The only thing people want to do is mention the Bama game and move on. Head to head should be considered, but not in a vacuum. I expect a rematch in Houston to figure that out now.

They really did luck out that their good win just so happened to be against the exact other team on the bubble. Without that controversy I don't think they're even in the discussion. Their overall resume isn't really any better than Ohio State's, who isn't even talked about.

Our OC was calling plays for the back-up QB he brought with him, our LT was in his 2nd game out of high school, and our new Center was due for 3 bad snaps a game. I get the "Texas got better too" argument, but coming out of the USF debacle, it was a night and day difference.

"Worse loss" is often used in these arguments, but I haven't heard that once.

But yeah, FSU got boned. I don't think many FSU fans thought they'd win a game, let alone 2, if they're being honest, but this was a raw deal.

Also, for the people arguing about expansion being the better idea, you can also argue it should only be 2 teams like the BCS days.

 

[jplvr]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

I think there’s a list of reasons FSU got left out:

• ACC is seen as either the 4th or 5th best P5 conference
• SEC is seen as the best conference
• Alabama gets the benefit of the doubt due to history
• FSU QB getting injured and then they didn’t look great without him
• Money

It's neither of the first two otherwise the committee wouldn't have FSU ranked above UGA. Committee thinks FSU with no QB is better than a completely healthy UGA....let that sink in a second. Once you come to terms with that, you see it's very likely only a combo of your fourth and fifth bullet points. They are putting more emphasis on what they think might happen in the future based on personnel than they are on what happened over the entirety of the season. That is what is causing their actions and words to be mismatched.

I put about as much stock on that 5/6 ranking as I do the committee's weekly report during the season. I hate the committee so much, and it was always a dumb idea. We should've kept the BCS when expanding to 4.

 

[AAABatteries]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

I think there’s a list of reasons FSU got left out:

• ACC is seen as either the 4th or 5th best P5 conference
• SEC is seen as the best conference
• Alabama gets the benefit of the doubt due to history
• FSU QB getting injured and then they didn’t look great without him
• Money

It's neither of the first two otherwise the committee wouldn't have FSU ranked above UGA. Committee thinks FSU with no QB is better than a completely healthy UGA....let that sink in a second. Once you come to terms with that, you see it's very likely only a combo of your fourth and fifth bullet points. They are putting more emphasis on what they think might happen in the future based on personnel than they are on what happened over the entirety of the season. That is what is causing their actions and words to be mismatched.

It’s all of them - that’s kind of my point. We often in these forums (and as humans) take complex things and try to make sense of them or give them simple answers. Life doesn’t work that way most of the time. Think about your own decisions - how often is there only one factor in play? They can easily say I think SEC > ACC and it factored in to that decision and then they say well, yep I think that but I want it to look like FSU was close so let’s make them 5th. Decisions can be both complex and inconsistent in the thought process.

 

[AAABatteries]

Not to mention, it’s a collection of people voting. I’m sure there were folks ranking them:

FSU, Texas, Bama, Georgia
Bama, Texas, Georgia, FSU
etc….
One guy is a SEC > ACC, another is reward an undefeated conference champ.

 

[Mookie Gizzy]

It's obvious that the committee did not want to leave the SEC Champ (Alabama) out of the playoffs - but the true monkey wrench was Texas also only having one loss and a victory over Alabama. How could they put in Bama and leave Texas out? So what to do? Well Florida State who otherwise earned a slot, loses it's QB making them the committee's patsy and they got kicked to the curb.

Obviously we will never know this for sure - but if Georgia wins the SEC Championship game I don't think there's any chance that the committee doesn't have 4 undefeated Power 5 teams in the playoffs.

So how exactly is Texas now considered the "better team" under the scenario where Alabama beat Georgia but wouldn't have been the "better team" if Georgia beat Alabama?

Sure, the committee will claim Texas would have been in either way - but come on, we KNOW that's just not the case. There was no chance FSU would have been left out for a one loss team if Georgia won that game.

If Alabama lost to say an Utah or a K State Florida State and Bama would be in and Texas would be out. The committee basically had 2 options, both involved leaving out a worthy team. If you’re under the assumption like I am the Alabama was in no matter what, they had to also take a Texas team that beat them. The injury to Travis was just the excuse they needed to exclude FSU

 

[The Commish]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

I think there’s a list of reasons FSU got left out:

• ACC is seen as either the 4th or 5th best P5 conference
• SEC is seen as the best conference
• Alabama gets the benefit of the doubt due to history
• FSU QB getting injured and then they didn’t look great without him
• Money

It's neither of the first two otherwise the committee wouldn't have FSU ranked above UGA. Committee thinks FSU with no QB is better than a completely healthy UGA....let that sink in a second. Once you come to terms with that, you see it's very likely only a combo of your fourth and fifth bullet points. They are putting more emphasis on what they think might happen in the future based on personnel than they are on what happened over the entirety of the season. That is what is causing their actions and words to be mismatched.

