So question: is UVA even the tiniest bit motivated to win the ACC CCG? If they win they go to the OB; if they lose they go to...the OB. Winning knocks their conference out of the playoffs so I venture to say that 13 out of 14 ACC teams want UVA to fall on their swords and lose.

Wisconsin and Oregon similarly have very little motivation to win as they also likely end up in the same spot whether they win or lose. Baylor is probably in the same boat too unless they crush Oklahoma and Utah falls.

The CFP and CCG weekend would be a whole lot more interesting in a 5-1-2 play off because all P5 CCGs would be play in games to automatic berths in an expanded playoff.

Head coaches have a responsibility to their program, not their program's conference. They go into these games to win no matter what the stakes are for the league for the other team winning. Players want to compete and win and probably care about their conference getting a CFP spot even less than the coaches do.

I suspect UVA's players will be amped to play in the CCG, but it won't matter.

(12-02-2019 01:32 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote:  So question: is UVA even the tiniest bit motivated to win the ACC CCG? If they win they go to the OB; if they lose they go to...the OB. Winning knocks their conference out of the playoffs so I venture to say that 13 out of 14 ACC teams want UVA to fall on their swords and lose.

Wisconsin and Oregon similarly have very little motivation to win as they also likely end up in the same spot whether they win or lose. Baylor is probably in the same boat too unless they crush Oklahoma and Utah falls.

The CFP and CCG weekend would be a whole lot more interesting in a 5-1-2 play off because all P5 CCGs would be play in games to automatic berths in an expanded playoff.

Wisconsin has a lot to play for, payback and if they lose PSU is likely heading to the Rose Bowl. Oregon goes to the Rose if they win. With a loss, and if Utah is not selected for the playoff, Oregon is probably headed to San Antonio.