2025 NCAA Football News

[Sea Ray]

In the background I hear Brantley singing "Blue Bayou." No offense to CCR.

You mean Linda Ronstadt?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

LSU Athletics and athletic director Scott Woodward have agreed to part ways, effective immediately, the department announced Thursday. Executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry will serve as interim director of athletics moving forward.

Firing an athlete director that cost the University over $50mill is not an unsurprising move. Frankly it’d happen in almost any business. One exception that does come to mind would be the Cincinnati Reds

Wonder what kind of buyout that AD negotiated for himself?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Assembly Hall]

You mean Linda Ronstadt?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The CCR comment was directed towards "Born on the Bayou." I should have put that in there for guys like you.

[bucksfan2]

Firing an athlete director that cost the University over $50mill is not an unsurprising move. Frankly it’d happen in almost any business. One exception that does come to mind would be the Cincinnati Reds

Wonder what kind of buyout that AD negotiated for himself?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Was Kelly a bad hire? In hindsight yea it didn't work out, but I think at the time everyone was pretty positive about the hire.

He also hired the womens BB coach and baseball coach who just won the national title.

I know its a good job, I don't think its the great job some are making it out to be. And I wonder if the governor meddling in the hiring complicates it?

[Boston Red]

He also hired the womens BB coach and baseball coach who just won the national title.


They won a gymnastics title, too. But none of that moves the needle. Baseball, women's basketball and gymnastics could all become complete garbage, and Woodward would get a raise and a contract extension if the football team was ranked #1.

[bucksfan2]

They won a gymnastics title, too. But none of that moves the needle. Baseball, women's basketball and gymnastics could all become complete garbage, and Woodward would get a raise and a contract extension if the football team was ranked #1.

Its weird because the AD has to pay lip service to all the programs within the department. And yes football rules to roost, and Louisiana is unique in that it is a one P4 school state.

While Ohio as state is pretty OSU football mad (outside of a few certain pockets) I couldn't imagine DeWine chiming in saying he was going to pick the next football coach. And while the La Gov made a point that tax payers don't need to be on the hook for $50M buyouts, the big donors are on the hook for that, not the taxpayers.

It was grandstanding, and I guess I get it, but as an outsider it has me looking in at that situation and say LSU is all messed up right now.

[Boston Red]

It's absolutely messed up, but that's the natural state of things in Louisiana.

[UKFlounder]

Yeah, I know a guy who said that people in Louisiana see this as business as usual and would not raise an eyebrow about it. It's just one guy's opinion but that is the vibe this situation gives.

I guess "it just means more" to them:laugh:

[WVRed]

From X: Noted LSU alum and political pundit James Carville to @YahooSports tonight: “The reputation of our university has been damaged. This board and governor have damaged LSU way beyond athletics. Who the f*** coach is going to come here?!”Can you really blame them though?

Thats a lot of dough to be handing out. Granted LSU and Texas A&M are more than capable of paying it.


Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[Boston Red]

In a pretty shocking development, UNC has greatly improved aa the season has progressed. Maybe UNC will be okay next year if Bill hangs in.

[UKFlounder]

In a pretty shocking development, UNC has greatly improved aa the season has progressed. Maybe UNC will be okay next year if Bill hangs in.

Have they? Syracuse started a QB who couldn’t complete a pass even to open receivers. He looked like Jake Browning with a lack of accuracy. It was bad

Maybe UNZcis better but I’m not sure that gsme is much evidence.

[Todd Gack]

Have they? Syracuse started a QB who couldn’t complete a pass even to open receivers. He looked like Jake Browning with a lack of accuracy. It was bad

Maybe UNZcis better but I’m not sure that gsme is much evidence.


UNC a heartbreaking fumble at the goal line and getting stopped at the 2 inch line away from being 5-3. Considering how awful they looked early on, yes, they are greatly improving.

[UKFlounder]

UNC a heartbreaking fumble at the goal line and getting stopped at the 2 inch line away from being 5-3. Considering how awful they looked early on, yes, they are greatly improving.

Fair point

[Assembly Hall]

Could it be? Are the Huskers really going to beat a ranked team?

[KronoRed]

Could it be? Are the Huskers really going to beat a ranked team?

No.

[Boston Red]

Looks like Louisville has a clear path to the ACC championship game now. I'm sure they'll blow it.

[Stray]

The good news is the Bearcats have the offense rolling now. The bad news is we haven't stopped the Utes yet. Lets go ahead and win a late night shootout.

[KronoRed]

Totally jinxed that kicker there.

[Assembly Hall]

No.

Somehow I forgot the "Golden Rhule" that is Nebraska...

[Boston Red]

Not that it really matters, but Indiana should really be #1 in the playoff rankings that come out this week.

Again, not that it matters because both teams are in if they win out and out if they lose again (though Louisville could actually lose to Kentucky and still get in), but putting aside preseason rankings, name recognition and TV ratings, what is the argument for ranking Notre Dame ahead of Louisville?

[Todd Gack]

Brendan Sorsby against the 3 best defenses he's faced: Nebraska/UCF/Utah


36 for 79 (45.6%), 3 TD, 2 INT, 25 rushes for 160 yards

[gonelong]

I know a fair amount of fans have angst about the score at halftime, even in games the fully expect to win. I generally don't get too worked up until mid-way though the 3rd quarter, on way or the other. That lets each team get out of halftime, adjust, and maybe both of them get a possession. I'd like to take the temperature of the game situation at that juncture, and it seems like WPA would get me pretty close as it would take into account who has the ball, where they have it, etc. I

Does anybody know of a site that would have win probability of a given NCAA game for exactly 7:30 in the 3rd quarter?

[UKFlounder]

A random act of kindness. I think this is really cool (and not a shot at any fans - all fanbases do this I suspect)

https://x.com/nfl_dovkleiman/status/1985018912866521454?s=61&t=Vlr5Cc0e49I0zbLf0Updbw

[Sea Ray]

What do you all think of this?

23214

I'm not so sure IU will be #2. If they play OSU close, OK but if OSU has their way with them...Overall it's not a bad start for where we stand in early November. I think I'd have ND in there rather than Va

[Boston Red]

I don't see how Louisville and Virginia both make it.

[Assembly Hall]

I don't see how Louisville and Virginia both make it.

Here you go:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-rankings-projections-fornelli-big-ten-acc-big-12-in-trouble/

[Boston Red]

Here you go:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-playoff-rankings-projections-fornelli-big-ten-acc-big-12-in-trouble/

That didn't really provide any insight on that particular point, but they DID talk about an 11-2 UVA making the playoffs if they won out until the ACC title game. Somehow they suggested UVA would not have a win over a ranked opponent in that scenario (they won at #14 Louisville). So I guess if Louisville wins out (including the ACC championship game), and UVA wins out until the ACC championship game and loses to Louisville, UVA would have a win on the road at #8ish(?) Louisville. Would that get them in? I have my doubts.

[Sea Ray]

UVa sure shouldn't get in over ND. Their common opponent was NC State. UVa lost and ND won big

[Assembly Hall]

That didn't really provide any insight on that particular point, but they DID talk about an 11-2 UVA making the playoffs if they won out until the ACC title game. Somehow they suggested UVA would not have a win over a ranked opponent in that scenario (they won at #14 Louisville). So I guess if Louisville wins out (including the ACC championship game), and UVA wins out until the ACC championship game and loses to Louisville, UVA would have a win on the road at #8ish(?) Louisville. Would that get them in? I have my doubts.

Louisville wasn't ranked when Virginia played them.

[RedTeamGo!]

I honestly don't think the G5 should have a team this year. Also, no way the ACC gets 2 teams.

[Boston Red]

Louisville wasn't ranked when Virginia played them.

No, but if Louisville is ranked #8 at the end of the year no one is going to say UVA didn't beat any ranked opponents when evaluating the resume. Just like Ohio State doesn't REALLY get credit for beating #1 Texas, and Oregon won't get that much credit for beating #2 Penn State.

[Boston Red]

I honestly don't think the G5 should have a team this year. Also, no way the ACC gets 2 teams.

Perhaps there should be a top 25 (or 20) qualifier on the G5 to claim their spot. They should definitely be included, but some years (this year) they're going to be a waste of a spot probably.

As for the ACC getting 2, I think these spots are basically spoken for unless Pitt beats ND:

G5
Notre Dame
Big Ten x3
SEC x4
Big XII
ACC

That leaves one spot that any of the P4 conferences could grab depending on how things play out. The Big XII is certain to take that spot if BYU wins out and then loses in the Big XII championship game. Otherwise, it's up for grabs. Notre Dame losing again would be nice to clear up the logjam a bit.

[RedTeamGo!]

What if OSU and Michigan both win out, Michigan beats OSU

Does that cement B1G getting 4 teams in?

[Boston Red]

What if OSU and Michigan both win out, Michigan beats OSU

Does that cement B1G getting 4 teams in?

I guess it depends on the BYU scenario. Michigan can't get over 12-1 BYU, I wouldn't imagine. Perhaps the SEC would only get 3 teams in that unlikely scenario.

[RedTeamGo!]

I guess it depends on the BYU scenario. Michigan can't get over 12-1 BYU, I wouldn't imagine. Perhaps the SEC would only get 3 teams in that unlikely scenario.

Oh I def think 10-2 Michigan gets in over 12-1 BYU. No doubt.

[Assembly Hall]

I guess it depends on the BYU scenario. Michigan can't get over 12-1 BYU, I wouldn't imagine. Perhaps the SEC would only get 3 teams in that unlikely scenario.

Michigan beating tOSU last year was an "unlikely" scenario.

[Boston Red]

Oh I def think 10-2 Michigan gets in over 12-1 BYU. No doubt.

Disagree, but we're unlikely to find out!

[Boston Red]

BTW, I think there's a better chance BYU fumbles down the stretch and misses the Big XII championship game altogether than finishes the regular season 12-0 before losing a rematch to Texas Tech in the Big XII championship game. I'll be SHOCKED if they win in Lubbock and at Cincinnati and not at all surprised if they lose both.

[bucksfan2]

ND has a Miami problem. If Miami runs the table the rest of the season (Syracuse, NC State, VaTech and Pitt) I can't see ND getting in over them. And it gets more complicated if Miami isn't the ACC champ (or doesn't make the ACC title game) because that would be an ACC team + Miami taking bids.

