The Big Ten just played themselves out of the CFP. Even if Ohio State beats Northwestern I think they'll fall short.

(11-24-2018 04:35 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  The Big Ten just played themselves out of the CFP. Even if Ohio State beats Northwestern I think they'll fall short.

The SEC winner is in but I don't think the loser has a chance if three of Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Notre Dame win their last games. Clemson is safe as long as they keep winning and that is likely as South Carolina is average as usual and then they have another average team in Pittsburgh. I like Ohio State's chances assuming they beat Northwestern.

WEEK 13

Let's get the two 800 lb. gorillas out of the way first.

MI v tOSU - Everyone (including myself) have been giving the Buckeyes crap about their recent play. Well, this was a complete ass kicking by tOSU. If they can dominate the championship game and OU falters or disappoints, they might have gained the last spot thanks to this performance. Michigan? What the hell happened?

MN v WI - This went beyond disappointment, the Badgers should be EMBARRASSED by this game. They got stomped by a below average Minnesota team at home on senior day. This is the type of thing that costs people their job. Maybe not Chryst, but the OC needs to have a long sit down. Hopefully this freshman QB coming in can help because up to now, the QB has been occupied by a piece of wood.

IU v Purdue - Will this be the game that gets Brohm the job or keeps him at Purdue? Decent effort by Purdue, this IU team remains a head scratcher.

IL v NW - Typical Cats game, do enough to win, nothing fancy or dominate, just win. At least the Illini didn't get humiliated like the did against Iowa.

Iowa v Nebraska - Fun game, close game. I think Nebraska is in the B1G West picture next year. Frost proves it shouldn't take 5 years to rebuild a team. Iowa is another head scratcher, offense looks anemic against NW then runs up 63 on Illinois. Who knows.

PSU v Maryland - I expected more from the Terps. Could have been bowl eligible with a win, even a decent showing would have left something positive going into next year. PSU locked themselves into a decent bowl game. Still waiting to see about those Franklin to USC rumors.

Rutgers v MI St. - Rutgers played hard and tough but just couldn't finish. If Ash keeps his job it will be because his team never quit on him despite it all. Sparty? My God. Join the Iowa, Purdue, Indiana club. Who knows what teams shows up week to week.

(11-25-2018 10:41 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  WEEK 13

Let's get the two 800 lb. gorillas out of the way first.

MI v tOSU - Everyone (including myself) have been giving the Buckeyes crap about their recent play. Well, this was a complete ass kicking by tOSU. If they can dominate the championship game and OU falters or disappoints, they might have gained the last spot thanks to this performance. Michigan? What the hell happened?

MN v WI - This went beyond disappointment, the Badgers should be EMBARRASSED by this game. They got stomped by a below average Minnesota team at home on senior day. This is the type of thing that costs people their job. Maybe not Chryst, but the OC needs to have a long sit down. Hopefully this freshman QB coming in can help because up to now, the QB has been occupied by a piece of wood.

IU v Purdue - Will this be the game that gets Brohm the job or keeps him at Purdue? Decent effort by Purdue, this IU team remains a head scratcher.

IL v NW - Typical Cats game, do enough to win, nothing fancy or dominate, just win. At least the Illini didn't get humiliated like the did against Iowa.

Iowa v Nebraska - Fun game, close game. I think Nebraska is in the B1G West picture next year. Frost proves it shouldn't take 5 years to rebuild a team. Iowa is another head scratcher, offense looks anemic against NW then runs up 63 on Illinois. Who knows.

PSU v Maryland - I expected more from the Terps. Could have been bowl eligible with a win, even a decent showing would have left something positive going into next year. PSU locked themselves into a decent bowl game. Still waiting to see about those Franklin to USC rumors.

Rutgers v MI St. - Rutgers played hard and tough but just couldn't finish. If Ash keeps his job it will be because his team never quit on him despite it all. Sparty? My God. Join the Iowa, Purdue, Indiana club. Who knows what teams shows up week to week.

