Is there a scenario where we still back into the playoffs?

[RollTide_HTTR]

It is what it is. We weren't good enough. Maybe we'll see a different QB start for us in the bowl game at least

 

[CajunCrimson]

I just don’t see Sankey letting the top conference get 3 because they cannibalized each other. The OU loss take is a lazy one.

 

[tideindc]

It is what it is. We weren't good enough. Maybe we'll see a different QB start for us in the bowl game at least

That would make the shame of missing the playoffs almost worth it. Think JM needs to prepare for the combine and let’s see Ty!

 

[Cruloc]

If they weren't making a final playoff ranking.....how far would SMU fall after that loss?

Probably from 8 to 14 or so....with Clemson being ahead of them.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Hope SMU and Clemson both get blown out

there are about 6 teams in the playoffs that would beat either team by 40+ points. The other 4 would still beat them. And there are 5 or 6 teams not in that would beat both.

 

[carder24]

Not sure I agree. Your top conference has value.

There has to be a strong case that if top four big teams are in, that sec top four teams will also be in. At this point smu is no different than miami who is ranked too high.
If we’re out then strength of schedule doesn’t matter, quality wins don’t matter which some of this schools don’t have at all. I’m not really mad if we’re out since long term not really sure which is ultimately better for program, especially next season - but would also be great to have a shot to win it all. I don’t want to see someone in 12 team pool that has no business being in over us (or old miss or usc), and don’t want to hear arguments of “deserving” team considerations.

 

[CajunCrimson]

Here’s what it comes down to, I think the committee wants us in or they wouldn’t have put us at 11 this week. I think the thought was, regardless of the ACCG outcome, we would get in. The fly in the ointment is how the ACCCG finished. The rest of the game didn’t matter. But I think the committee does want us in over SMU, but now it comes down to whether they can justify it and I don’t know that they can without a significant backlash. Though I will say, neither Alabama or SMU can really complain if left out. We got blown out by a very average team and SMU didn’t beat anyone with a pulse.

I just saw McElroy say, and I get what he’s saying, that keeping SMU out sets a bad precedent of having teams not want to play a conference title game. But where that’s wrong is that no other ACC team is getting in other than those two, and neither SMU or Clemson has a good resume, so they deserved to be playing for their playoff lives.

No one on ESPN or anywhere else is going to come to our defense, and I don’t think we really deserve it either. But that doesn’t mean SMU is a deserving playoff team. They just aren’t, and frankly neither is Indiana.

Having a playoff that rewards winning their conference championship game is why you play it. If you don’t want the game outcome to matter then change the model.

 

[colbysullivan]

Here’s what it comes down to, I think the committee wants us in or they wouldn’t have put us at 11 this week. I think the thought was, regardless of the ACCG outcome, we would get in. The fly in the ointment is how the ACCCG finished. The rest of the game didn’t matter. But I think the committee does want us in over SMU, but now it comes down to whether they can justify it and I don’t know that they can without a significant backlash. Though I will say, neither Alabama or SMU can really complain if left out. We got blown out by a very average team and SMU didn’t beat anyone with a pulse.

I just saw McElroy say, and I get what he’s saying, that keeping SMU out sets a bad precedent of having teams not want to play a conference title game. But where that’s wrong is that no other ACC team is getting in other than those two, and neither SMU or Clemson has a good resume, so they deserved to be playing for their playoff lives.

No one on ESPN or anywhere else is going to come to our defense, and I don’t think we really deserve it either. But that doesn’t mean SMU is a deserving playoff team. They just aren’t, and frankly neither is Indiana.

All they have to say is SMU is 0-2 against ranked teams. This game shouldn’t change anything. We should still be in.

 

[Special K]

I hope we sneak in, I really do. But I don’t think we will, and it’s not all bad long-term. We’ll work the portal sooner at least, and hopefully set the table for 2025.

 

[CajunCrimson]

my gut is historically correct. Just so everyone knows.

 

[carder24]

If they weren't making a final playoff ranking.....how far would SMU fall after that loss?

Probably from 8 to 14 or so....with Clemson being ahead of them.

Maybe, but clemson moving is not important since they get in regardless. But think it will interesting to see how they rerank relative to each other. Based on SOS, there’s an argument to drop smu under Miami at this point

 

[rolltide_21]

Pete Burns is right for once:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1865624763386806709

 

[drmikeh]

Clemson barely beating SMU was a worst-case scenario for Bama. If SMU had won, Bama would be in the playoffs, and if Clemson had blown out SMU, Bama would be in. But now it's most likely not going to happen.

 

[carder24]

Alabama would curb stomp either of these teams and a number of others in the CFP. The committee knows this. But this is about something different. This is about inclusion.

Yeah, but shouldn’t be

 

[rolltide_21]

Having a playoff that rewards winning their conference championship game is why you play it. If you don’t want the game outcome to matter then change the model.

With the low attendance and IF Bama gets in I think these games go away. Some type of precedent will be set this year I think.

 

[KrAzY3]

I just don’t see Sankey letting the top conference get 3 because they cannibalized each other. The OU loss take is a lazy one.

But, this is also something I warned about for years. It's one reason I angled more for Virginia and North Carolina than Oklahoma and Texas (or VT and FSU which would have been cupcakes this year). Someone has to lose, people are treating Oklahoma like they're crap now, but last year they were third in the Big 12! They're just in a much tougher conference now.

If Virginia and North Carolina were in the conference, Alabama is headed to the playoff with a home playoff game. It's nonsense if you zoom out a bit and consider the conference is getting punished for getting stronger, but the college football world is still too fixated on wins and losses to appreciate what the SEC has become.

Mind you, Alabama still might get in, but they shouldn't have been ranked below SMU, Indiana, or Boise State to begin with.

Edit: The truth is the Big 12 should have 0 teams in, the ACC should have 0 teams in and Alabama, South Carolina and Ole Miss should be in. That's the truth and the modern computers will agree once updated tomorrow.

 

[Jay Hughes]

Looking at this, the first consideration is Conference Championships won. It doesn’t say Conference Championships participated in. Next is SOS. Bama has 3 currently ranked Top 25 wins to 0 for SMU.

For these reasons, I submit to you that Alabama will be the 11th ranked team and will be included in the CFB Playoffs. RTR

Also, the committee doesn’t care what the fans think.

 

[B1GTide]

Without automatic qualifiers, Alabama is in. The problem is simple, and we knew it the second the rules were announced. Automatic qualifiers reward the weak at the expense of the strong every single time. That is why they exist in this model - to reward the weak.

I generally support inclusiveness, but sports is about somethings different. It is a meritocracy. Until it isn't. And here, it isn't.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

my gut is historically correct. Just so everyone knows.

it might be indigestion

 

[colbysullivan]

Guys this is really an easy decision. Bama is the bigger draw and the committee already dropped UGA out after losing the title game last year. They learned from the TCU fiasco. We should still be in.