Peach Bowl

[EastHallApp]

I never said it was a conspiracy. That was completely your creation. I only mentioned it because it illustrates the fact that some schools will always get the benefit of the doubt because of who they are.

Sorry, I guess I'm just not seeing the relevance then. If you're not suggesting that Nike somehow wielded influence on the selection process for these teams, then what is the point of the story? To illustrate that all four are lucrative programs? Not exactly breaking news there.

In any case, we can debate this all we want, but the debate is over everywhere that matters. No one with a microphone or a byline is going to argue against OSU's inclusion after last night. They wouldn't be taken seriously if they did. If anything, I think the takeaway will be increased pressure to move to 8 teams based on TCU's performance.

Never suggested that at all. The relevance is that it gives a glimpse into how people think. Nike didn't wield the influence, but rather a particular way of thinking did. The committee fell victim to the same sort of thinking. They gave the benefit of the doubt to the name team when there was no other real distinction between the three. For what it's worth I picked OSU to win the whole thing, in a bowl pool, the day the selections came out, but that doesn't change my belief that they never should have jumped the way they did. And as I also said before, that isn't Ohio State's fault, but the fault of the committee. They screwed this process up as bad as the BCS used to be.

Eh, OK. There would have been controversy no matter what. If TCU had been the pick, people would have screamed about them going ahead of the team that beat them. If Baylor had gone... Well, actually that probably wouldn't have been that controversial, except that they played the weakest schedule of the three. And they would have had to jump both TCU and OSU in the final week, which personally I don't think is a big deal, but obviously some do.

Again... Six teams, four spots. Somebody's getting left out. OSU played maybe the single most impressive game of the entire college season the night before the selections were made, and it was enough to get them in.

Eh, OK. There was an easy way to have no controversy at all; don't release any rankings until the final week. Then no one would have been mislead into believing that the rankings meant something, when obviously they didn't.

I agree they should not have released rankings before the end of the season. So you're saying if that had been the case, you'd have no complaint about OSU getting in over TCU and Baylor?

[Goapps15]

If the committee did it right and released the rankings at the end nobody has complaints. During the release of the final rankings, they mentioned OSU, Baylor, TCU, and FSU were 3a, b, c, & d. They failed to mention that the prior week. Had they mentjoned that previously it would have made the confusion go away.

Big 12 commissioner also screwed the pooch, imo. Had he named one champion this crisis could have been avoided. That honestly gave them an easy out to choose Ohio State.

[appst89]

I agree they should not have released rankings before the end of the season. So you're saying if that had been the case, you'd have no complaint about OSU getting in over TCU and Baylor?

None. With four teams, one P5 champion is always going to be left out.

[bcoach]

There is no chance at all that they will stop doing weekly rankings. ESPN would go into cardiac arrest. That is 25% of the talking heads shows. Then there is the fans. They would go nuts. If we could ever be ranked you guys would go nuts. Not going to happen! Do you remember when we got some votes in 2007? Our fan base went goofy. Not going to happen in BB or FB.

[Saint3333]

If OSU would have been 3 the week prior and fallen to 6 the next week I have to wonder how you would have felt. The only people that agree it was ok we're those with OSU ties and ESPN mouthpieces.

[Cincy App]

The most illogical ranking was TCU at #3 during the previous week. There is no way that FSU should have been behind TCU when they had a better record, played in a tougher conference, and played a substantially tougher non-conference schedule with wins against Florida, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma St. It would appear the committee was positioning for desired matchups - Bama vs FSU and Oregon vs TCU. Winning games is no longer as important as style points these days.

[Saint3333]

The most illogical ranking was TCU at #3 during the previous week. There is no way that FSU should have been behind TCU when they had a better record, played in a tougher conference, and played a substantially tougher non-conference schedule with wins against Florida, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma St. It would appear the committee was positioning for desired matchups - Bama vs FSU and Oregon vs TCU. Winning games is no longer as important as style points these days.

That is why I say the process is flawed. We have to accept the prior week's ranking and use logic to adjust those rankings they put forth the next week. If OSU had been 3rd or 4th the week prior there wouldn't be nearly as much discussion now.

[AppSt94]

The most illogical ranking was TCU at #3 during the previous week. There is no way that FSU should have been behind TCU when they had a better record, played in a tougher conference, and played a substantially tougher non-conference schedule with wins against Florida, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma St. It would appear the committee was positioning for desired matchups - Bama vs FSU and Oregon vs TCU. Winning games is no longer as important as style points these days.

That is why I say the process is flawed. We have to accept the prior week's ranking and use logic to adjust those rankings they put forth the next week. If OSU had been 3rd or 4th the week prior there wouldn't be nearly as much discussion now.

Exactly. The way that the whole thing transpired defies the "win and your in" mantra. I like how Saint put it. Reverse the situations for Ohio State and TCU. What kind of holy hell would have been unleashed on the football universe if that had happened to the Buckeyes? Or Florida State for that matter.