If Michigan is that bad, then just how good is undefeated N.D.? They've played nobody that panned out. Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest (and for that matter their other 4 ACC games), Navy, Stanford and USC all proved to be very average to poor. Sure Michigan and Syracuse were ranked highly when played, but where are they now? I'd say that they are highly suspect heading into the CFP. I'm kind of hoping they have to play Clemson in the first round because I think Tigers will be out to prove a point.

As to whether the other school in is Oklahoma or Ohio State I do think the Buckeyes are slightly more complete as a team. I expect Alabama to beat Georgia so I don't think the Dawgs will be a factor this year.

(11-26-2018 12:25 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-25-2018 10:41 AM)BadgerMJ Wrote:  WEEK 13

Let's get the two 800 lb. gorillas out of the way first.

MI v tOSU - Everyone (including myself) have been giving the Buckeyes crap about their recent play. Well, this was a complete ass kicking by tOSU. If they can dominate the championship game and OU falters or disappoints, they might have gained the last spot thanks to this performance. Michigan? What the hell happened?

MN v WI - This went beyond disappointment, the Badgers should be EMBARRASSED by this game. They got stomped by a below average Minnesota team at home on senior day. This is the type of thing that costs people their job. Maybe not Chryst, but the OC needs to have a long sit down. Hopefully this freshman QB coming in can help because up to now, the QB has been occupied by a piece of wood.

IU v Purdue - Will this be the game that gets Brohm the job or keeps him at Purdue? Decent effort by Purdue, this IU team remains a head scratcher.

IL v NW - Typical Cats game, do enough to win, nothing fancy or dominate, just win. At least the Illini didn't get humiliated like the did against Iowa.

Iowa v Nebraska - Fun game, close game. I think Nebraska is in the B1G West picture next year. Frost proves it shouldn't take 5 years to rebuild a team. Iowa is another head scratcher, offense looks anemic against NW then runs up 63 on Illinois. Who knows.

PSU v Maryland - I expected more from the Terps. Could have been bowl eligible with a win, even a decent showing would have left something positive going into next year. PSU locked themselves into a decent bowl game. Still waiting to see about those Franklin to USC rumors.

Rutgers v MI St. - Rutgers played hard and tough but just couldn't finish. If Ash keeps his job it will be because his team never quit on him despite it all. Sparty? My God. Join the Iowa, Purdue, Indiana club. Who knows what teams shows up week to week.

If Michigan is that bad, then just how good is undefeated N.D.? They've played nobody that panned out. Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest (and for that matter their other 4 ACC games), Navy, Stanford and USC all proved to be very average to poor. Sure Michigan and Syracuse were ranked highly when played, but where are they now? I'd say that they are highly suspect heading into the CFP. I'm kind of hoping they have to play Clemson in the first round because I think Tigers will be out to prove a point.

As to whether the other school in is Oklahoma or Ohio State I do think the Buckeyes are slightly more complete as a team. I expect Alabama to beat Georgia so I don't think the Dawgs will be a factor this year.

Lol, who cares about all of that? ND in the playoffs is playing with house money.

As an ND fan, I am just enjoying the hell out of another 12-0 regular season, a playoff berth as a football independent and the ire of people who dislike ND and dislike the idea of ND in the playoffs.

This playoff berth goes a long way to establishing ND as a top program, coming on the heels of three 10 or more win seasons in four years and a 22-3 record the past two seasons.

This season will help ND football recruiting a lot, so there is that benefit.

It also strengthens ND's status as a football independent, since many claimed ND would never make it to the playoffs unless it joined a conference.

So...it is all good in ND Land even if Clemson beats ND handily in the playoffs.

1. (2) Ohio State: Where was this team all year?
2. (1) Michigan: That game will sting Michigan fans for a number of years. Injuries hurt a lot, but this Ohio State team shouldn't have been good enough to score that many points vs. their defense.

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3. (3) Northwestern: 8-1 in Big Ten play. Underdogs this week, but that is nothing new for them.
4. (4) Penn State: Their ranking this week will be difference of whether in a New Years 6 Bowl or not. With PAC-12 champ likely being outside top 12, they will need to be at 11 for NY6 bowl. If not, likely going to Citrus Bowl. Not a bad performance in what feels like it was a rebuilding year for the Loins.

