2018 College Football Playoffs

[GGGG]

I'm not sure I have seen a more enjoyable football game this year than this Rose Bowl. 

[tower912]

It isn't dull.

[fjm]

This isn't the bes college football game I have ever watched.

[4everwarriors]

Allowin’ da 55 yd fg befour da half wuz a major fook up, ai na?

[tower912]

Or was phenomenal coaching and a great kick...... depending on your perspective.     I have no skin in the game.    I think the UGA player made a hell of a play on the squib diving and landing on it before it could get downfield.    And it certainly paid off for UGA.   But there  was still a half of football to go.    OU let UGA come the rest of the way back and take the lead.     And then the fun began. 

[4everwarriors]

Y kicka squib, doe, hey?

[Mr. Nielsen]

Poor play calling by OU. You got to win it by the arm of Baker Mayfield. 

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

Y kicka squib, doe, hey?

See Bengals vs Ravens on Sunday.  With 23 sec left in the first half, Bengals kick deep and Ravens return it to the 6.  They score a TD on the next play with 6 sec left in the half.

[muwarrior69]

Does UCF have a legitimate complaint? When has a non-power 5 team (not Notre Dame) had a chance at the title?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/ucf-deserves-a-shot-but-at-whose-expense/ar-BBHMyxh?ocid=spartandhp

[GGGG]

Its a discussion worthy of having, but in the end one loss Georgia, Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma teams are just better.  UCF wasn't screwed.

[dgies9156]

Does UCF have a legitimate complaint? When has a non-power 5 team (not Notre Dame) had a chance at the title?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb/ucf-deserves-a-shot-but-at-whose-expense/ar-BBHMyxh?ocid=spartandhp

If UCF does it a few more times, then yes.

Until then, they have a good first step. They're probably the best college football team in the State of Florida.

Are you listening, Gators and Seminoles? And how about you, Hurricanes?

[#UnleashSean]

If UCF does it a few more times, then yes.

Until then, they have a good first step. They're probably the best college football team in the State of Florida.

Are you listening, Gators and Seminoles? And how about you, Hurricanes?

I'm not sure how many gator Seminole and hurricane fans we get on a marquette basketball fan site. So I doubt many are listening 

[GGGG]

If UCF does it a few more times, then yes.

Until then, they have a good first step. They're probably the best college football team in the State of Florida.

Are you listening, Gators and Seminoles? And how about you, Hurricanes?

This happens almost every year.  And the team in question fades away because they lose a coach and/or was stocked with seniors with experience.  I mean, Boise State sustained longer than most but it never got them anywhere.  The only way a school like UCF gets mentions is if they are invited to a P5 conference.  Other than that, this is what they can hope for.

[GGGG]

UCF is declaring themselves national champions.

https://twitter.com/UCF_Football/status/948388332270227456

[GB Warrior]

This happens almost every year.  And the team in question fades away because they lose a coach and/or was stocked with seniors with experience.  I mean, Boise State sustained longer than most but it never got them anywhere.  The only way a school like UCF gets mentions is if they are invited to a P5 conference.  Other than that, this is what they can hope for.

Which is sad - the measure of a champion in a given year shouldn't be whether the school can sustain it in future years. I'm in full support of expanding to 8 and designating at least one spot for a non-P5 that is undefeated. I can tell you I have not watched a more enjoyable game than OU-Boise State in 2007.

[Pakuni]

Which is sad - the measure of a champion in a given year shouldn't be whether the school can sustain it in future years. I'm in full support of expanding to 8 and designating at least one spot for a non-P5 that is undefeated. I can tell you I have not watched a more enjoyable game than OU-Boise State in 2007.

I think that is coming (and should be). Five conference champions and three at-large, including one team outside the P-5 that meets certain criteria (undefeated, ranked in the top 10, or something along those lines).
That said, I don't believe UCF is better than any of the four playoff teams this year.

[Mr. Nielsen]

See Bengals vs Ravens on Sunday.  With 23 sec left in the first half, Bengals kick deep and Ravens return it to the 6.  They score a TD on the next play with 6 sec left in the half.

Wait, is that the NFL. 

[Mr. Nielsen]

UCF is declaring themselves national champions.

https://twitter.com/UCF_Football/status/948388332270227456

I love it!! If, some don't understand this, go way back in history.

[tower912]

UCF isn't wrong.    Between this and Western Michigan last year (though they lost to Wisconsin in their bowl game),  there will be a growing push to 8 teams. 

[Mr. Nielsen]

UCF isn't wrong.    Between this and Western Michigan last year (though they lost to Wisconsin in their bowl game),  there will be a growing push to 8 teams.

