(10-08-2018 03:35 PM)Cataclysmo Wrote: (10-08-2018 02:05 PM)bearcatdp Wrote: (10-08-2018 01:47 PM)BearcatMan Wrote: (10-08-2018 10:49 AM)Cataclysmo Wrote: Oh man, it would be so sweet to go into the USF game while ranked and undefeated (at that point we'd probably be top 15ish).
If USF, UCF, and UC are undefeated into Week 11 (when Cincinnati and USF play), there's almost no chance we aren't all top 15. Hell, if any of us run the table with the other two at only 1/2 losses, I think we'd still have 3 Top 20 teams at season's end and a VERY good chance at the Playoff for the undefeated team (most likely UCF).
Most interesting scenario...we all go 1-1 in our games against each other and run the table outside of those games. That would be a nightmare to try and figure out...I would almost wan't Houston to beat USF, that way there would be a ranked Championship game for whoever can run the gauntlet in the east unscathed.
Based on current, I think UCF is the only American team that could possibly make the tournament if they go undefeated. Regardless, I still don't think a non "P"5 team makes the playoff. It just wouldn't be right (for ESPN).
With how well UCF did last year in their marketing I would think another undefeated run would draw plenty of interest in the playoffs. I mean, they'd at least be equivalent to Washington's forgettable finish at #4. They might need some help along the way but they're #10 now and at 12-0 they'd likely have some top 25 wins over USF and UC to go along with some Power 5 beat downs as well.
Yeah, I don't buy the whole ESPN won't let it happen angle. First off, I think the committee is independent (which is very different from saying unbiased as I think they are biased for name schools and against non P5 teams). Second, following the money, I'm not sure why they'd be against UCF. Granted they won't have the die hards and casual fans to attend and watch "their team" in playoff games that say an ND or OSU would. But the playoff games will presumably sell out easily anyway so TV is the issue.
To that end, UCF did a decent job marketing themselves based upon the "snub" last year. And if they run the table this year that will give them what- a 25ish game winning streak? I know the committee shouldn't care about last year but in terms of fan interest I think it would be pretty compelling viewing to any college football fan to see how they fare on tv in the playoffs. Point being I think a playoff game (or 2???) with them would have great interest nationwide and have very good ratings.
The bigger hurdle would be this year's strength of schedule issue with the committee. In their favor, they'd conceivably be coming off 3 straight wins against an (possibly pre-bowl games) 11-1 UC, a 9-3 USF and an 11-2 Houston (with 3 of those 6 total losses being against UCF and 2 more of the six being USF losing to UC and HTN in this scenario). Depending upon what happens in other conferences and ND, I could see that being pretty compelling to the committee.
At this point of course that's a best case scenario for them, but not necessarily very far fetched since it's arguably/probably looking at the likely favorites winning each AAC game.
Now, just for kicks, what if the arguably/likely favorites in those relevant AAC games win out EXCEPT for one underdog winning and what the heck, let's just say that one underdog winner was UC over UCF? Where would a 13-0 UC fit in coming off 4 wins over a possibly/likely 9-3 USF, 10-1 UCF, ECU and 11-2 Houston in the AACCG??? I'm going to hold off analyzing that dream for awhile....
(edit: aw heck, reading on it looks like several of you beat me to the punch on UCF's marketability being very underrated by some. But this took me too long to write to rewrite/delete now and I think it still has some new meat for discussion.)
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2018 Season Prediction Thread
