Playoff ratings and potential madness

[chicolby]

So the ratings which placed Texas A&M ahead of Washington suggested that the committee definitely rewards a strong schedule. I think if Washington continues to win, they will be just fine, but one thing I just considered is what could happen if the B1G has some mayhem in the final third of the season.

Let's take for example:

Nebraska beats Ohio State.
Ohio State beats Michigan
Nebraska wins in the conference championship

Does Nebraska have a strong enough case to make the playoffs if say Alabama, Clemson, Washington remain clean? What if Louisville stays clean?

Is there any chance that a conference with 5 teams in the top 12 could be left out of the playoffs?

There's obviously a lot of football to be played yet, and many things shake themselves out, but I was curious if anyone sees the possibility of the B1G being left out.

 

[Husker Sledge]

Win out and we're in. Smple as that.

 

[Mack In Motion]

This happens every year. They place a surprise team in the final 4 early to get everyone foaming at the mouth.

It is literally the only reason you would seed teams this early in the season.

Washington will be in if they win out.

 

[timnsun]

So the ratings which placed Texas A&M ahead of Washington suggested that the committee definitely rewards a strong schedule. I think if Washington continues to win, they will be just fine, but one thing I just considered is what could happen if the B1G has some mayhem in the final third of the season.

Let's take for example:

Nebraska beats Ohio State.
Ohio State beats Michigan
Nebraska wins in the conference championship

Does Nebraska have a strong enough case to make the playoffs if say Alabama, Clemson, Washington remain clean? What if Louisville stays clean?

Is there any chance that a conference with 5 teams in the top 12 could be left out of the playoffs?

There's obviously a lot of football to be played yet, and many things shake themselves out, but I was curious if anyone sees the possibility of the B1G being left out.

This scenario is precisely why I was saying a month ago that 8 teams should get in. Bama, Washington, Clemson, Louisville, Nebraska... who gets left out between the one loss teams?

I get that if Nebraska wins out and wins the conference they deserve to get in, but Louisville would have a strong argument as a 1 loss team at the hands of an unbeaten and top 3 team in Clemson, while our loss would have come against 2 loss Wisconsin...

To the OP's point, I agree that if Nebraska wins out they get in due to being B1G conference champion... any stumble is fatal.

 

[TruHusker]

The here is a small sample size but recent history indicates the committee gets it right. There is no reason to speculate this early, it all finds a way to sort out. I don't think going to 8 teams helps anything. Each year it is clear there is a top tier and then everyone else. The "win out" theory may not work if you do so with a weak schedule compared to others in the same boat.

 

[timnsun]

The here is a small sample size but recent history indicates the committee gets it right. There is no reason to speculate this early, it all finds a way to sort out. I don't think going to 8 teams helps anything. Each year it is clear there is a top tier and then everyone else. The "win out" theory may not work if you do so with a weak schedule compared to others in the same boat.

Makes sense... the one thing I need to remember is to think with my head and not my heart. the heart can easily interfere with what might be right.

 

[JohnRossEwing]

In the end a big fat 0 will be better than a 1.

 

[jlb321_rivals110621]

Does a 2 loss conference champion - Wisconsin (in this scenario they would have avenged an earlier loss to either Michigan or OSU in the CCG) get in over a one loss aTm who doesn't play for a conf championship or a 2 loss Big12 champ??

 

[chicolby]

I don't see how you can leave out a B1G Champion this season. The only way (maybe) is if a Northwestern would sneak in and pull off an upset in the Championship game. Or maybe if Nebraska sneaks in with two losses (assuming Wiscy loses again) and stuns Michigan.

 

[dtrain87]

So the ratings which placed Texas A&M ahead of Washington suggested that the committee definitely rewards a strong schedule. I think if Washington continues to win, they will be just fine, but one thing I just considered is what could happen if the B1G has some mayhem in the final third of the season.

Let's take for example:

Nebraska beats Ohio State.
Ohio State beats Michigan
Nebraska wins in the conference championship

Does Nebraska have a strong enough case to make the playoffs if say Alabama, Clemson, Washington remain clean? What if Louisville stays clean?

Is there any chance that a conference with 5 teams in the top 12 could be left out of the playoffs?

There's obviously a lot of football to be played yet, and many things shake themselves out, but I was curious if anyone sees the possibility of the B1G being left out.

This is early and means nothing. They weight league titles #1. No league title and you don't get in, unless you have a one loss and a league champ has a weak schedule and 2 losses.