Even if there is 8, UCF might not still be in. The Power 5 commissioners runs the playoff.

[GGGG]

UCF isn't wrong.    Between this and Western Michigan last year (though they lost to Wisconsin in their bowl game),  there will be a growing push to 8 teams. 

I actually don't think most people care all that much about the fates of the UCF's and WMU's.

[tower912]

I actually don't think most people care all that much about the fates of the UCF's and WMU's.

You've identified part of the problem.  And so has panther.

[muwarrior69]

If you're not in a P5 conference, why go to all the expense of having a D1 football team?

[muwarrior69]

I actually don't think most people care all that much about the fates of the UCF's and WMU's.

That is true for any school. Most people won't care if Georgia or Alabama win that game, I don't; but if you attend or are an alum of either school you are on top of the world.

[Skitch]

UCF isn't wrong.    Between this and Western Michigan last year (though they lost to Wisconsin in their bowl game),  there will be a growing push to 8 teams.

I think UCF got jobbed but they still wouldn't have gotten in if there were 8 teams. Ohio State, Wisconsin, USC, TCU, Auburn and maybe Washington all get in before them.

[GGGG]

If you're not in a P5 conference, why go to all the expense of having a D1 football team?

Because it's a cost effective way of marketing the institution.

[MerrittsMustache]

UCF has declared themselves Undefeated National Champions. They'd never get an actual shot at winning it so, hey, why not?

[GB Warrior]

BANNER WATCH
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21951014/ucf-knights-raise-national-championship-banner

[JWags85]

Because it's a cost effective way of marketing the institution.

Yep, and history and pride.  Also, revenue generation.  Same way the little minnows in college basketball take buy games, non-Power 5 schools do the same.

[wadesworld]

I love everything they're doing.  Banner, parade, coaching bonuses, Twitter handle changes.  I'm not a college football fan.  But UCF made a fan out of me.

If USC can win a national title without playing in a national championship, why can't UCF?

[GGGG]

They even paid their departing coaching staff their "national championship" bonuses that were in their contracts. 

[muwarrior69]

Yep, and history and pride.  Also, revenue generation.  Same way the little minnows in college basketball take buy games, non-Power 5 schools do the same.

Those "little minnows" have at least a shot at winning the NC; in football no chance.

[Pakuni]

Following the lead of UCF, I'm declaring myself the 2017 Scoop Champion.
Hope you all can be there for the parade and banner ceremony.

[forgetful]

UCF has declared themselves Undefeated National Champions. They'd never get an actual shot at winning it so, hey, why not?

They are substantially more deserving than Alabama, who placed third in their own conference.  College football postseasons are a joke, the national championship, a joke.  UCF is as deserving as any of them. 

Unless they substantially increase the number of teams in the playoffs (to around 16), the championship is arbitrary. 

[Mr. Nielsen]

I love everything they're doing.  Banner, parade, coaching bonuses, Twitter handle changes.  I'm not a college football fan.  But UCF made a fan out of me.

If USC can win a national title without playing in a national championship, why can't UCF?

USC was number #1 in the AP poll, that didn't have to vote for the BCS winner in 2003.

[Mr. Nielsen]

They are substantially more deserving than Alabama, who placed third in their own conference.  College football postseasons are a joke, the national championship, a joke.  UCF is as deserving as any of them. 

Unless they substantially increase the number of teams in the playoffs (to around 16), the championship is arbitrary.

UCF playing cupcakes in the American in the group of 5, is the same as the SEC and players in that league. Got it!

[Pakuni]

They are substantially more deserving than Alabama, who placed third in their own conference.  College football postseasons are a joke, the national championship, a joke.  UCF is as deserving as any of them. 

Unless they substantially increase the number of teams in the playoffs (to around 16), the championship is arbitrary.

"Substantially" more deserving?
Based on what, exactly?
If they were to play head to head next week, do you think the "substantially more deserving" team would be favored?

[Mr. Nielsen]

If Auburn was a -12.5 point favorite for a game they did not care about after losing the SEC Title Game and failing to make the playoffs. Alabama would be an -19 point favorite. Looks what happens when Alabama cares.

[GGGG]

If Auburn was a -12.5 point favorite for a game they did not care about after losing the SEC Title Game and failing to make the playoffs. Alabama would be an -19 point favorite. Looks what happens when Alabama cares.

And it happens with regularity.  The Group of 5 representative beats the Power 5 in a bowl because they are more fired up for it while the P5 team is disappointed.

That doesn't mean they are a top 4 team.

[JWags85]

Those "little minnows" have at least a shot at winning the NC; in football no chance.

