The Sporting News pitches five playoff scenarios for 2018 “sure to make everyone mad“. Here’s number one:
Alabama vs. Georgia — again
The all-SEC championship title game between Alabama and Georgia drew a lot of criticism in 2017. Here’s the bad news. It could totally happen again. The Crimson Tide and Bulldogs will be heavy favorites to win their respective divisions, and the possibility for a No. 1-vs.-No. 2 showdown in Atlanta for the SEC championship exists.
What if both teams were 12-0 or 11-1 with the drop on the rest of the Playoff field? It’s entirely possible for both to get back in. After all, this was a scenario in 2017. Georgia and Alabama were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 the first two weeks of the CFP rankings before Auburn beat both in November. The Tigers must travel to Athens and Tuscaloosa this year, too. The all-SEC championship rematch is entirely possible.
Yes, if there’s nothing else that would enrage me, it’s the thought that the two best teams in the country face off for the national championship. That would really chap my ass, not because I’m a Georgia fan, but as a college football fan who has this charmingly deluded notion that the point to the sport’s postseason should be to have the best face the best. Get real.
Here’s what would really happen if that matchup came to be: the national media, goaded by ESPN, would do its collective best to stir up a feeding frenzy; those jonesing for an eight-team playoff, goaded by ESPN, would seize upon this as the lever needed to move the discussion to a more imperative level; Bill Hancock, goaded by ESPN, would blink his eyes at the media while solemnly insisting that expansion was not in the works; the national media, goaded by ESPN, would parse the television viewership numbers searching for proof that public interest in the CFP was on the verge of waning, etc. Sensing a pattern there?
Mad? Nah. More like calculating.
Get The Picture 
There is no way UGA makes the championship series without winning the SEC. Only Bama could do that. Bank on it.
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It’s that simple, I don’t get the consternation here regarding the playoffs…
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This.
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I believe your calculations are correct. All they need is a reason to push their agenda. Of course they will have to lie about that second part. We know CFB fans everywhere will watch even if the match up is the same as last year.
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I don’t think either team gets in with an SECCG loss. Bama has shown it can get into the WWL Football Invitational (oops, I meant CFP) without an Atlanta appearance. Georgia won’t be extended the same courtesy with a regular season loss that doesn’t include an SEC championship.
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No reason to call for eight teams. Just say that you can’t lose your conference and go to the playoff. There’s nothing wrong with the matchup between the two best teams happening in the conference title game (e.g. 2012) or even the regular season (e.g. some of those 90s Miami/FSU tilts) and letting that result stand.
This would be sofa king simple if not for Notre Dame. I’m fine with them getting an easier path to the 4, though, because they’re going to have to make it through with one loss or less and chances are they’d be better than at least one of the four champs getting in the field otherwise.
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If your guiding principle is to select the most deserving teams rather than the best ones, that is a reasonable criteria. If that is your guiding principle…
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They said they wanted a playoff, then bitch when it doesn’t work like the bowl system. Hilarious.
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The BCS, which they ha-ha-ha-ha-hated, would’ve had a Clemson/Georgia matchup most likely. Bring back the BCS! Boo Bama!
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The only thing that surprises me is that the move to eight isn’t already happening. Of course, the fact that we don’t know it’s happening doesn’t mean it isn’t.
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The irony is that an 8 team field more or less guarantees that at least 2 SEC teams get the call each year. And if the talent differential is really what we SEC folks think it is, all-SEC finals may then become even more likely in an 8 team playoff.
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Then they’ll just take it to sixteen.
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I don’t know about the talent discrepancy anymore. At least not in the way it was in the 00’s.
But the coaching in the league has undergone a major upgrade in the last year. Thankfully, we’re starting at the top of the East in what feels like a new era in SEC football. I can’t remember a year with more coaching changes at schools that will have more of an impact than what we’ve just seen.
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ESPN may have complained before the game, but the ratings were outstanding so I doubt they’re complaining now.
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I’m picturing a 16 team playoff in which 4 SEC teams make it in, and advance to the final two rounds, ensuring not just an all-SEC title game, but an all-SEC semi-final as well. Then what?
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That would be outstanding, Chili. And it’s a real possibilty…but they wouldn’t put an SEC team in each bracket. Hell, they’d probably put all four in the same bracket if ESPN has any say.
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a 16 team playoff would make the regular season absolutely worthless. Everybody would save their money for travel to the 4 games “that matter.” Universities would just start using a Stubhub like enterprise as a ticket consignment.
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Agree, TB.
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Bama had a win over FSU to start the season and was undefeated all the way until Auburn (and the consensus #1) which cost them a chance at SECC. They still needed help to get in the playoff. I don’t think either UGa or Bama have that kind of an out of conference win in play this year. For this to happen it would be another scenario where the two teams dominate all year and lose a game to cost them a chance at the SECC.
This seems unlikely in the east. It would have to be a 1-loss UF or SC team this year and I doubt that is possible. It could happen again with Bama because the AU/UA seems to always be for the conference. Lose the SECC and you are out.
