Vote - WHAT IF - 1998 College Playoff

[Cincydawg]

Thinking back, I do almost like the old preBCS system better.

[OrangeAfroMan]

I like the old way + 1, when needed.  After the dust of the bowls has cleared, if there are still 2 P5 undefeateds, they play.  For whatever reason, a potential game not set in stone has never seemed realistic, and I don't know why that is.  A game that may be played or may not need to be played...you secure the venue, and if you don't need it, you pay some buyout or something.  They keep the deposit.  Who cares?

[OrangeAfroMan]

#2 Penn State

Won @ #2 Alabama by 20.  Did not allow any opponent to score 20 points all season.  Unremarkable passing game, but really differientiated itself both running the ball and stopping the run.  Opponents only ran for 70 yards per game.  PSU ran for an average of 241, led by DJ Dozier.  Defense also intercepted 20 passes.

well, they were a #2 seed.  Great defense

I wanted to vote for the Sooners but their reg season loss to the Canes nixed that

and, it is a Big Ten board

445 total yards to 162.
22 first downs to 8.  
What are the odds Miami would have 7 turnovers again?  

[FearlessF]

about the same as the odds of going 22 to 8 on first downs

not good

[OrangeAfroMan]

Turnovers are more fluky than talent/dominance.  You're telling me a team outgained by 300 yards and won is LIKELY to win a rematch?  

[FearlessF]

nope, just saying it is not likely to end 22 to 8 in first downs

[OrangeAfroMan]

Could be 25 to 5, you’re right.

[FearlessF]

you'll learn that I'm mostly right

[OrangeAfroMan]

Isn't everyone?  Just ask them.

[FearlessF]

you are correct, sir

[Cincydawg]

Turnovers, to me, are the key element in most upsets.  I recall Bama lost to Ole Miss a few years back but had 5 TOs to none.  And I view them as mostly random.  A team built on turnovers to achieve a gaudy record might find that well going dry later in the year.

[Anonymous Coward]

That OSU loss to MSU was a historic upset. Until then, it was loudly wondered whether '98 was the best OSU team ever. I think it's entirely fair to say they were better than the other 3, with MSU making them out of luck in a BCS world but irrelevant in a CoFoPO.

[Cincydawg]

https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/ohio-state/2018/11/09/college-football-michigan-state-spartans-ohio-state-buckeyes-1998/stories/20181109006

Michigan State punted near its own goal line as the clock approached the eight-minute mark of the third quarter. Ohio State, leading 24-9, was going to have a short field to stretch its advantage to three possessions.


With that lead that late and about to receive a punt, you would have thought the game was over.

[FearlessF]

should have been if it was a great team