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If Your Primary Goal Is To Win The Nattie, I Don't See An Upside To Making Atlanta
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:45 pm
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:45 pm
If an SEC team is in the top ten or so, I don't see any upside to making Atlanta over going straight to the first round of the playoffs.
Because in the end you're playing the same amount of games to get to the nattie, and the likelihood of having to play someone tougher in the first round than the #1 or #2 SEC team is slim.
And add to that the fact that you would be able to say you were in the playoffs. It definitely helps with recruiting.
And considering that LOSING in Atlanta could very possibly, in many cases, knock you out of the playoffs, it just seems to me that going to Atlanta is something many SEC playoff hopefuls would rather avoid.
The only upside? Having a chance to win the SEC championship. But that's becoming less and less important in the 12 team playoff era.
Because in the end you're playing the same amount of games to get to the nattie, and the likelihood of having to play someone tougher in the first round than the #1 or #2 SEC team is slim.
And add to that the fact that you would be able to say you were in the playoffs. It definitely helps with recruiting.
And considering that LOSING in Atlanta could very possibly, in many cases, knock you out of the playoffs, it just seems to me that going to Atlanta is something many SEC playoff hopefuls would rather avoid.
The only upside? Having a chance to win the SEC championship. But that's becoming less and less important in the 12 team playoff era.
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Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:47 pm to AulderMagee
You really aren’t going to need to worry about it for a while as a UT fan.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:47 pm to AulderMagee
Has that been UTK's excuse since 5 years before the conference expanded to 14 teams (we're now at 16) in avoiding Atlanta?
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:49 pm to Murph4HOF
He’s not wrong and that doesn’t really work since it’s the first year with a 12 team playoff.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:50 pm to AulderMagee
Interesting approach, already downplaying your teams ceiling.
I don’t see one of the top 2 SEC teams falling behind the 3rd or 4th best SEC team because of the SECCG.
I don’t see one of the top 2 SEC teams falling behind the 3rd or 4th best SEC team because of the SECCG.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:51 pm to AulderMagee
Already in the playoff and hosting first round - you can go to Atlanta and take that damage or you can get a week off before the playoff. Can teams elect to not go?
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:52 pm to CNB
quote:Yall have made it to Atlanta more recently than UTK.
He’s not wrong and that doesn’t really work since it’s the first year with a 12 team playoff.
Hell, Mizzou has made it twice since then and they didn't even come into the conference until 4 years after UTK made their last SECCG appearance.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:54 pm to AulderMagee
quote:
And considering that LOSING in Atlanta could very possibly, in many cases, knock you out of the playoffs, it just seems to me that going to Atlanta is something many SEC playoff hopefuls would rather avoid.
This is what I'm interested in seeing. If teams get punished for playing the extra game and losing. If a team is 5th going into a title game, do they risk falling to 9th or beyond if they lose.
quote:
The only upside? Having a chance to win the SEC championship.
It's a lot of upside for sure, but not worth losing and not being able to go the playoffs at all, though given that the #2 SEC would probably be no lower than 5th or 6th, I suspect the odds of falling out all together would be small.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:55 pm to Murph4HOF
Definitely not against making fun of Tennessee 
I do agree that the SECCG may be more of a hindrance to the ultimate goal than anything though. Not necessarily the loser getting left out, but injuries, another game, etc.
Obviously a huge achievement still that every team will fight to win every year, but it's definitely been lessened.
Not that my favorite team has to worry about either in the near future lol
I do agree that the SECCG may be more of a hindrance to the ultimate goal than anything though. Not necessarily the loser getting left out, but injuries, another game, etc.
Obviously a huge achievement still that every team will fight to win every year, but it's definitely been lessened.
Not that my favorite team has to worry about either in the near future lol
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:57 pm to ukraine_rebel
quote:
This is what I'm interested in seeing. If teams get punished for playing the extra game and losing. If a team is 5th going into a title game, do they risk falling to 9th or beyond if they lose.
I think they could.
Which brings up another interesting scenario.
What looks better to a recruit?
"We were in the SECCG"
or
"We were in the playoffs"
This post was edited on 9/2/24 at 2:58 pm
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:57 pm to CNB
In all seriousness, I agree with him. I'd rather be tied for 2nd and not be in Atlanta because of the tie breakers than just sitting in 3rd in the conference tho.
But a UTK fan doesn't need to be worried about it. They just need to win the games on their schedule.
But a UTK fan doesn't need to be worried about it. They just need to win the games on their schedule.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:59 pm to CNB
quote:
I do agree that the SECCG may be more of a hindrance to the ultimate goal than anything though. Not necessarily the loser getting left out, but injuries, another game, etc.
Obviously a huge achievement still that every team will fight to win every year, but it's definitely been lessened.
exactly
Posted on 9/2/24 at 2:59 pm to AulderMagee
quote:Explain to me how a team in the SECCG isn't getting into the playoffs.
"We were in the SECCG"
or
"We were in the playoffs"
And if you are in Atlanta, you have a chance to make the CFP, even if you drop every OOC game.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 3:00 pm to AulderMagee
Speak for yourself. I would think it would be hilarious for Bama to beat Georgia twice, possibly even 3times(2 of which would be in their own state)
Posted on 9/2/24 at 3:02 pm to AulderMagee
quote:
quote:
This is what I'm interested in seeing. If teams get punished for playing the extra game and losing. If a team is 5th going into a title game, do they risk falling to 9th or beyond if they lose.
I think they could.
Which brings up another interesting scenario.
What looks better to a recruit?
"We were in the SECCG"
or
"We were in the playoffs"
I think it is a moot point. Back when there were divisions you could possibly see a three loss team making a championship game, but now with just the top two I see no scenario the runner up in the SEC or Big 10 not getting in.
It may affect seeding some, but they will be in.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 3:13 pm to AulderMagee
quote:
If Your Primary Goal Is To Win The Nattie, I Don't See An Upside To Making Atlanta
You can control winning the conference.
You can only SORT of control winning a national title.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 3:14 pm to POTUS2024
quote:
Already in the playoff and hosting first round - you can go to Atlanta and take that damage or you can get a week off before the playoff. Can teams elect to not go?
If you're not one of the top 2 teams in the SEC then you're definitely not getting a bye in the playoff.
Posted on 9/2/24 at 3:16 pm to AulderMagee
quote:
The only upside? Having a chance to win the SEC championship. But that's becoming less and less important in the 12 team playoff era.
You are playing fast and loose with the only upside.
What NFL team in NFL history thought that a playoff bye was a bad idea and would rather win 4 playoff games than 3?
This post was edited on 9/2/24 at 3:19 pm
Posted on 9/2/24 at 3:20 pm to skrayper
It all depends on how the season works out. If we had a year where there was one dominant team at 11-1 or 12-0 and then three other teams tied for 2nd place with 10-2 records the winner of that tie breaker will likely end up with a third loss. And if it is an ugly loss it is for sure over with. Who trusts the committee to get it right?
Posted on 9/2/24 at 3:22 pm to skrayper
quote:
If you're not one of the top 2 teams in the SEC then you're definitely not getting a bye in the playoff.
True, as far as it goes.
But if you lose the SECCG, then you're having to play one more game than the #11 team in order to win the nattie. Not only are you NOT getting a bye, but you're having to play an extra game.
This post was edited on 9/2/24 at 3:23 pm
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