I wanted to look at how the bowl picture looks different this year with the BCS vs. other with the CFP next year. For this post, I'm assuming 3 things.
1. Higher ranked teams win against lesser ranked teams the rest of the season (not going to actually happen, but I have to assume something).
2. The CFP committee rankings will probably be close to the AP and BCS ranking.
3. There will be some internal/external pressure not to have too many teams from one conference.

BCS: Going by current rankings, Alabama and Florida State make the BCS Championship Game. Ohio State and Stanford are automatically in the Rose Bowl and Baylor is automatically in the Fiesta. Central Florida is automatically in the BCS as American champ and I'm assuming one of Fresno State or Northern Illinois is in the top 12 or above Central Florida (going with Fresno State here since they are the higher ranked).

With those automatically in, the Sugar and Orange Bowls get first pick at replacements. Both will likely choose to keep relations with their conferences strong and pick replacements teams from the SEC/ACC, meaning the Sugar takes Auburn (2nd highest ranked SEC right now, could replace them with several others) and the Orange takes Clemson. After those two bowls, the selection order goes Orange, Sugar, Fiesta. The Orange has a few options. I think the most likely (assuming no upsets remember) is Oregon as they will be highest ranked. The Sugar chooses next and takes Central Florida over Fresno State. The Fiesta then takes Fresno State.

BCS National Championship Game: Alabama vs. Florida State
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Stanford
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Oregon
Sugar Bowl: Auburn vs. UCF
Fiesta Bowl: Baylor vs. Fresno State

CFP (with Rose and Sugar as semi-finals):

Set-up: Next year the Rose and Sugar Bowls will be the semi-finals. The Orange Bowl will be ACC vs. someone from the SEC/Big Ten/Notre Dame (assuming no rematches). However, the hosts bowls (Fiesta, Cotton, Peach) get to grab Big Ten/SEC teams first (and possible Notre Dame, haven't seen that written out). The highest of the Group of 5 (MAC, American, Conference USA, Mountain West, Sunbelt) will be in a CFP bowl. Any Big Ten/PAC-12/SEC/Big 12 champ that does not make the CFP will automatically be in a CFP since they lost their spot in the Rose/Sugar (this does not apply to non-champs).

Semi-final bowls: Based on current results, the playoff committee would almost certainly take Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, and Baylor. They might play around with the ranking more than the polls, but they'd probably stick to that order. As #1 Alabama would be placed in the Sugar Bowl. That would put #2 Florida State in the Rose Bowl. There might be some argument about #3/4, but Ohio State would probably win out (if we assume this closely matches the AP) plus that puts a Big Ten team in the Rose and set-ups SEC/Big 12 in the Sugar (the new normal next year) so that's an extra reason to leave things as the polls have them.

Other bowls: Clemson would automatically move into the Orange Bowl to replace Florida State. Based on current ranking, UCF would be the Group of 5 automatic team if we imagine the committee will think like the AP (although Fresno State is ahead right now in the BCS). Meanwhile Stanford would automatically be in a bowl since they were displaced as conference champ from the Rose Bowl. That would leave 4 more spots in the hosts bowls and 1 in the Orange.

I think the CFP would definitely take Oregon. After that, the next teams are harder to judge based on remaining schedules. 4 SEC teams are after that, but they have a lot of games against each other left (as well as South Carolina vs. Clemson). Since I'm going with the assumption for this post that the higher ranked team wins all games that will leave some real choices for the committee. I don't think they'd want 3 at large picks to be SEC teams if they could help it either. I'll say they go with Auburn, Missouri, and Oklahoma State to go along with Oregon. Matching up those teams, I think the committee would put PAC-12 champ Stanford in the closest bowl so they go to the Fiesta and match them against the highest non-PAC-12 team which is Auburn. They would put then put Oklahoma State in the nearby Cotton and match them up with former conference rival Missouri. That would leave Oregon vs. Central Florida in the Peach.
Note: I think there is a lot of possible variation here. I could see Northern Illinois or Fresno State getting in here. I could see Texas A&M, South Carolina, or Michigan State as well.

