Question: Should OSU be in the playoffs?

[Cruloc]

Does OSU deserve a playoff spot at a likely 6-0.....NO.

Will OSU get a playoff spot at a likely 6-0.....YES.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I don't like it at this stage of the game... 5 games vs. the other contenders playing 10 or 11? I don't like it. It's not fair, and I realize Ohio State cannot help it. They would have been playing in September if they would have been allowed. This is the abject failure of the Big Ten. This is the result of the hubris of the leaders of that conference. Their arrogance and inability to work past the politics of the day to find real and good solutions to the problems they were presented with.

However, IF OSU is allowed in, because of the logic that they are obviously one of the 4 best teams (which I agree with), then I do not ever want to hear another word about Alabama getting in without winning their conference. NOT. ANOTHER. WORD. A major problem we have in our society today is that we can pick out the biases of those we do not agree with, but we cannot see our own. Indeed, when we are called out on it, we throw up bull crap reasoning to excuse ourselves of our bias. I am already seeing this from sports media personalities who have been against Alabama's inclusion in the years they lost one game and failed to make the SEC title game, but now they are totally fine with OSU making it in after only playing 5 games.

And I get the fact that Alabama had a loss in those years, while OSU is undefeated. However, OSU has not even played the games. This is worse than playing a tough game and losing it, in the midst of a full season.

Edited: I put 5 games when OSU has played 6. Otherwise, I still feel the same way.

Every time I hear the specious objection about "but they didn't even win their conference" brought up, I just list other schools (like Notre Dame and Miami) that didn't win a conference, either. Then when they go with "but those teams didn't play in a conference," I bring up 2001 Nebraska and 2003 Oklahoma but no changes made to the rules.

I recall in 2016 when we had the Ohio State/Penn State argument. Of course that one was a little bit different because Penn State DID beat Ohio St head-to-head. But anyone who SAW THE GAME knew Ohio St just had one of those nights when as the saying goes, "Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you." They were indisputably superior, but they got a couple of bad breaks.

But there WAS (and IS) a consistency with the committee, and I respect that.

In 2016, they took one-loss non-champ Ohio State over two-loss champ Penn State (who as I said had the H2H win) because they figured it doesn't take much talent to lose to Michigan by 39 points.

In 2017, they took one-loss non-champ Alabama over two-loss champ Ohio State because they figured it didn't take much talent to lose to Iowa by 31 points.


Villanova didn't win their conference title in 1985 in b-ball. In fact, they finished fourth in the conference and were 0-5 against the two teams (Georgetown and St John's) ahead of them.

The banner still hangs in the gymnasium, though. Not one damn word about teams not winning their conference.

Hell, USC wasn't even the best team IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA in 2003 (they lost to Cal), but somehow they were national champions.

But they never say that.......

 

[BamaInBham]

I have little problem with OSU getting in at 6-0, even though I understand the objections. The CFPC is charged with selecting the 4 best teams and thus, IMO, that allows OSU to get in this year. (In reality, IMO, the CFPC actually selects based on a combination of the 4 best and 4 most deserving, with the former being the more important. I'm fine with that and believe it is the best approach.) IMO, OSU is likely one of the 4 best teams.

A major consideration is that this year is an exceptional year because of C19. Thus, IMO, there is justification for special considerations; as well, future seasons' complaints should not be lodged based on this year. A primary reason that it is exceptional is that C19 is the cause of game cancelations that has given us an OSU.

Also, OSU's inclusion helps to diminish most sincere season-asterisk proponents' arguments because they boost the profile of the group. A 4 of Bama, Clemson, OSU, ND is a weighty field, providing much more gravitas than say, Bama, ND, Cinn, and 2 loss ISU. People would rightly say that it was a watered-down field that would never occur under normal circumstance, not so with the former field. So, this year in particular, it is good to have familiar participants.

As an aside: This year's developments have rendered spectacularly empty the Big10's frequent claim to moral superiority. For them to look down on others ever again is hypocrisy in the highest degree. It was already pretty empty with the especially wretched episodes at PSU, MSU and Rutgers, along with the common stuff at OSU, Mich, Wisc, Ill, et al. Except for PSU and MSU, the SEC has no room to talk, and LSU may join them, but the SEC doesn't have to hang its head and listen up when they speak either.

