http://www.asapsports.com/show_conference.php?id=135849
Interesting and he also dances around some questions
Interesting and he also dances around some questions
Kirby Holcut Press conf Q&A Nov 14
- Thread starter Soonerborn59
- Start date
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF MEDIA CONFERENCE
November 14, 2017
Kirby Hocutt
Grapevine, Texas
GINA LEHE: Good evening, and welcome to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee teleconference. Joining us tonight is Selection Committee chair Kirby Hocutt. At this time we'll turn it over to Kirby for opening statements.
KIRBY HOCUTT: Good evening. Thank you for being here. Earlier today, we completed our third ranking of the season. We began by spending considerable time weighing teams 1 through 5. Alabama is the No. 1 team in the nation. Clemson's season-long body of work, including a win over Auburn and road wins against two other ranked teams earned the Tigers the No. 2 ranking. The committee has been impressed with Miami's wins against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame and ranked them No. 3. Oklahoma with its win against highly ranked TCU is No. 4, and Wisconsin after beating Iowa is ranked No. 5.
It's fair to say that many teams remain very close throughout the rankings, head-to-head victories among comparable teams results against common opponents, and strength of schedule remain important points of differentiation for many teams. We have three more rankings to go, and I want to thank all the committee members for their hard work. I'm happy to take your questions.
Q. With Wisconsin undefeated at 5 and Auburn with two losses at 6, I'm just wondering what the conversation was like between those two teams within the committee.
KIRBY HOCUTT: There was separation between 5 Wisconsin and 6 Auburn. Very impressed with Auburn with their convincing win not only against Georgia but Mississippi State on their resumé. I think I've said before, Auburn being a physical team on both sides of the ball, I would say Auburn in the eyes of the Selection Committee is the best two-loss team at this point in the season.
Wisconsin, solid win over Iowa, who beat a very good top-10 ranked Ohio State a week earlier. Wisconsin is a team that continues to impress the Selection Committee. They're top 10 in the country in both offensive and defensive 3rd down efficiencies. Only one team has scored more than two touchdowns against Wisconsin. You know, there was separation between No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 6 Auburn.
Q. This could be the first year where two-loss teams are in the mix to potentially crack the top four by the end of the year. How do the discussions go? Does it change at all when you're dealing with a team that's lost multiple times, and is it different than what you might have encountered in the past?
KIRBY HOCUTT: No, it doesn't. Our charge is to rank the top 25 and the four best teams for inclusion into the semifinals. You know, anything can change weekend to weekend, and it does, and we'll continue to look at each component of a team's resumé as we compile our weekly rankings. But you know, if that is what presents itself here in three weeks, then the committee will handle it at that time. But it won't affect how we -- the discussions we have or ultimately how we rank these teams.
Q. How much discussion or debate was there about putting Oklahoma any higher, and in the end, why didn't you?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Lots of debate on teams 1 through 5 and where they went. Specifically on Oklahoma, we talked a lot about the Sooners. Three wins against teams ranked in the top 13 of this week's ranking, probably have some of the most impressive wins this season on the road against Ohio State and Oklahoma State. We talked a lot about their offense. It's the loss to Iowa State that did not allow Oklahoma to rank higher this week. It's that loss to a four-loss Iowa State team that has them in that 4 spot this week and not higher.
Q. So in regards to that, the difference between that loss and Clemson's loss, is that because of Kelly Bryant?
KIRBY HOCUTT: That's a fair statement. The Selection Committee continues to factor in the injury to the quarterback in the Clemson game and the fact that he returned their next game and returned at full speed. That continues to be a factor in our discussions of Clemson.
Q. What is the committee's assessment of Ohio State's resumé, specifically how detrimental is the loss to Iowa?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Well, the loss to Iowa was a convincing loss in the eyes of the Selection Committee that Ohio State suffered there. Still an extremely talented and good football team. Selection Committee was extremely impressed with the win and the manner with which the win came about over Michigan State last week. The win over Michigan State, the win over Penn State are two victories that the Selection Committee continues to be impressed with, but there again, the two losses to Oklahoma and Iowa also weakened the resumé at this particular time.