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5. (8) Iowa: Have kept them lower most of the season because of their loses to teams just above, but this team has beat teams it should and lost in close games to teams it lost too. Flip a thing or two and Iowa would be going to Indianapolis.
6. (5) Michigan State: Where do you rank this team? They seemed to lose almost all ability to score the last few weeks and were close to losing to Rutgers last week. They still have a win vs. Penn State though and have been in every game save the Michigan one.
7. (11) Minnesota: For the first time in 15 years, they have the greatest trophy in college sports.
8. (6) Wisconsin: Still finished with wins at Iowa and at Purdue, but a big disappointment for a season.
9. (7)Purdue: In a back and forth season, they took the Old Oak and Bucket and are going bowling. Can't believe I actually have them 2 spots lower this week, but more a matter of everyone being close and leaning on others more now.
10. (9) Nebraska: Would bet Nebraska over most the teams above in a rematch, but lost enough of the games I don't like moving up. If had beat Iowa this week, would have jumped several places. Future is bright though.
11. (12) Indiana: Not going to a bowl. Giving them a slight edge over Maryland because of head to head win.
12. (10) Maryland: Team showed lots of potential with a win over Texas and being so close vs. Ohio State. Program will be fine.
13. (13) Illinois: One of the most underachieving programs over last decade. Some signs of life this year. Hopefully build on it.
14. (14) Rutgers: I maintain what I have been saying. This is an improved program over what it was, but schedule worked out very bad for them (toughest games started just when they were starting to figure things out a little).

(11-24-2018 04:35 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  The Big Ten just played themselves out of the CFP. Even if Ohio State beats Northwestern I think they'll fall short.

There is one scenario in which the Big Ten is shut out again: if Georgia and Clemson both win their conference championships, those two would get in along with undefeated Notre Dame and one-loss Alabama (just because the Tide have been #1 all season and I don't think a loss to Georgia would drop them much). In that one case I think your playoff teams are Clemson, Notre Dame, Georgia, Alabama in some order (they'll make sure the Tigers are in Miami but beyond that I'm not sure what they would do with the other 3).

Ohio State destroyed Michigan, who Notre Dame beat by 7 prior to Michigan's strong run. If Ohio State also destroys Northwestern (Notre Dame beat by 10), I don't think it is a done deal that ND is in. Notre Dame had a soft schedule this season as the ACC was down as a whole along with the PAC 12 schools ND plays.

(11-27-2018 09:56 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  Ohio State destroyed Michigan, who Notre Dame beat by 7 prior to Michigan's strong run. If Ohio State also destroys Northwestern (Notre Dame beat by 10), I don't think it is a done deal that ND is in. Notre Dame had a soft schedule this season as the ACC was down as a whole along with the PAC 12 schools ND plays.

#PLAUSIBLE.

(11-27-2018 09:56 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  Ohio State destroyed Michigan, who Notre Dame beat by 7 prior to Michigan's strong run. If Ohio State also destroys Northwestern (Notre Dame beat by 10), I don't think it is a done deal that ND is in. Notre Dame had a soft schedule this season as the ACC was down as a whole along with the PAC 12 schools ND plays.

I think Ohio States SOS is ~86 and Notre Dame is at ~42 right now. It will be interesting where Ohio State is after the Northwestern game. Wins and loses count the most but we shall see what the over all picture looks like once the season is complete. The Purdue margin of loss is obviously the big talking point with the committee.

Also, I believe Clemson should be #1 ahead of Alabama. People say it doesn't matter as long as they are in? Hell yes it matters, being the #1 seed matters a lot! Clemson has a tougher SOS compared to Alabama and that should count up to this point. Yes Alabama has blown everybody out, I really don't care about that!

(11-27-2018 09:56 PM)GE and MTS Wrote:  Ohio State destroyed Michigan, who Notre Dame beat by 7 prior to Michigan's strong run. If Ohio State also destroys Northwestern (Notre Dame beat by 10), I don't think it is a done deal that ND is in. Notre Dame had a soft schedule this season as the ACC was down as a whole along with the PAC 12 schools ND plays.

ND is in regardless.

