Holding at #4 in AP poll

[Jerry]

Indiana is lucky there was a bloodbath in the SEC or the Hoosiers may have found themselves on the outside looking in:

NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 college football poll, a tradition since 1936. Keep up to date and view the latest ranking updates each week.

apnews.com

 

[bison13]

Indiana is lucky there was a bloodbath in the SEC or the Hoosiers may have found themselves on the outside looking in:

NCAA College Football Rankings: AP Top 25 Football Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 college football poll, a tradition since 1936. Keep up to date and view the latest ranking updates each week.

apnews.com

Absolutely correct about Indiana. They might be the biggest benefactor of all of those losses.

 

[christoph]

Would they seriously stick us with playing Indiana? There would not be a desire to mix things up some?

 

[bison13]

Would they seriously stick us with playing Indiana? There would not be a desire to mix things up some?

I believe the playoff committee said they would try to avoid having conferences play each other in the first round, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen. I’m sure there will be plenty of calls from the SEC commissioner to make sure that their teams don’t come north.

 

[doctornick]

Would they seriously stick us with playing Indiana? There would not be a desire to mix things up some?

I seriously doubt it. I think committee will move teams up or down by 1 to avoid rematches and conference matchups in round 1 (like they do with NCAA hoops)

 

[tboyer]

Would they seriously stick us with playing Indiana? There would not be a desire to mix things up some?

Whoever gets Indiana is getting a favor -- a first round game that won't wear out your team. I'd take it and say thank you.

 

[Jerry]

Would they seriously stick us with playing Indiana? There would not be a desire to mix things up some?

CBS's resident expert Jerry Palm at CBS now projects us to be seeded #7 when the dust settles with a home match-up against Tennessee.

That might happen...or it might not. Still a lot of moving parts to the playoff equation and as we saw yesterday, things can change significantly in one day of football.

As things stand, Palm sees four Big-10 teams making the cut versus three from the SEC. I hope he's right.

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

CFP Rankings are not going to look that different imho. Alabama or 'Ole Miss could come in at 12.... but ASU may come in there in the CFP Rankings as well (setting up a situation where the ultimate B12 CCG winner becomes 5th highest ranked Conference Champion at #12).

 

[PSU Soupy]

CBS's resident expert Jerry Palm at CBS now projects us to be seeded #7 when the dust settles with a home match-up against Tennessee.

That might happen...or it might not. Still a lot of moving parts to the playoff equation and as we saw yesterday, things can change significantly in one day of football.

As things stand, Palm sees four Big-10 teams making the cut versus three from the SEC. I hope he's right.

I live in TN and do not like TN as a match up for us. Tennessee has very good defense, stout upfront and on offense they spread you very wide and try to run against fewer numbers in the box. If you do not respect the WRs then they throw to the outside. The two teams that have stopped TN consistently is GA and AL who play 7 in the box and then the DBS are spread out.....you need to make the tackle with your front 7 or they will gash you with the run. No trusting our LBs to fill the holes....we have been relying on a lot of tackles from the safeties and even corners. TN is not unbeatable, and they have started slow in many games, but they would be a handful for us.

 

[LandoComando]

I believe the playoff committee said they would try to avoid having conferences play each other in the first round, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen. I’m sure there will be plenty of calls from the SEC commissioner to make sure that their teams don’t come north.

That's not true...stop

 

[LandoComando]

I live in TN and do not like TN as a match up for us. Tennessee has very good defense, stout upfront and on offense they spread you very wide and try to run against fewer numbers in the box. If you do not respect the WRs then they throw to the outside. The two teams that have stopped TN consistently is GA and AL who play 7 in the box and then the DBS are spread out.....you need to make the tackle with your front 7 or they will gash you with the run. No trusting our LBs to fill the holes....we have been relying on a lot of tackles from the safeties and even corners. TN is not unbeatable, and they have started slow in many games, but they would be a handful for us.