That leaves the Orange Bowl's 2nd spot. It's hard to judge exactly the ranking at that point. Going with the assumption the higher ranked team wins all these games, Texas A&M, South Carolina, and Michigan State all have an 1 extra loss. South Carolina would not be chosen however since they will have just played Clemson. I'm guessing Michigan State will be slightly higher since they will get added attention based on going to the Big Ten Championship Game and there will be a push against having 4 SEC teams in. It could just as easily be reversed though and would probably depend a lot on how A&M and MSU looked against Missouri and Ohio State (in reality, I think A&M will beat Missouri, but I'm going with the assumption all higher ranked teams win for this senario).

Sugar Bowl (semi-final): Alabama vs. Baylor
Rose Bowl (semi-final): Florida State vs. Ohio State
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Michigan State
Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Missouri
Fiesta Bowl: Stanford vs. Auburn
Peach Bowl: Oregon vs. Central Florida

The longer I think about this though, the more I'm inclined to think the committee would put in one of Northern Illinois or Fresno State if they finish unbeaten. I think Fresno State beating Boise State in the Mountain West Championship would put them over the top and they'd replace Oklahoma State.

UCF wouldn't be in next year unless chosen at large. The P5 auto team would be Fresno if they win out. If this was the 2014 season.

Considering the SEC right now has 5 teams ranked higher than Michigan St, and Michigan St would be taking another loss in the Big Ten title game, there's ZERO chance that Michigan St would be selected on Merit(which is how it is next) over a 2 loss SEC team. A prime team to watch would be Auburn at 10-2.

I don't know at all if Fresno would be the auto team at all. I think if it was a committee, I think you'd see NIU quite frankly.

Oklahoma St no way makes it. Remember they don't have to be selected because Baylor already in.

(11-13-2013 03:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Considering the SEC right now has 5 teams ranked higher than Michigan St, and Michigan St would be taking another loss in the Big Ten title game, there's ZERO chance that Michigan St would be selected on Merit(which is how it is next) over a 2 loss SEC team. A prime team to watch would be Auburn at 10-2.

I don't know at all if Fresno would be the auto team at all. I think if it was a committee, I think you'd see NIU quite frankly.

Oklahoma St no way makes it. Remember they don't have to be selected because Baylor already in.

The Orange Bowl slot isn't based on pure merit - they can pick whoever they want out of the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame after the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls make their picks. So, it's certainly conceivable that they'd take a top tier bowl-starved Michigan State, particularly with all of the Michigan transplants in the southern half of Florida. Using the current rankings, Auburn and Mizzou would end up in access bowls, so the Orange Bowl can't pick them.

As a result, if you're an Orange Bowl rep, MSU is almost certainly a better ticket draw than Texas A&M due to geography and the Michigan transplant angle, while the bowl also wouldn't want to have a South Carolina (the next highest ranked SEC team) vs. Clemson rematch.

(11-13-2013 12:54 PM)ohio1317 Wrote:  I wanted to look at how the bowl picture looks different this year with the BCS vs. other with the CFP next year. For this post, I'm assuming 3 things.
1. Higher ranked teams win against lesser ranked teams the rest of the season (not going to actually happen, but I have to assume something).
2. The CFP committee rankings will probably be close to the AP and BCS ranking.
3. There will be some internal/external pressure not to have too many teams from one conference.

BCS: Going by current rankings, Alabama and Florida State make the BCS Championship Game. Ohio State and Stanford are automatically in the Rose Bowl and Baylor is automatically in the Fiesta. Central Florida is automatically in the BCS as American champ and I'm assuming one of Fresno State or Northern Illinois is in the top 12 or above Central Florida (going with Fresno State here since they are the higher ranked).