 

[Husker Sledge]

I don't see how you can leave out a B1G Champion this season. The only way (maybe) is if a Northwestern would sneak in and pull off an upset in the Championship game. Or maybe if Nebraska sneaks in with two losses (assuming Wiscy loses again) and stuns Michigan.

A 2 loss Nebraska won't get in under any circumstances. Even a 2 loss Wisconsin won't make it unless they absolutely destroy OSU or Michigan in conf title game. That ain't happening though.

 

[RaisingArizona]

Wait, are we suggesting that a 1 loss Louisville with wins over Florida State and Houston and no conference championship would get in over a 1 loss Big 10 champion? Zero chance that happens.

 

[nebcountry]

There are still too many games left to be played.

Can the B1G be left out? Ya, maybe, if a two-loss West team wins the CC.

Can NU make the final four? Ya, maybe, win out, decisive margins of victory. Probably some other dominoes that would have to fall our way.

 

[timnsun]

There are still too many games left to be played.

Can the B1G be left out? Ya, maybe, if a two-loss West team wins the CC.

Can NU make the final four? Ya, maybe, win out, decisive margins of victory. Probably some other dominoes that would have to fall our way.

If we win out I don't think any dominoes have to fall our way. 12-1 and conference champ speaks for itself.

 

[redwine65]

I'm not sure I want anything to do with Alabama right now.

 

[Xavier3]

The here is a small sample size but recent history indicates the committee gets it right. There is no reason to speculate this early, it all finds a way to sort out. I don't think going to 8 teams helps anything. Each year it is clear there is a top tier and then everyone else. The "win out" theory may not work if you do so with a weak schedule compared to others in the same boat.

I am not sure that Oklahoma and Michigan State were necessarily "slam dunk" top tier teams last year. In fact, I still think Ohio State may have been the best team in the nation after the end of last years regular season.

 

[nebcountry]

If we win out I don't think any dominoes have to fall our way. 12-1 and conference champ speaks for itself.

I am sure that is the same exact argument Florida would use, if they win out and win their CC. I wonder what a 1-loss Alabama would be ranked? A&M is 4th and likely won't play in a CC. Do we have complete control over our destiny at this time? I would say maybe.

 

[RaisingArizona]

Provided Florida doesn't win out, I don't see how a 1 loss Big 10 Champion Nebraska wouldn't be in the playoff.

 

[Mr.Scary13]

I'm not sure I want anything to do with Alabama right now.

That's exactly the team I'd like to play no matter if they win by 50. it would only help recruiting to get that far and would give the program a sense of what it takes to get to the top.

 

[nebcountry]

Provided Florida doesn't win out, I don't see how a 1 loss Big 10 Champion Nebraska wouldn't be in the playoff.

If you think we'll win out, better cheer for Alabama to win out or lose 2. A 1-loss Alabama scenario leaves pollsters considering Alabama in the playoff. Alabama will play LSU and Auburn in regular season, and potentially Florida (CC). I don't know the sec pecking order for the CC game, but you potentially could have A&M, LSU, Auburn, or Alabama with one conference loss in the east. They can't all have one conference loss, and I don't know who the pollsters will vote for. But in a world of 1-lossers, I think Alabama would be picked at the top.

These are just scenarios involving Alabama.

 

[brnred58]

So the ratings which placed Texas A&M ahead of Washington suggested that the committee definitely rewards a strong schedule. I think if Washington continues to win, they will be just fine, but one thing I just considered is what could happen if the B1G has some mayhem in the final third of the season.

Let's take for example:

Nebraska beats Ohio State.
Ohio State beats Michigan
Nebraska wins in the conference championship

Does Nebraska have a strong enough case to make the playoffs if say Alabama, Clemson, Washington remain clean? What if Louisville stays clean?

Is there any chance that a conference with 5 teams in the top 12 could be left out of the playoffs?

There's obviously a lot of football to be played yet, and many things shake themselves out, but I was curious if anyone sees the possibility of the B1G being left out.

If Nebraska,Michigan or Ohio State win out they are in.

 

[brnred58]

Michigan could lose to Ohio St. and win the conference championship game and be in,of course Ohio St. would have to lose another game.No 2 loss team would be in even if Whisky doesn't lose another game I don't believe they are in,Ohio St. and Nebraska can't lose another game and they have to win the conference championship game.That makes Saturday a must win for both teams.

 

[Pierremc]

A 2 loss Nebraska won't get in under any circumstances. Even a 2 loss Wisconsin won't make it unless they absolutely destroy OSU or Michigan in conf title game. That ain't happening though.

Wrong. Wisconsin wins out with even a close win against Mich or OSU, and they are in. No question about it.