Who to root for

[africamurphy]

We’re pretty much 100% safe for a home game if we win out…but to get the highest seed…

Root for USC (UCLA was also our foe but they have no chance of a bowl), Wisconsin, WVU, and Washington.

All could go to bowl games…and help us with that metric.

Illinois and Bowling Green and Minny are our only three bowl opponents we’ve beaten. We also want the first two of them to win, esp Illinois. A top 25 win is another key metric and they are our only hope of that.

But beating 7 bowl teams plus 1 top 20 team (if Illinois wins out) and a close loss to OSU…is a solid resume.

 

[bdroc]

We’re pretty much 100% safe for a home game if we win out…but to get the highest seed…

Root for USC (UCLA was also our foe but they have no chance of a bowl), Wisconsin, WVU, and Washington.

All could go to bowl games…and help us with that metric.

Illinois and Bowling Green and Minny are our only three bowl opponents we’ve beaten. We also want the first two of them to win, esp Illinois. A top 25 win is another key metric and they are our only hope of that.

But beating 7 bowl teams plus 1 top 20 team (if Illinois wins out) and a close loss to OSU…is a solid resume.

I think we get the 6 seed if we win out regardless of what other teams do. The only exception is if OSU loses to Indy or Michigan.

I'm rooting for a ND loss to either Army or USC. That would improve our chances to still make the playoffs if we finish with 2 losses.

 

[SR108]

I think we get the 6 seed if we win out regardless of what other teams do. The only exception is if OSU loses to Indy or Michigan.

I'm rooting for a ND loss to either Army or USC. That would improve our chances to still make the playoffs if we finish with 2 losses.

Just win period.

 

[OKLionFan]

I think we get the 6 seed if we win out regardless of what other teams do. The only exception is if OSU loses to Indy or Michigan.

I'm rooting for a ND loss to either Army or USC. That would improve our chances to still make the playoffs if we finish with 2 losses.

Is it ok if I root for ND to lose them both?

 

[LandoComando]

Is it ok if I root for ND to lose them both?

It's encouraged

 

[OzLion]

I think everyone has the right idea here. I think if PSU wins out we are in the playoffs and get a home game. If PSU loses another game, it's the bubble at best and probably SOL.
For SOS:
Illinois over Rutgers
MD over Iowa (we can always hope)
Wisconsin over Nebraska
OSU over Indiana (unless you're sentimental or you have a slim hope of PSU winning the conference)
Bowling Green over Ball State
West Virginia over UCF

To Keep B12 and ACC as 1-bid leagues
Kansas over Colorado
ASU over BYU
Wake Forest over Miami, Virginia over SMU (These two ACC games if we're really optimistic - but UM has a chance to lose next week vs the orange)

The Anti-Irish vote (ND currently takes up a bid, but another loss probably knocks them out.)
Army over ND

SEC Chaos is our friend
Oklahoma over Alabama
Florida over Ole Miss
Auburn over Texas A&M
Kentucky over Texas
(I'm assuming that Georgia and Tennessee will handle UMass and UTEP)

 

[LandoComando]

We’re pretty much 100% safe for a home game if we win out…but to get the highest seed…

Root for USC (UCLA was also our foe but they have no chance of a bowl), Wisconsin, WVU, and Washington.

All could go to bowl games…and help us with that metric.

Illinois and Bowling Green and Minny are our only three bowl opponents we’ve beaten. We also want the first two of them to win, esp Illinois. A top 25 win is another key metric and they are our only hope of that.

But beating 7 bowl teams plus 1 top 20 team (if Illinois wins out) and a close loss to OSU…is a solid resume.

I like the breakdown--I just don't think "how many bowl eligible teams did they beat" matters. We know WVU is a disaster (can't believe they went back to Greene) while Washington and Wisconsin aren't much better. USC just quit.

Illinois is the only win that's going to carry any weight--they need to win out

 

[LandoComando]

I think everyone has the right idea here. I think if PSU wins out we are in the playoffs and get a home game. If PSU loses another game, it's the bubble at best and probably SOL.
For SOS:
Illinois over Rutgers
MD over Iowa (we can always hope)
Wisconsin over Nebraska
OSU over Indiana (unless you're sentimental or you have a slim hope of PSU winning the conference)
Bowling Green over Ball State
West Virginia over UCF

To Keep B12 and ACC as 1-bid leagues
Kansas over Colorado
ASU over BYU
Wake Forest over Miami, Virginia over SMU (These two ACC games if we're really optimistic - but UM has a chance to lose next week vs the orange)

The Anti-Irish vote (ND currently takes up a bid, but another loss probably knocks them out.)
Army over ND

SEC Chaos is our friend
Oklahoma over Alabama
Florida over Ole Miss
Auburn over Texas A&M
Kentucky over Texas
(I'm assuming that Georgia and Tennessee will handle UMass and UTEP)

The ACC and Big XII are 1-bid leagues regardless. Absolutely not shot. Miami's the only one with an outside shot
I agree with "who to root for" just wouldn't worry about that group at all.
A&M is the team I want to lose the most other than ND because that hurts Texas and ND

 

[OzLion]

...USC just quit...