 

[RT27]

Would Alabama be in if they nly had 5-6 games? NO so no they do not belong

 

[B1GTide]

Would Alabama be in if they nly had 5-6 games? NO so no they do not belong

Yes, you would.

 

[The Ols]

Yes, you would.

I agree, but we also played two top 5 teams early...This is a tough one. There's no question that tOSU is one of the four best teams...So, if this is the four best teams...absolutely.
If this is the four most deserving teams, then it gets dicey...

 

[RT27]

Yes, you would.

No way the Alabama fatigue would never let us in with such a lousy schedule, and you know it. Any decent reason to snubb bama they would leave us out. Sorry but 5 regular season games agaibnst mostly losing teams does not scream top 4.

 

[Leeroy]

No.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

Here's where IN MY VIEW we have to be careful.......a bunch of Tide fans saying "but only 5-0" would - were the situation reversed - argue that we wanted to play but ya know conference.

The concern isn't whether Ohio St is one of the best teams. The long-term concern is a team that played 1/2 the games actually winning the national championship.

And B1G is correct - if the situation was reversed, Alabama WOULD be in it, even if our five games were Arky, Ole Miss, MSU, Vandy, and Kentucky.

 

[willie52]

What bothers me is you create a rule and then down the road you change it so you can make sure to get a team in the playoff. Just doesn't sit right with me, if you going do that then at least give yourself an out in the rule.

 

[RT27]

Do they deserve it no, but put them in and when bama in first playoff game routs them we can then say NO they were not worthy. Bring them on, and let clemson and ND in and when we crusho one of them for the NC we will now only Bama is worthy this year. Sorry but only Bama has it rolling in all phases run pass defense special teams etc.

 

[B1GTide]

Do they deserve it no, but put them in and when bama in first playoff game routs them we can then say NO they were not worthy. Bring them on, and let clemson and ND in and when we crusho one of them for the NC we will now only Bama is worthy this year. Sorry but only Bama has it rolling in all phases run pass defense special teams etc.

No need to apologize for stating the straight truth.

 

[Tiderollin32]

One thing to remember about Ohio State, although they might not have played as many games, they did want to play this season. They're not in charge of creating their schedule or making the teams on their schedule play games. I agree that only playing 5 games versus 10 isn't fair but they didn't tell the BIG 10 conference this was the only way they'd agree to play. If they did, it would be a different story.

Although I've thoroughly enjoyed watching all 10 Alabama games and the SEC as a conference, we could have at any point stopped play, in order to make a point. I'm glad our conference took the lead with scheduling and following through with the games, while adhering to all of the strict protocols. Players and fans across the country have definitely taken notice.

If we were to trip up this next week, not saying we will but I hope the committee takes in account for us playing the schedule, while suffering a loss of Waddle to prove we finish what we started.

 

[TiderJack]

Do they deserve it no, but put them in and when bama in first playoff game routs them we can then say NO they were not worthy. Bring them on, and let clemson and ND in and when we crusho one of them for the NC we will now only Bama is worthy this year. Sorry but only Bama has it rolling in all phases run pass defense special teams etc.

First, OSU is in if they win and while they have not played enough games to get a great feel on really how good they are they are talented and pass the eye test.

Second, I don't think we will play OSU in the 1st round if they win the B1G championship game.

ND will fall to #4 if they lose to Clemson and OSU would move up to #3.

If ND beats Clemson then OSU will move up to #3 and A&M will move into the #4 spot (or Clemson if the committee totally loses their mind).

So if it goes the way I think it will go we will play either ND or A&M IMO.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

This CFP will be a fraud if they let OSU in. You can't sit there and try to claim that the results of the games matter when one of the teams didn't play half their games. It's not fair at all. Bama, ND, Clemson, UF, A&M, etc. are all getting judged on the results of 10 games. That's more chances to slip up, more chances for injuries, more wear and tear, more "eyeball test", more things for folks to nitpick or praise.

Meanwhile, OSU is sitting at home, less wear and tear, less chances at injury, less chances at losing, less "eyeball test", less everything but... oh well, they are OSU so brand matters and they are 5-0 and they are OSU so brand matters. The brand, it matters, how can they leave out the mighty OSU. That is literally all they have to go on this year, brand and projection.