[Kingspoint]

23216

[Boston Red]

OK, here's a question: is Oregon actually any good? Super highly ranked, and when they beat Penn State it looked like one of the biggest wins anyone would have all season. Now.....not so much. So Oregon has played one team with a pulse and lost to them by double digits at home.

Guess we'll find out some more on Saturday in Iowa City. (Granted, Iowa also hasn't beaten a soul and lost to an Iowa State team that it turns out is not very good.)

[RedTeamGo!]

OK, here's a question: is Oregon actually any good? Super highly ranked, and when they beat Penn State it looked like one of the biggest wins anyone would have all season. Now.....not so much. So Oregon has played one team with a pulse and lost to them by double digits at home.



I have this same question. Everyone is saying Indiana beating Oregon is the best win so far this year, but are we sure about that?

[Sea Ray]

OK, here's a question: is Oregon actually any good? Super highly ranked, and when they beat Penn State it looked like one of the biggest wins anyone would have all season. Now.....not so much. So Oregon has played one team with a pulse and lost to them by double digits at home.

Guess we'll find out some more on Saturday in Iowa City. (Granted, Iowa also hasn't beaten a soul and lost to an Iowa State team that it turns out is not very good.)

I don't think this is a good matchup for Iowa. Oregon's weakness is defending the pass. Iowa won't exploit that. I look for a big Oregon win

[*BaseClogger*]

I have this same question. Everyone is saying Indiana beating Oregon is the best win so far this year, but are we sure about that?

For me, a lot of that credit is related to how difficult it is to travel across three time zones and win in Eugene.

Oregon's four remaining games are Iowa, USC, Minny, and Washington. All average to good teams that will go bowling. We'll know a lot more about the Ducks after that.

[Assembly Hall]

I don't think this is a good matchup for Iowa. Oregon's weakness is defending the pass. Iowa won't exploit that. I look for a big Oregon win

I don't know how Iowa does it but they seem to always get their opponents to play their game. And I surmise Iowa's return game is going to play a part in the outcome. Looking forward to watching it.

[RiverRat13]

OK, here's a question: is Oregon actually any good? Super highly ranked, and when they beat Penn State it looked like one of the biggest wins anyone would have all season. Now.....not so much. So Oregon has played one team with a pulse and lost to them by double digits at home.

Guess we'll find out some more on Saturday in Iowa City. (Granted, Iowa also hasn't beaten a soul and lost to an Iowa State team that it turns out is not very good.)

The efficiency metrics (FPI, FEI, SP+) all have Oregon #3 in the country. But their strength of record and strength of schedule are both really low, which is probably why Texas Tech is ahead of them right now in the playoff rankings. So I think you have a right to be skeptical of them.

[RiverRat13]

Stewart Mandel had a mailbag question asking what is Auburn's realistic ceiling as a program considering their results the last 10 years. Part of his answer was putting the SEC programs into tiers:


The top tier (Tier 1) has six teams: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma and Texas. These programs can absolutely contend regularly for national titles with the right coach in place.

The bottom tier (Tier 3) has four teams: Kentucky, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.

That leaves six teams in the middle that I would group as such. Tier 2A: Auburn, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M. Tier 2B: Arkansas and Missouri.

I disagree that Oklahoma and Florida are in that Tier 1. Oklahoma doesn't have the recruiting base of Bama, UGA, LSU, and Texas; and Florida has been a mediocre program other than when Spurrier and Meyer coached them.

I'd go:

Tier 1: Alabama, Texas, LSU, Georgia

Tier 2A: Oklahoma, Florida, Texas A&M, Tennessee

Tier 2B: Auburn, Ole Miss

Tier 3: Arkansas, Missouri

Tier 4: Kentucky, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Miss St.

Biggest struggles would be where to place Tennessee and Ole Miss. It's still hard for me to think of Ole Miss as being on the same tier as Auburn but I guess they are there now. I went back and forth on Tennessee being 2A or 2B.

[Revering4Blue]

Stewart Mandel had a mailbag question asking what is Auburn's realistic ceiling as a program considering their results the last 10 years. Part of his answer was putting the SEC programs into tiers:



I disagree that Oklahoma and Florida are in that Tier 1. Oklahoma doesn't have the recruiting base of Bama, UGA, LSU, and Texas; and Florida has been a mediocre program other than when Spurrier and Meyer coached them.

I'd go:

Tier 1: Alabama, Texas, LSU, Georgia

Tier 2A: Oklahoma, Florida, Texas A&M, Tennessee

Tier 2B: Auburn, Ole Miss

Tier 3: Arkansas, Missouri

Tier 4: Kentucky, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Miss St.

Biggest struggles would be where to place Tennessee and Ole Miss. It's still hard for me to think of Ole Miss as being on the same tier as Auburn but I guess they are there now. I went back and forth on Tennessee being 2A or 2B.

Since the question is about SEC program ceilings with the right coach in place, I believe Mandel is correct.

While I believe Georgia certainly belongs in Tier 1, they had been decent but mediocre program for years before Smart. There’s no way Oklahoma and especially Florida- given resources, proximity to talent - have ceilings lower than Georgia with the right coaches in place, and both are larger National brands than Georgia.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Boston Red]

USF, UNT and Tulane are now likely to finish tied with one loss at the top of the American. No idea how they untangle that tie since only USF and UNT played each other. It seems like they might be in danger of letting James Madison slip in and steal their playoff spot.

[*BaseClogger*]

What’s the best SEC game today? Ole Miss vs The Citadel?

[Assembly Hall]

What’s the best SEC game today? Ole Miss vs The Citadel?

LMAO!

[Boston Red]

What’s the best SEC game today? Ole Miss vs The Citadel?

I know this is a joke, but A&M at Mizzou should be pretty great.

[texasdave]

Someone please explain this to me. Iowa scores a touchdown with 1:51 remaining to go up 18-15. Instead of kicking the PAT and taking a 4-point lead, they go for two and fail to convert. Why would a 5-point lead be any better than a 4-point lead in that situation? I am not watching the game so maybe Iowa's kicker got injured. If that is not the case, going for 2 points there is a headscratcher.

EDIT: NVM. ESPN now is reporting the score as 16-15. Going for 2 makes sense there.

It's looking like it won't matter as Oregon is racing down the field. They are within field goal range now.

Oregon wins 18-16.

[Assembly Hall]

Someone please explain this to me. Iowa scores a touchdown with 1:51 remaining to go up 18-15. Instead of kicking the PAT and taking a 4-point lead, they go for two and fail to convert. Why would a 5-point lead be any better than a 4-point lead in that situation? I am not watching the game so maybe Iowa's kicker got injured. If that is not the case, going for 2 points there is a headscratcher.

EDIT: NVM. ESPN now is reporting the score as 16-15. Going for 2 makes sense there.

It's looking like it won't matter as Oregon is racing down the field. They are within field goal range now.

Oregon wins 18-16.

Iowa's 2 pt. try was good...for a bit. Reviewed and overturned.

[KronoRed]

Trying out some other services due to YTTV and ESPN being dumb.

Fubo is absolutely awful quality.

[Assembly Hall]

Nice showing by Virginia.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kaldaniels]

I wish bad things upon whoever signed off on that play by USC where the backup QB wearing the same number as the punter actually lined up to punt and threw a pass.

[*BaseClogger*]

Several close B1G games that came down to the wire yesterday. It’s a shame there weren’t many competitive SEC games.

[Sea Ray]

I know this is a joke, but A&M at Mizzou should be pretty great.

Didn’t Missou play a backup QB? That’s why Tex A&M rolled. Missou doesn’t have the depth to cover a QB injury. They were forced to play a clueless freshman


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

Here we are in the second week of November and for the first time this year we have Big Ten fans popping off about competitive games. I’d love to break this down in detail but I’ll keep it brief. This was not a stellar week for SEC football. But even having said that, Vanderbilt vs Auburn was as good as any Big Ten game and it did include a ranked team. Not bad for “an off week”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Assembly Hall]

Didn’t Missou play a backup QB? That’s why Tex A&M rolled. Missou doesn’t have the depth to cover a QB injury. They were forced to play a clueless freshman


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Speaking of Missouri. Is there any truth to the rumor that the only reason they joined the SEC is so they could be ranked in football?

[Chip R]

Speaking of Missouri. Is there any truth to the rumor that the only reason they joined the SEC is so they could be ranked in football?

LOL

[Sea Ray]

Speaking of Missouri. Is there any truth to the rumor that the only reason they joined the SEC is so they could be ranked in football?

No, I think the reason they joined the SEC is so they could get paired up with Big Ten teams like Iowa and Ohio State in Bowl games...and beat them.

[Sea Ray]

Louisville at #22 in the latest AP poll is criminal. They are 5-1 with the best single win of any team in the country this year (in fairness, probably tied with Indiana for that honor). I don't disagree that they haven't looked the part until last Friday, but that's pretty rough.

Noticed that is just coaches poll. We'll see when AP comes out.



God no. FSU is horrendous.

- - - Updated - - -



It WAS a terrible game, but Louisville did win. Playing bad and winning is tolerable. Playing bad and losing to dreck is a problem.

Do the California Golden Bears qualify as dreck?

Louisville is now ranked 19 in the AP. I think that's about right

[Boston Red]

Do the California Golden Bears qualify as dreck?

Louisville is now ranked 19 in the AP. I think that's about right

Yes, Cal sucks. Louisville has honestly been mostly hot garbage all year other than the Miami game.

I think my Cards are highly overrated at #19.

[Assembly Hall]

Just heard Dan Patrick say that Jeff Brohm is the leading candidate for the Penn St. job.

[Boston Red]

Need to daydream about something incredibly amusing happening as the college football season winds down? Well, there is still a scenario where Bill Belichick's Tar Heels win the ACC championship. If Clemson beats Louisville, Dook beats Virginia, and UNC beats Wake this weekend (all reasonable outcomes), the Heels ACC title dreams will survive for another week.

