Good afternoon. We're 6 weeks into the regular season, and some programs in the so-called "Group of 5" Conferences have emerged as real forces to contend with. This is one reason among several, why I simply cannot stand the way D1 College Football hand picks and politically selects its' so called "national champion." I want a level playing field for all conference representatives to have a legitimate shot at a national title, but that ain't gonna happen in today's college football society. So, I wish the "Group" had its own playoff format, one that features 8 teams (5 outright conference champions and 3 at-large selections), and if I had my way, this is the route I would go...Which 8 of the standout teams from The Sun Belt, AAC, Mountain West, Mid-American, or Conference USA are in your "playoff" bracket at this point in the season? I'm sorry I haven't been as regular as I'd like to have been here, but I've been in the midst of a home related situation that has been very time consuming in addition to the footwork put in for the restoration of UAB Football/Athletics. I appreciate your indulgence on this topic, I can't wait to see your perspectives, in addition to the offering of mine ...Have a great one, all of ya's!

I prefer not to think in terms of relegating us to the new I-AA.

If we are going to talk about wishes, I wish we had a 16-team playoff, but since I know that's not likely to happen in my lifetime, I wish for an 8-team playoff that included the following realistic parameters:

1. Five Champions from the Power Conferences
2. Highest Ranking G5 Champion
3. Two At Large

Aac- Memphis #1
Mac- Toledo #2
Mwc- Boise #3
Cusa- WKU #4
Sbc- GaSo #5

At larges- Temple #6, Houston #7, Marshall #8

Side 1 ---------------------------- Side 2
Marshall @ Memphis ------------ Houston @ Toledo
GaSo @ WKU -------------------- Temple @ Boise

(10-20-2015 01:20 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I prefer not to think in terms of relegating us to the new I-AA.

If we are going to talk about wishes, I wish we had a 16-team playoff, but since I know that's not likely to happen in my lifetime, I wish for an 8-team playoff that included the following realistic parameters:

1. Five Champions from the Power Conferences
2. Highest Ranking G5 Champion
3. Two At Large

Exactly.

G5 conferences shouldn't vote for playoff expansion unless it includes access.

(10-20-2015 01:27 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  Aac- Memphis #1
Mac- Toledo #2
Mwc- Boise #3
Cusa- WKU #4
Sbc- GaSo #5

At larges- Temple #6, Houston #7, Marshall #8

Side 1 ---------------------------- Side 2
Marshall @ Memphis ------------ Houston @ Toledo
GaSo @ WKU -------------------- Temple @ Boise

Excellent! Thank you for the offering. @ThreeByLightning: For the record, I want to 16-team playoff, too, with all conference champions, regardless of W-L records, and at-large additions (see the back of Dan Wetzel's book, "Death To The BCS"). But, it ain't gonna happen under the present conditions. These so-called "G5" programs have just as much a right, IMO, to play for a national championship as anyone, but, the system and the media want nothing to do with it, and these programs, as impressive and competitive as they have been, are always going to be on the outside looking in. I for one would gladly welcome a playoff system for the "G5", since they clearly don't have a seat at the table of the current system. But, that's just me....This is strictly a "what if." topic...

@Mufantehc: Even after the beatdown Utah State put on Boise State last week, you still have the Broncos at #3 and the Aggies on the outside looking in? Hmmm...;-)

(10-20-2015 02:19 PM)Matrix Wrote:  

(10-20-2015 01:27 PM)mufanatehc Wrote:  Aac- Memphis #1
Mac- Toledo #2
Mwc- Boise #3
Cusa- WKU #4
Sbc- GaSo #5

At larges- Temple #6, Houston #7, Marshall #8

Side 1 ---------------------------- Side 2
Marshall @ Memphis ------------ Houston @ Toledo
GaSo @ WKU -------------------- Temple @ Boise

Excellent! Thank you for the offering. @ThreeByLightning: For the record, I want to 16-team playoff, too, with all conference champions, regardless of W-L records, and at-large additions (see the back of Dan Wetzel's book, "Death To The BCS"). But, it ain't gonna happen under the present conditions. These so-called "G5" programs have just as much a right, IMO, to play for a national championship as anyone, but, the system and the media want nothing to do with it, and these programs, as impressive and competitive as they have been, are always going to be on the outside looking in. I for one would gladly welcome a playoff system for the "G5", since they clearly don't have a seat at the table of the current system. But, that's just me....This is strictly a "what if." topic...

If you want a separate "championship" for G5, then what you are really arguing for is you wished you would have just stopped when you became I-AA.