Q. Can you give me an idea of how close they were to being 8 or even 10?
KIRBY HOCUTT: You know, I said earlier that Auburn is the best two-loss team in the eyes of the Selection Committee this week. When we got into discussions on teams I would say 7 through 11, there was not a lot of separation in 7 through 11. There was a lot of conversation, discussion about that particular order. You know, not far away from being a spot or two higher and not too far away from being a spot or two lower, either.
Q. On ESPN you were talking about the debate between Clemson and Miami and noted the discussion in the room about the strong defense that both teams play. Is the committee looking at the defense and maybe putting a premium on defensive play, at least this week?
KIRBY HOCUTT: I think in my comments on air there, as we looked at No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Miami, those are two teams that are very similar on paper. Their defenses are both at a high efficiency ranking. Their offenses statistically are similar in the data that we had in front of us. So we're looking at the total resumé, the total body of work. With Oklahoma the committee had talked a lot about the elite offense and that the high level that Oklahoma is playing on that side of the ball, the amount of points that they're scoring. We're looking at the total resumé, the total body of work, and then ranking these teams as we believe they belong in this week's rankings.
Q. Kirby, two weeks ago after the first rankings, you said teams 3 through 7 were very tight. That included Clemson and Oklahoma 4 and 5, I think. Since then the Sooners have beaten OSU and TCU, TCU has beaten North Carolina State and Florida State. Two good wins I'd say but not as good as Oklahoma State and TCU, but there seems to have become more of a separation between those two teams. How did that come to be?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily agree with that statement. I think teams 1 through 5 are all close this week and comparable. I said earlier I think Oklahoma with their three wins against top-13 ranked teams is extremely impressive. Their road wins against Ohio State and Oklahoma, extremely impressive to the Selection Committee. As we study the total body of work, the total resumé of this college football season up to this particular given week, it's the loss to Iowa State, a 6-4 Iowa State now, that is keeping Oklahoma in that 4 spot and not higher this week. I would say still close teams 1 through 5 this week. Not sure that margin has separated between the two teams you asked specifically about, Clemson and Oklahoma, but it's that loss to Iowa State that's keeping Oklahoma below Clemson right now.
Q. I just wanted to ask, UCF rose from 18 to 15 this week; what was the discussion like when it came to UCF, and why did they rise up in the rankings?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Central Florida rose in the rankings because they earned it. They continue to produce offensively at an extremely high level. I believe they're the No. 6 scoring offense in the country. Obviously at 9-0, very impressive to the Selection Committee. As we study their total body of work, they have the one win against a top-25 team in Memphis. It's the schedule, as we talked about last week. The Selection Committee continues to like this team. We continue to spend a lot of time talking about Central Florida. You know, and we went through their schedule from top to bottom this week in our evaluation of Central Florida. They've earned that 15 spot where they are this week through their play, and the Selection Committee continues to be very impressed with Central Florida.
Q. You mentioned a couple times now that the reason Oklahoma is where they are was because of the loss to 6-4 Iowa State; Clemson lost to a Syracuse team that is now 4-6. You mentioned the quarterback getting hurt. I believe they were trailing in the game already when he got hurt. Can you just describe how that works? Is it as if that game didn't happen, or how you factor that in, the fact that that loss doesn't seem to be affecting them the same way that the Iowa State loss is affecting Oklahoma.
KIRBY HOCUTT: I would say with Clemson, in addition, and I'll answer the question about the injury and the loss to Syracuse. With Clemson we continue to look at their total resumé and their six wins against teams with a winning record is more than any other team in the top 25 this week. They have two top-25 wins. I think they've been impressive to the Selection Committee not only at home but on the road with two road wins at Virginia Tech and North Carolina State. The Selection Committee continues to be impressed with how they're playing on the defensive side of the ball.
We're aware of things that transpire in particular games. Their quarterback came into that game against Syracuse hobbled, looked like he was playing with an injured ankle. He was not 100 percent to begin with, and then when he was concussed in the second quarter, he missed the remaining part of that second quarter and the second half. He came back, they had a bye week, he came back two weeks later and appeared healthy and is back at full strength.
When we look at Oklahoma's loss to Iowa State, there was no such injury that the Selection Committee has talked about or is aware of in Oklahoma's loss to Iowa State. We're aware of all facets of all things that transpire within a particular game, and we continue to take into account with Clemson's loss the injury to their quarterback and also the fact that he came into that game not 100 percent.