See I disagree. I love the Tennessee matchup. Not as much as Indiana but way better than any other SEC team. We'd limit their offense. I'd be shocked if they put up 20.

 

[Jerry]

I live in TN and do not like TN as a match up for us. Tennessee has very good defense, stout upfront and on offense they spread you very wide and try to run against fewer numbers in the box. If you do not respect the WRs then they throw to the outside. The two teams that have stopped TN consistently is GA and AL who play 7 in the box and then the DBS are spread out.....you need to make the tackle with your front 7 or they will gash you with the run. No trusting our LBs to fill the holes....we have been relying on a lot of tackles from the safeties and even corners. TN is not unbeatable, and they have started slow in many games, but they would be a handful for us.

I pretty much agree. When I said I hope Palm is right, I was referring to his current projection of only three SEC teams making the cut.

 

[The Spin Meister]

I live in TN and do not like TN as a match up for us. Tennessee has very good defense, stout upfront and on offense they spread you very wide and try to run against fewer numbers in the box. If you do not respect the WRs then they throw to the outside. The two teams that have stopped TN consistently is GA and AL who play 7 in the box and then the DBS are spread out.....you need to make the tackle with your front 7 or they will gash you with the run. No trusting our LBs to fill the holes....we have been relying on a lot of tackles from the safeties and even corners. TN is not unbeatable, and they have started slow in many games, but they would be a handful for us.

Not only that but they are north enough to be cold/weather adjusted.

 

[LemonEars]

Whoever gets Indiana is getting a favor -- a first round game that won't wear out your team. I'd take it and say thank you.

I agree. I want to see wins in the playoff. Indiana would be a gift.

 

[LionDeNittany]

See I disagree. I love the Tennessee matchup. Not as much as Indiana but way better than any other SEC team. We'd limit their offense. I'd be shocked if they put up 20.

LOL

 

[rrdd2021]

Whoever gets Indiana is getting a favor -- a first round game that won't wear out your team. I'd take it and say thank you.

Yea, if you watched that Indy-OSU game yesterday, OSU controlled the LOS on both sides - especially the OSU DL against the Indiana OL which was sort of like men against boys. They were in the Indiana backfield on every play and the Indiana QB had to throw early - to avoid sacks - and was sacked 5 or 6 times.

I believe Indiana had under 100 yards of total offense before that last, long drive by Indiana late in the 4th quarter when OSU had a ton of backups in when it was 31-7. That was just a beatdown

 

[PSU Soupy]

See I disagree. I love the Tennessee matchup. Not as much as Indiana but way better than any other SEC team. We'd limit their offense. I'd be shocked if they put up 20.

TN is funny. They went 3 games in a row with a score in the first half. Some games they go up and down the field other games they get stuck.

 

[RickinDayton]

I live in TN and do not like TN as a match up for us. Tennessee has very good defense, stout upfront and on offense they spread you very wide and try to run against fewer numbers in the box. If you do not respect the WRs then they throw to the outside. The two teams that have stopped TN consistently is GA and AL who play 7 in the box and then the DBS are spread out.....you need to make the tackle with your front 7 or they will gash you with the run. No trusting our LBs to fill the holes....we have been relying on a lot of tackles from the safeties and even corners. TN is not unbeatable, and they have started slow in many games, but they would be a handful for us.

Agree. I saw them in person against Mississippi State @ Neyland. Their defense is stout and aggressive. On offense they like to pound Sampson (their RB). As you stated, they will spread you out so you have to tackle in space; if you fail there, they will dominate you with play action passing once they are able to run. Lots of speed at WR.

 

[RickinDayton]

TN is funny. They went 3 games in a row with a score in the first half. Some games they go up and down the field other games they get stuck.

When I saw them in person they started slow in first half and then dominated. Their QB, Nico I. is hot/cold player throwing but has good escapability and speed. KEY: Must control TNs run game to defeat them.