That seems to be the case, but they finish their season with two rivalry games (UCLA and ND) and may yet salvage some pride. USC could play quite the spoiler if they manage to beat Notre Dame.

 

[ryoder1]

I think we get the 6 seed if we win out regardless of what other teams do. The only exception is if OSU loses to Indy or Michigan.

I'm rooting for a ND loss to either Army or USC. That would improve our chances to still make the playoffs if we finish with 2 losses.

Yep, we need to just win out. Can't realistically get any higher than 6th but could slip to 7th if Indiana wins over OSU as you note.

It would be nice to see Florida beat Ole Miss and knock them out or Bama losing but that simply puts Tenn back in so does it really matter. What would be cool is both of them lose but I think Bama could still get in with 3 losses.

 

[doug21988]

I hope OSU beats Indiana and then USC beats ND next week. I could see us playing ND or Indiana as the 6/11 game then. I like those matchups better than us playing UGA or Ole Miss.

 

[JR4PSU]

We’re pretty much 100% safe for a home game if we win out…but to get the highest seed…

Root for USC (UCLA was also our foe but they have no chance of a bowl), Wisconsin, WVU, and Washington.

All could go to bowl games…and help us with that metric.

Illinois and Bowling Green and Minny are our only three bowl opponents we’ve beaten. We also want the first two of them to win, esp Illinois. A top 25 win is another key metric and they are our only hope of that.

But beating 7 bowl teams plus 1 top 20 team (if Illinois wins out) and a close loss to OSU…is a solid resume.

Gettin' a little ahead of us, there? I don't remember beating Minny, otherwise we wouldn't have to play them Saturday.

 

[africamurphy]

There is zero shot the ACC or Big 12 get more than 1 berth.

It’s actually more likely we get the 7 seed than 6 seed. The two CCG losers from the Big Ten and SEC are highly likely to be 5 and 6.

But that’s exactly where the results talked about in this thread matter. A 10-3 Georgia (or Alabama) or even a 11-2 Texas after an SEC title game loss might slip behind us if our resume is better.

 

[africamurphy]

Gettin' a little ahead of us, there? I don't remember beating Minny, otherwise we wouldn't have to play them Saturday.

First line.

“if we win out”

If we lose to Minny, we’ll be lucky to make the playoff and, it should be noted, might not deserve to make the 12 team playoff.

 

[LandoComando]

I hope OSU beats Indiana and then USC beats ND next week. I could see us playing ND or Indiana as the 6/11 game then. I like those matchups better than us playing UGA or Ole Miss.

No chance ND gets in with 2 losses to NIU and USC. 3 loss SEC teams would be ahead of them. Hopefully ND falls to 11 with one loss if they win out.

 

[LandoComando]

Gettin' a little ahead of us, there? I don't remember beating Minny, otherwise we wouldn't have to play them Saturday.

If we don't beat Minnesota we simply didn't show up

 

[doug21988]

Gettin' a little ahead of us, there? I don't remember beating Minny, otherwise we wouldn't have to play them Saturday.

We’re fans. We’re allowed to speculate. Us doing so is not going to impact the results on the field on Saturday.

 

[Safety Blitz]

If PSU wins out, it is in and playing at home.
Probably a sixth seed, maybe a fifth. Those spots likely provide a preferred opponent if the Nits advance.
Lose to anyone on the remaining regular schedule and PSU deserves to stay home.
As for ND, I will always root for the Irish to get beat no matter the opponent or circumstance. That’s non-negotiable.

 

[JR4PSU]

If we don't beat Minnesota we simply didn't show up

Well, shit, no need to play the game, then.

 

[LandoComando]

Well, shit, no need to play the game, then.

Gotta show up--like most of our games. We don't have to play our best to win. Minnesota can play a perfect game for them and we win by a score playing our C- game.