In the past the committee has stated that they do not try to project and only look at the results. Well, to let OSU in, you have to do nothing but project and ignore the results of other teams that played double the games. Texas A&M is more disserving of a spot then OSU.

All this just makes me hate OSU and the Big10 more. I'd rather see a 2 loss team get in over a team that only played half a season.

 

[Tiderollin32]

If I were the ACC, I would cancel the championship game and then they would get both Clemson and ND in the playoff most likely. As fan, I would hate this but in order to make a point, this is all they would need to do I think. SEC could do the same thing but there is too much pride on the line in our conference that being a co-champion, with a 2-loss team wouldn't feel right. Not saying this will happen or it should but it would help alleviate some of the disparity between teams playing more or less games.

 

[B1GTide]

All this just makes me hate OSU and the Big10 more.

Based on your previous posts, not possible.

 

[KrAzY3]

The concern isn't whether Ohio St is one of the best teams. The long-term concern is a team that played 1/2 the games actually winning the national championship.

I think with what we know right now, I'd have to say Ohio State is one of the best teams. I can't argue against that, but I would also say we don't know enough. My line of thought and what I've argued for quite some time is that the committee and really any championship has an obligation to put the most deserving teams in. Once we go too far down that best team rabbit hole we can also talk up two loss teams, etc... because we can overlook inconvenient results. In this case we're overlooking lack of results. They haven't had to pass the tests these other teams have had to pass.

I have complained about the committee, but also conceded that their final rankings thus far have been correct in my opinion. They could get things wrong, but they haven't so far. In this case, I think the risk is basically violating the sanctity of the event. Has Ohio State earned a right to play for a championship? I don't think they have. What happened to all that quality win talk? I do think they're one of the best teams! I don't blame their players or coach for what's happened around them. I do blame people higher up, I think they've tried to game the process and while I was pointing fingers at the wrong conference, it's a concern I've expressed since the Pac-12 and Big 10 decided to start play.

If 11-0 Alabama goes up against 6-0 Ohio State in the first round of the playoff it will be unjust in my opinion. To reiterate, not because Ohio State as a team did anything wrong, but because of the inequity of the situation. This basically gets to the whole reason I resisted this process in the first place. I know some people won't feel the way I do though but that's how I see it. My fear all along has been some team that has no business being there having a shot at a championship. This comes really, really close to that in my opinion.

 

[Go Bama]

This CFP will be a fraud if they let OSU in. You can't sit there and try to claim that the results of the games matter when one of the teams didn't play half their games. It's not fair at all. Bama, ND, Clemson, UF, A&M, etc. are all getting judged on the results of 10 games. That's more chances to slip up, more chances for injuries, more wear and tear, more "eyeball test", more things for folks to nitpick or praise.

Meanwhile, OSU is sitting at home, less wear and tear, less chances at injury, less chances at losing, less "eyeball test", less everything but... oh well, they are OSU so brand matters and they are 5-0 and they are OSU so brand matters. The brand, it matters, how can they leave out the mighty OSU. That is literally all they have to go on this year, brand and projection.

In the past the committee has stated that they do not try to project and only look at the results. Well, to let OSU in, you have to do nothing but project and ignore the results of other teams that played double the games. Texas A&M is more disserving of a spot then OSU.

All this just makes me hate OSU and the Big10 more. I'd rather see a 2 loss team get in over a team that only played half a season.

Who do you want to see Bama play if tOSU does not get in?

Iowa St? No, this would be a horrible game.

aTm? We've already horse whipped them.

Georgia? We've already horse whipped them.

Florida? We'll beat them Saturday night

Cincinnati? No, no contest here.

There is just nobody left. Personally, I don't care to play the same team twice. Assuming we win out, I would rather have tOSU on the resume than Iowa St or aTm twice.

Another question is what happens if Clemson buries ND this weekend?

 

[CoachJeff]

It's lame and unfair that OSU will get in the playoffs, but if the goal is to have the best 4 teams they should be in.

Who would scare you more as a Bama fan in the first round - OSU or TAMU/ISU/Cincy?

There's your answer as to who should make the playoffs.