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Another playoff tweak, guaranteeing the 4 "major" conference champions inclusion
Posted on 12/17/25 at 9:23 pm
Posted on 12/17/25 at 9:23 pm
Changing it from the 5 highest ranked conference champions to instead be explicitly the 4 power conference champions + the highest Go5 champion.
Hypothetically Go5 schools could still get additional bids from at large spots but that will only happen once in a blue moon.
With this tweak ACC Champions Duke at 8-5 would have gotten a spot and James Madison would have not.
In practice it really won't make that much of a difference. The vast majority of the time the five highest ranked conference champions will include the power 4 anyway, so this rule won't apply that much. The odds of a completely unranked team making and winning a Power 4 conference championship game is exceptionally low, but it did happen this year so they are making sure it won't impact things again.
But when it does apply, is 8-5 unranked Duke really "better" than James Madison?
This really doesn't improve the quality of the field any, just guarantees no "big" conference ever gets left completely out, as the ACC absolutely was on the verge of this year.
Hypothetically Go5 schools could still get additional bids from at large spots but that will only happen once in a blue moon.
With this tweak ACC Champions Duke at 8-5 would have gotten a spot and James Madison would have not.
In practice it really won't make that much of a difference. The vast majority of the time the five highest ranked conference champions will include the power 4 anyway, so this rule won't apply that much. The odds of a completely unranked team making and winning a Power 4 conference championship game is exceptionally low, but it did happen this year so they are making sure it won't impact things again.
But when it does apply, is 8-5 unranked Duke really "better" than James Madison?
This really doesn't improve the quality of the field any, just guarantees no "big" conference ever gets left completely out, as the ACC absolutely was on the verge of this year.
This post was edited on 12/17/25 at 9:30 pm
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Posted on 12/18/25 at 2:20 am to StansberryRules
quote:
With this tweak ACC Champions Duke at 8-5 would have gotten a spot and James Madison would have not.
While I'd rather not have either... I prefer JMU to Duke this year in the playoff. Not in favor.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 4:26 am to DawginSC
No Offense to the lower tier teams like Tulane,JMU but this is College football not basketball. These types of teams may steal one game in the playoff but winning it all will likely never happen because of Superior teams having much more talent at every position. Basketball only requires 5 guys. Football 11 on each side of the ball. The only way it could happen would be a Army/Navy type of team that has had the same guys together for 4 years and in today's college football not happening.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 4:36 am to FLObserver
quote:
The only way it could happen would be a Army/Navy type of team that has had the same guys together for 4 years and in today's college football not happening.
I see what you're trying to say, but Army/Navy is a bad example considering they do have to be there for four years unless they flunk out.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 5:39 am to StansberryRules
Just go to 16 or even straight to 24 and be done with it.
4 conference champs, no guarantees for Notre Dame, 20 at large, top 8 teams get byes. Use the bowls for the playoffs. Everybody is happy. You basically need to be ranked in the top 25 to make the playoff.
Yes whoever is 25th will bitch, but such is life. People bitch.
4 conference champs, no guarantees for Notre Dame, 20 at large, top 8 teams get byes. Use the bowls for the playoffs. Everybody is happy. You basically need to be ranked in the top 25 to make the playoff.
Yes whoever is 25th will bitch, but such is life. People bitch.
This post was edited on 12/18/25 at 5:42 am
Posted on 12/18/25 at 5:55 am to bigDgator
For this season, just going off the AP poll.
