I still don't understand how OSU missed out on the BTCG with only one loss. Shame on the Big 10 for making them watch Penn State on TV this weekend.


Despite that anomaly, ESPN.com reported OSU is a "playoff wild card" after the Buckeyes beat Michigan.

Shame on the Big 10? You should put the blame on Ohio State. All they had to do was beat Penn State. Penn State owns the tie breaker. They go to Indianapolis.

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Looks to me like the committee is trying to set up a possible rematch with Ohio State and Michigan by keeping Michigan in the top 5.

I agree.

Ratings are probably a big consideration in this (as much as we would like to think that it isn't).


The first season of playoffs, ratings were really high, especially for the Ohio State vs Alabama game (Urban Meyer vs Saban).


Last year, the ratings dipped (according to a couple sports radio shows I listen to).


Ratings will probably go back up with Ohio State in the fold. And, ratings would probably be huge if Ohio State and Michigan play each other in a rematch.


With Ohio State and Michigan's current rankings, it sure seems like they are considering setting up a rematch.

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Shame on the Big 10? You should put the blame on Ohio State. All they had to do was beat Penn State. Penn State owns the tie breaker. They go to Indianapolis.

Exactly.

If there's anything to MAYBE gripe about the Big10, it's that the conference record supercedes the overall record in their standings. Maybe.


But, that's just the way it is. And, Ohio State lost a conference game to division rival PSU. They lost that game, and do it to themselves.


I still say they're better off now by not having to play next week. They'll still get in the playoffs. While, Bama is gonna be in the playoffs regardless, but has to play in a game that really doesn't mean anything in regards to a national title hope.


The Buckeyes are better off than Bama right now.


What a mess.

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I agree.

Ratings are probably a big consideration in this (as much as we would like to think that it isn't).


The first season of playoffs, ratings were really high, especially for the Ohio State vs Alabama game (Urban Meyer vs Saban).


Last year, the ratings dipped (according to a couple sports radio shows I listen to).


Ratings will probably go back up with Ohio State in the fold. And, ratings would probably be huge if Ohio State and Michigan play each other in a rematch.


With Ohio State and Michigan's current rankings, it sure seems like they are considering setting up a rematch.

I think one of the reasons why ratings Dipped last year was because of the games being played on New Year's Eve rather than New Year's Day. Most people are heading out to the bars and parties on New Year's Eve rather than sitting in front of their TVs.

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The committee is praying that either Clemson or Washington lose so they can put Michigan back in there.  They might even switch up the rankings and put Michigan/Ohio State 2 and 3 just so they can see each other first. 

 

I would prefer that scenario.  Lots of intrigue in seeing a second match up with how that game played out.

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Looks to me like the committee is trying to set up a possible rematch with Ohio State and Michigan by keeping Michigan in the top 5.

 

Well they just lost to #2 on the road in double overtime and have wins over #6, #7, and #8. Hard to put them anywhere else.

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Lopsided divisions suck. Michigan and Ohio St. would both hold the tiebreaker over Wisconsin if they played in the B1G West.

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Well they just lost to #2 on the road in double overtime and have wins over #6, #7, and #8. Hard to put them anywhere else.

When you lose should be a factor as well. That's their second loss late in the season. They shouldn't even be sniffing consideration for jumping back in the playoff picture.

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If there's anything to MAYBE gripe about the Big 10, it's that the conference record supersedes the overall record in their standings. Maybe.

 

This is exactly what I was complaining about. When is a team that lost two games to bad teams better than a one-loss team that beat four top 10 teams? If Penn State was better than Ohio State because of the upset in October, Pitt would be considered better than Clemson after winning at Death Valley earlier this month. Upsets happen. One shocking loss in an otherwise great season does not define a team. So yes, conference record superseding overall record is a legit gripe if that team missed the CCG because of one loss to a two-loss team  Until someone proves Penn State truly is better than Ohio State (which is impossible), only Nittany Lions fans can deny who belongs in the BTCG.

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There's way too much subjectivity in the process.

 

In future seasons,  the best course of action probably is only Conference Champion teams should be eligible to play in the 4 team playoff for the National Championship.

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This is exactly what I was complaining about. When is a team that lost two games to bad teams better than a one-loss team that beat four top 10 teams? If Penn State was better than Ohio State because of the upset in October, Pitt would be considered better than Clemson after winning at Death Valley earlier this month. Upsets happen. One shocking loss in an otherwise great season does not define a team. So yes, conference record superseding overall record is a legit gripe if that team missed the CCG because of one loss to a two-loss team Until someone proves Penn State truly is better than Ohio State (which is impossible), only Nittany Lions fans can deny who belongs in the BTCG.

It doesn't matter if they lost two games to bad teams. They beat Ohio State and own the tie breaker over them in the CONFERENCE standings.


All Ohio State had to do was beat Penn State and this isn't even a discussion.

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Hail, since when have people been calling the Big 10 West a "lopsided" division? Nebraska was also a top 10 team (#7) going into its loss to Ohio State. I was worried about that game because the previously undefeated Cornhuskers forced a top 10 team (Wisconsin) to beat them in overtime. It is not like the Badgers were running away with it.

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John, you are missing my point on purpose because of your Buckeyes hatred. All that matters to the Big 10 is conference standings. The Big 12 knew better five years ago.

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John, you are missing my point on purpose because of your Buckeyes hatred. All that matters to the Big 10 is conference standings. The Big 12 knew better five years ago.

How do you know that way is "better" though?


Penn State beat OSU and they only have one more overall loss. It's not like we're looking at a 3+ loss team versus a 1 loss team here.

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The "one more overall loss" by Penn State was to an unranked team, right?

 

I know that way is better because it put the best of three Big 12 South teams in the CCG. It is obvious to everyone who pays attention to college football Ohio State is much better than Penn State.

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When you lose should be a factor as well. That's their second loss late in the season. They shouldn't even be sniffing consideration for jumping back in the playoff picture.

 

It would be stupid to count games played in September as less than games played in November. A win is a win and a loss is a loss.

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Hail, since when have people been calling the Big 10 West a "lopsided" division? Nebraska was also a top 10 team (#7) going into its loss to Ohio State. I was worried about that game because the previously undefeated Cornhuskers forced a top 10 team (Wisconsin) to beat them in overtime. It is not like the Badgers were running away with it.

 

The divisions are lopsided because Wisconsin would be the #4 team in the B1G if there were no divisions and yet are playing in the CCG because the West is weak.

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There's way too much subjectivity in the process.


In future seasons, the best course of action probably is only Conference Champion teams should be eligible to play in the 4 team playoff for the National Championship.

Doesn't that make non conference games irrelevant?

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Scouting well is all that matters.  Draft philosophy is all fluff.

The divisions are lopsided because Wisconsin would be the #4 team in the B1G if there were no divisions and yet are playing in the CCG because the West is weak.

 

Wisconsin's two losses were against top 5 teams, which is why they stayed in the top 10 despite losing twice. I would argue the Badgers are #3 in that scenario because their losses were "better" than Penn State's losses.

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Doesn't that make non conference games irrelevant?

 

Not the non-conference rivalry games!

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