I understand the perceptions that we are already relegated, but if we go that route all we are doing is escalating the time frame to official reclassification. We went through a lot of crap to get here. More than a lot of the current schools in our conference had to go through. We may be in the non-reclining seats but at least we're riding in first class. I don't want to go back to coach.

I think what has to be done is that there must be certain stipulations. I don't feel that just because a team wins their conference, it should be an automatic ticket to the playoffs. I think a G5 team would have to earn their way there. I don't have the solution, but I think some requirements would be:

1) Win the conference, then:
2) No more than one loss
3) MUST at least have one P5 win against at least two P5 teams
4) Must be ranked in the top 15 in the CFP poll
5) Zero FCS on the schedule

Something like that that would make it unlikely to happen, but something the P5 might bite on. Because if the G5 can't fill its slots, then it reverts to at large P5 teams...At least it'd give us more of a chance than we (G5) have now.

This is my ideal CFP...

1. Automatic bids for all of the P5 leagues.

2. Three at-larges for the three highest rated G5 champs.

3. 8 At-larges from any league.

Seed them according to their ratings, 1 versus 16, 2 versus 15, etc. I think 16 is the perfect number.

Regarding a G5 playoff, I would obviously be opposed to it because of how much the G5 is currently getting from the CFP, but it wouldn't be as bad as going back to the FCS. The difference between a G5 playoff and the FCS playoff is that you'd have a lot more matchups that TV networks would be willing to televise. The Georgia Southern @ Old Dominion and App State @ Montana playoff games both got ratings better than many bowl games typically get and almost every FCS playoff game. Most of the FCS playoff games involve fan bases that don't really move the needle. Also, G5 programs won't complain that we need silly geographic-based brackets so that we can pretend to be DI without spending DI money.

(10-20-2015 01:45 PM)monarchoptimist Wrote:  

(10-20-2015 01:20 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I prefer not to think in terms of relegating us to the new I-AA.

If we are going to talk about wishes, I wish we had a 16-team playoff, but since I know that's not likely to happen in my lifetime, I wish for an 8-team playoff that included the following realistic parameters:

1. Five Champions from the Power Conferences
2. Highest Ranking G5 Champion
3. Two At Large

Exactly.

G5 conferences shouldn't vote for playoff expansion unless it includes access.

I would prefer a 12 team playoff with the 10 Div. 1 champions and two at-larges.

What I think our best hope long term may be is the champs of the P5 plus the top 3 teams from the G5. This year, IMO that would probably be Memphis, Houston and Temple with Boise and WKU getting a lot of consideration. Or possibly either the champs of the P5, AAC and MW and the best of the remaining G3, or lastly, the P5 take their ball and go home leaving the G5 with their own playoff.

What good are conferences and championships if you can't send your champ to the playoff anyway? Imagine basketball telling the all the conferences except the P5 that their champs aren't playing in the NCAAs. That would suck and be stupid, so thats likely the next phase.

(10-20-2015 04:57 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(10-20-2015 01:45 PM)monarchoptimist Wrote:  

(10-20-2015 01:20 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I prefer not to think in terms of relegating us to the new I-AA.

If we are going to talk about wishes, I wish we had a 16-team playoff, but since I know that's not likely to happen in my lifetime, I wish for an 8-team playoff that included the following realistic parameters:

1. Five Champions from the Power Conferences
2. Highest Ranking G5 Champion
3. Two At Large

Exactly.

G5 conferences shouldn't vote for playoff expansion unless it includes access.

I would prefer a 12 team playoff with the 10 Div. 1 champions and two at-larges.

What I think our best hope long term may be is the champs of the P5 plus the top 3 teams from the G5. This year, IMO that would probably be Memphis, Houston and Temple with Boise and WKU getting a lot of consideration. Or possibly either the champs of the P5, AAC and MW and the best of the remaining G3, or lastly, the P5 take their ball and go home leaving the G5 with their own playoff.

What good are conferences and championships if you can't send your champ to the playoff anyway? Imagine basketball telling the all the conferences except the P5 that their champs aren't playing in the NCAAs. That would suck and be stupid, so thats likely the next phase.

I completely agree that all the FBS conference champions should be included. I'm on board for any playoff configuration that provides every FBS conference an opportunity to win the national championship. If it has to start with the G5 access bowl spot turning into the G5 playoff spot, so be it.

No.

Our own playoff is most definitely not the answer.

(10-20-2015 05:30 PM)monarchoptimist Wrote:  

(10-20-2015 04:57 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(10-20-2015 01:45 PM)monarchoptimist Wrote:  

(10-20-2015 01:20 PM)ThreeifbyLightning Wrote:  I prefer not to think in terms of relegating us to the new I-AA.