They play a national schedule and went undefeated. While the ACC was down this year, it's hard to blame the Irish for FSU, Va Tech, and USC being garbage. Last year that schedule would have seemed brutal.

Realistically, The only way tOSU gets in is if OU loses while Bama and Clemson win.

If that isn't the case, I' can't wait to hear the committee's "thinking"...

So the Rose Bowl matchup is set, right?

the playoff committee is going to have a tough decision to make.

(12-01-2018 11:57 PM)Transic_nyc Wrote:  So the Rose Bowl matchup is set, right?

It has to be Ohio State vs Washington. OSU isn't getting in the CFP.

After championship week and with further reflection.

1. (1) Ohio State: Mixed year, but missed in talk of this team underachieving is how it overachieved. This was a team that was without it's head coach for practices leading into the season and 1st three weeks in the games, that was back and forth was TCU most the game, that had like a 1-2% chance of beating Penn State at one point in the 4th quarter, that got blown out vs. Purdue, that relied on punting vs. Michigan State, and that needed a good comeback vs. Maryland (and still could have lost on a 2 point conversion). That they are Big Ten champs and heading to the Rose Bowl despite all of that should be celebrated more than missing the playoff should be lamented.
2. (2) Michigan: Last time they played Florida was Lloyd Carr's last game if I remember right and they beat them in the Citrus. Think Florida overachieved a bit this year and if Michigan plays to it's potential wins here.

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3. (4) Penn State: Missed the New Years 6 by one spot, but will probably get as many viewers in the Citrus Bowl vs. a surprising Kentucky as the Fiesta will get at the same time.
4. (3) Northwestern: Big jump down from the Rose Bowl to the Holiday Bowl, but Utah a good match-up. They will have their hands full and hope they can manage one out of conference win this year.
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5. (5) Iowa: Outback Bowl vs. Mississippi State coming up. Think both teams a bit underrated. Iowa is the underdog, but can win this.
6. (6) Michigan State: In what I am going to refer to as the Emerald Bowl, Spartans playing Oregon. If they can find an offense with the time off, I like their chances. If not, they are in trouble.
7. (7) Minnesota: They are playing Georgia Tech in Detroit. They finished strong, but playing Paul Johnson in his last game not ideal.
8. (8) Wisconsin: Playing Miami (FL) in New York in a bowl of teams with disappointing seasons relative to expectations. Wisconsin is the underdog here, but outdoor in Yankee Stadium at December has to benefit them.
9. (9)Purdue: Kept their coach and are only a 4 and half point underdog to Auburn in the Music City Bowl. In a season with ups and downs though, winning here would definitely set a right tone going forward.
10. (10) Nebraska:
11. (12) Maryland: On more reflection, switched them with Indiana despite head to head. Better overall season.
12. (11) Indiana:
13. (13) Illinois:
14. (14) Rutgers:

Minnesota- Ibrahim is a stud and runs extremely angry.
Defense defended the option very well.
How the HELL was Georgia Tech a 6 point favorite in this game?

Wisconsin- I honestly believe Wisconsin could have informed Miami that they would not pass the ball one time and still won this game.

Defense looked great today.

(12-27-2018 07:58 PM)cubucks Wrote:  Wisconsin- I honestly believe Wisconsin could have informed Miami that they would not pass the ball one time and still won this game.

Defense looked great today.

Meant to say and still EASILY won this game.

Minnesota overpowered the undersized Georgia Tech team. Easy win for the Gophers.

Wisconsin was just too big and strong for Miami - a bad match-up for the Canes.

Purdue... eh, stuff happens, it was still a good season.

Michigan... WHAT HAPPENED, WOLVERINES? Is Harbaugh done?

Funny observation: That late Michigan safety was actually a big deal: it made today's 41-15 #PeachBowl loss 1 point less embarrassing than rival Ohio State's loss to Florida in the 2007 BCS Championship. https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/107...2588633088

Purdue lost as expected. I feel bad that just as they were turning a corner this year, the team was sabotaged with constant rumors of their coach leaving. I expect them to compete for a division championship next year. The West should be much more competitive next year with Purdue and Nebraska improving (maybe Illinois too).

Michigan just sucks and let down the conference.