CFP Thread

[Gigem]

Man, I got to say I’m really enjoying the CFP. Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia are OUT. Indiana(!), Ole Miss are IN!  And Oregon and Miami. Really looking forward to the next round. 

This is fun. 

[medinabuckeye1]

Weird history and a conundrum for @OrangeAfroMan :

For almost 30 years Florida has been the most recent team to win their first AP National Championship (1996). Of the four teams left in the CFP only Miami has prior AP NCs. So . . .

[utee94]

I don't think that, will have him rooting for Miami.

I don't know many people outside of their seventeen fans, that will be rooting for Miami.

As far as I'm concerned... Geaux Hoosiers!

[Gigem]

Yeah, I can get behind the Hoosiers or Ole Miss. I know OM claims a MNC from way back, or maybe a share of the SEC championship.  Either way I was very impressed by OM and IU. 

[MrNubbz]

Man, I got to say I’m really enjoying the CFP. Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia are OUT. Indiana(!), Ole Miss are IN!  And Oregon and Miami. Really looking forward to the next round.

This is fun.

Winner,winner,chicken dinner. For all of the sizzle & bombast ripping playoff expansion(in here),allowing the unfortunates in and NIL,portal,paying players. This was the push back,they may set record viewing if it's not for the fact BSPN is holding the CFPs for ransom.

[bayareabadger]

I don't think that, will have him rooting for Miami.

I don't know many people outside of their seventeen fans, that will be rooting for Miami.

As far as I'm concerned... Geaux Hoosiers!

We have always said that Indiana football is America’s team.

[Honestbuckeye]

of interest is the fact that all four teams in the semi’s have transfer portal quarterbacks who are both experienced and mobile.   

[FearlessF]

so, it's a Blessing that Raiola is leaving

[medinabuckeye1]

Yeah, I can get behind the Hoosiers or Ole Miss. I know OM claims a MNC from way back, or maybe a share of the SEC championship.  Either way I was very impressed by OM and IU.

They claim three all from the late 50s/early 60s but never finished #1 in the AP. Part of that is because the final AP Poll back then was pre-bowl and in at least one of those years they almost certainly would have been #1 in a hypothetical post-bowl AP Poll.

[Wildcat4E]

So,

The 12-team playoffs have demonstrated that the previous only 4 in playoff may not have crowned the best team champion, eh?

7 of the 8 teams with a bye have lost their games.

Or, might it mean that a month-long layoff leads to poor performance, as the teams with the byes have been smoked in the 1st quarters of their games.

I guess those with time might feel like arguing.  That's probably what they want us to do.  

There was exactly one entertaining game in the quarterfinals.  That's not good.  Unless you count Alabama getting housed (like they did in their CCG) as "entertaining."

[jgvol]

So,

The 12-team playoffs have demonstrated that the previous only 4 in playoff may not have crowned the best team champion, eh?

7 of the 8 teams with a bye have lost their games.

Or, might it mean that a month-long layoff leads to poor performance, as the teams with the byes have been smoked in the 1st quarters of their games.

I guess those with time might feel like arguing.  That's probably what they want us to do. 

There was exactly one entertaining game in the quarterfinals.  That's not good.  Unless you count Alabama getting housed (like they did in their CCG) as "entertaining."

Which of OM/UGA, and Miami/OSU were not entertaining to you?

[Gigem]

So,

The 12-team playoffs have demonstrated that the previous only 4 in playoff may not have crowned the best team champion, eh?

7 of the 8 teams with a bye have lost their games.

Or, might it mean that a month-long layoff leads to poor performance, as the teams with the byes have been smoked in the 1st quarters of their games.

I guess those with time might feel like arguing.  That's probably what they want us to do. 

There was exactly one entertaining game in the quarterfinals.  That's not good.  Unless you count Alabama getting housed (like they did in their CCG) as "entertaining."

I for one thoroughly enjoyed the whipping Indiana put on Alabama. 

[medinabuckeye1]

Which of OM/UGA, and Miami/OSU were not entertaining to you?

I assumed he meant Miami/OSU and I was going to argue the point.  

If I'd have been watching the Cotton Bowl as a neutral fan, I might have switched it off at halftime and if you only watched the first half then checked the final score it would have seemed reasonable to assume that Miami flat dominated the game and Ohio State simply scored a few garbage time TD's but that obviously isn't what happened.  

The game was an abject disaster for Ohio State for their first five possessions.  Those were:

• -7 yard 3-and-out.  
• 16 yard 4-and-out.  
• 3 plays for 53 yards (59 on one pass) Pick-6.  
• 5 plays for 24 yards.  
• 1 yard 3-and-out.  

That totals to 87 yards on 18 plays <5 YPP for four punts and a Pick-6.  Meanwhile Miami had:

• 3 yard 3-and-out.  
• 8 plays for 42 yards then a fumble.  
• 13 plays for 83 yards for a TD.  
• 5 plays for 20 yards.  

That totals to 148 yards on 29 plays (5.1 YPP) for a TD, two punts, a fumble, and a defensive TD.  

From there through Ohio State's second TD drive, Ohio State did very well:

• 12 plays, 67 yards, missed FG.  
• 11 plays, 82 yards, TD.  
• 10 plays, 75 yards, TD.  

That totals to 224 yards on 33 plays (6.8 YPP) for two TD's and a missed FG.  Meanwhile Miami had:

• 8 plays for 18 yards, punt.  
• 1 play, end of half.  
• 9 plays, 43 yards, FG.  

That totals to 61 yards on 17 plays (3.6 YPP excluding taking a knee at the half).  

I was impressed with Ohio State's halftime adjustments.  After watching that catastrophe of a first half I was happy to see the Buckeyes run three consecutive long drives with the only downside being the lack of points on the first one.  

If I'd have watched the Cotton Bowl as a neutral fan, I'd have been entertained.  

[OrangeAfroMan]

These 'new' teams on the scene and teams seeded below 4th winning a NC are just a continuation from 2014 OSU, right?

I don't think it says much about anything recent, but more about how there was nothing actually special about historical national champions.
Sure, '71 Nebraska beat 2,3, and 4, but maybe that 11-0 Michigan team might have given them fits.

Dorsett ran wild in '76 for Pitt, but it's possible USC would have held him in check.

And maybe Miami still upsets Nebraska in '83, but if Auburn or Texas was waiting in the next round, how could they possibly have brought another epic performance?!?