[Sea Ray]

Need to daydream about something incredibly amusing happening as the college football season winds down? Well, there is still a scenario where Bill Belichick's Tar Heels win the ACC championship. If Clemson beats Louisville, Dook beats Virginia, and UNC beats Wake this weekend (all reasonable outcomes), the Heels ACC title dreams will survive for another week.

That'd still leave 4 one loss teams. It's quite the daydream

[Boston Red]

Yes, it's currently a less than 1% chance of UNC coming in second and making the title game. But it's pretty amusing (to me) that they have ANY mathematical shot on November 10th given the way their season started.

[Sea Ray]

Yes, it's currently a less than 1% chance of UNC coming in second and making the title game. But it's pretty amusing (to me) that they have ANY mathematical shot on November 10th given the way their season started.

They're currently 10th in the ACC. That they're not mathematically eliminated says more about the conference than anything

[Boston Red]

They're currently 10th in the ACC. That they're not mathematically eliminated says more about the conference than anything

Nothing gets by you!

[WVRed]

Anyone following the mess that is Michigan and USC with the capital investment?

Apparently both schools are talking about leaving the B1G and going independent over it.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

Anyone following the mess that is Michigan and USC with the capital investment?

Apparently both schools are talking about leaving the B1G and going independent over it.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Money is ruining college sports


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RiverRat13]

Anyone following the mess that is Michigan and USC with the capital investment?

Apparently both schools are talking about leaving the B1G and going independent over it.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Can't believe I'm going to type this... but I'm with Michigan on this one. With how rapidly the college environment is changing, it would be stupid for the big name schools in the Big 10 to tie themselves to the chaff of the conference for 20 years. The Big 10 should be trying to kick the loser schools out in order to stop diluting the money pool that OSU and Michigan are bringing in rather than tying themselves to an unproven private equity scheme and giving up 10% of revenue for 20 years just because some schools are in financial trouble.

And as much as Sea Ray has gotten flack on here about his repeated B1G posts, he's right in that this has been another boring year in the Big 10. There are too many bad teams. Cull the herd, please. I saw a stat that of the games that had five million or more viewers, 38 had SEC teams to just 12 for the Big 10. I'm sure a small part of that is the Big Noon Kickoff limits viewers with its early start, but the bigger issue is that there aren't enough good teams in the conference to provide compelling matchups. As an OSU fan, I'd rather go 11-1 and get a few more competitive games than 12-0 and have every game be decided by 21 points or more. OSU should want flexibility to leave the conference if things don't improve.

[MWM]

Once you let these investors in, you lose autonomy. That's much more important than the revenue you have to share. People with that kind of money to invest are not going to write a check that big and then not be at the table for major decisions. I know this first hand. Once they get their foot in the door, it's just a matter of time.

[Chip R]

The Brian Kelly situation is getting even more crazy, if that was even possible. LSU is trying to get out of their buyout by saying he was fired for cause. Kelly is suing saying they are claiming he wasn't formally terminated. For cause includes firing due to "material and substantial [NCAA] rule violations"; being convicted of a felony or "any crime involving gambling, drugs, or alcohol"; or "engaging in serious misconduct which either displays a continual, serious disrespect ... for the mission of LSU" or "constitutes moral turpitude."

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46924174/brian-kelly-lawsuit-says-lsu-claims-not-formally-terminated-coach-now-seeking-fire-cause-avoid-buyout

[Sea Ray]

Sounds like a desperate and futile attempt by LSU to recoup some money. It doesn't reflect well on them and I doubt it'll end well for them either

[Boston Red]

The Big 10 should be trying to kick the loser schools out in order to stop diluting the money pool that OSU and Michigan are bringing in

So who stays? Interesting thought exercise. Given that they're the Big "10", I'll try my hand at the 10:

Ohio State
Michigan
Penn State
Oregon
Indiana (basketball MIGHT have saved them 18 months ago; but now they're a no-brainer)
USC
Washington
Maryland
UCLA
Rutgers

The last three you could fight about and make cases for any number of other programs, but none of them have particularly strong cases. So I just went with best media markets (but not Northwestern because they don't really carry Chicago). Perhaps even then you could say Illinois over Maryland to keep Chicago.

Not that I believe this will actually happen, but the best part would be Nebraska going back to the Big XII where they actually belong.

[bucksfan2]

So who stays? Interesting thought exercise. Given that they're the Big "10", I'll try my hand at the 10:

Ohio State
Michigan
Penn State
Oregon
Indiana (basketball MIGHT have saved them 18 months ago; but now they're a no-brainer)
USC
Washington
Maryland
UCLA
Rutgers

The last three you could fight about and make cases for any number of other programs, but none of them have particularly strong cases. So I just went with best media markets (but not Northwestern because they don't really carry Chicago). Perhaps even then you could say Illinois over Maryland to keep Chicago.

Not that I believe this will actually happen, but the best part would be Nebraska going back to the Big XII where they actually belong.

Kick out Maryland and Rutgers. TV markets don't matter as much as they did when they took those teams. I don't know what Northwestern and Purdue get you anymore.

If you are going to limit it to 10:

OSU
Michigan
PSU
Oregon
Indiana
USC
Washington
Iowa
Nebraska
Norte Dame

All of these schools are football mad (with the exception of IU which got hot at the right time.) It gets you coverage in pretty much all the markets that matter.

I know ND wants to stay independent, but if you break down what kind of TV contract you can sign with those 10, all of a sudden divide that by 10 schools and the payout is massive.

FWIW Michigan and USC aren't leaving the B1G. The Private Equity deal is dumb, but not dumb enough to get those universities to leave.

[Boston Red]

Notre Dame isn't joining a conference until their hand is forced. Why would they? This year, they played three good teams, lost to two of them, and they're going to waltz into the playoffs. No way they're giving that up.

So I'd at least add Illinois and subtract ND with what you're going for.

[RiverRat13]

So who stays? Interesting thought exercise. Given that they're the Big "10", I'll try my hand at the 10:

Ohio State
Michigan
Penn State
Oregon
Indiana (basketball MIGHT have saved them 18 months ago; but now they're a no-brainer)
USC
Washington
Maryland
UCLA
Rutgers

The last three you could fight about and make cases for any number of other programs, but none of them have particularly strong cases. So I just went with best media markets (but not Northwestern because they don't really carry Chicago). Perhaps even then you could say Illinois over Maryland to keep Chicago.

Not that I believe this will actually happen, but the best part would be Nebraska going back to the Big XII where they actually belong.

You don't need to get to 10. Just boot Maryland, Rutgers, Purdue and Northwestern and the conference would be in much better shape. If you're going to have USC, Washington, and Oregon, you almost have to keep UCLA for scheduling purposes to help cut down on the non-revenue travel for the other three.

[Sea Ray]

I don't think the answer is to boot schools. They've worked hard to get those schools. They need to see what they can do to help those bad football programs. The SEC doesn't have such bottom feeders. If they can do it, so can the Big Ten

[Chip R]

Sounds like a desperate and futile attempt by LSU to recoup some money. It doesn't reflect well on them and I doubt it'll end well for them either

I would guess that the only thing they could get him on would be NCAA rules violations. But they would have to be "material and substantial." Could they find some ticky-tack violation and make it like that?

[Sea Ray]

I would guess that the only thing they could get him on would be NCAA rules violations. But they would have to be "material and substantial." Could they find some ticky-tack violation and make it like that?

They needed to tell him about that in the 7 days after his firing. They can't go on a fishing expedition looking for it now

[Boston Red]

It's pretty obvious that getting smacked around like they did by Texas A&M constitutes moral turpitude.

[*BaseClogger*]

Let’s compare the TV viewership numbers at the end of the year after the SEC completes its November cupcake games. But I think the B1G viewership numbers are also hurt by the fact they left ABC/ESPN. They have a better product than Fox/NBC/CBS and people without a vested interest in the teams are more likely to watch ESPN IMO.

Everybody is kicking Michigan State out of the conference in their hypotheticals. Tough break for perhaps the best basketball program and a solid football program historically.

[Assembly Hall]

Perhaps the B1G will take this opportunity to add multiple schools? I'm sure there are plenty out there that would love to join the premier conference in the land that is rolling in cash! lol

[RiverRat13]

Let’s compare the TV viewership numbers at the end of the year after the SEC completes its November cupcake games.

This week the SEC has Oklahoma vs. Alabama and Texas vs. Georgia. The Big 10 has... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Next week is the SEC cupcake schedule, but the Big 10 really only has Oregon vs. USC as a notable matchup.

The final week OSU vs. Michigan will be the highest rated game of the week and up there for the season as a whole, but the SEC still has Texas vs. Texas A&M and Georgia has a meaningful non-conference game vs. Georgia Tech.

So I don't see it evening out at all for viewership.

[Boston Red]

people without a vested interest in the teams are more likely to watch ESPN IMO.

Are they? In the world of streaming, I often don't even really know which channel I'm watching. Viewing options aren't really presented that way (at least on YT TV in my example).

[*BaseClogger*]

Well, ESPN certainly helps drive the narrative that their games are the games worth watching :)

This concern will become more pronounced next year when the SEC starts playing nine conference games. That gives them a better chance for marquee matchups in a given week.

Some of this is caused by how the conference schedules turned out this year and is random. Some of it is the fact the B1G has less parity which can fluctuate year to year.

Minnesota/Oregon, Iowa/USC, Iowa/Nebraska, and Oregon/Washington are all games in the coming weeks. I expect that when we look back at the season we’ll see those are just as relevant of matchups as these Texas games being cited as big games. Texas might finish with a worse record than most of those B1G teams I just listed.

Iowa, Nebraska, Washington… these just aren’t sexy names in college football right now despite history of success. But if we’re talking on-field product they’re going to end up comparable to some of the Oklahoma/Texas/Tennessee/Vanderbilt/Missouri tier of the SEC that gets ranked every week but will ultimately end up like 8-4 playing in some meaningless December bowl game.

[WVRed]

Can't believe I'm going to type this... but I'm with Michigan on this one. With how rapidly the college environment is changing, it would be stupid for the big name schools in the Big 10 to tie themselves to the chaff of the conference for 20 years. The Big 10 should be trying to kick the loser schools out in order to stop diluting the money pool that OSU and Michigan are bringing in rather than tying themselves to an unproven private equity scheme and giving up 10% of revenue for 20 years just because some schools are in financial trouble.