With those automatically in, the Sugar and Orange Bowls get first pick at replacements. Both will likely choose to keep relations with their conferences strong and pick replacements teams from the SEC/ACC, meaning the Sugar takes Auburn (2nd highest ranked SEC right now, could replace them with several others) and the Orange takes Clemson. After those two bowls, the selection order goes Orange, Sugar, Fiesta. The Orange has a few options. I think the most likely (assuming no upsets remember) is Oregon as they will be highest ranked. The Sugar chooses next and takes Central Florida over Fresno State. The Fiesta then takes Fresno State.

BCS National Championship Game: Alabama vs. Florida State
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Stanford
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Oregon
Sugar Bowl: Auburn vs. UCF
Fiesta Bowl: Baylor vs. Fresno State

CFP (with Rose and Sugar as semi-finals):

Set-up: Next year the Rose and Sugar Bowls will be the semi-finals. The Orange Bowl will be ACC vs. someone from the SEC/Big Ten/Notre Dame (assuming no rematches). However, the hosts bowls (Fiesta, Cotton, Peach) get to grab Big Ten/SEC teams first (and possible Notre Dame, haven't seen that written out). The highest of the Group of 5 (MAC, American, Conference USA, Mountain West, Sunbelt) will be in a CFP bowl. Any Big Ten/PAC-12/SEC/Big 12 champ that does not make the CFP will automatically be in a CFP since they lost their spot in the Rose/Sugar (this does not apply to non-champs).

Semi-final bowls: Based on current results, the playoff committee would almost certainly take Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, and Baylor. They might play around with the ranking more than the polls, but they'd probably stick to that order. As #1 Alabama would be placed in the Sugar Bowl. That would put #2 Florida State in the Rose Bowl. There might be some argument about #3/4, but Ohio State would probably win out (if we assume this closely matches the AP) plus that puts a Big Ten team in the Rose and set-ups SEC/Big 12 in the Sugar (the new normal next year) so that's an extra reason to leave things as the polls have them.

Other bowls: Clemson would automatically move into the Orange Bowl to replace Florida State. Based on current ranking, UCF would be the Group of 5 automatic team if we imagine the committee will think like the AP (although Fresno State is ahead right now in the BCS). Meanwhile Stanford would automatically be in a bowl since they were displaced as conference champ from the Rose Bowl. That would leave 4 more spots in the hosts bowls and 1 in the Orange.

I think the CFP would definitely take Oregon. After that, the next teams are harder to judge based on remaining schedules. 4 SEC teams are after that, but they have a lot of games against each other left (as well as South Carolina vs. Clemson). Since I'm going with the assumption for this post that the higher ranked team wins all games that will leave some real choices for the committee. I don't think they'd want 3 at large picks to be SEC teams if they could help it either. I'll say they go with Auburn, Missouri, and Oklahoma State to go along with Oregon. Matching up those teams, I think the committee would put PAC-12 champ Stanford in the closest bowl so they go to the Fiesta and match them against the highest non-PAC-12 team which is Auburn. They would put then put Oklahoma State in the nearby Cotton and match them up with former conference rival Missouri. That would leave Oregon vs. Central Florida in the Peach.
Note: I think there is a lot of possible variation here. I could see Northern Illinois or Fresno State getting in here. I could see Texas A&M, South Carolina, or Michigan State as well.

That leaves the Orange Bowl's 2nd spot. It's hard to judge exactly the ranking at that point. Going with the assumption the higher ranked team wins all these games, Texas A&M, South Carolina, and Michigan State all have an 1 extra loss. South Carolina would not be chosen however since they will have just played Clemson. I'm guessing Michigan State will be slightly higher since they will get added attention based on going to the Big Ten Championship Game and there will be a push against having 4 SEC teams in. It could just as easily be reversed though and would probably depend a lot on how A&M and MSU looked against Missouri and Ohio State (in reality, I think A&M will beat Missouri, but I'm going with the assumption all higher ranked teams win for this senario).

