Official 2021 College Football thread

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by lungs

Pretty much. Normally I'd be pretty upset about Wisconsin losing to Minnesota but it saved us the mercy of a possible repeat of the 59-0 debacle in 2014 Championship game.

Even the defenses in the West probably look better than they are because they have the advantage of playing against the West's offenses. Wisconsin's defense gave up 38 and 41 points to the two actual good teams they played this year. Iowa gave up 42 points to the one good team they played.

It's a sad state of affairs in the division, my friend!

edit: I probably didn't account for Graham Mertz pick 6s in my points calculations.

I'd give you a thumbs up if we had them.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

That's fine if every conference champion is in. They're not, we have a smaller playoff than allows that. Conference title games could be a play-in round under such a system, but we don't have enough spots which means we have to judge teams by other criteria.

And they should narrow down the judgment criteria by did you win your Conference Championship first. One or two Conference Champs may be left out, but if you lost your Conference you should be out right then and there. Unfortunately we'll have to make amends for Independents but they really need to be encouraged (ie, pushed) to join a Conference.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Well, that sucked. If UM isnt #1 its rigged

You know it's rigged. They are going to do: 1 Alabama, 2 Michigan, 3 Georgia, 4 Cincinnati - so they don't get a rematch of a blowout in the first round.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Declining football IQs, declining coaching quality, declining coaching discipline.

It's a coaching decision.

Theory is that letting the ball bounce is unpredictable and a turnover risk, especially since many of those kicks are short and have a lot of blockers in the vicinity. That the potential of another 15 yards is not worth the risk of turning the ball over deep in your zone.

Now I'm not sure if someone has actually run the numbers on this stuff or it's just the trendy coaching move of the moment, but coaches are telling players to line up at the end zone and catch anything in front. Back in the day when I played it was anything from the 10 yard line up is fair game and everything else should be left to drop.

[Ksyrup]

I assume its Covid related but are USC and Cal playing the first bowl game of the year, the WTF Cares Bowl sponsored by last week?

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I assume its Covid related but are USC and Cal playing the first bowl game of the year, the WTF Cares Bowl sponsored by last week?

How the hell does Jimmy Kimmel sponsor a bowl?

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by tarcone

How the hell does Jimmy Kimmel sponsor a bowl?

That show must have a far larger marketing budget that I thought.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

It's hard for anybody to have a really impressive resume when there simply aren't very many (if any) great teams left, and precious few even very good ones.

I think this is the best reason for an expanded playoff as long as teams are terrified to schedule real competition, conferences have diluted themselves with expansion, and there is such a massive dropoff from the top couple teams.

Georgia seems real good but they really haven't beaten anyone this year. Best win is against Clemson, a team that wasn't good enough to make it to the ACC title game. And when they did play a top team, they were thoroughly exposed by an Alabama squad that has looked about as vulnerable as they have in recent memory.

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I assume its Covid related but are USC and Cal playing the first bowl game of the year, the WTF Cares Bowl sponsored by last week?

It's a COVID game from last month, rescheduled since both looked like they wouldn't be bowl-eligible and certainly not in the Pac-12 championship.

[RainMaker]

Thinking outside the box, but if we're going the megaconference route, wouldn't it be better to do some promotion/relegation?

For instance, the SEC will have 16 teams in it soon. Maybe more. Why not the top 8 teams play in the high division and the bottom 8 the lower division of the SEC? Two teams move up, two teams move down each year.

It's not a great plan but it would at least get us the top teams playing each other every year. Alabama shouldn't need to play Vanderbilt every year.

Either that or go with what I prefer, smaller conferences where you play each team in it once. That way you truly earn your conference title.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I think this is the best reason for an expanded playoff

What, so more mediocre teams get an extra payday?

This year might well be the most fuzzy of any of the playoff era and I still don't have problem identifying a top three, and wouldn't need much to determine a top two.

Which seems quite reasonable to me since that's pretty much exactly what the selection committee is tasked with doing and all that differs is the number asked for. For me, more than two really seems like overkill most of the time.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Thinking outside the box, but if we're going the megaconference route, wouldn't it be better to do some promotion/relegation?

For instance, the SEC will have 16 teams in it soon. Maybe more. Why not the top 8 teams play in the high division and the bottom 8 the lower division of the SEC? Two teams move up, two teams move down each year.

It's not a great plan but it would at least get us the top teams playing each other every year. Alabama shouldn't need to play Vanderbilt every year.

Either that or go with what I prefer, smaller conferences where you play each team in it once. That way you truly earn your conference title.

Because no P5 team will ever agree to it. Especially with how the TV money will be tied to it. I think with 16 teams you can get two smaller conferences - the 8 teams can play against each other and then pad the schedule with OOC or the other side of the conference, but only the mini-conference record counts to get to the title game.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Thinking outside the box, but if we're going the megaconference route, wouldn't it be better to do some promotion/relegation?