 

[PSUSignore]

Yea, if you watched that Indy-OSU game yesterday, OSU controlled the LOS on both sides - especially the OSU DL against the Indiana OL which was sort of like men against boys. They were in the Indiana backfield on every play and the Indiana QB had to throw early - to avoid sacks - and was sacked 5 or 6 times.

I believe Indiana had under 100 yards of total offense before that last, long drive by Indiana late in the 4th quarter when OSU had a ton of backups in when it was 31-7. That was just a beatdown

Indiana went 70 yards on their first drive. With about 6 minutes to go in the 3rd they had 68 total yards. They actually lost yards over a 2 quarter span while the game was still in doubt.

 

[rrdd2021]

Indiana went 70 yards on their first drive. With about 6 minutes to go in the 3rd they had 68 total yards. They actually lost yards over a 2 quarter span while the game was still in doubt.

Yea, it was bad, real bad. It seemed like the OSU DL was pushing the Indiana OL back into their own backfield on almost every play. That Indiana QB didn't have a chance.

I guess that cocky Indiana HC Cigneti kind of misspoke when he said OSU sucks early in the year, huh? That was just a total beatdown

 

[84Lion]

Penn State is not what I would consider a "dominating" team. They are very, very good. Given that the season is almost complete, I checked the stats, which should be a decent barometer at this point:

https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/stat...tedTable=0&leagueStructure=ncaaf.struct.div.1

On offense, Penn State is quite a ways down in PPG. They're below Pitt and Georgia, and comparable to TAMU and North Carolina, and a bit better than Navy. On defense, Penn State is very good in points allowed - at #7 in the nation, just above Oregon and below tOSU (#1), Texas, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. PSU is 5th in the nation in total yards allowed per game.

As much as people seem to crab about specific defensive players screwing up and whatnot, the unit as a whole seems to be getting the job done. The offense isn't bad either, they score enough (except against tOSU, but again, remember that tOSU is #1 nationally, defensively) to get the job done.

On paper, I think Penn State can go toe to toe against anyone. There are certain teams that are going to cause problems (I think it's more of a positional mismatch issue, e.g. - lack of WR corps on Penn State's part). This team also seems to be able to put themselves in a position to win (see USC and Minnesota, not so much tOSU although you could argue they were mere inches away from tying the game). Staying healthy is a big deal.

All that said, Penn State's journey through the playoffs is going to be like going through a minefield. We all need to be ready for a rough ride!

 

[GregInPitt]

Saw a prediction that PSU ends up as 8th seed vs 9th seed IU. I don't see how PSU falls from 6th. The teams that lose their conference championship game will have multiple losses so why would they jump PSU?

 

[knickslions]

Saw a prediction that PSU ends up as 8th seed vs 9th seed IU. I don't see how PSU falls from 6th. The teams that lose their conference championship game will have multiple losses so why would they jump PSU?

They will be either 6 or 7. No way they go to 8

 

[LandoComando]

Saw a prediction that PSU ends up as 8th seed vs 9th seed IU. I don't see how PSU falls from 6th. The teams that lose their conference championship game will have multiple losses so why would they jump PSU?

To be 8--ND and UGa have to pass us
UGa beating Texas after Texas beats A&M likely knocks us down a spot
We'll see what they do with ND
I don't think we fall to 8

 

[heckmans]

Would they seriously stick us with playing Indiana? There would not be a desire to mix things up some?

IDK...I think there will be attempts to avoid rematches, but PSU didn't play Ind so I don't think it's out of the question.

If OSU and Oregon play in the B2G CCG, you can guarantee they won't be on the same side of the bracket.

 

[LandoComando]

IDK...I think there will be attempts to avoid rematches, but PSU didn't play Ind so I don't think it's out of the question.

If OSU and Oregon play in the B2G CCG, you can guarantee they won't be on the same side of the bracket.