And as much as Sea Ray has gotten flack on here about his repeated B1G posts, he's right in that this has been another boring year in the Big 10. There are too many bad teams. Cull the herd, please. I saw a stat that of the games that had five million or more viewers, 38 had SEC teams to just 12 for the Big 10. I'm sure a small part of that is the Big Noon Kickoff limits viewers with its early start, but the bigger issue is that there aren't enough good teams in the conference to provide compelling matchups. As an OSU fan, I'd rather go 11-1 and get a few more competitive games than 12-0 and have every game be decided by 21 points or more. OSU should want flexibility to leave the conference if things don't improve.

As a fan of a team that would be considered the "chaff" of its conference here's my take:

Someone has to lose. UK fans are seeing it first hand with Texas and Oklahoma coming to the SEC. What used to be a somewhat automatic 6 wins to get a bowl bid is getting harder to find.

If Kentucky were to leave the SEC on its own volition or not, someone else would have to take those losses in conference, who would it be?

(For the record, it will never happen, but id like to see UK in the ACC. Better chance of winning in football and playing Duke, UNC and Louisville every year)

Same in the B1G, I can understand the bigger schools having to share revenue with the Little Sisters of the Poor (to quote former President Gordon Gee) but eliminating teams just means someone else has to lose those games.



Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[RedTeamGo!]

Can't believe I'm going to type this... but I'm with Michigan on this one.

100% - Michigan is absolutely on the right side of this and OSU being for the PE plan is just flat out embarrassing.

[Assembly Hall]

CFP chair Mack Rhoades steps down.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/baylor-athletic-director-mack-rhoades-leave-of-absence-stepping-down-college-football-playoff-chair/

[Assembly Hall]

Louisville goes down at home to Clemson.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

Louisville goes down at home to Clemson.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Louisville needs to recruit a kicker. Pitiful


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Assembly Hall]

James Franklin and Va Tech are in talks.

[Sea Ray]

South Carolina (1-6 in SEC play) is giving Texas A&M (#3 in the country) all they can handle today at College Station, TX. Only in the SEC


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UKFlounder]

aTm is pooping the bed big time

2 straight trips inside Carlina’s 10 yard line, but 0 points from them

As i type this - TD, carolina .

Wow

Ecit: 30-3 at the half. Meltdown

[Boston Red]

Michigan and Northwestern are trying to bore each other to death.

[Sea Ray]

aTm is pooping the bed big time

2 straight trips inside Carlina’s 10 yard line, but 0 points from them

As i type this - TD, carolina .

Wow

Ecit: 30-3 at the half. Meltdown

SC melting down now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RedTeamGo!]

That 4th and 1 play by South Carolina was insanely dumb. They can’t run the ball and you hand it to your back after a timeout. Hilarious coaching decision.

[Sea Ray]

That 4th and 1 play by South Carolina was insanely dumb. They can’t run the ball and you hand it to your back after a timeout. Hilarious coaching decision.

Agreed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

Michigan and Northwestern are trying to bore each other to death.

I’m gearing up for the Buckeye game this evening. Must see prime time game for sure


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RedTeamGo!]

I’m gearing up for the Buckeye game this evening. Must see prime time game for sure


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

UCLA is likely better than South Carolina. Ohio state is probably up on SC 45-3 right now.

[*BaseClogger*]

Ah yes, the best team in the SEC struggling with a booty team like South Carolina is evidence of the strength of the league. Got it.

[RedTeamGo!]

Michigan and Northwestern are trying to bore each other to death.

That was pretty exciting

[RedTeamGo!]

Lollllll how do you take a sack on 2nd and 1

[Boston Red]

Michigan might well lose because of the idiotic TO their coach just called.

- - - Updated - - -

Got the first down to bail his dumb self out.

[RedTeamGo!]

Michigan might well lose because of the idiotic TO their coach just called.

- - - Updated - - -

Got the first down to bail his dumb self out.

First down on an obvious hold by the RT

Better question is why did Moore go for it on 4th and 1 with 3 minutes left down by 1 on the NW 20? Made no sense.

[Sea Ray]

UCLA is likely better than South Carolina. Ohio state is probably up on SC 45-3 right now.

I wouldn’t agree that UCLA is better than SC but Ohio State is far better than Tex AM. You’re severely overestimating how good your bottom feeders are. That’s the point. Big Ten has a lot of really bad teams at their bottom. The SEC does not


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

I see Nico is not playing tonight. We’ll see if they even miss him. Probably not


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

Need to daydream about something incredibly amusing happening as the college football season winds down? Well, there is still a scenario where Bill Belichick's Tar Heels win the ACC championship. If Clemson beats Louisville, Dook beats Virginia, and UNC beats Wake this weekend (all reasonable outcomes), the Heels ACC title dreams will survive for another week.

Bill Belichick’s Tar Heels are who we thought they were: not good and not winning the ACC. Can’t even beat Wake Forest. UNC nor Duke were ever in their games today


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RedTeamGo!]

I wouldn’t agree that UCLA is better than SC but Ohio State is far better than Tex AM. You’re severely overestimating how good your bottom feeders are. That’s the point. Big Ten has a lot of really bad teams at their bottom. The SEC does not


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

South Carolina is an absolutely awful team and is no better than UCLA.

[Boston Red]

If Texas beats A&M, they're still going to try and sneak them into the playoffs.

[Sea Ray]

South Carolina is an absolutely awful team and is no better than UCLA.

There are 6 teams below UCLA in the Big Ten standings. Why are you comparing them to South Carolina? I’m not getting that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Boston Red]

With Navy beating USF and ECU beating Memphis, the fight for that G5 spot is really getting jumbled. James Madison has a real shot.

[Reds Freak]

With Navy beating USF and ECU beating Memphis, the fight for that G5 spot is really getting jumbled. James Madison has a real shot.

I'm a big fan of non-P4 football - G5, FCS, Div. II and III. But I'll be the first to say no G5 team deserves to be in the playoff field this year. I think North Dakota State or Montana have just a good of a shot winning a playoff game than Memphis or Navy or James Madison.

[JBChance]

I'm a big fan of non-P4 football - G5, FCS, Div. II and III. But I'll be the first to say no G5 team deserves to be in the playoff field this year. I think North Dakota State or Montana have just a good of a shot winning a playoff game than Memphis or Navy or James Madison.

Whatever team gets in, that’s their achievement.

They are nothing but cannon fodder and a first round tuneup game for a P4 team. Getting in the CFB playoffs is great though, and the program will grab notoriety and cash.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Assembly Hall]

If Texas beats A&M, they're still going to try and sneak them into the playoffs.

Nah. Even the Wizard of Oz(aka Finebaum) doesn't think they can make it.

[RichRed]

I had a great time yesterday meeting up with old friends and watching James Madison demolish App State 58-10. The Mountaineers didn’t reach 100 total yards until the 4th quarter. Beautiful day for football in the Shenandoah Valley.

23256

23257

23258

[WVRed]

James Franklin to Virginia Tech.

Not really a surprise and probably a good hire for them. Expectations should be lower and it would probably be easier for him to win there.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[bucksfan2]

James Franklin to Virginia Tech.

Not really a surprise and probably a good hire for them. Expectations should be lower and it would probably be easier for him to win there.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

I saw his name linked there a bit ago. From Franklin's perspective I don't know why he jumps at VA Tech right now. I just don't know how good of a job VA Tech is. I don't know much about that program, don't know what their NIL looks like, but it seems like a program that had its glory days under Beamer ball and have been trying to recapture that ever since.

[WVRed]

I saw his name linked there a bit ago. From Franklin's perspective I don't know why he jumps at VA Tech right now. I just don't know how good of a job VA Tech is. I don't know much about that program, don't know what their NIL looks like, but it seems like a program that had its glory days under Beamer ball and have been trying to recapture that ever since.

I would say no SEC or B1G school that is football first would touch Franklin given his win loss record against winning programs.

I think he would have been a good fit at Kentucky but Stoops has gotten likely another chance especially if they pick one off the next two weeks.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[Assembly Hall]

I saw his name linked there a bit ago. From Franklin's perspective I don't know why he jumps at VA Tech right now. I just don't know how good of a job VA Tech is. I don't know much about that program, don't know what their NIL looks like, but it seems like a program that had its glory days under Beamer ball and have been trying to recapture that ever since.

This move prolly shows everyone that Va Tech is serious about their football.

[Danny Serafini]

It's a win for Penn State, thanks to whatever contract he's getting from Virginia Tech he's lowered the buyout from $49 million to $9 million.

[Sea Ray]

It's a win for Penn State, thanks to whatever contract he's getting from Virginia Tech he's lowered the buyout from $49 million to $9 million.

I was wondering how that would work. That is a big difference

[Sea Ray]

College football bowl projections have CFP field prediction dominated by SEC teams

Doesn't look like the SEC is trash this year according to this article. Maybe it's just worded poorly but this paragraph makes it sound like the American conference gets an automatic bid, which is not correct:


The one constant that appears in place is the makeup of the field. There will be five conference champions with the American joining the Power Four (sorry, James Madison). That American rep now looks to be Tulane after last week's loss by South Florida.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/11/18/bowl-projections-college-football-cfp-predictions-sec/87326588007/?tbref=hp

I found their Bowl predictions interesting too

[Boston Red]

I think they're just predicting the American champ to be more highly rated than JMU.

[bucksfan2]

I would say no SEC or B1G school that is football first would touch Franklin given his win loss record against winning programs.

I think he would have been a good fit at Kentucky but Stoops has gotten likely another chance especially if they pick one off the next two weeks.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

I don't think Franklin could get a top tier job, ie he isn't getting LSU.

Franklin's issues are well known, and the reality has been its Ohio State. This is the first season where PSU drastically underperformed.

At a program level, there have been some issues with Franklin, I think mostly it has to do with having a good but not great QB. His WR's obviously didn't help, but they seemed to get into a rut of having a good QB (Allar, Clifton) while not having the QB that could put them over the top. Maybe it was loyalty that had him continue with those guys, but it pretty much limited their upside. But at the same time, he is one of four coaches to ever make the semi finals of the 12 team CFP.