 

[JR4PSU]

Gotta show up--like most of our games. We don't have to play our best to win. Minnesota can play a perfect game for them and we win by a score playing our C- game.

I understand. But there is a reason you play the games. Never take anything so for granted that you actually say we won before we've played. You can say, assuming we win, or something like that. Just pointing out the bad choice of language. The OP said "we've beat" i.e. past tense. Not "we will have beat", future tense. At any rate, my original comment was in jest. So, let's not make too big a deal out of my joke of a comment, okay?

 

[LandoComando]

I understand. But there is a reason you play the games. Never take anything so for granted that you actually say we won before we've played. You can say, assuming we win, or something like that. Just pointing out the bad choice of language. The OP said "we've beat" i.e. past tense. Not "we will have beat", future tense. At any rate, my original comment was in jest. So, let's not make too big a deal out of my joke of a comment, okay?

Hence "if we win" out which is the what he said and you ignored. Be better with your jokes then...the expectation is that we win and he used the correct disclaimer before he said "we've beat" as he explain what the projection is.

 

[rrdd2021]

Is it ok if I root for ND to lose them both?

How about if I join ya ? I hate those "holier than thou" and "we're above joining a conference' worse than any other team out there.

I'm from Chicago (went to Northwestern) and the love and following they get in the Chicago area is sickening-putrid. I just can't stomach those a-holes anymore

 

[Obliviax]

We’re pretty much 100% safe for a home game if we win out…but to get the highest seed…

Root for USC (UCLA was also our foe but they have no chance of a bowl), Wisconsin, WVU, and Washington.

All could go to bowl games…and help us with that metric.

Illinois and Bowling Green and Minny are our only three bowl opponents we’ve beaten. We also want the first two of them to win, esp Illinois. A top 25 win is another key metric and they are our only hope of that.

But beating 7 bowl teams plus 1 top 20 team (if Illinois wins out) and a close loss to OSU…is a solid resume.

 

[LandoComando]

View embedded media

Please stop trying to make "bowl eligibility" something relevant
ND is the perfect example of that meaning absolutely nothing given their weak schedule

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

We’re pretty much 100% safe for a home game if we win out…but to get the highest seed…

Root for USC (UCLA was also our foe but they have no chance of a bowl), Wisconsin, WVU, and Washington.

All could go to bowl games…and help us with that metric.

Illinois and Bowling Green and Minny are our only three bowl opponents we’ve beaten. We also want the first two of them to win, esp Illinois. A top 25 win is another key metric and they are our only hope of that.

But beating 7 bowl teams plus 1 top 20 team (if Illinois wins out) and a close loss to OSU…is a solid resume.

We could still be in the Big Ten Championship don’t forget

 

[doug21988]

If PSU wins out, it is in and playing at home.
Probably a sixth seed, maybe a fifth. Those spots likely provide a preferred opponent if the Nits advance.
Lose to anyone on the remaining regular schedule and PSU deserves to stay home.
As for ND, I will always root for the Irish to get beat no matter the opponent or circumstance. That’s non-negotiable.

Basically a 1% chance we get the 5th seed

 

[ryoder1]

We could still be in the Big Ten Championship don’t forget

Super remote possibility. Ohio State loses to Michigan (if OSU beats Indiana) or Indiana loses to Purdue (if Indiana beats OSU).

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

Super remote possibility. Ohio State loses to Michigan (if OSU beats Indiana) or Indiana loses to Purdue (if Indiana beats OSU).

Already got my AirBNB booked. It’s refundable in case we don’t make it or win Big Ten.

 

[djm_psu_alum]

I think everyone has the right idea here. I think if PSU wins out we are in the playoffs and get a home game. If PSU loses another game, it's the bubble at best and probably SOL.
For SOS:
Illinois over Rutgers
MD over Iowa (we can always hope)
Wisconsin over Nebraska
OSU over Indiana (unless you're sentimental or you have a slim hope of PSU winning the conference)
Bowling Green over Ball State
West Virginia over UCF

To Keep B12 and ACC as 1-bid leagues
Kansas over Colorado
ASU over BYU
Wake Forest over Miami, Virginia over SMU (These two ACC games if we're really optimistic - but UM has a chance to lose next week vs the orange)

The Anti-Irish vote (ND currently takes up a bid, but another loss probably knocks them out.)
Army over ND

SEC Chaos is our friend
Oklahoma over Alabama
Florida over Ole Miss
Auburn over Texas A&M
Kentucky over Texas
(I'm assuming that Georgia and Tennessee will handle UMass and UTEP)

Agree with most of your list with two exceptions:

1. I'm rooting for Iowa over Maryland. I'd rather them have a 7th loss and have nothing to play for in the last game. With the game over thanksgiving weekend, the crowd may not be as loud and engaged. The team should be fully engaged but I want every advantage as possible.
2. I'm rooting for Texas A&M over Auburn because A. I hate that HC. Such a slimy individual and B. I want them playing for everything vs Texas and to knock Texas out of the CFP.