Sugar Bowl (semi-final): Alabama vs. Baylor
Rose Bowl (semi-final): Florida State vs. Ohio State
Orange Bowl: Clemson vs. Michigan State
Cotton Bowl: Oklahoma State vs. Missouri
Fiesta Bowl: Stanford vs. Auburn
Peach Bowl: Oregon vs. Central Florida

Careful your east coast bias is showing. Based on the AP the would take CF over Fresno but not Stanford over Baylor? Seems you want to have it both ways. Why not say "based on the overwhelming bias towards east coast teams we are going to pick these guys" and be done with it.

(11-13-2013 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Considering the SEC right now has 5 teams ranked higher than Michigan St, and Michigan St would be taking another loss in the Big Ten title game, there's ZERO chance that Michigan St would be selected on Merit(which is how it is next) over a 2 loss SEC team. A prime team to watch would be Auburn at 10-2.

I don't know at all if Fresno would be the auto team at all. I think if it was a committee, I think you'd see NIU quite frankly.

Oklahoma St no way makes it. Remember they don't have to be selected because Baylor already in.

The Orange Bowl slot isn't based on pure merit - they can pick whoever they want out of the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame after the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls make their picks. So, it's certainly conceivable that they'd take a top tier bowl-starved Michigan State, particularly with all of the Michigan transplants in the southern half of Florida.

It's not that way at all. It's NOT after the Cotton, Fiesta, or Peach make their picks, it's first before they make their picks. And it's totally on merit.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...-agreement

The selection of the ACC representative's opponent will be based on securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from either the Big Ten, the SEC or Notre Dame. However, the Big Ten and SEC teams must appear at least three times each during the 12-year life of the deal, while Notre Dame can appear in the game a maximum of only two times. There is no minimum number of requirements by Notre Dame.

There isn't anything in there about being able to select a lower ranked Big Ten team. Nothing. Considering this year for example, Michigan St would be ranked if they're lucky around 15, and Auburn would be at the lowest 10th- there's no way that the Orange could have taken Michigan State this year.

In the AP- Baylor is ahead of Stanford. So he actually was being consistent.

If there was a selection committee this year, I would expect 1-loss Stanford to be taken over undefeated Baylor. Stronger schedule, and winning a CCG in the second best conference this year. I mean that's the whole point of a committee, isn't it? If we're just going to go by who has the fewest losses or who's tops in the polls there would be no need for a committee.

(11-13-2013 03:56 PM)TomThumb Wrote:  If there was a selection committee this year, I would expect 1-loss Stanford to be taken over undefeated Baylor. Stronger schedule, and winning a CCG in the second best conference this year. I mean that's the whole point of a committee, isn't it? If we're just going to go by who has the fewest losses or who's tops in the polls there would be no need for a committee.

I could see the committee putting in any 2 of Ohio St, Baylor, or Stanford easily. I don't think Ohio St would get in automatically at all. I think a lot of folks have major questions about them.

(11-13-2013 03:47 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Considering the SEC right now has 5 teams ranked higher than Michigan St, and Michigan St would be taking another loss in the Big Ten title game, there's ZERO chance that Michigan St would be selected on Merit(which is how it is next) over a 2 loss SEC team. A prime team to watch would be Auburn at 10-2.

I don't know at all if Fresno would be the auto team at all. I think if it was a committee, I think you'd see NIU quite frankly.

Oklahoma St no way makes it. Remember they don't have to be selected because Baylor already in.

The Orange Bowl slot isn't based on pure merit - they can pick whoever they want out of the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame after the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls make their picks. So, it's certainly conceivable that they'd take a top tier bowl-starved Michigan State, particularly with all of the Michigan transplants in the southern half of Florida.

It's not that way at all. It's NOT after the Cotton, Fiesta, or Peach make their picks, it's first before they make their picks. And it's totally on merit.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...-agreement

The selection of the ACC representative's opponent will be based on securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from either the Big Ten, the SEC or Notre Dame. However, the Big Ten and SEC teams must appear at least three times each during the 12-year life of the deal, while Notre Dame can appear in the game a maximum of only two times. There is no minimum number of requirements by Notre Dame.