You don't think Franklin would be good at Ole Miss when/if Kiffin leaves? There is going to be a trickle down effect during this next coaching search with 3 pretty bit time jobs open.

From my perspective, Franklin could have taken a job with a high floor had he waited a bit longer. I don't really know if Va Tech has a high floor, I think it may be an uphill battle for them. And the last thing a coach really wants is a wart on their resume after they were fired from a top tier job.

FWIW I think Franklin would have been best served going off into TV for a season, collect that paycheck from PSU, and then see what kind of jobs open up for him. Had he waited a season, maybe FSU or Miami open up, both better jobs in the ACC than Va Tech. Could you imagine if Dabo has another bad season in Clemson, Franklin would look awfully good there. Same thing with USC, haven't we heard that one before.

I think over the next couple of years there are jobs that will open up where you could realistically win a natty. I don't think VaTech is that type of job.

[Boston Red]

I think Virginia Tech is in the category of second-tier programs that has just a good a chance as anyone else (behind the true blue bloods) of winning a championship. There's no reason Franklin can't do at VPI anything that Kiffin can do at Ole Miss, for example. They're one of 4 ACC schools I'd put in that category (with FSU, Miami and Clemson).

[bucksfan2]

I think Virginia Tech is in the category of second-tier programs that has just a good a chance as anyone else (behind the true blue bloods) of winning a championship. There's no reason Franklin can't do at VPI anything that Kiffin can do at Ole Miss, for example. They're one of 4 ACC schools I'd put in that category (with FSU, Miami and Clemson).

Why? VaTech hasn't been good since their legendary coach left.

I would put FSU, Miami, and Clemson in a different category all together than VaTech.

[RichRed]

The Massey rankings have JMU #39, Tulane #40, and North Texas #43. Tight race for that G5 playoff spot.

https://masseyratings.com/cf/fbs/ratings

[Sea Ray]

The Big Ten wants 24 playoff teams. I’m fine with 12, absolutely no more than 16

https://x.com/RossDellenger/status/1990614435413545279


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bucksfan2]

The Big Ten wants 24 playoff teams. I’m fine with 12, absolutely no more than 16

https://x.com/RossDellenger/status/1990614435413545279


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think in any given year there are 4-6 teams that can win it all.

I think 16 is a good number, get rid of the byes and give the top 8 seeds home playoff games.

I don't love 24, but if you get rid of conference title games I am fine with that. At the end of the day, the more meaningful football the better.

[MWM]

Maybe Frankling is thinking he can be to Va Tech what Swinney was to Clemson. Va Tech is very similar in history to Clemson in that they have a super passionate fanbase and had one brief moment in history where they were in the upper tier. And the university is willing to invest. I could see a similar trajectory for Va Tech with Franklin.

[Boston Red]

Why? VaTech hasn't been good since their legendary coach left.

I would put FSU, Miami, and Clemson in a different category all together than VaTech.

History, tradition, fan base, access to (and a history of success with) some fertile recruiting ground. Get a bit of excitment with a guy like Franklin, and they can be top 15 in a hurry.

[bucksfan2]

Maybe Frankling is thinking he can be to Va Tech what Swinney was to Clemson. Va Tech is very similar in history to Clemson in that they have a super passionate fanbase and had one brief moment in history where they were in the upper tier. And the university is willing to invest. I could see a similar trajectory for Va Tech with Franklin.

Dabo was a WR coach when he was promoted. It was a no brainer for taking the full time job when Clemson offered.

I could be wrong, but I always thought of VT like Kansas State. Granted VT is closer to NOVA than any recruiting area that KSU had. But both were schools that had a very successful coach that brought the program to a level of success never though imaginable. In today's environment, I think winning at VT like KSU is a much more difficult of a task than it used to be.

I put VT in 20-30 type of job. But they have been down for a decade now. Sure Franklin can come in and probably resurrect that program, and his path to success is far easier than it was at PSU. I just though he could have grabbed a better job.

[Sea Ray]

I think in any given year there are 4-6 teams that can win it all.

I think 16 is a good number, get rid of the byes and give the top 8 seeds home playoff games.

I don't love 24, but if you get rid of conference title games I am fine with that. At the end of the day, the more meaningful football the better.

When we got schedules like IU and to some extent Tex AM, we need conference title games

[Boston Red]

I think in any given year there are 4-6 teams that can win it all.

I think 16 is a good number, get rid of the byes and give the top 8 seeds home playoff games.

I don't love 24, but if you get rid of conference title games I am fine with that. At the end of the day, the more meaningful football the better.

As long as everyone has access (any team in any league that goes undefeated has good chance of making the playoff), I don't care between 12, 16, 24 whatever. As you note, bottom line is that 4-6 teams might be able to win (and in a lot of years it might be 1 team or 2 teams or 3).

[bucksfan2]

When we got schedules like IU and to some extent Tex AM, we need conference title games

Why? If you go to 24 teams lets say, they will have to earn it anyway.

[Sea Ray]

Why? If you go to 24 teams lets say, they will have to earn it anyway.

You could have some false conference champions. A team like IU could be crowned champion just because they didn't play Michigan and Ohio State did

[WVRed]

I don't think Franklin could get a top tier job, ie he isn't getting LSU.

Franklin's issues are well known, and the reality has been its Ohio State. This is the first season where PSU drastically underperformed.

At a program level, there have been some issues with Franklin, I think mostly it has to do with having a good but not great QB. His WR's obviously didn't help, but they seemed to get into a rut of having a good QB (Allar, Clifton) while not having the QB that could put them over the top. Maybe it was loyalty that had him continue with those guys, but it pretty much limited their upside. But at the same time, he is one of four coaches to ever make the semi finals of the 12 team CFP.

You don't think Franklin would be good at Ole Miss when/if Kiffin leaves? There is going to be a trickle down effect during this next coaching search with 3 pretty bit time jobs open.

From my perspective, Franklin could have taken a job with a high floor had he waited a bit longer. I don't really know if Va Tech has a high floor, I think it may be an uphill battle for them. And the last thing a coach really wants is a wart on their resume after they were fired from a top tier job.

FWIW I think Franklin would have been best served going off into TV for a season, collect that paycheck from PSU, and then see what kind of jobs open up for him. Had he waited a season, maybe FSU or Miami open up, both better jobs in the ACC than Va Tech. Could you imagine if Dabo has another bad season in Clemson, Franklin would look awfully good there. Same thing with USC, haven't we heard that one before.

I think over the next couple of years there are jobs that will open up where you could realistically win a natty. I don't think VaTech is that type of job.

Franklin would have an easier path to the playoff coaching in the ACC compared to the SEC or B1G.

Its not just an Ohio State problem. He was 3-7 against Michigan and 16-36 against top 25 teams. 4-21 against top 10. How well do you think that would play in the SEC that currently has 9 teams in the top 25?

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[bucksfan2]

You could have some false conference champions. A team like IU could be crowned champion just because they didn't play Michigan and Ohio State did

Are we talking IU this season? They have one of the most impressive wins all season at Oregon.

If we do away with the money grab title games, then you have the committee figure out the top 24 teams.

IU in this case would have to win 4 games, against good to great competition.

The idea that someone would skate in to the playoffs doesn't exist in a 24 team tournament. I am far more interested in meaningful games than what the conference championships will look like over the next few years.

If things hold true in the B1G with IU and OSU staying undefeated, what does the conference champ get? Probably the #1 seed while the loser gets the 3 seed? There is an argument to be made that the 3 seed may be better, you don't have to go to the Rose Bowl, and don't have to potentially play the winner of ND and Oregon.

[bucksfan2]

Franklin would have an easier path to the playoff coaching in the ACC compared to the SEC or B1G.

Its not just an Ohio State problem. He was 3-7 against Michigan and 16-36 against top 25 teams. 4-21 against top 10. How well do you think that would play in the SEC that currently has 9 teams in the top 25?

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

If Franklin got to play top 25 teams who were puffed up because of the SEC patch on their jersey I think he would do just fine.

Franklin's entire tenure at PSU could be described as "he beat the teams he was supposed to beat, but couldn't beat the teams he wasn't supposed to beat."

There was always this argument, especially when it came to OSU and Michigan, that there were very few times he stepped on that field where he had the more talented team. I would imagine Franklin's record pretty much followed what Vegas tough. When he was favored he won, when he wasn't, he lost.

To answer the original question, a good Franklin team probably would struggle with the likes of Georgia or Bama this season, but do I think they would beat a puffed up Missouri, Vandy, Texas, yep.

[Danny Serafini]

The only expansion I could get behind would be to ensure every conference champ gets in, even if they do get destroyed in the first round. At least everyone has a shot like in every other sport. 24 is just dumb. Does anyone really think Missouri and Illinois are legit title contenders? Those are the kind of teams you're letting in at that point.

[Sea Ray]

The only expansion I could get behind would be to ensure every conference champ gets in, even if they do get destroyed in the first round. At least everyone has a shot like in every other sport. 24 is just dumb. Does anyone really think Missouri and Illinois are legit title contenders? Those are the kind of teams you're letting in at that point.

What do mean specifically about "every conf champ"? There are 11 div 1A football conferences

[Boston Red]

What do mean specifically about "every conf champ"? There are 11 div 1A football conferences

Yeah, I think that is too many. I think everyone has a shot/access in the current setup. JMU, for example, may not make it, but all they had to do was play a better 4th quarter in Louisville, and they'd be a shoo-in right now (assuming they win out).

[bucksfan2]

The only expansion I could get behind would be to ensure every conference champ gets in, even if they do get destroyed in the first round. At least everyone has a shot like in every other sport. 24 is just dumb. Does anyone really think Missouri and Illinois are legit title contenders? Those are the kind of teams you're letting in at that point.

Missouri and Illinois are not legit title contenders, neither are about 15 teams in the top 25 at this point.

But if you are asking me would I watch Missouri travel to Oregon to play a playoff game, absolutely.

The 12 team playoff was great last season (primarily because my team won) but it gave us more football games that mattered. The bowls are pretty much done for. They have become glorified exhibitions with teams trying to figure who is going to play, who is going to sit out to go pro, or who is already in the portal.

There are ways to fix the system, and if you go to 24 (which I don't think they will) you eliminate the conference title game, give more bids to the non P4 schools. You can give every team that window in December to hold practices.