But do they really?  A school like Grambling or Presbyterian that is taking a couple hundred grand to get stomped by Marquette or other power conference schools in Oct/Nov have arguably less of a chance. 

If they make it 8 teams, like I feel will eventually happen, you just need to have a special year where you win your big non conference game, beat up your non-P5 conference foes, and then win 3 games.  Compared to running the table in a conference tournament and then 6 straight upsets in the NCAA.

Both are highly unlikely, but I don't think basketball gives them a better chance, its just a cheaper sport to field.

[Spotcheck Billy]

If you're not in a P5 conference, why go to all the expense of having a D1 football team?

probably because the P5 need non-conference teams to play in the fall so they have to keep them around thinking there is a chance

[cheebs09]

But do they really?  A school like Grambling or Presbyterian that is taking a couple hundred grand to get stomped by Marquette or other power conference schools in Oct/Nov have arguably less of a chance. 

If they make it 8 teams, like I feel will eventually happen, you just need to have a special year where you win your big non conference game, beat up your non-P5 conference foes, and then win 3 games.  Compared to running the table in a conference tournament and then 6 straight upsets in the NCAA.

Both are highly unlikely, but I don't think basketball gives them a better chance, its just a cheaper sport to field.

Realistic shot? No. But they can win their conference tournament and make the tournament to play for the title. In football, a team can win every game they play and not have a shot at the title.

[MUBurrow]

If the playoff expands to 8, I wonder what the revenue of the quarterfinal weekend would be in comparison to the P5 championship games. You're losing a game (5 conf championships vs 4 quarterfinal games) - but would another CFP weekend make more $$ in sponsorship, gate and tv rights to make up for the loss of that fifth game? How well did the P12 championship really do when played on a Friday night between two teams who couldn't make the CFP?

If you can squeeze more revenue out of a CFP quarterfinal weekend than you get in the aggregate from P5 championships, split most of the that among the P5 conferences with some scraps for the group of five representative's conference, replacing conference championship weekend with a CFP quarterfinal weekend seems the likely outcome.

[Pakuni]

If the playoff expands to 8, I wonder what the revenue of the quarterfinal weekend would be in comparison to the P5 championship games. You're losing a game (5 conf championships vs 4 quarterfinal games) - but would another CFP weekend make more $$ in sponsorship, gate and tv rights to make up for the loss of that fifth game? How well did the P12 championship really do when played on a Friday night between two teams who couldn't make the CFP?

If you can squeeze more revenue out of a CFP quarterfinal weekend than you get in the aggregate from P5 championships, split most of the that among the P5 conferences with some scraps for the group of five representative's conference, replacing conference championship weekend with a CFP quarterfinal weekend seems the likely outcome.

To succeed, especially at the gate, those quarterfinal games should be home games for the higher-seeded teams. Other than the hardest of the hardcore, most fans aren't going to spend three consecutive weekends on the road to back their team.

[GGGG]

The championship games are all about television revenue.  And at last look they are all tied up contractually well into the next decade.  I think 8 will happen, but I think its going to be a few years.  The bowls are still quite a viable television product too - ESPN owns a bunch of them outright.

Sorting all that out is going to take time, and with declining eyeballs watching sports, it's hard to say what that's going to look like.

[forgetful]

"Substantially" more deserving?
Based on what, exactly?
If they were to play head to head next week, do you think the "substantially more deserving" team would be favored?

Substantially was a dumb word choice. 

And no, I don't think they would be favored.  But I would bet on them. 

Alabama played a relatively weak schedule this year.  Their top two wins were LSU (who were way down and lost to Troy) and Mississippi State (also not particularly good). 

UCF beat Memphis (twice) and USF.  Those three wins are better than Alabama's best three wins. 

UCF then beat Auburn (who beat Bama) and Bama beat Clemson.  Auburn is the better team between Clemson and Auburn.  Auburn should have been in the playoffs before Bama.

Alabama has no business being in the playoffs; UCF is as or more deserving. 

[wadesworld]

Substantially was a dumb word choice. 

And no, I don't think they would be favored.  But I would bet on them. 

Alabama played a relatively weak schedule this year.  Their top two wins were LSU (who were way down and lost to Troy) and Mississippi State (also not particularly good). 

UCF beat Memphis (twice) and USF.  Those three wins are better than Alabama's best three wins. 

UCF then beat Auburn (who beat Bama) and Bama beat Clemson.  Auburn is the better team between Clemson and Auburn.  Auburn should have been in the playoffs before Bama.

Alabama has no business being in the playoffs; UCF is as or more deserving.