There isn't anything in there about being able to select a lower ranked Big Ten team. Nothing. Considering this year for example, Michigan St would be ranked if they're lucky around 15, and Auburn would be at the lowest 10th- there's no way that the Orange could have taken Michigan State this year.

It's the committee rankings that will be used by the OB, correct?

In this year's standings, Auburn may not be top ten if they lose to Alabama. Mizzou-TAMU winner will be top ten if they win out . Either would be ahead of any 2 or 3 loss Big Ten team in a hypothetical OB pecking order.

(11-13-2013 03:47 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Considering the SEC right now has 5 teams ranked higher than Michigan St, and Michigan St would be taking another loss in the Big Ten title game, there's ZERO chance that Michigan St would be selected on Merit(which is how it is next) over a 2 loss SEC team. A prime team to watch would be Auburn at 10-2.

I don't know at all if Fresno would be the auto team at all. I think if it was a committee, I think you'd see NIU quite frankly.

Oklahoma St no way makes it. Remember they don't have to be selected because Baylor already in.

The Orange Bowl slot isn't based on pure merit - they can pick whoever they want out of the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame after the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls make their picks. So, it's certainly conceivable that they'd take a top tier bowl-starved Michigan State, particularly with all of the Michigan transplants in the southern half of Florida.

It's not that way at all. It's NOT after the Cotton, Fiesta, or Peach make their picks, it's first before they make their picks. And it's totally on merit.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...-agreement

The selection of the ACC representative's opponent will be based on securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from either the Big Ten, the SEC or Notre Dame. However, the Big Ten and SEC teams must appear at least three times each during the 12-year life of the deal, while Notre Dame can appear in the game a maximum of only two times. There is no minimum number of requirements by Notre Dame.

There isn't anything in there about being able to select a lower ranked Big Ten team. Nothing. Considering this year for example, Michigan St would be ranked if they're lucky around 15, and Auburn would be at the lowest 10th- there's no way that the Orange could have taken Michigan State this year.

The Orange would be Clemson/Auburn meaning you would hardly be able tell the fans from the seats. It's also my understanding the Orange Bowl gets it's team before the Fiesta, Peach, or Cotton bowls although I don't think the BCS ranking issue is hard and fast, it can't be can it if there is a choice between ND, SEC, and B10.

It's an English language construction issue - does the definition mean the highest ranked team left of the 29 members in the pool - B10/SEC/ND or does it mean a choice from a 14 member, 14 member, and 1 member pool. I think it's the later. But I can't support my assertion with anything other than what I've generally heard.

(11-13-2013 04:08 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:47 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Considering the SEC right now has 5 teams ranked higher than Michigan St, and Michigan St would be taking another loss in the Big Ten title game, there's ZERO chance that Michigan St would be selected on Merit(which is how it is next) over a 2 loss SEC team. A prime team to watch would be Auburn at 10-2.

I don't know at all if Fresno would be the auto team at all. I think if it was a committee, I think you'd see NIU quite frankly.

Oklahoma St no way makes it. Remember they don't have to be selected because Baylor already in.

The Orange Bowl slot isn't based on pure merit - they can pick whoever they want out of the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame after the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls make their picks. So, it's certainly conceivable that they'd take a top tier bowl-starved Michigan State, particularly with all of the Michigan transplants in the southern half of Florida.

It's not that way at all. It's NOT after the Cotton, Fiesta, or Peach make their picks, it's first before they make their picks. And it's totally on merit.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...-agreement

The selection of the ACC representative's opponent will be based on securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from either the Big Ten, the SEC or Notre Dame. However, the Big Ten and SEC teams must appear at least three times each during the 12-year life of the deal, while Notre Dame can appear in the game a maximum of only two times. There is no minimum number of requirements by Notre Dame.