If you go to 24 and part of that is giving teams credit for playing a tougher out of conference schedule, you will get more teams playing good games. I want to see more helmet games, not less.

[Danny Serafini]

What do mean specifically about "every conf champ"? There are 11 div 1A football conferences

10, but that's exactly what I mean. Give the MAC champ the 23 seed and the CUSA champ the 24 seed. If we're including a stupid number of teams anyway, may as well give everyone some representation.

[Chip R]

10, but that's exactly what I mean. Give the MAC champ the 23 seed and the CUSA champ the 24 seed. If we're including a stupid number of teams anyway, may as well give everyone some representation.

That's what they do for basketball.

[Boston Red]

That's what they do for basketball.

And literally every other sport. I don't think they need to go that far in football, though.

[Sea Ray]

10, but that's exactly what I mean. Give the MAC champ the 23 seed and the CUSA champ the 24 seed. If we're including a stupid number of teams anyway, may as well give everyone some representation.

I think those teams would be better served playing in the Motor City Bowl and possibly winning than going to Ohio Stadium and losing by 50

I was counting Independents as a conference...:)

https://www.espn.com/college-football/conferences

[bucksfan2]

I think those teams would be better served playing in the Motor City Bowl and possibly winning than going to Ohio Stadium and losing by 50

I was counting Independents as a conference...:)

https://www.espn.com/college-football/conferences

The bowls are on life support as it is.

Look at a school like Toledo, you don't think they would much rather march into OSU and take a shot at the Bucks than play in Detroit against another mid team? It happens in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the higher seeds go in and get clobbered and enjoy making the dance. And the payout for making the CFP would far exceed what a MAC school would receive from making the Motor City Bowl.

[Chip R]

And literally every other sport. I don't think they need to go that far in football, though.

No, I don't think they need 68 teams in there especially since only around 100 or so play FBS football. There are 10 conferences. Get all 10 conference champs in then 6 more SEC teams...I mean wild cards. :D Seriously, though, one of the reasons the basketball tournament is so popular is the upset potential of the 1st two rounds. Probably not as likely to happen in football but that's why they play the games.

[*BaseClogger*]

I think the SEC has a strong middle class of teams but I'm very curious to see if it still looks like they should get so many bids next year when they change to nine conference games and the league picks up seven to eight additional losses as a whole.

[RedTeamGo!]

If Tate and Smith are out next week no way does OSU beat Michigan. This team looks like trash.

[Assembly Hall]

If Tate and Smith are out next week no way does OSU beat Michigan. This team looks like trash.

So what exactly are you Sayin'?

[*BaseClogger*]

They can beat UM without those two, just will be much tighter. Michigan is going to struggle to move the ball.

Big slate of SEC games this weekend.

[Boston Red]

If we judge solely based on performance vs Wazzu, James Madidon and Ole Miss seem pretty equal.

[RichRed]

If we judge solely based on performance vs Wazzu, James Madidon and Ole Miss seem pretty equal.

Close, physical game between JMU and WSU. Wazzu reminded me of those tough, annoying NDSU teams we used to see in the FCS days. They somehow kept having these 7-minute drives that were like 12 plays for 42 yards, as if they were almost defying math itself.

The Dukes’ playoff hopes are still alive with the 24-20 win but they’re getting no help so far from Temple against Tulane.

[Assembly Hall]

We don't make fun of the ACC near enough.

[Boston Red]

Scott Satterfield is who he is.

[RichRed]

The Massey rankings have JMU #39, Tulane #40, and North Texas #43. Tight race for that G5 playoff spot.

https://masseyratings.com/cf/fbs/ratings

It’s now JMU 36, Tulane 37, UNT 40. But I’m afraid the committee won’t be moving Tulane out of that playoff slot, if both they and JMU run the table.

https://masseyratings.com/cf/fbs/ratings

[Boston Red]

It’s now JMU 36, Tulane 37, UNT 40. But I’m afraid the committee won’t be moving Tulane out of that playoff slot, if both they and JMU run the table.

https://masseyratings.com/cf/fbs/ratings

Maybe both will get in over the ACC champions.

[Sea Ray]

Maybe both will get in over the ACC champions.

It doesn't reflect well on those teams that 4 ACC teams are rated higher

[RichRed]

JMU rankings vs Tulane/North Texas:

AP Poll: JMU 20, Tulane 22, UNT 21
Coaches: JMU 21, Tulane 23, UNT 22
Massey: JMU 36, Tulane 37, UNT 40
Sagarin: JMU 30, Tulane 54, UNT 43
SP+: JMU 26, Tulane 53, UNT 18
FPI: JMU 35, Tulane 55, UNT 42
SOR*: JMU 21, Tulane 22, UNT 23
(*Strength of Record)

Of course it’s all moot if JMU loses one of its last two games but at the moment, they have a legit argument for getting that bid.

[Boston Red]

I hate that Louisville and Kentucky moved their football game to "rivalry week". Instead of a packed house of excited fans full of hope to see their teams play their first games of the season like it used to be, you get two bad teams playing out the string with essentially nothing to play for (Kentucky could sneak into a terrible bowl with a win; yippee!), and the stadium will be half-empty in the cold. With Louisville and Kentucky, you'll get a lot of at least one team not really caring coming into the final game of the year (last year Kentucky; this year at least Louisville and maybe both). Makes what used to be a fun football rivalry kind of depressing.

[Chip R]

We don't make fun of the ACC near enough.

It's kind of like picking on the 98 lb. weakling.

[Sea Ray]

Sources: North Texas coach Eric Morris is expected to become the next coach at Oklahoma State. Morris is set to coach out UNT’s remaining games, including both a potential American Conference title game appearance and CFP bid.

https://x.com/PeteThamel/status/1993430072854749595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1993430072854749595%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[Playadlc]

I hate that Louisville and Kentucky moved their football game to "rivalry week". Instead of a packed house of excited fans full of hope to see their teams play their first games of the season like it used to be, you get two bad teams playing out the string with essentially nothing to play for (Kentucky could sneak into a terrible bowl with a win; yippee!), and the stadium will be half-empty in the cold. With Louisville and Kentucky, you'll get a lot of at least one team not really caring coming into the final game of the year (last year Kentucky; this year at least Louisville and maybe both). Makes what used to be a fun football rivalry kind of depressing.

I agree with this. That game was always fun at the beginning of the year.

[Sea Ray]

23279

[Sea Ray]

Signs pointing to Kiffin leaving Ole Miss and going to LSU. There are reports he’s settlng up his staff

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/source-lane-kiffin-is-lining-up-lsu-staff


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Boston Red]

I hate that Louisville and Kentucky moved their football game to "rivalry week". Instead of a packed house of excited fans full of hope to see their teams play their first games of the season like it used to be, you get two bad teams playing out the string with essentially nothing to play for (Kentucky could sneak into a terrible bowl with a win; yippee!), and the stadium will be half-empty in the cold. With Louisville and Kentucky, you'll get a lot of at least one team not really caring coming into the final game of the year (last year Kentucky; this year at least Louisville and maybe both). Makes what used to be a fun football rivalry kind of depressing.

Turns out Brohm found a way to get his group excited for the game. Stoops? Not so much!

[Sea Ray]

Boring day so far. No surprises

Looks like UK has quit on Stoops


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

I thought Michigan was a better tackling team than what I’ve seen today

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michigan play my Volunteers in a New Year’s Day Bowl game


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WVRed]

I hate that Louisville and Kentucky moved their football game to "rivalry week". Instead of a packed house of excited fans full of hope to see their teams play their first games of the season like it used to be, you get two bad teams playing out the string with essentially nothing to play for (Kentucky could sneak into a terrible bowl with a win; yippee!), and the stadium will be half-empty in the cold. With Louisville and Kentucky, you'll get a lot of at least one team not really caring coming into the final game of the year (last year Kentucky; this year at least Louisville and maybe both). Makes what used to be a fun football rivalry kind of depressing.I hate it for reasons like today.

If Kentucky needs a win for bowl eligibility, having to go through Louisville to get it isn't exactly ideal. It has been hit or miss with Louisville depending on who the coach has been.

Basketball the second week of the season is the only thing worse.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[kaldaniels]

Will Bama get conference-title gamed out of the playoff if they win today and lose next weekend?

[MWM]

They should.

[dubc47834]

They should.

A conference title game shouldn't keep a team from the CFP.

[Assembly Hall]

I thought Michigan was a better tackling team than what I’ve seen today

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michigan play my Volunteers in a New Year’s Day Bowl game


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I want to see Tennessee play Penn St.

[MWM]

A conference title game shouldn't keep a team from the CFP.

But it shouldn't be an automatic berth either.

[MWM]

I didn't realize just how bad Auburn is until tonight.

[Assembly Hall]

I didn't realize just how bad Auburn is until tonight.

Wait. What? There is a bad team in the SEC?

[Boston Red]

Cal hanging on to beat SMU so Miami can murder Virginia in the ACC championship will make this playoff better. No one needs to see Virginia or SMU in the playoffs.

Looking further into it, I think that would result in Virginia vs Dook. Yikes.

[dubc47834]

But it shouldn't be an automatic berth either.

I agree!

[Boston Red]

If Dook wins the ACC title game, JMU and the American champ should both go. No ACC team.

[Danny Serafini]

Especially if Tulane wins the American since they beat Duke this year

[RiverRat13]

Florida State losing their QB to injury kept them out of the playoffs two years ago. Losing their head coach should drop Ole Miss' seeding, no?

[Boston Red]

This Saturday, for the first time ever #1 and #2 will square off in a completely pointless game.

[Sea Ray]

I didn't realize just how bad Auburn is until tonight.

Auburn gave Alabama all they could handle


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sea Ray]

I want to see Tennessee play Penn St.

Tennessee has a history of pummeling slow Big Ten teams in Bowl games


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UKFlounder]

Auburn gave Alabama all they could handle


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They often do on the plains, even when Bama is good and Auburn isn’t. Its a strange/fun (for fans of neither) rivalry at times (see the “kick 6”)

[Assembly Hall]

Tennessee has a history of pummeling slow Big Ten teams in Bowl games


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Penn St. would kick the [snot] out of the Vols.