Q. When you have teams that have such drastically different results in the course of a season, gigantic wins over good teams, terrible losses maybe, does it just make it a more difficult discussion as you try to come up with the true nature of that team, what that team really is as you try to balance such disparate results in one team? Is that difficult, or is that just the nature of the beast?
KIRBY HOCUTT: You know, that's a good question, an interesting question. I think it's what is a part of the enjoyment of serving on the Selection Committee is the discussion and the debate, and we talked about how we are ranking inconsistent teams, an inconsistent product week to week, and that's why I think it's important that we study the full body of work, the full resumé, and I think that's why this Selection Committee has been good for the game of college football, because what's different is we're watching these games week to week, and we do see the inconsistencies and we do see the performance of these teams.
It's a nature of what we're charged to do I guess I would say, nature of the beast is how you phrased it. It comes with our charge and our duty and one that we take very seriously and one that is challenging each and every week, one that makes it challenging to sit in that Selection Committee room and debate what is separating four to six particular teams at a time, and which team is the better team and deserves to be ranked higher.
Q. I asked you about Michigan last week and why they weren't ranked, and you said it was because they had not played any teams with winning records, and they still haven't, I don't think, and I was wondering why they are in this week.
KIRBY HOCUTT: Yeah, you know, Michigan was a team I think I said last week was on the cusp of being ranked, and you're correct, they have no wins against a team with a winning record. We looked at the two losses that Michigan has, their two losses are to Penn State and Michigan. They're a good football team with a very good defense, and you know, keep in mind, last week to this week what's changed in our rankings. Teams have lost and fallen out of our rankings, and other teams have won and moved up. I think based upon some things that happened last week with top-25 teams and our continued evaluation of an 8-2 Michigan team, they have earned the ranking of being the 24th team in the country this week.
Q. I was wondering what the justification was for putting TCU behind USC and behind Penn State when I would argue that -- did they have the highest ranked win out of all those teams. What was the justification for that?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Well, TCU is a very talented team indeed. They've lost two of their last three games, one of their losses to an Iowa State team who has fallen out of our rankings. You know, Southern California ahead of them is playing very good right now. Southern California is getting healthy. They've had significant injuries this year that as they have gotten those players back on the field, they are playing at an extremely high level, and Penn State, I believe, may have been the other team you mentioned at No. 10. Penn State has got an impressive resumé. This is a very good Penn State football team, with their only two losses being by a combination of four points to Ohio State and Michigan State. Two good football teams on top of TCU right now, but that being said, TCU is a team that at 8-2 the Selection Committee continues to hold in high regard.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
November 14, 2017
Kirby Hocutt
Grapevine, Texas
GINA LEHE: Good evening, and welcome to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee teleconference. Joining us tonight is Selection Committee chair Kirby Hocutt. At this time we'll turn it over to Kirby for opening statements.
KIRBY HOCUTT: Good evening. Thank you for being here. Earlier today, we completed our third ranking of the season. We began by spending considerable time weighing teams 1 through 5. Alabama is the No. 1 team in the nation. Clemson's season-long body of work, including a win over Auburn and road wins against two other ranked teams earned the Tigers the No. 2 ranking. The committee has been impressed with Miami's wins against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame and ranked them No. 3. Oklahoma with its win against highly ranked TCU is No. 4, and Wisconsin after beating Iowa is ranked No. 5.
It's fair to say that many teams remain very close throughout the rankings, head-to-head victories among comparable teams results against common opponents, and strength of schedule remain important points of differentiation for many teams. We have three more rankings to go, and I want to thank all the committee members for their hard work. I'm happy to take your questions.
Q. With Wisconsin undefeated at 5 and Auburn with two losses at 6, I'm just wondering what the conversation was like between those two teams within the committee.
KIRBY HOCUTT: There was separation between 5 Wisconsin and 6 Auburn. Very impressed with Auburn with their convincing win not only against Georgia but Mississippi State on their resumé. I think I've said before, Auburn being a physical team on both sides of the ball, I would say Auburn in the eyes of the Selection Committee is the best two-loss team at this point in the season.
Wisconsin, solid win over Iowa, who beat a very good top-10 ranked Ohio State a week earlier. Wisconsin is a team that continues to impress the Selection Committee. They're top 10 in the country in both offensive and defensive 3rd down efficiencies. Only one team has scored more than two touchdowns against Wisconsin. You know, there was separation between No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 6 Auburn.