There isn't anything in there about being able to select a lower ranked Big Ten team. Nothing. Considering this year for example, Michigan St would be ranked if they're lucky around 15, and Auburn would be at the lowest 10th- there's no way that the Orange could have taken Michigan State this year.

It's the committee rankings that will be used by the OB, correct?

In this year's standings, Auburn may not be top ten if they lose to Alabama. Mizzou-TAMU winner will be top ten if they win out . Either would be ahead of any 2 or 3 loss Big Ten team in a hypothetical OB pecking order.

yes committees rankings.

A 10-2 Auburn team, ranked right now with 1 loss as #9 in the polls? Given that
#8 Missouri/#10/11 Texas A&M play each other- 1 has to lose
#11/10 Oklahoma St would by the scenario lose to Baylor
#7 Clemson/#12 South Carolina play each other- 1 has to lose
#13/14 Fresno St- feel fairly good that Auburn higher than them
#14/13 Louisville- feel fairly good that Auburn higher than them

so yes, I think Auburn would be top 10 pretty easily. If anything they may be a smidge higher than they are now(#9).

(11-13-2013 04:12 PM)lumberpack4 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:47 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Considering the SEC right now has 5 teams ranked higher than Michigan St, and Michigan St would be taking another loss in the Big Ten title game, there's ZERO chance that Michigan St would be selected on Merit(which is how it is next) over a 2 loss SEC team. A prime team to watch would be Auburn at 10-2.

I don't know at all if Fresno would be the auto team at all. I think if it was a committee, I think you'd see NIU quite frankly.

Oklahoma St no way makes it. Remember they don't have to be selected because Baylor already in.

The Orange Bowl slot isn't based on pure merit - they can pick whoever they want out of the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame after the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls make their picks. So, it's certainly conceivable that they'd take a top tier bowl-starved Michigan State, particularly with all of the Michigan transplants in the southern half of Florida.

It's not that way at all. It's NOT after the Cotton, Fiesta, or Peach make their picks, it's first before they make their picks. And it's totally on merit.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...-agreement

The selection of the ACC representative's opponent will be based on securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from either the Big Ten, the SEC or Notre Dame. However, the Big Ten and SEC teams must appear at least three times each during the 12-year life of the deal, while Notre Dame can appear in the game a maximum of only two times. There is no minimum number of requirements by Notre Dame.

There isn't anything in there about being able to select a lower ranked Big Ten team. Nothing. Considering this year for example, Michigan St would be ranked if they're lucky around 15, and Auburn would be at the lowest 10th- there's no way that the Orange could have taken Michigan State this year.

The Orange would be Clemson/Auburn meaning you would hardly be able tell the fans from the seats.

I just would hope the game is as good as it was a few years ago at Auburn!

(11-13-2013 04:15 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 04:12 PM)lumberpack4 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:47 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:38 PM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 03:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  Considering the SEC right now has 5 teams ranked higher than Michigan St, and Michigan St would be taking another loss in the Big Ten title game, there's ZERO chance that Michigan St would be selected on Merit(which is how it is next) over a 2 loss SEC team. A prime team to watch would be Auburn at 10-2.

I don't know at all if Fresno would be the auto team at all. I think if it was a committee, I think you'd see NIU quite frankly.

Oklahoma St no way makes it. Remember they don't have to be selected because Baylor already in.

The Orange Bowl slot isn't based on pure merit - they can pick whoever they want out of the SEC, Big Ten or Notre Dame after the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls make their picks. So, it's certainly conceivable that they'd take a top tier bowl-starved Michigan State, particularly with all of the Michigan transplants in the southern half of Florida.

It's not that way at all. It's NOT after the Cotton, Fiesta, or Peach make their picks, it's first before they make their picks. And it's totally on merit.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/stor...-agreement

The selection of the ACC representative's opponent will be based on securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from either the Big Ten, the SEC or Notre Dame. However, the Big Ten and SEC teams must appear at least three times each during the 12-year life of the deal, while Notre Dame can appear in the game a maximum of only two times. There is no minimum number of requirements by Notre Dame.

