(01-08-2019 08:05 PM)Kaplony Wrote: (01-08-2019 07:19 PM)1845 Bear Wrote: 1- Over the last 30 years we’ve seen anywhere from 2-9 teams in a given year have a legitimate argument for inclusion. 8 solves almost all of these years.
The past 30 years don't matter beyond the past five because it involved a selection process we do not use anymore, but even then there's never been a case where more than 5 had a legitimate claim.
2008 easily did among other years. Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Penn State, USC, unbeaten Utah, one loss Bama, Texas Tech, unbeaten Boise. You’ve got at least 5 there.
Quote:Quote:2- Directly answering your question- 2014 Baylor and TCU vs Ohio State
Both lost to a better opponent by equal or fewer points. BU Lost to a good WV team that gave Bama and TCU a scare. TCU Lost to BU. Ohio State Lost to a VT team at home that won only 5 other games that year in the regular season and still almost missed bowl season with two narrow wins to close the regular season at 6-6. Buckeyes also lucked into some fortunate calls Vs PSU that Big Ten refs retroactively apologized for or else they go down.
TCU beat a common opponent that almost defeated the Buckeyes and did so pretty easily
Bad luck down the stretch where two very good opponents (OU/WV) lost QBs which led to losses that dropped their ranking took two “quality wins” off the board. Beating either of them healthy along with Kansas state made the resumes similar or better to what Ohio State did.
Big Ten had nearly everyone lose in noncon that year too.
Both squads deserved a shot even if you disagree on who should be 4th, 5th, or 6th seed.
Expand it and let them decide it on the field. 6 or 8 doesn’t water it down. 12 or 16 does.
Counter question- Does the odd champion out not deserve a shot if all 5 P5 champs have he same record as either are unbeaten or 1 loss teams? What if Notre Dame or BYU do the same with de-facto P5 schedules?
Strength of schedule in 2014"
Ohio State 29th
TCU 51st
Baylor 59th
Versus top 10
Ohio State 3-0
TCU 1-1
Baylor 1-1
Versus top 20
Ohio State 4-0
TCU 1-1
Baylor 1-1
There is nothing that absolutely makes Baylor or TCU overwhelmingly better than Ohio State in 2014. Had Baylor played a better OOC than SMU, Northwestern State and Buffalo or TCU played a better OOC than Samford, Minnesota and SMU it would have been a different argument. The injury to other teams excuse is just that, and excuse. Everybody has injuries, it's part of the game.
1- Pretty sure those numbers have playoff games included
2- Ohio State played a meh Vt team, 8 league games, and a league title game. TCU played Minnesota and 9. Baylor played 9.
The difference isn’t big. The best argument you can give isnrheir weakest three games were easier. Wisconsin Vs KSU was pretty even at the top too. TCU played Minnesota too. Baylor and TCU at the top is pretty strong for a top game too.
I have full confidence you’ll proceed to move the goalpost to fit your position. Simple reality here is all 6 of Bama, Oregon, FSU, Ohio State, Baylor, and TCU all deserved a shot and 1/3 didn’t get one.
Quote:In five years of the playoffs there hasn't been enough teams with a legitimate claim to being the best in the country to expand beyond four.
2014 has six from the P5 leagues. So you are wrong there.
I also believe unbeaten G5’s deserve a shot as they at least earned the right to try.
More years will provide more examples from the P5.
Quote:]As for the counter question it's hard to say since it's theoretical. In the off chance that ever happens is when strength of schedule really comes into play and teams that play decent OOC games will be rewarded while teams that play little sisters of the poor OOC will not.
Look at the entire resume. Especially rich considering Bama got in that year with three cupcakes as well since they had an extra noncon game. Nobody debates their inclusion. Oregon played two.
All six deserved a shot that year.