1st round byes:
#1 Indiana
#2 Ohio State
#3 Georgia
#4 Texas Tech
#5 Oregon
#6 Ole Miss
#7 Texas A&M
#8 Oklahoma
1st round
#9 Alabama vs #24 James Madison
#10 Miami vs #23 Iowa
#11 Notre Dame vs #22 Georgia Tech
#12 BYU vs #21 Houston
#13 Texas vs #20 Tulane
#14 Vanderbilt vs #19 Virginia
#15 Utah vs #18 Michigan
#16 USC vs #17 Arizona
2nd round (if all favorites advanced)
#1 Indiana vs #16 USC
#2 Ohio State vs #15 Utah
#3 Georgia vs #14 Vanderbilt
#4 Texas Tech vs #13 Texas
#5 Oregon vs #12 BYU
#6 Ole Miss vs #11 Notre Dame
#7 Texas A&M vs #10 Miami
#8 Oklahoma vs #9 Alabama
...and so on. You could shuffle up or down a spot or two to avoid conference matchups in early rounds like the do basketball, and also to avoid as many rematches as possible at least until later.
1st round byes:
#1 Indiana
#2 Ohio State
#3 Georgia
#4 Texas Tech
#5 Oregon
#6 Ole Miss
#7 Texas A&M
#8 Oklahoma
1st round
#9 Alabama vs #24 James Madison
#10 Miami vs #23 Iowa
#11 Notre Dame vs #22 Georgia Tech
#12 BYU vs #21 Houston
#13 Texas vs #20 Tulane
#14 Vanderbilt vs #19 Virginia
#15 Utah vs #18 Michigan
#16 USC vs #17 Arizona
2nd round (if all favorites advanced)
#1 Indiana vs #16 USC
#2 Ohio State vs #15 Utah
#3 Georgia vs #14 Vanderbilt
#4 Texas Tech vs #13 Texas
#5 Oregon vs #12 BYU
#6 Ole Miss vs #11 Notre Dame
#7 Texas A&M vs #10 Miami
#8 Oklahoma vs #9 Alabama
...and so on. You could shuffle up or down a spot or two to avoid conference matchups in early rounds like the do basketball, and also to avoid as many rematches as possible at least until later.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 6:02 am to bigDgator
24 is too many.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 6:15 am to FirstCityDawg
That is less than 18% of the teams making the post season. Still less than high school and the pros. Why so exclusive? You just need to create another league then because this is exactly how the FCS division does it.
In the NFL 44% of the teams make the post season.
In Texas largest high school division there are 249 schools statewide. Based on the playoff structure where the top four teams from each district qualify, a total of 128 teams make the postseason in Conference 6A. That's 51%.
In the NFL 44% of the teams make the post season.
In Texas largest high school division there are 249 schools statewide. Based on the playoff structure where the top four teams from each district qualify, a total of 128 teams make the postseason in Conference 6A. That's 51%.
This post was edited on 12/18/25 at 6:18 am
Posted on 12/18/25 at 7:05 am to StansberryRules
The system isn't the problem. The rankings are. Too many voters put G5 teams higher than they should based on SoR. Bring back the computers to offset the human vote. The computers take SoS into account much more than the average voter.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 7:35 am to StansberryRules
I remember when 90% of everbody here on the rant said if you don't win your conference you shouldn't be in.
You member that? I member that.
Suck it up buttercups. This is what you asked for.
You member that? I member that.
Suck it up buttercups. This is what you asked for.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 7:51 am to StansberryRules
quote:
With this tweak ACC Champions Duke at 8-5 would have gotten a spot and James Madison would have not.
OR...they could just give the teams ranked #1-#12 the spots, no matter their conference affiliation.
But, I still maintain the better solution is to shrink down to the #1-#6 teams. A 6 team playoff.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 8:02 am to DawgsLife
When will you guys come to understand that the polls are nothing but opinion. In no other sport does opinion determine anything. Polls are great for discussions and creating interest but polls should never be used for anything. Look at the polls this year. They had FSU and Clemson ranked highly and had Texas as #1. And every week they change which shows they were wrong. So, if the polls were wrong in weeks 1 thru 15 then of course they are wrong now. Yet you guys want teams to get playoff spots using them. No other sport does that.
Every other sport has automatic qualifiers based on position so every team knows exactly what they have to do. College football has turned into nothing but teams begging the media to keep them ranked. It’s just weak. Give each conference 5 automatic qualifiers and let the conferences decide how to pick those 5.