Q. This could be the first year where two-loss teams are in the mix to potentially crack the top four by the end of the year. How do the discussions go? Does it change at all when you're dealing with a team that's lost multiple times, and is it different than what you might have encountered in the past?
KIRBY HOCUTT: No, it doesn't. Our charge is to rank the top 25 and the four best teams for inclusion into the semifinals. You know, anything can change weekend to weekend, and it does, and we'll continue to look at each component of a team's resumé as we compile our weekly rankings. But you know, if that is what presents itself here in three weeks, then the committee will handle it at that time. But it won't affect how we -- the discussions we have or ultimately how we rank these teams.
Q. How much discussion or debate was there about putting Oklahoma any higher, and in the end, why didn't you?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Lots of debate on teams 1 through 5 and where they went. Specifically on Oklahoma, we talked a lot about the Sooners. Three wins against teams ranked in the top 13 of this week's ranking, probably have some of the most impressive wins this season on the road against Ohio State and Oklahoma State. We talked a lot about their offense. It's the loss to Iowa State that did not allow Oklahoma to rank higher this week. It's that loss to a four-loss Iowa State team that has them in that 4 spot this week and not higher.
Q. So in regards to that, the difference between that loss and Clemson's loss, is that because of Kelly Bryant?
KIRBY HOCUTT: That's a fair statement. The Selection Committee continues to factor in the injury to the quarterback in the Clemson game and the fact that he returned their next game and returned at full speed. That continues to be a factor in our discussions of Clemson.
Q. What is the committee's assessment of Ohio State's resumé, specifically how detrimental is the loss to Iowa?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Well, the loss to Iowa was a convincing loss in the eyes of the Selection Committee that Ohio State suffered there. Still an extremely talented and good football team. Selection Committee was extremely impressed with the win and the manner with which the win came about over Michigan State last week. The win over Michigan State, the win over Penn State are two victories that the Selection Committee continues to be impressed with, but there again, the two losses to Oklahoma and Iowa also weakened the resumé at this particular time.
Q. Can you give me an idea of how close they were to being 8 or even 10?
KIRBY HOCUTT: You know, I said earlier that Auburn is the best two-loss team in the eyes of the Selection Committee this week. When we got into discussions on teams I would say 7 through 11, there was not a lot of separation in 7 through 11. There was a lot of conversation, discussion about that particular order. You know, not far away from being a spot or two higher and not too far away from being a spot or two lower, either.
Q. On ESPN you were talking about the debate between Clemson and Miami and noted the discussion in the room about the strong defense that both teams play. Is the committee looking at the defense and maybe putting a premium on defensive play, at least this week?
KIRBY HOCUTT: I think in my comments on air there, as we looked at No. 2 Clemson and No. 3 Miami, those are two teams that are very similar on paper. Their defenses are both at a high efficiency ranking. Their offenses statistically are similar in the data that we had in front of us. So we're looking at the total resumé, the total body of work. With Oklahoma the committee had talked a lot about the elite offense and that the high level that Oklahoma is playing on that side of the ball, the amount of points that they're scoring. We're looking at the total resumé, the total body of work, and then ranking these teams as we believe they belong in this week's rankings.
Q. Kirby, two weeks ago after the first rankings, you said teams 3 through 7 were very tight. That included Clemson and Oklahoma 4 and 5, I think. Since then the Sooners have beaten OSU and TCU, TCU has beaten North Carolina State and Florida State. Two good wins I'd say but not as good as Oklahoma State and TCU, but there seems to have become more of a separation between those two teams. How did that come to be?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily agree with that statement. I think teams 1 through 5 are all close this week and comparable. I said earlier I think Oklahoma with their three wins against top-13 ranked teams is extremely impressive. Their road wins against Ohio State and Oklahoma, extremely impressive to the Selection Committee. As we study the total body of work, the total resumé of this college football season up to this particular given week, it's the loss to Iowa State, a 6-4 Iowa State now, that is keeping Oklahoma in that 4 spot and not higher this week. I would say still close teams 1 through 5 this week. Not sure that margin has separated between the two teams you asked specifically about, Clemson and Oklahoma, but it's that loss to Iowa State that's keeping Oklahoma below Clemson right now.