 

[PSUinSTL]

Super remote possibility. Ohio State loses to Michigan (if OSU beats Indiana) or Indiana loses to Purdue (if Indiana beats OSU).

If IU wins this weekend they will be in Indy. They will get tie breaker over us as they beat OSU.
1) Head to Head
2) Record against common opponents
3) record against common opponent with best winning %
4) conference opponent win %

1 is obviously not a factor
2 would cancel out as OSU/Pur both common and would provide 1 loss
3 if IU beats OSU - then they get it on this criteria

Oregon is in (sane reason IU would be). They are in over us and obviously OSU

OSU is out only if they win out. Lose this weekend they are out. Lose to Mich need us to lose 1 and IU to lose to Purdue

IU is in with win this weekend. Lose they are likely out ( conference opp win%) kills them vs us.

We are in if OSU wins Saturday and loses to Mich and we win our final 2

 

[Frabjous]

How about if I join ya ? I hate those "holier than thou" and "we're above joining a conference' worse than any other team out there.

I'm from Chicago (went to Northwestern) and the love and following they get in the Chicago area is sickening-putrid. I just can't stomach those a-holes anymore

My wife dated a Domer before we met. When our daughter was looking at colleges, someone mentioned Notre Dame. My wife said ‘Why pay $50,000 a year for our daughter to get a drinking problem?’

 

[ryoder1]

My wife dated a Domer before we met. When our daughter was looking at colleges, someone mentioned Notre Dame. My wife said ‘Why pay $50,000 a year for our daughter to get a drinking problem?’

Try $80,000/year now.

 

[JR4PSU]

Hence "if we win" out which is the what he said and you ignored. Be better with your jokes then...the expectation is that we win and he used the correct disclaimer before he said "we've beat" as he explain what the projection is.

You really can’t help yourself, can you? This is like crack for you.

 

[OzLion]

I think everyone has the right idea here. I think if PSU wins out we are in the playoffs and get a home game. If PSU loses another game, it's the bubble at best and probably SOL.
For SOS:
YES --- Illinois over Rutgers
NO --- MD over Iowa (we can always hope)
NO --- Wisconsin over Nebraska
YES --- OSU over Indiana (unless you're sentimental or you have a slim hope of PSU winning the conference)
YES --- Bowling Green over Ball State
YES --- West Virginia over UCF

To Keep B12 and ACC as 1-bid leagues
YES --- Kansas over Colorado
YES --- ASU over BYU
NO --- Wake Forest over Miami, Virginia over SMU (These two ACC games if we're really optimistic - but UM has a chance to lose next week vs the orange)

The Anti-Irish vote (ND currently takes up a bid, but another loss probably knocks them out.)
Army over ND

SEC Chaos is our friend
Oklahoma over Alabama
***YES --- Florida over Ole Miss
Auburn over Texas A&M
NO --- Kentucky over Texas
NO --- but UMASS hung in there for a while --- (I'm assuming that Georgia and Tennessee will handle UMass and UTEP)

Several of these went our way. Illini will be ranked, BGSU and WVU won, and more important, another 2-loss SEC team bit the dust.

Glad PSU found a way to win despite playing not too well. We've seen Minnesota kill PSU seasons before, so let's take the win and get out of there.

 

[McCloudersportLion]

Take care of business against Maryland then root for it to be Chillllyyyy😨😰🥶 when Tennessee or Jawja come up NORF

 

[LandoComando]

Take care of business against Maryland then root for it to be Chillllyyyy😨😰🥶 when Tennessee or Jawja come up NORF

Let's hope we somehow get Indiana in the first round

 

[SR108]

Auburn up 21 nothing on A&M

 

[OzLion]

Oklahoma leading Alabama
Auburn up by 4 against A&M
Army turns out to be no challenge for ND

 

[LandoComando]

Oklahoma leading Alabama
Auburn up by 4 against A&M
Army turns out to be no challenge for ND

Shocking (Milroe did his best Garrett Greene impression)
A&M now leads but got Tigers
Not shocking--just like Navy wasn't legit