Even by NCAA standards, the first version of the twelve team playoff has been an epic failure so far.

It is strange, considering how long the playoff planners had to prepare for this event. It has been years and years in the making. Everybody knew this was coming down the road. Once all the T’s were crossed and I’s were dotted with the various conferences it was a go. Yet, we get this nonsense.

Somebody given only ten minutes to design this new playoff system could have done better. Mainly by using simple common sense.

First of all, we had more than our fair share of blowouts in the four team playoff system, so why on Earth would you jump all the way to twelve teams. This is where the playoffs go off the rails immediately. There will never be a year where we have 12 possible championship teams. All you are doing is adding more blowouts to the docket as we saw this past weekend.

Eight was the correct number.

In no universe was SMU a playoff team. They had their chance to get in by winning the ACC and failed. Let the Mustangs go to the Mayo Bowl or Pop-Tart Bowl where they would have looked appropriate.

Indiana may have won 11 games, but the Hoosiers clearly were not a playoff caliber team. There were a lot of teams that would have won 11 games with that cake like schedule. Indiana would have been a perfect fit for the Holiday Bowl where their arrogant blowhard of a coach could have cried foul all week. Maybe Coach Cignetti would have coached like a blowhard instead of a coward in a bowl more his team’s speed.

Boise State and all teams of their group of five ilk are almost never going to deserve a playoff spot. If you want to run a 32 or 64 team football playoff ala basketball then fine, let Boise get a spot. In the current system —or 8 team system it should be— a group of five team better be absolutely elite to snag a playoff spot. This current Boise State team is not elite.

Clemson and Arizona State would have to remain in the field, despite not being playoff caliber this year. Winning a Power Four conference gets you in. That means Tennessee would have missed out on an 8 team field. Before the SEC wonks start crying again let’s examine the Vols resume. Tennessee beat Alabama and Florida at home, so that is 1 1/2 decent wins. They also lost at 6-6 Arkansas and Georgia. The Georgia loss is excusable, but the Arkansas loss is unacceptable. The rest of the schedule was garbage. Chattanooga, Kent State, NC State, and UTEP won’t cut it. The Vols truly didn’t do much to impress committee members.

So in an 8 team field we would have:

  • Oregon vs Clemson
  • Georgia vs Arizona State
  • Texas vs Ohio State
  • Penn State vs Notre Dame

You would still have two bad matchups forced by auto bids, but otherwise a much more satisfying quarterfinals. Again, 8 teams was the correct number.

That is where a lot of people are making the wrong argument. The argument should be that the field should be set at 8 teams, not that other teams should have been in. At least that argument is half wrong.

Lane Kiffin posted this beauty directed at the committee.

 

First, Lane needs to get back on his meds. Ole Miss was third in line for SEC teams having a gripe. South Carolina and Alabama had much better arguments.

Having said that, he isn’t wrong with his complaint. If the field is set at 12 then a serious look at three loss teams needs to be taken to see if their complete resume trumps a one or two loss teams resume. Nobody is suggesting wins don’t matter. I certainly am far, far from an SEC homer. I am as sick of the SEC/ESPN trope as anyone. But facts are facts. You should have to beat someone decent in a 12 game schedule to qualify for the playoffs.

Though the SEC teams all had some questionable losses, they also had some impressive wins. Alabama had two bad losses, but the Tide also had three high quality wins. Three more than SMU or Indiana. South Carolina had zero bad losses, including a questionable call against LSU and a two point loss at Alabama. The Gamecocks had two top 25 wins as well. Two more top 25 wins than SMU and Indiana. Mississippi had a very bad losses to Kentucky at home but did have quality wins over South Carolina and Georgia. You know the drill…two more than SMU and Indiana.

Alabama, South Carolina and Mississippi all may have succumb to the same fate as Tennessee if they would have been selected. Certainly on paper we would have all rather seen Alabama or South Carolina play Penn State instead of SMU. We weren’t comparing an 8-4 team to a 10-2 or 11-1 team. We were comparing 9-3 teams.

I am not upset or arguing that Alabama should have made the playoffs. I am simply stating the flaws of the system as it sits at 12 teams.

Now we are down to 8 teams, but the madness continues. The geniuses that set up the playoff system decided the top 4 ranked conference champs should get byes. Consequently, Arizona State and Boise received byes. Now Penn State and Texas have vastly easier games in the quarterfinals than the teams —Oregon and Georgia— that beat them in their respective conference championship games. What a great way to reward your conference champs.