There isn't anything in there about being able to select a lower ranked Big Ten team. Nothing. Considering this year for example, Michigan St would be ranked if they're lucky around 15, and Auburn would be at the lowest 10th- there's no way that the Orange could have taken Michigan State this year.

The Orange would be Clemson/Auburn meaning you would hardly be able tell the fans from the seats.

I just would hope the game is as good as it was a few years ago at Auburn!

What does the sentence mean - 1. top ranked of the 29 member pool or 2. a choice between top ranked B10/SEC/ND?

interesting catch...

from the orange bowl site- it would appear as if it's the top ranked of the 29 member pool:
The selection of the opponent will be based on the guiding principle of securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from the Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame, but will also utilize criteria that shares the minimum appearance standards as agreed upon by all parties. The standards include at least three guaranteed appearances over the 12 years for both the Big Ten and the SEC and a maximum of two with no minimum for Notre Dame.

one thing to remember for this year's scenario. Ohio St doesn't make the playoffs. They would not be eligible for the Orange Bowl- but rather would go to the access bowls. No conference champion is allowed to go to the Orange Bowl.

(11-13-2013 04:23 PM)stever20 Wrote:  interesting catch...

from the orange bowl site- it would appear as if it's the top ranked of the 29 member pool:
The selection of the opponent will be based on the guiding principle of securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from the Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame, but will also utilize criteria that shares the minimum appearance standards as agreed upon by all parties. The standards include at least three guaranteed appearances over the 12 years for both the Big Ten and the SEC and a maximum of two with no minimum for Notre Dame.

one thing to remember for this year's scenario. Ohio St doesn't make the playoffs. They would not be eligible for the Orange Bowl- but rather would go to the access bowls. No conference champion is allowed to go to the Orange Bowl.

It's to the ACC's financial benefit to get ND into the Bowl as soon as possible. The ACC keeps $40 million of the $55 million when it's ND.

(11-13-2013 04:26 PM)lumberpack4 Wrote:  

(11-13-2013 04:23 PM)stever20 Wrote:  interesting catch...

from the orange bowl site- it would appear as if it's the top ranked of the 29 member pool:
The selection of the opponent will be based on the guiding principle of securing the highest-ranked team in the final standings available from the Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame, but will also utilize criteria that shares the minimum appearance standards as agreed upon by all parties. The standards include at least three guaranteed appearances over the 12 years for both the Big Ten and the SEC and a maximum of two with no minimum for Notre Dame.

one thing to remember for this year's scenario. Ohio St doesn't make the playoffs. They would not be eligible for the Orange Bowl- but rather would go to the access bowls. No conference champion is allowed to go to the Orange Bowl.

It's to the ACC's financial benefit to get ND into the Bowl as soon as possible. The ACC keeps $40 million of the $55 million when it's ND.

it's going to be a really fine line for them doing that. I mean- if ND have to be higher ranked than the 2nd place SEC/Big Ten team- that's going to be really hard most years. IF ND is 11-1 they're going to be in the playoff 99% of the time. If they are 9-3, they won't be ahead of the 2nd SEC/Big Ten team. It's 10-2 almost on the dot that's going to be required for them to be in the Orange.

Thanks for the link above. I was under the impression that the Orange could choose only after the other bowls, but it appears from that it's only their champions it can't take. I would like to see more, but can't find it.

(11-13-2013 08:03 PM)ohio1317 Wrote:  Thanks for the link above. I was under the impression that the Orange could choose only after the other bowls, but it appears from that it's only their champions it can't take. I would like to see more, but can't find it.

well think about it. IF Orange couldn't take until after the access bowls, they would be relegated to most years the 3rd or 4th best SEC or Big Ten teams. No way that makes sense for the Orange.