Every other sport has automatic qualifiers based on position so every team knows exactly what they have to do. College football has turned into nothing but teams begging the media to keep them ranked. It’s just weak. Give each conference 5 automatic qualifiers and let the conferences decide how to pick those 5.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 8:03 am to StansberryRules
quote:
But when it does apply, is 8-5 unranked Duke really "better" than James Madison?
No. No it’s not.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 8:30 am to bigDgator
quote:
That is less than 18% of the teams making the post season. Still less than high school and the pros. Why so exclusive? You just need to create another league then because this is exactly how the FCS division does it.
agreed, if the bowls are going to go away then you basically have to expand the playoff out to 32 or maybe 36 with some play ins
Posted on 12/18/25 at 9:33 am to StansberryRules
quote:
to instead be explicitly the power conference champions
What they should have used with the 1st p/o version. (Then again…4 slots for 5 conferences?)
Posted on 12/18/25 at 10:17 am to RunningJacket
quote:
When will you guys come to understand that the polls are nothing but opinion. In no other sport does opinion determine anything.
Give me the names of all the teams you personally believe has a realistic chance of winning the National Championship this year.
Here is mine:
Ohio State
Georgia
Indiana
Texas A&M
Texas Tech
Alabama if they get a LOT of breaks and get healthy
I MIGHT be wrong, but I would be willing to bet that the champion comes from one of those teams.
quote:Dude....I'm not advocating they take the top 6 from preseason polls!
Look at the polls this year. They had FSU and Clemson ranked highly and had Texas as #1.
quote:
No other sport does that.
Dumb argument. No two sports handle their playoffs the same. I could pick any sport and say "No other sport does it that way!"
quote:
Give each conference 5 automatic qualifiers
So you honestly believe that last Season Clemson, SMU, Arizona State, Boise had a legitimate chance to win the National Championship? Seriously? If not, why have them in the playoffs?
You don't form a playoff around what other leagues/sports do. College football is unique. It is dumb to have teams in a playoff that has no chance to win. I don't remember the last time I thought 6 teams in college football had a legit chance to win.
Give us your picks for teams that you honestly believe has a chance to win the National Championship.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 10:23 am to Draconian Sanctions
quote:
agreed, if the bowls are going to go away then you basically have to expand the playoff out to 32 or maybe 36 with some play ins
Why? Why would anybody want to water down their own product?
I have no intention of watching Ole Miss/Tulane or Oregon/James Madison.
Do we seriously want a LOT more meaningless games that nobody in their right minds would be interested in watching?
Are you really advocating watching Tulane, North Texas, Iowa, Houston play in the playoffs? Mind you, those are all in the top 25. It would get worse if you go to 32 or 36 teams.
Go to 32 teams and now you are watching Duke, Boise, New Mexico, UNLV, SMU, etc.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 10:48 am to StansberryRules
quote:
This really doesn't improve the quality of the field any, just guarantees no "big" conference ever gets left completely out, as the ACC absolutely was on the verge of this year.
Whose fault was it that Miami was NOT in the CCG? The Playoff Committee? NO. ESPN? NO. James Madison? NO.
The ACC could have gotten rid of divisions and simply taken the BEST teams in its conference. Amazing how others get blamed for all the chaos, and even the conferences themselves are just too dumb to get out of their own way.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 10:49 am to DawgsLife
This will keep the championship games in place.
Posted on 12/18/25 at 10:52 am to bigDgator
quote:
a total of 128 teams make the postseason in Conference 6A.
Just curious how that works in Texas... So, the teams that win/lose the state championship - how many total games do they end up playing? My math says that would be 7 rounds of playoffs... how many regular season games are there?
In Missouri - I think, altho its been a bit since my kid played so it may have changed, we have fewer schools, so classes are smaller (up to 64 teams per class, 8 districts per class, 6-8 teams per district). They play 9 game regular season - and everyone makes the playoffs (so guaranteed 10 games) - that means the championship game is potentially game number 15 for the 2 teams playing.
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