So ignore Clemson’s win on the actual football field against Auburn...just because? Or...? When Auburn was actually still playing for something, no less.

[forgetful]

So ignore Clemson’s win on the actual football field against Auburn...just because? Or...? When Auburn was actually still playing for something, no less.

I forgot that Clemson beat Auburn early in the year.  But that doesn't change that Bama lost to Auburn in a win or die type game.  Bama still shouldn't have been in playoffs, Auburn or UCF should have.

I'll call the Clemson/Auburn wins for Bama/UCF a push. 

[WarriorDad]

I forgot that Clemson beat Auburn early in the year.  But that doesn't change that Bama lost to Auburn in a win or die type game.  Bama still shouldn't have been in playoffs, Auburn or UCF should have.

I'll call the Clemson/Auburn wins for Bama/UCF a push.

Why should Bama not have been in the playoff?  Bama lost to Auburn at Auburn.  Clemson played Auburn at Clemson, where Clemson was undefeated.  Auburn was undefeated at home this year.  Would UCF have survived an entire season in the SEC?  Highly unlikely. Their victory over Auburn on a neutral site. 

Clemson lost to Syracuse, that loss was much worse than Bama's loss on the road to arch-rival Auburn.  Georgia lost to Auburn by 23, @ Auburn.  It matters where games are played in my opinion.

[forgetful]

Why should Bama not have been in the playoff?  Bama lost to Auburn at Auburn.  Clemson played Auburn at Clemson, where Clemson was undefeated.  Auburn was undefeated at home this year.  Would UCF have survived an entire season in the SEC?  Highly unlikely. Their victory over Auburn on a neutral site. 

Clemson lost to Syracuse, that loss was much worse than Bama's loss on the road to arch-rival Auburn.  Georgia lost to Auburn by 23, @ Auburn.  It matters where games are played in my opinion.

Who did Bama beat before the playoffs that was better than who UCF beat?  Memphis and USF are as good as anyone that Bama beat. 

The point is that the college playoffs are dumb.  UCF is as deserving of calling themselves champions as anyone else.

[GGGG]

Who did Bama beat before the playoffs that was better than who UCF beat?  Memphis and USF are as good as anyone that Bama beat.

According to the Massey composite ratings (think Bracket Matrix for college football), LSU is better than Memphis and Mississippi State is better than South Florida.  And then you have a bunch of teams on Bama's schedule than anyone else UCF faced.

Alabama itself was rated fifth.  UCF was rated ninth.

If anyone got screwed it was Ohio State.  UCF was not.

[Pakuni]

Who did Bama beat before the playoffs that was better than who UCF beat?  Memphis and USF are as good as anyone that Bama beat. 

The point is that the college playoffs are dumb.  UCF is as deserving of calling themselves champions as anyone else.

What's dumb is determining the quality/worthiness of teams based on "who they beat" as opposed to actually how good they are.

Alabama can't control the fact that Florida State, who opened the season ranked #3, lost their Heisman candidate QB late in the 4th quarter of that game and went into a spiral. They can't control how stupid LSU was to let Les Miles go or how A&M had a bad year or how the  conference schedule was set so they didn't play Georgia or South Carolina in the regular season.

And, no, Memphis and USF are not better than LSU or Mississippi State or maybe even Florida State, for that matter (certainly not a full strength FSU, which is what Bama faced).

I'll simply ask ... do you believe UCF beats Alabama, straight up, on a neutral field?

[WarriorDad]

The committee got it right. 

Alabama is playing for the national title because they belong there.  This is not a great Bama team, but deserving of their spot in the title game and the playoffs.

Ohio State did not get screwed. They were routed at home by Oklahoma.  Lost by 30+ to Iowa.  Alabama does not get routed at home or for that matter even lose at home and hasn't lost by 30+ to anyone in I am guessing in eons.  The worse loss ever in the Saban era is 14 points. 

Alabama would go undefeated with UCF's schedule where those games were played. UCF would not do the same with Alabama's exact schedule in my opinion.

[CTWarrior]

Realistic shot? No. But they can win their conference tournament and make the tournament to play for the title. In football, a team can win every game they play and not have a shot at the title.

This is the crux of it.  Grambling basketball has a path to the National Championship.  Granted, they really don't have a realistic chance of following that path, but they at least have a path.  UCF had no path to a championship this year.  There was nothing they could do that would have given them an opportunity to play for the national championship.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

This is the crux of it.  Grambling basketball has a path to the National Championship.  Granted, they really don't have a realistic chance of following that path, but they at least have a path.  UCF had no path to a championship this year.  There was nothing they could do that would have given them an opportunity to play for the national championship.

This.