[Assembly Hall]

This Saturday, for the first time ever #1 and #2 will square off in a completely pointless game.

It has meaning for me.

[Sea Ray]

It has meaning for me.

Agreed. I wouldn't call it meaningless. Let's play the game, then we can discuss its impact

- - - Updated - - -


Penn St. would kick the [snot] out of the Vols.

I doubt it. I think UT matches up quite well with an offensively challenged team like PSU. The Vols' weakness is defense (just like my Bengals). If a team can't exploit that then UT is fine

[RedTeamGo!]

This Saturday, for the first time ever #1 and #2 will square off in a completely pointless game.

If Ohio State wins it will be very meaningful for me, on the other hand if they lose, absolutely meaningless game.

[Boston Red]

Agreed. I wouldn't call it meaningless. Let's play the game, then we can discuss its impact

The only way it's meaningful is if someone significant from either team gets hurt. Or if you think the #6 seed will be significantly better than the #8/#9 seed, which I just don't see this year. Heck, you might be better off losing to avoid Notre Dame.

[Sea Ray]

The only way it's meaningful is if someone significant from either team gets hurt. Or if you think the #6 seed will be significantly better than the #8/#9 seed, which I just don't see this year. Heck, you might be better off losing to avoid Notre Dame.

Why wouldn't the winner get seeded 1-4 and get a first rd bye?

[Boston Red]

One will be seeded #1 and the other will be seeded #2 or #3 and both get byes. Thus, whether you think playing the #8/9 seed is a significant advantage over playing the #6 seed. With ND pretty likely to slot into that 8/9 game, I'm not sure it's much of an advantage. They haven't played a soul in over two months, so it's hard to tell how good they are, actually, but they're a bit of a wildcard.

[RedTeamGo!]

Why wouldn't the winner get seeded 1-4 and get a first rd bye?

He means in the 2nd round.

I get BR's point, and honestly I have had same thought. Would OSU be better of sitting Jeremiah Smith, Tate, and Jackson? Hell, what about sitting Sayin? They would never do that because Day values the Big Ten Championship. However, I think in the long run with teams that are already locked into the CFP you might see this happening. Maybe not the whole team, but someone like Smith who could really use an extra weak of healing?

[Boston Red]

I'm a fan of an ACC team and have a degree from UNC....but I REALLY want Dook to win the ACC championship game Saturday. What a s-show that would be for the ACC, and very deserved. Having JMU take their "auto"-bid would be glorious. They can change their tiebreaker rules next year to have CFP ranking determine second place, but it's too late for this year! LOL

[Sea Ray]

One will be seeded #1 and the other will be seeded #2 or #3 and both get byes. Thus, whether you think playing the #8/9 seed is a significant advantage over playing the #6 seed. With ND pretty likely to slot into that 8/9 game, I'm not sure it's much of an advantage. They haven't played a soul in over two months, so it's hard to tell how good they are, actually, but they're a bit of a wildcard.

IU hasn't played a soul all year. As for the loser getting seeded #2 or 3, that assumes a close game. If one team (particularly IU) loses big it could change this

[Sea Ray]

I'm a fan of an ACC team and have a degree from UNC....but I REALLY want Dook to win the ACC championship game Saturday. What a s-show that would be for the ACC, and very deserved. Having JMU take their "auto"-bid would be glorious. They can change their tiebreaker rules next year to have CFP ranking determine second place, but it's too late for this year! LOL

How did Duke get in over Miami?

[Boston Red]

How did Duke get in over Miami?

There was a 5 way tie for second. No idea how the tiebreakers worked, but it was complicated! If Louisville had beaten UVA and Cal (both three point home OT losses), there would have been a 7 way tie at 6-2.

[Sea Ray]

There was a 5 way tie for second. No idea how the tiebreakers worked, but it was complicated! If Louisville had beaten UVA and Cal (both three point home OT losses), there would have been a 7 way tie at 6-2.

They should take the highest ranked team after head to head to settle these things

[bucksfan2]

IU hasn't played a soul all year. As for the loser getting seeded #2 or 3, that assumes a close game. If one team (particularly IU) loses big it could change this

IU may have the best win this season. Their non conference schedule was embarrassing, but they took care of business with their B1G schedule. At Iowa, Oregon, PSU and home to Illinois is nothing to sneeze at.

There was always things thing with OSU's schedule for years and years. They had a "weak" schedule because they didn't have OSU on it. I think the biggest issue with the perception of the B1G this year was the middle of the pack teams, Michigan, USC, Illinois, Iowa, and USC all kinda beat up on them selves without separating. Couple that with the utter disaster that PSU turned into, and you have "they didn't play anyone" coming out of the woodwork. FWIW I give as much props to winning at Iowa than I do beating Vandy, but that is just me.

[Boston Red]

Well, the Big Ten didn't play many meaningful non-conference games and lost all of them other than Ohio State's win over Texas (ND over USC, Oklahmoa over Michigan, Iowa State over Iowa).

I guess now that Dook is the in the ACC title game Illinois's win over them is meaningful. LOL

[Boston Red]

Didn't realize just how bad the MAC was this year. MAC teams were 1-28 against ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Big XII and American opponents. Ohio's 17-10 win over WV was it.

[Boston Red]

Also, the divide between FCS and FBS has never been greater. ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Big XII and American teams were 72-1 against FCS teams. Tarleton beat Army 30-27.

Now, maybe the divide only seems so great because FBS teams (wisely) stopped scheduing North Dakota State!

[Sea Ray]

IU may have the best win this season. Their non conference schedule was embarrassing, but they took care of business with their B1G schedule. At Iowa, Oregon, PSU and home to Illinois is nothing to sneeze at.

There was always things thing with OSU's schedule for years and years. They had a "weak" schedule because they didn't have OSU on it. I think the biggest issue with the perception of the B1G this year was the middle of the pack teams, Michigan, USC, Illinois, Iowa, and USC all kinda beat up on them selves without separating. Couple that with the utter disaster that PSU turned into, and you have "they didn't play anyone" coming out of the woodwork. FWIW I give as much props to winning at Iowa than I do beating Vandy, but that is just me.

The problem with the Big Ten were the numerous 30 pt point spreads when playing the likes of UCLA, Rutgers and the 4 teams below them in the standings. That's a lot of dreck.

[MWM]

IU may have the best win this season. Their non conference schedule was embarrassing, but they took care of business with their B1G schedule. At Iowa, Oregon, PSU and home to Illinois is nothing to sneeze at.

There was always things thing with OSU's schedule for years and years. They had a "weak" schedule because they didn't have OSU on it. I think the biggest issue with the perception of the B1G this year was the middle of the pack teams, Michigan, USC, Illinois, Iowa, and USC all kinda beat up on them selves without separating. Couple that with the utter disaster that PSU turned into, and you have "they didn't play anyone" coming out of the woodwork. FWIW I give as much props to winning at Iowa than I do beating Vandy, but that is just me.

"They didn't play anyone" or "They didn't beat anyone" is 90% of the college football thread every year. We should copy and paste every year and change the names. There's very little else discussed here other than that.

[Danny Serafini]

Didn't realize just how bad the MAC was this year. MAC teams were 1-28 against ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Big XII and American opponents. Ohio's 17-10 win over WV was it.

This is the worst MAC season I can remember. Only 5 bowl eligible teams and no one better than 8-4.

[dubc47834]

IU hasn't played a soul all year. As for the loser getting seeded #2 or 3, that assumes a close game. If one team (particularly IU) loses big it could change this

Haven't played a soul? They have arguably one of the best wins in the country this year, beating Oregon at their place!

[RedTeamGo!]

Didn't realize just how bad the MAC was this year. MAC teams were 1-28 against ACC, Big Ten, SEC, Big XII and American opponents. Ohio's 17-10 win over WV was it.

Yeah, the MAC is getting purged of any talent every offseason nowadays. It is basically a bunch of FCS talent and the cream of the crop gets bought by the big programs.

With that said, Toledo got so hosed. Finished 6-2 in the conference, same record as Miami (OH) and beat Miami head to head and yet somehow Miami goes to the conf championship over them because reasons.

[Boston Red]

Would still be huge for MY Western Michigan Broncos to win the title! OK, I don't really care much, but my daughter is a student at that fine institution in Kalamazoo, and she's excited about it. Not as exciting as the hockey championship, of course, but it would still be good for the Broncos.

[*BaseClogger*]

Chuck Martin's Redhawks are 20-4 over the last three years in conference play and this is their third straight MAC championship game appearance. They did it without their starting QB down the stretch. Unfortunately I'm going to miss out on my annual trip to Detroit.

[RedTeamGo!]

Chuck Martin's Redhawks are 20-4 over the last three years in conference play and this is their third straight MAC championship game appearance. They did it without their starting QB down the stretch. Unfortunately I'm going to miss out on my annual trip to Detroit.

Enjoy your tainted third appearance in a row. Go Rockets. Complete and utter BS.

[Sea Ray]

Enjoy your tainted third appearance in a row. Go Rockets. Complete and utter BS.

What happened?

[Danny Serafini]

Toledo, Ohio and Miami all finished in a 3-way tie for second. Toledo and Ohio both beat Miami, but because they didn't play each other it wasn't a full round robin and they went to the next tiebreaker. That was common conference opponents, and Miami came out ahead. A competent tiebreaker system would've kicked out the team that lost to the other two, but that's not what the MAC has.

[Danny Serafini]

Having said that, maybe UT should stop choking on 3 TD leads against BG so they don't need the tiebreaker. That kind of stuff is getting maddening.

[RedTeamGo!]

What happened?

Best explanation I’ve found:


Miami (Oh), Toledo, and Ohio all finished the regular season with the same conference record (6-2) and tied for 2nd in the MAC.

Miami went 0-2 against UT and OU. Toledo and Ohio didn’t play each other.

However, since all three teams didn’t play each other the tiebreaker apparently jumped straight to common opponents.

Miami beat Ball State and W. Michigan, who beat Ohio and Toledo respectively.

Therefore Miami is in the championship game despite losing to BOTH of the other teams tied for 2nd.


- - - Updated - - -


Having said that, maybe UT should stop choking on 3 TD leads against BG so they don't need the tiebreaker. That kind of stuff is getting maddening.