Q. I just wanted to ask, UCF rose from 18 to 15 this week; what was the discussion like when it came to UCF, and why did they rise up in the rankings?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Central Florida rose in the rankings because they earned it. They continue to produce offensively at an extremely high level. I believe they're the No. 6 scoring offense in the country. Obviously at 9-0, very impressive to the Selection Committee. As we study their total body of work, they have the one win against a top-25 team in Memphis. It's the schedule, as we talked about last week. The Selection Committee continues to like this team. We continue to spend a lot of time talking about Central Florida. You know, and we went through their schedule from top to bottom this week in our evaluation of Central Florida. They've earned that 15 spot where they are this week through their play, and the Selection Committee continues to be very impressed with Central Florida.
Q. You mentioned a couple times now that the reason Oklahoma is where they are was because of the loss to 6-4 Iowa State; Clemson lost to a Syracuse team that is now 4-6. You mentioned the quarterback getting hurt. I believe they were trailing in the game already when he got hurt. Can you just describe how that works? Is it as if that game didn't happen, or how you factor that in, the fact that that loss doesn't seem to be affecting them the same way that the Iowa State loss is affecting Oklahoma.
KIRBY HOCUTT: I would say with Clemson, in addition, and I'll answer the question about the injury and the loss to Syracuse. With Clemson we continue to look at their total resumé and their six wins against teams with a winning record is more than any other team in the top 25 this week. They have two top-25 wins. I think they've been impressive to the Selection Committee not only at home but on the road with two road wins at Virginia Tech and North Carolina State. The Selection Committee continues to be impressed with how they're playing on the defensive side of the ball.
We're aware of things that transpire in particular games. Their quarterback came into that game against Syracuse hobbled, looked like he was playing with an injured ankle. He was not 100 percent to begin with, and then when he was concussed in the second quarter, he missed the remaining part of that second quarter and the second half. He came back, they had a bye week, he came back two weeks later and appeared healthy and is back at full strength.
When we look at Oklahoma's loss to Iowa State, there was no such injury that the Selection Committee has talked about or is aware of in Oklahoma's loss to Iowa State. We're aware of all facets of all things that transpire within a particular game, and we continue to take into account with Clemson's loss the injury to their quarterback and also the fact that he came into that game not 100 percent.
Q. When you have teams that have such drastically different results in the course of a season, gigantic wins over good teams, terrible losses maybe, does it just make it a more difficult discussion as you try to come up with the true nature of that team, what that team really is as you try to balance such disparate results in one team? Is that difficult, or is that just the nature of the beast?
KIRBY HOCUTT: You know, that's a good question, an interesting question. I think it's what is a part of the enjoyment of serving on the Selection Committee is the discussion and the debate, and we talked about how we are ranking inconsistent teams, an inconsistent product week to week, and that's why I think it's important that we study the full body of work, the full resumé, and I think that's why this Selection Committee has been good for the game of college football, because what's different is we're watching these games week to week, and we do see the inconsistencies and we do see the performance of these teams.
It's a nature of what we're charged to do I guess I would say, nature of the beast is how you phrased it. It comes with our charge and our duty and one that we take very seriously and one that is challenging each and every week, one that makes it challenging to sit in that Selection Committee room and debate what is separating four to six particular teams at a time, and which team is the better team and deserves to be ranked higher.
Q. I asked you about Michigan last week and why they weren't ranked, and you said it was because they had not played any teams with winning records, and they still haven't, I don't think, and I was wondering why they are in this week.
KIRBY HOCUTT: Yeah, you know, Michigan was a team I think I said last week was on the cusp of being ranked, and you're correct, they have no wins against a team with a winning record. We looked at the two losses that Michigan has, their two losses are to Penn State and Michigan. They're a good football team with a very good defense, and you know, keep in mind, last week to this week what's changed in our rankings. Teams have lost and fallen out of our rankings, and other teams have won and moved up. I think based upon some things that happened last week with top-25 teams and our continued evaluation of an 8-2 Michigan team, they have earned the ranking of being the 24th team in the country this week.
Q. I was wondering what the justification was for putting TCU behind USC and behind Penn State when I would argue that -- did they have the highest ranked win out of all those teams. What was the justification for that?