[EastHallApp]

If OSU would have been 3 the week prior and fallen to 6 the next week I have to wonder how you would have felt. The only people that agree it was ok we're those with OSU ties and ESPN mouthpieces.

I guess I just wouldn't see the rationale for that happening based on the results in the final week. Here is what I think happened:

- TCU destroyed a bad opponent - as everyone expected - leaving the impression of "Yep, that looks like a playoff team."

- Baylor convincingly beat a strong opponent - as most expected - leaving the impression of "Yep, that looks like a playoff team."

- Ohio State absolutely demolished a strong opponent, on a neutral field, with their third-string QB making his first start - which nobody expected. And that gave the impression of "Holy crap, there is no way you can leave that team out of the playoff."

I think that if OSU had beaten Wisconsin 24-21, they probably would have been left out. But if you were watching the wrap up shows that night, by the end of that game, pretty much everyone was saying they had likely played their way in and the Big XII teams would be left out. It didn't come as any surprise when the bracket was announced.

[EastHallApp]

There is no chance at all that they will stop doing weekly rankings. ESPN would go into cardiac arrest. That is 25% of the talking heads shows. Then there is the fans. They would go nuts. If we could ever be ranked you guys would go nuts. Not going to happen! Do you remember when we got some votes in 2007? Our fan base went goofy. Not going to happen in BB or FB.

You're referring to the weekly AP and USA Today rankings.Those aren't going anywhere. We're talking about the Playoff Committee rankings that start around midseason. Those were new this year and have no counterpart in basketball.

[Saint3333]

If OSU would have been 3 the week prior and fallen to 6 the next week I have to wonder how you would have felt. The only people that agree it was ok we're those with OSU ties and ESPN mouthpieces.

I guess I just wouldn't see the rationale for that happening based on the results in the final week. Here is what I think happened:

- TCU destroyed a bad opponent - as everyone expected - leaving the impression of "Yep, that looks like a playoff team."

- Baylor convincingly beat a strong opponent - as most expected - leaving the impression of "Yep, that looks like a playoff team."

- Ohio State absolutely demolished a strong opponent, on a neutral field, with their third-string QB making his first start - which nobody expected. And that gave the impression of "Holy crap, there is no way you can leave that team out of the playoff."

I think that if OSU had beaten Wisconsin 24-21, they probably would have been left out. But if you were watching the wrap up shows that night, by the end of that game, pretty much everyone was saying they had likely played their way in and the Big XII teams would be left out. It didn't come as any surprise when the bracket was announced.

I'm not explaining this well. I meant flip the entire resume of both and the results.

The wrap up shows were pimping an OSU team over a TCU team when they are the ones reaping the benefits of a national powerhouse making the playoffs. I don't need a crystal ball to see that one coming. I wasn't surprised at all. If I had been a commentator I would have projected it too (I did in my living room with family members), because everyone knows given the same resumes the program that is better for TV gets the nod.

Again no issue with OSU being in, I could argue for 6 teams, but he process is the problem.

[bcoach]

There is no chance at all that they will stop doing weekly rankings. ESPN would go into cardiac arrest. That is 25% of the talking heads shows. Then there is the fans. They would go nuts. If we could ever be ranked you guys would go nuts. Not going to happen! Do you remember when we got some votes in 2007? Our fan base went goofy. Not going to happen in BB or FB.

You're referring to the weekly AP and USA Today rankings. Those aren't going anywhere. We're talking about the Playoff Committee rankings that start around midseason. Those were new this year and have no counterpart in basketball.

Ok thanks. I think the same applies though. Once something like that starts it is almost impossible to kill. People are looking for rankings and talking heads need something to talk about. As it is we hear the same thing over and over. They will never want less to talk about. It used to be that you had a 15 min sports broadcast on the news at night. Now they have to fill 24/7 on god knows how many channels, blogs and on and on. This gives them something to talk about besides joe QB from little town U getting a speeding ticket. If they are going to talk for half an hour about how many guys named Sam have kicked a field goal from the 33 1/2 yard line, in the snow, at 3:43, in Michigan, on a Tuesday, in November, with a white shoe, what makes you think they will give up 900 hours of talking about rankings.

[AppSt94]

[quote="EastHallApp"}

- Ohio State absolutely demolished a strong opponent, on a neutral field, with their third-string QB making his first start - which nobody expected. And that gave the impression of "Holy crap, there is no way you can leave that team out of the playoff."