The other thing that ruins cfb for me is how damning one loss is. When TAMU lost their first game to UCLA on the road, I completely lost interest in the rest of the season. I knew that one loss all but guaranteed we couldn't make the playoffs. Losing by 1 to UCLA on the road is not a "bad" loss (though how we lost was really bad) .... But it was enough to effectively end our season. I like that a basketball team can lose every game of the regular season and still have a chance to make the playoffs. Keeps the season interesting

[GGGG]

Gotta love that Mel Tucker coaching up the UGA defense.  Maybe if Fangio heads up to Green Bay, the Bears can hire him as DC.  Thoughts?

[🏀]

Gotta love that Mel Tucker coaching up the UGA defense.  Maybe if Fangio heads up to Green Bay, the Bears can hire him as DC.  Thoughts?

Wasn't he a Bears DC already?

[WarriorDad]

Saban has huge balls to make that QB change and win that game.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Unbelievable game.

[MU82]

I am glad for the Bama K that they won that game.

The death threats from the lunatics woulda been stressful.

[GGGG]

Wasn't he a Bears DC already?

Yes. 

[GGGG]

Saban has huge balls to make that QB change and win that game.

Yes.  Probably the best college coach of all time.  It took him awhile to ramp up at MSU (where he was good), and LSU (where he was very good), but five titles in nine years at Alabama? 

[Spotcheck Billy]

The review of if Michel stepped out of bounds on his TD catch was one of the quickest reviews ever.

[MerrittsMustache]

Saban has huge balls to make that QB change and win that game.

It was a move that few coaches would make but Saban was basically in a no lose situation. Bama was already down 13-0 at half and did basically nothing offensively. If the backup QB goes in and is a disaster, Bama goes back to Hurts and it's an afterthought in Georgia's victory. If the backup QB wins the game, he's a star and Saban is a genius.


Also, MAJOR props to Jalen Hurts for the way he handled things throughout the game. That guy can be on my team any day!

[wadesworld]

It was a move that few coaches would make but Saban was basically in a no lose situation. Bama was already down 13-0 at half and did basically nothing offensively. If the backup QB goes in and is a disaster, Bama goes back to Hurts and it's an afterthought in Georgia's victory. If the backup QB wins the game, he's a star and Saban is a genius.


Also, MAJOR props to Jalen Hurts for the way he handled things throughout the game. That guy can be on my team any day!

Agreed on Hurts. I liked him going into the game. Became a huge fan from the 2nd half on.

[JWags85]

It was a move that few coaches would make but Saban was basically in a no lose situation. Bama was already down 13-0 at half and did basically nothing offensively. If the backup QB goes in and is a disaster, Bama goes back to Hurts and it's an afterthought in Georgia's victory. If the backup QB wins the game, he's a star and Saban is a genius.


Also, MAJOR props to Jalen Hurts for the way he handled things throughout the game. That guy can be on my team any day!

Discussion I had with my friends last night and this morning.  And only really considered because of what an absolute master Saban is...I think the Tua wrinkle may have been planned all along.  Not so much in "he will start the second no matter what", but knowing how good Georgia is against the run, if the offense wasn't clicking, they'd go to him.  He'd gotten into 7 games prior.  By all accounts he had possibly outplayed Hurts in the Spring.  I think Saban had an idea of what could be.

I don't think they planned on the TD in the 3rd and needing to score 20 to tie, but I don't think it was as miraculous and unexpected as it seemed.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Yes.  Probably the best college coach of all time.  It took him awhile to ramp up at MSU (where he was good), and LSU (where he was very good), but five titles in nine years at Alabama?

Michigan State winning at #1 Ohio State in 1998 was big with Saban. Yes, 1 second away for 6 titles in 9 years at Alabama.

[MU82]

The head coach of the HS girls basketball team on which I am an assistant used Hurts' unwavering support of the freshman QB as the centerpiece of his pre-game speech last night.

My coach is an excellent motivator, and it was an excellent speech. We went out and destroyed our opponent.

Of course, we also are very talented and probably would have destroyed our opponent anyway ... but let's not let the facts get in the way!

[MerrittsMustache]

The head coach of the HS girls basketball team on which I am an assistant used Hurts' unwavering support of the freshman QB as the centerpiece of his pre-game speech last night.

As did every other coach in America 

[MU82]

As did every other coach in America 

It's a great topic ... so why the heck not!

[Mr. Nielsen]

Not a shock to me, as one pointed out my new name should be the guy who knows his tv crap.  Milwaukee was poor for the national championship game. The northeast always bad as well.
http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2018/01/10/Media/CFP-TV.aspx?