The real reason we have these issues is because these same geniuses decided we should have gigantic conferences. With 16 or 18 teams in a conference you will never see a balanced and fair schedule across all teams. Somebody will always have a significantly easier schedule than other teams. Therefore, schedule strength will have to be a more weighted measure when considering playoff teams. It can’t simply be about total wins. If it is we will see more unqualified teams like SMU and Indiana.

The other reason 8 teams is the correct number is no byes and no home games. I know the FBS and smaller divisions do home field in the playoffs. They don’t have the fan bases to travel nor are they making a kazillion dollars from the sport. So for them it makes sense. At the division I level a playoff should be equal for all. The benefit of being a higher seed is getting an easier opponent not having a home game.

I know I am very lonely on this island, but that doesn’t make me wrong.

Three of the four games this past weekend were played with real feel temperatures of between 10 and 20 degrees. Penn State dominated SMU, but quarterback Drew Allar was far from sharp. Why? Maybe because he was throwing a frozen rock on a field that felt like a brick. Kickers couldn’t kick the ball properly either. In a championship playoff I want the best chance to see teams at their best. The weather prevented that from happening.

Let’s face it. This was just one more chance for the powers that be to make even more money. The gates for the games went to the playoffs. They controlled the ticket prices, etc. They made it seem like they were doing it for the fans, but that’s not true. They did it for their pocket books.

As I said, going to the correct number of 8 teams would take home field games out of play. 

All in all, the new 12 team playoffs have been a colossal failure to date.

I certainly understand the excitement of the fans of teams still in the playoffs. I would be cheering my head off if USC ever decided to field a playoff caliber team. I get it. Unfortunately that fan excitement from Happy Valley, South Bend, Austin, and Columbus can’t mask the major mistakes that were made setting up these expanded playoffs.

I know they will never go backwards in numbers, so my 8 team idea is already dust in the wind. Let’s hope more expansion isn’t the answer. At the very least, maybe the suits who screwed this thing up will take notice and make the proper adjustments.

I won’t hold my breath.

Two Cent Takes

Two Cent Takes are busy doing last second Christmas shopping but will return next week.

via GIPHY

 

The Weekly Shiny Penny

Yesterday was December 23. For Seinfeld fans that means Festivus. Long before that became a thing, a Festivus miracle happened at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. In my opinion, the greatest play in NFL history. I give you the Immaculate Reception.

 


A Penny For My Final Thought…

When you are a fanatic and things aren’t going all that well for your favorite teams, no stone can be left unturned. Therefore, I chose to write Santa a letter asking for some specific things for my struggling teams.

Dear Santa,

I was wondering if rather than giving me a personal present this year you could do some things to help my favorite sports teams. They could really use your assistance.

First, could you sprinkle some of your Christmas magic dust over Mike Tomlin in order to help him out come playoff time. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in forever, and Steeler Nation would like to experience the joy of a playoff victory and maybe even more. But I don’t want to be greedy.

Next, could you deliver some water from the Fountain of Youth to give to the Penguins big three. Also, could you deliver Erik Karlsson his game. He lost it when he came to Pittsburgh and could use your help. Pens fans are sensing a glimmer of hope and with your help that hope could be realized.

While you are in Pittsburgh, could you possibly kidnap Bob Nutting and drop him off on the island of misfit toys. He isn’t a toy but definitely a misfit so I think they would welcome him. There would be no hope of him replacing the misfit toys with something better.  Pirates fans need your help with this more than any other fans in America.

As you head south could you stop in Louisville and deliver good health to the remaining players on Pat Kelsey’s team. Also, if you could bring him some talented recruits so he can start building with more youth next year that would be great. If you have a tournament berth in your sack maybe leave that in Louisville, too. Cards fans vaguely remember what it’s like being in the tournament.

When you get to the West Coast I am going to need you to empty your bag of magic in LA at the USC football facilities. Maybe you could bring back Lincoln Riley’s coaching ability. You may have to stop in Norman, Oklahoma, to pick it up first. Also, maybe you could leave some cash that can be used on recruits and portal players. Oh, and finally, could you take that stupid little play sheet from Lincoln and gift him a new sheet with actual good plays on it. The Trojan family would like to have something to actually Fight On for.

I know I am asking for a lot, Santa. But it has been a tough stretch lately and figured I needed to go right to the top. That’s why I am writing YOU this letter.

Have a safe trip this year and thank you for any help you can provide. I have been a very good boy this year.

T.C.

Hopefully all of my fanatics find something good under their tree. Regardless, we will continue this adventure win, lose, or draw.

Merry Christmas to all and to all some more wins for your teams.

 

via GIPHY

 

Just my two cents…