Oh I completely agree as a Toledo alum it’s maddening stuff, but Toledo literally beat Miami lol

[KronoRed]

Who ever could have predicted this would come from conferences dumping divisions.

[Sea Ray]

Moeller's QB is sticking with KY. Quick work done by the new coach to keep him. As a Princeton HS guy I can say that this guy is pretty darn good

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/high-school-sports/2025/12/02/moeller-matt-ponatoski-lebanon-nick-lautar-football-early-signees-ohio-state-kentucky-illinois/87567579007/?tbref=hp

[RedTeamGo!]

Moeller's QB is sticking with KY. Quick work done by the new coach to keep him. As a Princeton HS guy I can say that this guy is pretty darn good

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/high-school/high-school-sports/2025/12/02/moeller-matt-ponatoski-lebanon-nick-lautar-football-early-signees-ohio-state-kentucky-illinois/87567579007/?tbref=hp

Take it with a grain of salt, but someone on the 11W board said this morning that Will Stein was at Moeller yesterday and told the HC he was going to be Kentucky's next coach before it was even announced to the public, ha!

[Boston Red]

Notre Dame over Miami for that last spot is nasty work.

[757690]

This Saturday, for the first time ever #1 and #2 will square off in a completely pointless game.

There are three essential goals for every Ohio State team. Here there are in order of importance:

1. Beat Michigan
2. Win the Big Ten Title
3. Win the National Championship

[Assembly Hall]

Notre Dame over Miami for that last spot is nasty work.

Miami shouldn't have lost at home to the Redbirds.

[Boston Red]

No Ohio State fan would rather win a Big Ten title over a national title.

[RichRed]

Anger index:


5. James Madison Dukes (11-1, No. 25)

Well, the committee finally weighed in on more than one team outside the Power 4 -- mostly because it was just impossible to find enough Power 4 teams worth ranking -- and the news isn't good for JMU. With the committee deciding already that North Texas is the higher ranked team, the Dukes' only hope for the playoff would seem to be a Duke win in the ACC title game.

But what exactly has the committee seen to warrant that decision? Check out the numbers.

Best win (by average FPI, SP+ and Sagarin ranking)
JMU: No. 54 Old Dominion
UNT: No. 62 Washington State

Next best
JMU: No. 62 Washington State
UNT: No. 68 Navy


Loss
JMU: No. 29 Louisville
UNT: No. 24 USF

Wins vs. bowl-eligible
JMU: six
UNT: five

Strength of record
JMU: 18th
UNT: 22nd

FPI
JMU: 28th
UNT: 37th

There are certainly some check marks in North Texas' favor, including a more impressive win over common opponent Washington State and a slightly better SP+ ranking, but on the whole, James Madison has had the tougher path here. That can change should UNT beat Tulane, but the committee should've waited for that to happen. Instead, it has made it clear JMU isn't sniffing the playoff unless it comes at the expense of the ACC.


https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47178710/week-15-anger-index-teams-upset-college-football-playoff-ranking-2025

[RedTeamGo!]

There are three essential goals for every Ohio State team in 1991:

1. Beat Michigan
2. Win the Big Ten Title
3. Win the National Championship

FTFY - this is a new era in college football. This big ten championship game is quite pointless. It is annoying Indiana and OSU have to risk injuring their players for absolutely nothing.

Also, the idea winning the big ten title is over the natty IN THE PRESENT is just funny. The big ten is barely recognizable now.

The only people that think last year's national championship title is tainted because they didn't beat UM or win the big ten championship game are over the age of 60.

[Boston Red]

Miami shouldn't have lost at home to the Redbirds.

Agree. And Notre Dame shouldn't have lost to...checks notes...Miami!

I would have more sympathy for the Notre Dame arguments if they had actually beaten anyone all year. But they're in over Miami because 1) their name is Notre Dame and 2) they started the season ranked higher (see #1).

[RiverRat13]

Agree. And Notre Dame shouldn't have lost to...checks notes...Miami!

I would have more sympathy for the Notre Dame arguments if they had actually beaten anyone all year. But they're in over Miami because 1) their name is Notre Dame and 2) they started the season ranked higher (see #1).

Every computer metric has Notre Dame over Miami. I'm sure the committee is looking at those.

[Assembly Hall]

Agree. And Notre Dame shouldn't have lost to...checks notes...Miami!

I would have more sympathy for the Notre Dame arguments if they had actually beaten anyone all year. But they're in over Miami because 1) their name is Notre Dame and 2) they started the season ranked higher (see #1).

Right here, right now. Is there a poll out there that has Miami ranked ahead of Notre Dame?

- - - Updated - - -


Every computer metric has Notre Dame over Miami. I'm sure the committee is looking at those.

You beat me to it.

[Sea Ray]

Today is signing day. Glad to see my Volunteers in the top 10 at #8 according to 247. That's where a program needs to be in order to compete for titles

[Sea Ray]

I want to see Tennessee play Penn St.

Bowl projections show PSU playing a much lesser team, either Western MI or UC. Tennessee would draw either Georgia Tech or Iowa. I'd much prefer Iowa. Tennessee hasn't beaten a Bowl team all year :thumbdown:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47150538/college-football-playoff-bowl-projections-following-week-14

[757690]

FTFY - this is a new era in college football. This big ten championship game is quite pointless. It is annoying Indiana and OSU have to risk injuring their players for absolutely nothing.

Also, the idea winning the big ten title is over the natty IN THE PRESENT is just funny. The big ten is barely recognizable now.

The only people that think last year's national championship title is tainted because they didn't beat UM or win the big ten championship game are over the age of 60.

I’m 59, so you’re way off, lol.

My post was tongue in cheek. I agree with everything you said. I actually kinda hope the Hoosiers win on Saturday. It will give Ohio State a little kick before they enter the playoffs, kinda how losing to Michigan did last year.

[bucksfan2]

Looks like Hartline is taking the USF job. Kidna shocking to me, it is in the Big 12 so the path to the playoffs is there. K

An interesting gamble on both sides here, USF going after a guy who has called plays for one year, and Hartline going to a 2nd tier program. Hopefully he succeeds down there, guy gave a ton to OSU during his time as a player and coach.

[Boston Red]

Looks like Hartline is taking the USF job. Kidna shocking to me, it is in the Big 12 so the path to the playoffs is there. K


That's UCF. USF is in the American.

[Assembly Hall]

Bowl projections show PSU playing a much lesser team, either Western MI or UC. Tennessee would draw either Georgia Tech or Iowa. I'd much prefer Iowa. Tennessee hasn't beaten a Bowl team all year :thumbdown:

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/47150538/college-football-playoff-bowl-projections-following-week-14

LOL. Seems the Vols get Iowa often. I would rather them play Illinois.

[bucksfan2]

That's UCF. USF is in the American.

Oh, yea that's an even bigger shock to me.

[Sea Ray]

LOL. Seems the Vols get Iowa often. I would rather them play Illinois.

Vol fans do not want Iowa. They're bored with pummeling Iowa. I think Ga Tech is a tough matchup for them due to their athletic QB

I am bored with playing Big Ten teams in Bowl games

[Assembly Hall]

Vol fans do not want Iowa. They're bored with pummeling Iowa. I think Ga Tech is a tough matchup for them due to their athletic QB

I am bored with playing Big Ten teams in Bowl games

IU/UT games were never boring.

[Sea Ray]

Looks like Hartline is taking the USF job. Kidna shocking to me, it is in the Big 12 so the path to the playoffs is there. K

An interesting gamble on both sides here, USF going after a guy who has called plays for one year, and Hartline going to a 2nd tier program. Hopefully he succeeds down there, guy gave a ton to OSU during his time as a player and coach.

Hartline gets a lot more love here than he does out in the real world. He hasn't even completed one year as OC and folks here think he's deserving of a head coaching job in a major conference. Furthermore OSU has achieved an undefeated season due to the defense.

[Sea Ray]

IU/UT games were never boring.

I can only remember one

One Big Ten team that did manage to beat UT was Purdue. What has happened to that program since? They were pretty much a MAC team on the field this year and here we are on signing day and Purdue has no commits from 4 or 5 star players and they're ranked outside of the top 50 nationally. That doesn't bode well for their turnaround. As bad as that is, there are 3 Big Ten teams with worse recruiting rankings. Penn State only has 3 commits, currently ranked in the 140s, behind the likes of Columbia and Akron but still slightly ahead of Towson

https://247sports.com/season/2026-football/compositeteamrankings/

[Assembly Hall]

I can only remember one

One Big Ten team that did manage to beat UT was Purdue. What has happened to that program since? They were pretty much a MAC team on the field this year and here we are on signing day and Purdue has no commits from 4 or 5 star players and they're ranked outside of the top 50 nationally. That doesn't bode well for their turnaround. As bad as that is, there are 3 Big Ten teams with worse recruiting rankings. Penn State only has 3 commits, currently ranked in the 140s, behind the likes of Columbia and Akron but still slightly ahead of Towson

https://247sports.com/season/2026-football/compositeteamrankings/

1987 Peach Bowl

Brohm had Purdue looking good.

[Boston Red]

Oh, yea that's an even bigger shock to me.

I think USF is a way better gig than UCF for an up and comer. If you're good, you should win big and get out. It's difficult to win big at UCF agaisnt a Big XII schedule.

[bucksfan2]

I think USF is a way better gig than UCF for an up and comer. If you're good, you should win big and get out. It's difficult to win big at UCF agaisnt a Big XII schedule.

UCF is a sleeping giant. Massive university in Orlando, if things got rolling there, especially in the Big XII they could dominate that league. The thing with the Big XII, there is no traditional power in that league. Year in year out you no longer have to go through Texas or OU. And besides, don't they already claim a national title?

[Boston Red]

I think Texas Tech is set up to dominate that league for a while, and BYU is going to be tough as well. If you're a longer-timer, UCF could be the move, because you definitely are set up to potentially be one of the better programs in that league.

But for a short-term, get in, win, get out type gig, USF is the play.

[RedTeamGo!]

I am bored with playing Big Ten teams in Bowl games

I am sure you are after what happened last year in Columbus.

[Assembly Hall]

I am sure you are after what happened last year in Columbus.

LMAO! Well played!