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Who will be the first team to rest players in a league championship game?
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:01 am
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:01 am
If you are already assured a spot in the playoffs, what is the point? The idea of team pride, winning a conference banner etc, means little to the “pro” athlete. Who won the NFC South last year? Don’t know, don’t care. We should cherish the memories of championship games of the past and accept the new reality. Remember when going to a New Years bowl was a big deal? Not anymore.
Sit your starters and prepare for what matters, just like the NFL.
Sit your starters and prepare for what matters, just like the NFL.
15
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:03 am to Bamafig
If they ever make it again, the answer is obviously LSU.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:03 am to Bamafig
Nobody is going to just sit healthy guys. We may see more guys who are banged up but not unable to play sit, and we may see teams pull starters earlier in games that are 2-3 score games in the 2nd half, but I'd be shocked if we ever get to a point where teams are just not playing starters like NFL teams sometimes do in Week 17.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:04 am to Bamafig
The conference championship games need to be canceled. They are completely useless, and always have been.
There’s a playoff to crown a national champion.
No one cares about a conference championship aka participation trophy.
There’s a playoff to crown a national champion.
No one cares about a conference championship aka participation trophy.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:09 am to chefrossi
quote:
No one cares about a conference championship aka participation trophy.
TV Networks do.
You are naïve if you think any of these conferences actually run the sport.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:10 am to SummerOfGeorge
quote:
not unable
Lol. Who said simpler is better than complicated? Not unable > able.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:16 am to Bamafig
It’s still up in the air if teams will be punished for losing championship games. Additionally, they may be punished further if they were obviously resting their players. I certainly wouldn’t want to be the first team to do it.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:24 am to Bamafig
Conference title are still important and will leave lasting memories for the players. Not everyone will go to the NFL. They also may be tied to bonus pays etc. I would prefer they all play and get a possible bye that first game in the playoffs. If you are a lock it basically gives you two tries to make it to the second round. Nothing is guaranteed. In addition as a fan I want to see my team do well and play against good opponents instead of just hearing “they weren’t motivated”
This post was edited on 11/5/25 at 8:25 am
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:26 am to Bamafig
quote:
The idea of team pride, winning a conference banner etc, means little to the “pro” athlete.
And the idea of recruiting local players who have legitimate academic ambitions means little to the fans.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:28 am to Bamafig
If winning the SEC championship gets me a first round bye into the playoffs, why wouldn't I want to win? If we're worried about not winning and having to sit players, just ensure you don't make it to the SECCG and throw a game during the regular season. But if I can get a first round bye in the playoffs that's worth trying to make it and win the SECCG.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:30 am to chefrossi
quote:
The conference championship games need to be canceled. They are completely useless, and always have been
So we go back to the days of two, and three, way ties and share the 'ships?
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:31 am to NWLA_Bama
Its not even really a bye though because you're playing an extra game with the conference championship game while half the playoff teams are sitting at home.
Play an extra game to potentially get a bye, it doesnt make any sense.
Play an extra game to potentially get a bye, it doesnt make any sense.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:51 am to Bamafig
The Conferences are not going to cancel a massive money maker unless the major injury issue pops up consistently and makes them consider a loss of revenue in the back end during the playoffs. I think the SEC sees the Carson Beck injury as an anomaly and worth it to keep the SECG going. Simple as that. They are like insurance actuaries.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 8:55 am to BuckeyeGoon
Do you want your bye during the conference title games or do you want your buy during the first round of the playoffs? Which one is better for "your" team? If I had no interest in playing a conference title game I'd make sure we didn't get there. Teams can do that, it would piss a lot of people off, but if that's their strategy, then so be it. They have that right.
I'm a traditionalist so I covet conference titles and would hate to see them eliminated. But as we get further into the playoff model I'm afraid they're going to go the way of the rotary phone.
I'm a traditionalist so I covet conference titles and would hate to see them eliminated. But as we get further into the playoff model I'm afraid they're going to go the way of the rotary phone.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 9:06 am to SummerOfGeorge
quote:
I'd be shocked if we ever get to a point where
College sports fans should be prepared for the reality that we are at the point where [insert absurdity] happens.
Imagine 10 years ago telling someone that players getting 20 mil and multiple 'portals' a year would happen.
Imagine telling someone that successful teams would not be developed together, but bought in a portal that spring.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 9:07 am to Bamafig
That would be Texas A&M.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 9:07 am to Bamafig
It won't happen in this conference.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 9:08 am to stitchop
quote:
College sports fans should be prepared for the reality that we are at the point where [insert absurdity] happens.
Imagine 10 years ago telling someone that players getting 20 mil and multiple 'portals' a year would happen.
Imagine telling someone that successful teams would not be developed together, but bought in a portal that spring.
Agree in theory, but the thing with these games is that if teams start treating them as meaningless exhibitions then conferences are going to pretty immediately get rid of them.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 9:09 am to SummerOfGeorge
quote:
Nobody is going to just sit healthy guys. We may see more guys who are banged up but not unable to play sit, and we may see teams pull starters earlier in games that are 2-3 score games in the 2nd half, but I'd be shocked if we ever get to a point where teams are just not playing starters like NFL teams sometimes do in Week 17.
I call bullshite...
I think you are going to see teams sitting players to rest "old injuries they have been playing through" etc.
Sure, the report will say he has been banged up for weeks and needs to recover.
when you get to week 10 and beyond, who isn't "banged up"?... every player who sees significant playing time is dealing with minor injuries. that's just part of the grind at that point in the season.
Posted on 11/5/25 at 9:10 am to Bamafig
That Game makes the entire sec tons of money,, Would estimate it makes the conference $30ish million per year...... Not walking away from that.
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