I think that if OSU had beaten Wisconsin 24-21, they probably would have been left out. But if you were watching the wrap up shows that night, by the end of that game, pretty much everyone was saying they had likely played their way in and the Big XII teams would be left out. It didn't come as any surprise when the bracket was announced.[/quote]
This is a good example of how we look at this differently. OSU beating, essentially the second best team in the B1G, in the fashion that they did tells me that the league was not very strong. TCU did what it was supposed to do by beating the snot out of an opponent that they were supposed to beat. When you stand the resumes of TCU, Baylor, and OSU beside each other the one glaring x-factor, to me, is the bad loss. TCU did not have one. You can point to what transpires in the bowl games as proof that the committee made the right choice. But at the time, no one knew the outcome of the bowl matchups nor did they know what the matchups would be. You have to go off the body of work.

[Boonegoon]

All this discussion about selection has me thinking that, in hindsight, Alabama might should have been on the bubble. Perception is what got them there as with TCU. It's hard to rate bowl performances, but as a whole, the SEC west was terrible and Bamas schedule looks weaker now. I think 8 teams is a must and I think it will come in short order considering the ratings of both the semi final games.

[AppSt94]

All this discussion about selection has me thinking that, in hindsight, Alabama might should have been on the bubble. Perception is what got them there as with TCU. It's hard to rate bowl performances, but as a whole, the SEC west was terrible and Bamas schedule looks weaker now. I think 8 teams is a must and I think it will come in short order considering the ratings of both the semi final games.

I think that you are correct. Ratings don't lie. This could be a gold mine.

[EastHallApp]

If OSU would have been 3 the week prior and fallen to 6 the next week I have to wonder how you would have felt. The only people that agree it was ok we're those with OSU ties and ESPN mouthpieces.

I guess I just wouldn't see the rationale for that happening based on the results in the final week. Here is what I think happened:

- TCU destroyed a bad opponent - as everyone expected - leaving the impression of "Yep, that looks like a playoff team."

- Baylor convincingly beat a strong opponent - as most expected - leaving the impression of "Yep, that looks like a playoff team."

- Ohio State absolutely demolished a strong opponent, on a neutral field, with their third-string QB making his first start - which nobody expected. And that gave the impression of "Holy crap, there is no way you can leave that team out of the playoff."

I think that if OSU had beaten Wisconsin 24-21, they probably would have been left out. But if you were watching the wrap up shows that night, by the end of that game, pretty much everyone was saying they had likely played their way in and the Big XII teams would be left out. It didn't come as any surprise when the bracket was announced.

I'm not explaining this well. I meant flip the entire resume of both and the results.

Ok, I gotcha. I don't think I'd have been upset about that. Maybe slightly disappointed, but not angry. But again, I'm not an OSU homer. Other than maybe half the Michigan St. game, I don't think I watched more than a couple minutes of any of their games this year prior to the B1G title game.

Now if App were ever somehow in that situation and got passed in the last week like TCU did, I'm pretty sure I'd go apesh*t about it whether it were fair or not.

[EastHallApp]

The most illogical ranking was TCU at #3 during the previous week. There is no way that FSU should have been behind TCU when they had a better record, played in a tougher conference, and played a substantially tougher non-conference schedule with wins against Florida, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma St. It would appear the committee was positioning for desired matchups - Bama vs FSU and Oregon vs TCU. Winning games is no longer as important as style points these days.

Agreed on TCU at 3 - they never should have been there in the first place, and I believe had only jumped FSU the previous week.

If it were me, I'd have had the next-to-last poll as:

3) FSU
4) TCU
5) Baylor
6) OSU

With the final poll:

3) FSU
4) OSU
5) TCU
6) Baylor

So I'd have actually only dropped TCU one spot, which maybe doesn't seem as crazy as dropping them three spots. But the end result is the same, of course.

[Saint3333]

Now if App were ever somehow in that situation and got passed in the last week like TCU did, I'm pretty sure I'd go apesh*t about it whether it were fair or not.

THIS is way I'm discussing it.

[appst89]

Now if App were ever somehow in that situation and got passed in the last week like TCU did, I'm pretty sure I'd go apesh*t about it whether it were fair or not.

THIS is way I'm discussing it.

If App ever is in such a position, you can guarantee that we won't come out on the good side of it. The precedent has already been set.

[bcoach]

Now if App were ever somehow in that situation and got passed in the last week like TCU did, I'm pretty sure I'd go apesh*t about it whether it were fair or not.

THIS is way I'm discussing it.

If App ever is in such a position, you can guarantee that we won't come out on the good side of it. The precedent has already been set.

That is probably very true BUT. You have to expect a BUT from me from time to time. What kind of TV ratings would a Boise State bring to a play off game. My bet is that at least for the first time they would go through the roof. See the big boys have many more fans than any of us do, but all of us combined have one hell of a lot more fans than any one of the big boys do. What if we ran the table and two of the wins were top 10 ranked teams. Would not the whole rest of the country be tuned in to a play off game of ASU VS Ohio State. Could ESPN possibly stay out of the decision room.
Yes I am perfectly sober but this is a very long off season.