You're basically saying somehow Texas has to jump Ohio State or Oregon has to fall to 6 for that to happen
ALmost every projection has Oregon/Ohio State as 1/5 so they will be on the same side. Prior matchups don't matter

 

[heckmans]

You're basically saying somehow Texas has to jump Ohio State or Oregon has to fall to 6 for that to happen
ALmost every projection has Oregon/Ohio State as 1/5 so they will be on the same side. Prior matchups don't matter

We'll see. Let's assume Oregon beats OSU in the CCG, who wants to see them play a 3rd time? Flip PSU/OSU at 5/6 and you get new match ups. Even if OSU manages to beat Oregon, I don't think the CFP wants to see the rubber match unless it's in the Final.

 

[LandoComando]

We'll see. Let's assume Oregon beats OSU in the CCG, who wants to see them play a 3rd time? Flip PSU/OSU at 5/6 and you get new match ups. Even if OSU manages to beat Oregon, I don't think the CFP wants to see the rubber match unless it's in the Final.

I do--the first matchup was great--why wouldn't i want to see another? NFL teams playing a third time is great--would be in college too. Why should Ohio State get a tougher matchup (in theory) to avoid playing Oregon again?

The only way I can see it is if Texas beats A&M so they move them to 2 before the CCGs Idoubt it) then Georgia beats Texas so they can do this:
1 Oregon 2 Georgia 3 ACC 4 Boise 5 Texas 6 Ohio State

I don't think that's to avoid a rematch just how it would play out. But, you're right, we'll see

 

[CJFisJoePaII]

Penn State is not what I would consider a "dominating" team. They are very, very good. Given that the season is almost complete, I checked the stats, which should be a decent barometer at this point:

https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/stat...tedTable=0&leagueStructure=ncaaf.struct.div.1

On offense, Penn State is quite a ways down in PPG. They're below Pitt and Georgia, and comparable to TAMU and North Carolina, and a bit better than Navy. On defense, Penn State is very good in points allowed - at #7 in the nation, just above Oregon and below tOSU (#1), Texas, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. PSU is 5th in the nation in total yards allowed per game.

As much as people seem to crab about specific defensive players screwing up and whatnot, the unit as a whole seems to be getting the job done. The offense isn't bad either, they score enough (except against tOSU, but again, remember that tOSU is #1 nationally, defensively) to get the job done.

On paper, I think Penn State can go toe to toe against anyone. There are certain teams that are going to cause problems (I think it's more of a positional mismatch issue, e.g. - lack of WR corps on Penn State's part). This team also seems to be able to put themselves in a position to win (see USC and Minnesota, not so much tOSU although you could argue they were mere inches away from tying the game). Staying healthy is a big deal.

All that said, Penn State's journey through the playoffs is going to be like going through a minefield. We all need to be ready for a rough ride!

Neutral Officiating Crews in Playoffs is a huge + for PSU as well.

 

[Ian]

1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. SMU
4. Ariz St

5. Oregon
6. Penn State
7. Notre Dame
8. Texas
9. Miami
10. Tennessee
11. Indiana
12. Boise State

 

[PennState_one]

Not that it matters, but John Talty said in his Week 13 report card that "PSU is the most overrated team in the country at this point, with neither the résumé nor the on-field performances good enough to justify a number 4 ranking."

I'm not sure I agree. They found a way to win yet again on the road and haven't lost to a team they shouldn't have.

 

[Lion_Backer]

In reading through a lot of these posts, I am left wondering what are the tournament committee's objectives?

Where do the teams that lose their CCG get seeded if they were already a top 12 team? For example, if OSU were to lose again to Oregon, should they subsequently drop below a 1 loss PSU team whom they already defeated and prevented from playing the additional game that they lost?

And I believe that if your team has earned a higher seed, that you should be rewarded with playing whatever ranked team that is seeded in that slot.

The more manipulation that is done 'to make for better matchups', the less of a playoff feel this tournament will have. And the committee would be better off announcing 12 teams in alphabetical order if at the end of the day, the 'matchup' will supersede the rankings in importance.

JMO. We will see how it all plays out.

