I think September examples are cute.
Indiana vs Cincinnati? Where did that come from? You're taking this best this vs this worst that. Would IU have made the playoff last year?
I think we need to focus on "can" vs "will". Sure, Cincinnati "can" win a fictional 12-team playoff game. But "will" it? What did the bracket look like for 2020?
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8 Cincinnati vs 9 Georgia.............winner gets 1 Bama
5 Notre Dame vs 12 Coastal Carolina........winner gets 4 Oklahoma
6 Texas A&M vs 11 Indiana................winner gets 3 Ohio St
7 Florida vs 10 Iowa St..................winner gets 2 Clemson
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The only way a G5 is going to win a game here is if they're ranked 5th or 6th. Cincy's been kind when mentioning how Cinci gave UGA a good game in real life, but UGA had 5 players opt out. A peak Cinci team lost to a 2-loss Georgia.
What would the score have been with a full roster for the Dawgs and the NC still up for grabs? I know, I know, it wouldn't make any difference.
Let's say Cincinnati wins. Alabama gets a perceived layup in the quarterfinals. Right or wrong, OU would be sitting there pissed and/or jealous of that situation. I wonder why?