For instance, the SEC will have 16 teams in it soon. Maybe more. Why not the top 8 teams play in the high division and the bottom 8 the lower division of the SEC? Two teams move up, two teams move down each year.

It's not a great plan but it would at least get us the top teams playing each other every year. Alabama shouldn't need to play Vanderbilt every year.

Either that or go with what I prefer, smaller conferences where you play each team in it once. That way you truly earn your conference title.

TV Money, Conference payouts, and athletic budgets pretty much make that impossible.

If you took those things out of play having a playoff still kills the idea. It would have been more likely (but still never happening) under the old bowl system.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I assume its Covid related but are USC and Cal playing the first bowl game of the year, the WTF Cares Bowl sponsored by last week?

from Googling

The Trojans and Golden Bears were originally supposed to play against one another on Nov. 13. However, due to a wave of positive COVID-19 tests from Cal players, the two sides decided to postpone the game for later in the season.

According to a release from Cal, the Golden Bears and Trojans agreed to reschedule the game for Dec. 4, and the conference approved the rescheduled game.

ESPN reported there is precedent for the conference rescheduling a game the way it did with this game. Back in 2018, Cal's game against Stanford was postponed from Nov. 17 to Dec. 1 due to poor air quality in Berkeley due to the Camp Fire.

[Solecismic]

The down-side of an expanded playoff is the potential for a 17-game season.

I'd still like to see it - and with the NCAA finally admitting these kids are essentially professionals, why not?

If conference championships are still part of the scene, maybe an 11-team playoff, with the power-five conference champions receiving byes. It would be good for the top players, too - some more film on them against great competition, maybe additional NIL opportunities.

I think the committee will avoid the rematch in the semifinal. I can't say Michigan deserves to be ranked ahead of Alabama. It's hard to assess schedule strength with 100% accuracy - certainly Michigan has some nice recent wins (their schedule was so back-heavy that when they were 6-0, no one had much of an idea whether they were even good, since Wisconsin was weaker early on), but Alabama won the toughest conference and beat the consensus #1 convincingly.

So, it's probably Michigan/Georgia and Alabama/Cincinnati. Is there any advantage to the 2 versus 3 ranking? I wouldn't be surprised if Georgia were #2.

I wondered if Harbaugh was pressing for more points in the fourth quarter because of ranking. That would be a shame. I know the fans and the players enjoyed it, but what if someone got hurt in the last five minutes?

[miami_fan]

Just heard a thought.

OK State and Iowa play but only using CFB overtime rules.

Who wins?

[SirFozzie]

Plus with younger players, you will get more randomness, just because they don't have as many repetitions.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Just heard a thought.

OK State and Iowa play but only using CFB overtime rules.

Who wins?

Reminds me of the Isner thread

Wimbledon - John Isner is done, after 3 days, results inside [spoilers] - Front Office Football Central

Whoever has the better FG kicker. I think Iowa does even though he missed tonight.

[tzach]

Originally Posted by tzach

while it should be possible to devise a completely objective playoff seeding classifier (heck a simple random forest would do the job) ...

Originally Posted by Solecismic

...So, it's probably Michigan/Georgia and Alabama/Cincinnati. Is there any advantage to the 2 versus 3 ranking? I wouldn't be surprised if Georgia were #2.

I couldn't resist to code a toy random forest model for a max 'tv ratings' playoff seeding (i.e. more weight to offensive points and likelihood of close games).

1. Michigan
2. Alabama
3. Cincinnati
4. Georgia


although i'm not sure i'd like to see michigan #1, it's a possibilty

[Edward64]

My guess is

1. Alabama
2. Michigan
3. Georgia
4. Cincinnati

No way does Georgia play Alabama again in the first round.

[Edward64]

Eagerly waiting for bowl selection sometime noon'ish today.

Citrus, Outback and Gator. From what I've read, Outback is most likely but who knows.

[sovereignstar v2]

I would love if the Gophers were given the opportunity to put a pasting on am SEC team.

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by sovereignstar v2

I would love if the Gophers were given the opportunity to put a pasting on am SEC team.

Whoa, smack talking this early already. We need to have a friendly wager if we are matched up.

[tarcone]

Iowa to the Citrus to play Kentucky is what I have been seeing, That would be fun as Mark Stoops is an Iowa guy.

[sovereignstar v2]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Whoa, smack talking this early already. We need to have a friendly wager if we are matched up.

I learn from the best.

[miami_fan]

What is the defender supposed to do in this case? He pulled up based on the QB going into the slide.

[GrantDawg]

Look like we are back to the beginning, with Venables looking close to a done deal again for OU.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

I wish I could put some money on Iowa. I think getting 11 points sounds good.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by tarcone

No doubt, I would jump all over this. Still cant figure out why Missouri hasnt passed the sports betting law.

