Is the season setting up for a three-loss SEC runner-up to get left out?

Definitely one of many possibilities

3 loss team isn't getting in.

It may very well happen

I’ve said before. If I have 2 losses and am ranked 9-11, I’d rather not risk losing on Atlanta

Again, no structure or standards rendering the invitational tournament not a playoff

quote:

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This is why 12 teams are too many

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The number isn’t the issue. It’s the utter lack of standards that is the issue in the sport.

We have 2 conferences that care about football(yes I know a few teams are not serious about football in the conferences). 2 more that have football schools in the conference, a couple of independent schools that have solid football traditions. And yet the lack of standards mean random schools that really are not on par with the middle of the top 2 conferences can play essentially a minor league schedule and be in the “playoffs”. And a team that didn’t win a division or conference? Can be right there too?

If the sport wants a playoff then set some standards. Pull 64 teams into the playoff eligible pool, give the conference’s divisions, let the committee do schedules for those 64, and the division winners play for a conference championship and the conference champions play for a championship.