KIRBY HOCUTT: Well, TCU is a very talented team indeed. They've lost two of their last three games, one of their losses to an Iowa State team who has fallen out of our rankings. You know, Southern California ahead of them is playing very good right now. Southern California is getting healthy. They've had significant injuries this year that as they have gotten those players back on the field, they are playing at an extremely high level, and Penn State, I believe, may have been the other team you mentioned at No. 10. Penn State has got an impressive resumé. This is a very good Penn State football team, with their only two losses being by a combination of four points to Ohio State and Michigan State. Two good football teams on top of TCU right now, but that being said, TCU is a team that at 8-2 the Selection Committee continues to hold in high regard.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
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Personally I have no problems with the current rankings and if Wisconsin beats Michigan this weekend it wouldn't surprise me to see Wisconsin and OU flip flop as the 4 and 5 next week. OU vs. KU isn' t going to impress this committee but if the D allows KU to score in the high 20's it may very well hurt them in the next rankings.
OU needs to be impressive over the final 3 weeks on both sides of the ball to cement that path into the playoffs as I am not sure just winning out will accomplish it. To many variables out there with 3 weeks to go. Not sure how the committee would view that 3rd and 4th spot if comes down to a 12-1 OU, 11-1 Alabama, and a 12-1 Miami if they lose a very close game to Clemson in the ACC Championship.
OU needs to be impressive over the final 3 weeks on both sides of the ball to cement that path into the playoffs as I am not sure just winning out will accomplish it. To many variables out there with 3 weeks to go. Not sure how the committee would view that 3rd and 4th spot if comes down to a 12-1 OU, 11-1 Alabama, and a 12-1 Miami if they lose a very close game to Clemson in the ACC Championship.
Whichever team loses the ACC championship game is out of the playoffs. But I admit if Wisconsin goes undefeated, then how do you leave them out of the playoffs? Their schedule may not be the most impressive one out there, but going undefeated in a Power 5 conference is no small feat.
I don't think Wisconsin can get in and here's why: So far they haven't played a ranked team yet. Michigan will be their first ranked opponent and they're #19. Even if they go undefeated and play Ohio State and beat them, OU beat the tar out of Ohio State, so how would they jump OU or a team like Bama, Miami, Clemson, Auburn or Georgia? They just don't have the resume.
If the committee is all about putting the best 4 teams in the playoffs and OU wins out, then the best 4 teams will be an ACC team (Clemson or Miami, OU and 2 teams from the SEC (either Bama, Auburn or Georgia).
If OU wins out, here's how I see the final 4 shaping up.
#1 SEC champ
#2 OU
#3 ACC champ
#4 SEC runner up
If OU loses, then Wisconsin would be in the playoffs if they run the table.
If the committee is all about putting the best 4 teams in the playoffs and OU wins out, then the best 4 teams will be an ACC team (Clemson or Miami, OU and 2 teams from the SEC (either Bama, Auburn or Georgia).
If OU wins out, here's how I see the final 4 shaping up.
#1 SEC champ
#2 OU
#3 ACC champ
#4 SEC runner up
If OU loses, then Wisconsin would be in the playoffs if they run the table.
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I doubt Wisconsin would get left out and they shouldn't if they run the table. I am also not sure the loser of the ACC game is out if its Miami but Clemson would be for sure if they lost. I think it would depend on the rather or not the game was close if Miami is to lose.
Record has nothing to do with who is the best team. If you play cupcakes and go undefeated, that does not make you a great team when you have other teams facing tough opponents throughout the season.
Of course, this is all a moot point if Michigan or Ohio State thumps Wisconsin.
It feels to me as if the Big 12 is being downplayed by the committee as a power five conference, but just barely. Time after time teams in the B12 suffer more in the rankings after losses than teams in the SEC, B10 and ACC. The inverse is true after wins.
A large part of this can be attributed to ESPN's persistently antagonistic stand against a conference that has the most creative offensive minds in the country as being only a freak show, and not a place where real defense is really played. Partly it is the conference's inability to self-promote their product on the national stage.
Much of it is pure fantasy. OU had to play two highly-ranked one-loss teams in a row and defeat them, do so in impressive fashion, and show an impressively improved defensive product against TCU. What did that get them? A bump from 5 to 4 after two of the teams formerly ranked ahead of them lost: Georgia and Notre Dame.
Apparently defeating highly-ranked B12 teams isn't the same as beating that kind of team in certain other conferences.