It’s all of them - that’s kind of my point. We often in these forums (and as humans) take complex things and try to make sense of them or give them simple answers. Life doesn’t work that way most of the time. Think about your own decisions - how often is there only one factor in play? They can easily say I think SEC > ACC and it factored in to that decision and then they say well, yep I think that but I want it to look like FSU was close so let’s make them 5th. Decisions can be both complex and inconsistent in the thought process.

I'm not concerned about what they SAID to you and me. I'm observing their actions. Those are pretty objective. They made those decisions. Their actions tell me they believe FSU without their QB to be better than Georgia, who was #1 in the country in their minds just a week prior. What they SAID is completely irrelevant to me. What they DID speaks volumes and tells me, rather clearly, that FSU injuries were first and foremost in their minds. It's speculation on my part (though pretty logical IMO) the other major factor was the absence of a SEC team in the playoff.

Are you of the opinion that if the FSU QB was healthy, they still would have put Alabama in the playoff?

 

[timschochet]

College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings

Strength of Schedule Played and Strength of Schedule Remaining for all 133 NCAA Division 1 Football teams.

powerrankingsguru.com

Strength of schedule for the teams in the playoff conversation:

Texas #2
Alabama #6
Washington #8
Ohio State #43
Georgia #45
Michigan #51
Florida State #55

Maybe part of the answer is right here: Florida State’s SofS doesn’t hold up to Texas, Alabama or Washington (of course neither does Michigan’s)

It should be rather obvious that this committee didn't put a ton of weight on the regular season. I'm not sure how this is relevant.

Because people keep touring FSU SoS.

I believe FSU SoS was harder than UM

My point is, I don't see why you guys are making arguments for teams using criteria the committee didn't consider all that much.

So then why was FSU excluded? Strictly because of injured QB? Anything else?

I think there’s a list of reasons FSU got left out:

• ACC is seen as either the 4th or 5th best P5 conference
• SEC is seen as the best conference
• Alabama gets the benefit of the doubt due to history
• FSU QB getting injured and then they didn’t look great without him
• Money

It's neither of the first two otherwise the committee wouldn't have FSU ranked above UGA. Committee thinks FSU with no QB is better than a completely healthy UGA....let that sink in a second. Once you come to terms with that, you see it's very likely only a combo of your fourth and fifth bullet points. They are putting more emphasis on what they think might happen in the future based on personnel than they are on what happened over the entirety of the season. That is what is causing their actions and words to be mismatched.

It’s all of them - that’s kind of my point. We often in these forums (and as humans) take complex things and try to make sense of them or give them simple answers. Life doesn’t work that way most of the time. Think about your own decisions - how often is there only one factor in play? They can easily say I think SEC > ACC and it factored in to that decision and then they say well, yep I think that but I want it to look like FSU was close so let’s make them 5th. Decisions can be both complex and inconsistent in the thought process.

I'm not concerned about what they SAID to you and me. I'm observing their actions. Those are pretty objective. They made those decisions. Their actions tell me they believe FSU without their QB to be better than Georgia, who was #1 in the country in their minds just a week prior. What they SAID is completely irrelevant to me. What they DID speaks volumes and tells me, rather clearly, that FSU injuries were first and foremost in their minds. It's speculation on my part (though pretty logical IMO) the other major factor was the absence of a SEC team in the playoff.

Are you of the opinion that if the FSU QB was healthy, they still would have put Alabama in the playoff?

Yes but not Texas.

 

[AAABatteries]

Are you of the opinion that if the FSU QB was healthy, they still would have put Alabama in the playoff?

I’m not sure what they would have done tbh - I was one of the few people saying days before the selection that I thought FSU would be left out due to the QB being injured and the fact they wouldn’t leave out the SEC. I kept being told I was wrong and they wouldn’t leave out FSU.

I wasn’t confident though, it was just what my gut was telling me - that and the fact that I personally no longer thought FSU was one of the four best. But if their QB doesn’t get injured and the win against Florida and then Louisville was emphatic then I think they are definitely in and it comes down to Texas vs. Bama.

As much as I think they couldn’t leave a SEC champ out, I would have been gobsmacked if they left a one less Texas, B10 champion, who beat Bama at Bama out in favor of Bama.

So, that’s a long way of saying the calculus is different with the QB out. But it’s still not that simple - it was the QB of the weaker sister conference. I don’t think Michigan gets left out if they were in the same boat. It’s complex and I don’t think you can say it’s any one thing (except money but to me that’s a cop out as it’s all about money on some level).