If we are going to talk about wishes, I wish we had a 16-team playoff, but since I know that's not likely to happen in my lifetime, I wish for an 8-team playoff that included the following realistic parameters:

1. Five Champions from the Power Conferences
2. Highest Ranking G5 Champion
3. Two At Large

Exactly.

G5 conferences shouldn't vote for playoff expansion unless it includes access.

I would prefer a 12 team playoff with the 10 Div. 1 champions and two at-larges.

What I think our best hope long term may be is the champs of the P5 plus the top 3 teams from the G5. This year, IMO that would probably be Memphis, Houston and Temple with Boise and WKU getting a lot of consideration. Or possibly either the champs of the P5, AAC and MW and the best of the remaining G3, or lastly, the P5 take their ball and go home leaving the G5 with their own playoff.

What good are conferences and championships if you can't send your champ to the playoff anyway? Imagine basketball telling the all the conferences except the P5 that their champs aren't playing in the NCAAs. That would suck and be stupid, so thats likely the next phase.

I completely agree that all the FBS conference champions should be included. I'm on board for any playoff configuration that provides every FBS conference an opportunity to win the national championship. If it has to start with the G5 access bowl spot turning into the G5 playoff spot, so be it.

And what I wouldn't give to see that happen in my lifetime!

Problem with that is the G5 playoff champ would have played 2 more games before getting into the access bowl. Injuries and fatigue could be a factor. Though a playoff for the access spot could be the best of both worlds in some ways.

Maybe the P5 and the G5 could face off like two divisions. 10 champs plus 2 at larges. Seed the Ps and the Gs 1-6 and have the first round be all Ps vs. Gs and let the chips fall where they may.

So...Is Western Kentucky out of this conversation as far as Conference USA is concerned? They're deadlocked in the conference standings with 6-1 records and are both unbeaten in Conference USA play. Navy's 4 - 1 in the AAC and is unbeaten in the conference. Glad they decided to join a conference, wish that BYU and Notre Dame would do the same.

Here are my "Hypothetical 8", and I'm definitely on board with Memphis as a #1 seed! Temple, Houston (wow, 3 teams from the same conference! Impressive!) Western Kentucky(or Marshall), Toledo, Utah State (or Boise State as an at-large), Appalachian State (after what they did to Old Dominion on the road, I have them as front runners in the Sun Belt, I know they're deadlocked with Georgia Southern, love these new additions to their conference)..There are still a number of teams that could disrupt this prognosis and sneak their way into the conversation. after all, it's only half season. Gonna be fun to revisit this at regular season's end & Conference Championship games begin...#WhatIf?

(1) Memphis (AAC)
(8) Georgia Southern/Appy State winner (Belt)

(4) Houston
(5) WKU (C-USA)

(2) Temple
(7) Boise State

(3) Toledo (MAC)
(6) Utah State (MWC)

Marshall and Navy would be the only other two I'd even consider for the at-large. Of course, this is based on the current moment, and the AAC likely wouldn't have 3 of the top 4 seeds after they all play each other.

I am fundamentally opposed to setting up a different postseason playoff structure. Such a thing already exists, and it's called the FCS Championship Tournament. Last I checked, 9/14 of this conference has made the decision to leave FCS to go to the FBS structure over the last 20 years.

(10-20-2015 11:35 PM)CoachMaclid Wrote:  I am fundamentally opposed to setting up a different postseason playoff structure. Such a thing already exists, and it's called the FCS Championship Tournament. Last I checked, 9/14 of this conference has made the decision to leave FCS to go to the FBS structure over the last 20 years.

Exactly. Major bowls and playoff spots aren't handed out they're earned. If a program isn't concerned enough to get the job done and wants to play for a lesser prize than they need to hit the road. "G5" play off is loser talk.

I think G5 conferences should be thinking...

Outside shot at playoffs... (this year the AAC has people mentioning their undefeated teams in playoff implications)

Access G5 slot... (this is a guaranteed place at the table already)

then... win win win... support and travel to your schools bowl games and force the G5 position... bailing and starting our own playoff is death and obscurity!

(10-20-2015 11:21 PM)keebler645 Wrote:  (1) Memphis (AAC)
(8) Georgia Southern/Appy State winner (Belt)

(4) Houston
(5) WKU (C-USA)

(2) Temple
(7) Boise State

(3) Toledo (MAC)
(6) Utah State (MWC)

Marshall and Navy would be the only other two I'd even consider for the at-large. Of course, this is based on the current moment, and the AAC likely wouldn't have 3 of the top 4 seeds after they all play each other.

Outstanding! Really appreciate your feedback...All of you!