 

[Ian]

For a team with such a glaring weakness (WR) they continue to find ways to win because they have the best player in the country and need to find ways to get him the ball…

 

[doctornick]

In reading through a lot of these posts, I am left wondering what are the tournament committee's objectives?

Where do the teams that lose their CCG get seeded if they were already a top 12 team? For example, if OSU were to lose again to Oregon, should they subsequently drop below a 1 loss PSU team whom they already defeated and prevented from playing the additional game that they lost?

And I believe that if your team has earned a higher seed, that you should be rewarded with playing whatever ranked team that is seeded in that slot.

The more manipulation that is done 'to make for better matchups', the less of a playoff feel this tournament will have. And the committee would be better off announcing 12 teams in alphabetical order if at the end of the day, the 'matchup' will supersede the rankings in importance.

JMO. We will see how it all plays out.

Actually, is there a defined criteria at all for what the CFP Committee is looking for? I believe it is largely somewhat vague and open to interpretation. At the very least, it would probably be helpful to have something like RPE or NET which is an objective measurement which perhaps could be used as a guideline versus just subjective polls.

That being said, I don't think tinkering with potential matchups to prevent an interconference matchup or a rematch from earlier in the season is a bad thing - a lot of sports have had rules like that for playoffs. I don't think people would want to see Georgia/Tennessee or PSU/Indiana, etc as a first round matchup if they can be avoided with sensible seeding.

 

[Lion_Backer]

Actually, is there a defined criteria at all for what the CFP Committee is looking for? I believe it is largely somewhat vague and open to interpretation. At the very least, it would probably be helpful to have something like RPE or NET which is an objective measurement which perhaps could be used as a guideline versus just subjective polls.

That being said, I don't think tinkering with potential matchups to prevent an interconference matchup or a rematch from earlier in the season is a bad thing - a lot of sports have had rules like that for playoffs. I don't think people would want to see Georgia/Tennessee or PSU/Indiana, etc as a first round matchup if they can be avoided with sensible seeding.

Agree and disagree .....

The Men's NCAA basketball tournament has 4 seeds in each slot which makes it considerable easier to juggle the matchups which as you suggest, is a good thing.

When there are considerably less slots and each one is unique, it gets more complicated.

The bottom line is that I'm not going to be pleased if our ranking changes significantly without us providing ample reason to justify that adjustment.

Much football needs to be played before these determinations are made. But I'm definitely observing how the pundits are lobbying and attempting to manipulate the process.

 

[PennState_one]

I'm curious to hear different opinions. Do you guys prefer the human playoff committee, or would you rather it be determined by a CPU algorithm?

 

[johnmpsu]

I'm curious to hear different opinions. Do you guys the human playoff committee, or would you rather it be determined by a CPU algorith

If I were king of the CFB world I would first require conferences with 14 or more teams to split into two divisions. Then I would eliminate the conference championship games. If you do that it gives you 15 conferences and/ or divisions. The WINNER from each of those divisions would advance to the playoff. No humans. No computers. No biases. Just Winners. Now the whole season acts as a playoff.

As for the 16th slot. Give the number 1 seed a bye and when the PAC reconstitutes itself you get the 16th team.

It will never happen as there is way too much money in wildcards aka lucky losers. They keep fan bases spending money and eyeballs on TV. It's the so you're saying there's a chance syndrome.

 

[Jerry]

I'm curious to hear different opinions. Do you guys prefer the human playoff committee, or would you rather it be determined by a CPU algorithm?

Humans for sure. Some of these computer rankings are frankly screwy. Even the less screwy ones, such as Massey which Knight is touting, come up with stuff that doesn't add up.

Massey's current ranking, for example, has five SEC teams, two of them with 3 losses, in its current top-10. Is this really the formula to use for playoff selections? No thanks.

 

[bison13]

1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. SMU
4. Ariz St

5. Oregon
6. Penn State
7. Notre Dame
8. Texas
9. Miami
10. Tennessee
11. Indiana
12. Boise State

Me likey