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He’d have a point if the game last year didn’t have higher TV ratings than the games over the past few years. I guess people didn’t really mind it.
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Agreed on the viewership and interest, Russ. I don’t recall much complaining about an all SEC title game at all. Maybe complaints that Bama was allowed into the playoff, but nothing like the complaints surrounding Bama and LSU.
I think the more likely scenario to lead to a bigger playoff is a 1 v. 2 SEC championship game between UGA and Bama, followed by only one of them making it to the playoffs. Especially if it’s a close game.
That scenario is a catch 22. On the one hand, the loser shouldn’t be punished just for playing the other. But on the other hand, if both get in the playoff then is the conference championship diminished?
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Why shouldn’t a loser be punished? Losing games should have consequences. If you can’t beat the best team, what argument do you have that you’re the best team?
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Except a conference winner criteria this year would have put a 2 loss team ahead of a 1 loss team. The “losses should matter” argument picked Bama over OSU and USC, given how badly both those teams lost.
I’d take a team that had one bad day on the road over one that lost twice, one of those a four-score beat down, conference trophy or no conference trophy.
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So put UCF in if the other P5 winners have massive warts. That seems like an easy solution to me. If UCF turns out to be a complete pretender, that’s just incentive to earn the 1-seed. At least including them doesn’t crap on the importance of the regular season.
The problem here is that there were only 3 teams who had an argument for #1 at the end of championship weekend. The even bigger problem is that the team that won the tournament ended up being none of them.
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With 4 major conferences split into divisions, you are always going to have issues with 2 loss champs. Can’t get around that. And putting mid-majors that threaded the needle on their weaker schedule rewards a CFB business model that reeks of CBB. No thanks.
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Rat poison.
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There’s really one thing that makes me shake my head in confusion. Doesn’t everyone see that with an 8 team playoff we then make conference championship games largely inconsequential? We will have coaches rest starters for half the game, looking ahead to the first round.
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Not surprised you are confused about any of this given your comment. It could not be more off base if it had been written by an MSNBC or CNN staffer, Please cite one example of a college coach “resting” a non-injured starter in CFB. In all the FSU/FU, Clemson/SC, UGA/GT, Michigan/ohio, Bama/AU games played one week before a conference championship game where the game did not impact one of the teams advancing I have never, never heard of one coach resting a player. Might sound like a good idea in your head, must be the confusion.
Also,there is a reason no one else sees conference championship games being inconsequential when a win for either team gives them a guaranteed spot in the playoffs…because that makes zero sense at all. It would make every one of the 5 games the most important they have ever been…for both teams. Not to mention, it makes the games played all season more significant. You want conference title games to be more significant, expanded to 6 or eight is the path.
The question I have is, why did the Senator say ESPN would be stirring people up jonesing for an 8 team playoff when in every discussion on this subject he tilts it to the irrelevant direction of 16/32/64 team playoffs. There may be a dozen slow witted folks supporting that as an option.
Look, if you like a 2 team, four team playoff, or no playoff at all, that is fine. We all have our right to an opinion. But saying it would render games less meaningful, or any small expansion would automatically become a silly, bloated field just does not lead to a serious/rational discussion. It is an issue that deserves reasonable debate, ESPN is at least on point with that.
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Not sure what one has to do with the other, Mac, but it sure is fun listening to you sputter on this topic.
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Unfortunately those “dozen or so” slow witted folks run a lot of college athletics. They have zero issues watering down CFB if it means some extra crumbs fall their way, pardon the mixed metaphor.
4 guarantees the 2 best teams have a shot. 8 guarantees at least 4 teams with no business being in that discussion have a shot. No thanks.
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Something that has not been mentioned is the “M” word. CCG is just about one thing money. We have just finished the National Vaction Cross Country Tournament w/ 68 teams. They were chosen from 32 conferences w/ championship games.Then that was not enough; We had to determine a couple more…just for fun.
This “M” word made made 800 mill for the NCCA. Only 205 mill goes back to the conference. First round losses were worth 1.6 mill. Divided over the next 6 years in $265,000 payments per year.
Let me say I do not have a Dawg in this fight. Although I love my Dawgs !
The BCS did not change things much. Neither has the CFC. Another game or cup cake was added to football I assume so people who can’t afford season tickets can scarf up a glimpse of your team specific.
They have not listed this 2018 NCCA advertising $ yet but in 17’ there was a grand total of count em’ $1.24 BILLION. I realize I shouldn’t be drinking this morning and I am not but it seems I am spilling my beverage all over my point.
It will be what IT will be. Corporate dollars and donors rule. Look at the distances the NCCA regions had to travel. It’s like going on vaction from San Diego to Gatlinburg. These folks divvy up tickets, air fair, lodging and eats for a near full week.
Same thing as the Championship at the Bentz’. I am happy for those that were able to show up in South Bend and “ It never rains in California”. You made it a home game for the Dawgs.