Originally Posted by Lathum

Huge casinos in the desert have been built off comments like this one

gonna leave this right here

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by tarcone

Jeez, I laughed that announcer who said the score would be 24-3 Michigan

Just needed to flip those first two numbers

SI

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by lungs

Big Ten West to the MAC.

Kansas could fit nicely into to Big Ten West and would give some extra wins, just sayin'

SI

[tzach]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

What is the defender supposed to do in this case? He pulled up based on the QB going into the slide.

i don't see any problem -- to me this is similar to other trick plays such as a fake spike. defenses will be aware of that now, and the efficiency of this type of play will naturally go down.


however given the ways things are these days with player safety, it's possible we see a rule change and make the play dead at the point of the fake slide

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by Lathum

gonna leave this right here

That's why I don't bet sports.

[lungs]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Kansas could fit nicely into to Big Ten West and would give some extra wins, just sayin'

SI

I actually think Kansas would be a logical fit for the conference.

Lance Leipold is somewhat of a local legend and we would like to think if somebody can get KU to be respectable in football it will be him.

[larrymcg421]

Sounds like the Canes are getting Cristobal. I actually like Manny and feel bad for him, but it was clearly time for him to go.

[larrymcg421]

Originally Posted by tzach

i don't see any problem -- to me this is similar to other trick plays such as a fake spike. defenses will be aware of that now, and the efficiency of this type of play will naturally go down.


however given the ways things are these days with player safety, it's possible we see a rule change and make the play dead at the point of the fake slide

I think there's a difference between those kinds of trick plays and ones where you exploit a player safety rule.

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by tzach

i don't see any problem -- to me this is similar to other trick plays such as a fake spike. defenses will be aware of that now, and the efficiency of this type of play will naturally go down.


however given the ways things are these days with player safety, it's possible we see a rule change and make the play dead at the point of the fake slide

The play should be called dead and the flag thrown as soon as a player indicates he is sliding. Same rule exists for fair catch signals on punts. I'm surprised it wasn't added to the rule book when we started seeing that in the NFL (I forget which quarterback does it).

[Swaggs]

Interesting assistant news:

Carolina Panthers fired OC Joe Brady midway through his second season. Quick fall for he and Coach O., going from one of the best seasons ever to both out of work less than two years later.

Also seeing some reports that Gary Patterson is talking to Texas about joining their staff. That seems like it would be a great fit for both parties.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

The play should be called dead and the flag thrown as soon as a player indicates he is sliding. Same rule exists for fair catch signals on punts. I'm surprised it wasn't added to the rule book when we started seeing that in the NFL (I forget which quarterback does it).

I totally agree, but then I wonder about sideline plays. When the QB fakes going out of bounds, isn't he also faking a signal that he's giving himself up and using that to his advantage to make the defense let up and not touch him for fear of a penalty?

[Kodos]

That QB deserved to get lit up with no penalty called.

[bhlloy]

Yeah, that’s an absolute no brainer 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. All that’s doing is exploiting the player safety rules but given most of the player safety rules are just shorthand for wanting more offense, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them ignore it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Kodos

That QB deserved to get lit up with no penalty called.

Hey, whaddya know, we're in agreement again

[GrantDawg]

No announcement on Venables, but reports say he has already told the team. It also looks like Dabo is losing his OC to the Virginia HC job.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

No announcement on Venables, but reports say he has already told the team. It also looks like Dabo is losing his OC to the Virginia HC job.

Presumably the AD is still headed to Miami?

I wouldn't normally care necessarily but I'm hoping maybe lightning could strike twice and Clemson would be so kind as to relieve GT of Stansbury

[tarcone]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

That's why I don't bet sports.

That is why I dont gamble.

[Ksyrup]

Lol Miami. I mean, they'll like end up falling upwards in this situation, but this is ridiculous on multiple fronts.

Mario Cristobal has a deadline of midday Monday to accept the UM job, sources tell @SInow. If he declines, Manny Diaz will be retained, as @flasportsbuzz reported.

Final decision on AD - where Dan Radakovich is top candidate - will be made after the coach situation is resolved.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 5, 2021

[JPhillips]

Diaz is recruiting today. That has to be a rough experience.

[Ksyrup]

Not gonna happen, but it would be hilarious if Cristobal turns it down and then Diaz quits after the bowl game.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Not gonna happen, but it would be hilarious if Cristobal turns it down and then Diaz quits after the bowl game.

It wouldn’t be a bad thing if it meant the school would conduct an actual search as opposed to just listening to the folks from Columbus High School.

[Ksyrup]

And maybe giving your AD some input into the process.

[Ksyrup]

I suppose if Clemson's AD is the guy, he's probably said he can live with either Cristobal or Diaz, but still. The optics are cringy.