Yes, I’am a bit peeved. Gave up my season tickets in 2008. Donation monies and 3-1/2 travel proved to be a bit much ( Butts Meyer won’t miss me as donations average over $27.6 million per year. )I regress, my first game we couldn’t afford admission and watched from the bridge as Ray Golf beat the Cock’s and Ronnie Bass ( by the way just saw em get another Cally kid commit )
Irk loved the railroad crowd. Said they were the ( Heart and Soul of the Dawgs)
Have we progressed or regressed and what have we lost. Perhaps we traded money for passion. Take the Braves tickets. Concessions, parking and tax payers paid for a newer and better stadium that is yet to be filled.
How bout The Masters, wanna know really why it was called Arnie’s Army. It was because they gave away tickets to Fort Gordon soilders to get people in. Lost my tickets there because of a tragic death in the family who’s name was on the tickets. Now there’s Birkman Place. I hear Condilisa Rice can greet you at the door. If you could get in. Remember red carpet tours it was great; What was Augusta is now something totally different now.
I guess we call this progress. For 30 years I coached football in high school. Took kids home who had no way. Bought them cleats when they couldn’t afford them. Now are kids have lost their way. One adage I held on to was K.I.S.S.
Keep IT simple stupid !
Kick out the cup cakes. There’s enough people out there to help their programs who can’t or don’t want the hassle of Sanford. ( as beautful as she is )
East plays West, make the 11th game the Benz’ Championship ( never happen we lose to much revenue; Really, ( 22.6 million ticket revenue )
U. Mass , Really !
I know all I do is complain and yell at my neighbors dog to get off my yard. Their kids, I never see their kids they are playing video games till 2:00 or 3:00 am.
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If you want an argument against an expanded playoff, I think this years March Madness proves the point. Due to “Cinderella” and upsets, Michigan made the finals without playing a single team ranked above 24 in the rankings. The highest seed they played was a six, and in the semis they played an 11 seed. They didn’t have to play a single “good” team until the finals, and of course were crushed by Villanova. The point of a playoff, at least in my opinion, is to present the opportunity for the four best teams to play each other without the need to hope against hope they don’t have a crappy game against a team like Loyola Chicago.
I want to see the two to four best teams play, regardless of conference affiliation and without the ridiculous need to protect against an upset against at team that was somewhere in the top 100 teams in the country. Just my opinion of course.
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I wonder if these hand-wringers at ESPN and elsewhere who are so hung up on a potential UGA/Bama Natty, would be as hung up on, say, a Duke/UNC championship game in CBB? Or is it ok there because more people get participation trophies?
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I don’t know that even Bama could lose the SECCG and get in the playoff. I know we’re not getting in – even at 12-1 – if we lose the SECCG.
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Last year? Totally true.
Next year? Different story.
CFB absolutely factors prior performance into their calculations. That W over Oklahoma and an OT championship put this program into that conversation. Period.
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The consensus here seems to be the Dawgs can’t get in without winning the SECCG. I sort of agree. Herbie will not stand for it.
I once suggested a system where, when the #5 school is left out, they can buy their way in as a fifth team, and get to face the winner of the NC game two weeks after it’s played.. #5 will not be allowed to practice from the end of the regular season until that two week period before the game. (to prevent an unfair prep period). The players would be allowed to run and exercise as individuals, but the coaches could not meet and plan.
#5 would be required to put up many(tbd) millions of dollars to be returned to them should they win.
Should they lose, however, the money gets distributed to the general scholarship fund at small and poorer schools ..(or something nice like that).
If #5 wins, they get all that winning it all entails, including their front money back. They’ll be rolling in riches.
If you lose, you’ll probably fire the coach and AD before they come for your ass, Mr. College President.
Would UCF had taken such a risk? Heck no..HELL no.. But at least they would have had to STFU.
Put your money where your mouth is! (and it would have to come from that school’s Athletic budget…you couldn’t have a rich donor or the conference or any other entity step in and front or replace the money)
Of course this isn’t going to ever be considered, but it would create a lot of interest while also answering some questions.
It’d be “Put up or shut up”
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Even Derek Dooley can’t throw shit against the wall like that post! I’m waiting to see if it’ll stick.
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Ugly, you have truly come up with an original plan. My question is how many beers went into it?
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Yeah..it’s starting to slide down the wall a little.
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hiccup
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Oooh look, it’s leaving a trail! If you look at from this angle it looks like…….
Jeffrey Kessler!
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Hiccup
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Won’t make Mickey mad.
Natl Championship UGA vs Bama game was the second most viewed College football game of All Time.
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Imagine UGA and Bama (both unbeaten) playing in the SEC title game
and UGA winning that game. Then, Bama slips into the playoff again as a 4 seed…:to play #1 seed UGA. Ugh.
Since UGA and Bama didn’t play during the season at all, there was still some intrigue about how they’d match up going into the national title game. If two SEC team’s played each other in the SEC title game and then again in the national semi’s, people around the country would go nuts.
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those are some excellent points. And as to last year, it is crazy that people were THAT upset. (a) we are in the same conference in what increasingly feels like name-only ever since the expansion destroyed the round robin. (b) It’s like everybody (looking at you UCF) ignored that both teams had to beat 2 very good teams in order to have the “rematch” [of two conference rivals that hadn’t played and RARELY EVER play].
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