A large part of this can be attributed to ESPN's persistently antagonistic stand against a conference that has the most creative offensive minds in the country as being only a freak show, and not a place where real defense is really played. Partly it is the conference's inability to self-promote their product on the national stage.
Much of it is pure fantasy. OU had to play two highly-ranked one-loss teams in a row and defeat them, do so in impressive fashion, and show an impressively improved defensive product against TCU. What did that get them? A bump from 5 to 4 after two of the teams formerly ranked ahead of them lost: Georgia and Notre Dame.
Apparently defeating highly-ranked B12 teams isn't the same as beating that kind of team in certain other conferences.
Wisconsin will not be in the playoff. If they don't lose to Michigan, they will lose in the Big Ten Championship game. Wisconsin plays in the weakest division in college football. They are undefeated, but really aren't that good. OU would destroy Wisconsin.
Judging by the reactions of some OU fans, you would have thought the committee snubbed OU and kept them at #5........
OU may have gave #6 a thumping, but Miami just gave #3 ND an absolute crushing and is still undefeated.
Agreed, but if not for OU tapping the brakes in the 2nd half, they might've won by 40 points. I wonder if the final score was 60-20 if OU would still be ranked 4th? Remember, TCU supposedly had a very tough defense ranked #6 in the country.
It's all a moot point as long as OU can keep winning. Watching how this all plays out should be exciting with Bama playing Auburn and then the SEC championship and the ACC championship games.
If there is one thing I have learned in my years of watching CFB it is never discount anyone. I think OU would beat Wisconsin but I dont think it would be a total butt whipping.
Most of us thought the same thing vs ISU this year I am sure and how many of us thought we would ever lose to Kansas in 75? This committee isnt leaving out an undefeated BIG team if they accomplish it no more than they would leave out an undefeated B12 or PAC team.
"When we look at Oklahoma's loss to Iowa State, there was no such injury that the Selection Committee has talked about or is aware of in Oklahoma's loss to Iowa State. We're aware of all facets of all things that transpire within a particular game, and we continue to take into account with Clemson's loss the injury to their quarterback and also the fact that he came into that game not 100 percent."
I guess they aren't taking Mike's brain farts in to consideration.
I guess they aren't taking Mike's brain farts in to consideration.
Or the fact that ISU beat TCU and nearly beat OSU? It proves ISU is no cupcake. Actually, they are taking into account Mike's brain farts, they've said OU's defense hurts them in the eyes of the committee.
Im not sure they are aware. Guess they forgot OU had a chance to go up 38-24 until Baker fumbled the ball on the mishandled handoff inside the ISU 5. Then the D took over and promptly let them drive the length to tie it up.
Well ya that's a good point. Style points do matter in the end I think. I have no idea if Miami tapped the brakes later in the game with ND as well.
OU needs to make sure and showcase some lockdown defense in the remaining 3 games to knock down the committees concern in that area.
I guess they don't know much about CeeDee Lamb, Abdul Adams, Steven Parker and Emmanuel Beal, all of whom missed significant time against Iowa State.
If Alabama wins out, the SEC runnerup will not be in the playoff, because Auby would have three losses and Georgia at least two (and two late in the season). The ONLY way the SEC gets two is if Alabama loses to Auburn. Now, if that happens and if OU loses and if Wisconsin loses and if Clemson beats an undefeated Miami in the ACC championship game, we will probably have two ACC teams and two SEC teams in the playoff. But that's a lot of ifs.
Yeah, OU is in assuming we win out. There isn't a scenario that will prevent us from being in the top 4. Obviously, being 1, 2 or 3 is advantageous to being 4, but regardless we'll be in.
You're right about Auburn, I did not think about them having 3 losses, however, what if either Alabama or Georgia only loses by 1-3 points in the SEC championship against each other? The committee might still put both in.
No, if Alabama beats Georgia, Georgia will have 2 losses. If Georgia beats Alabama in a close game who knows what will happen? According to ESPN last night no team has made the playoffs after losing a game after the 3rd poll.
That's a great question man. I can't seen Georgia getting in with 2 losses, and one being a throttling from Auburn. But I'm sure the real decision would be whether to include Alabama or not with a lone loss.
Lots of variables at play still out there. But one thing for certain is if OU just wins out they are sitting in good shape. That's really all that matters to me. What other teams do or don't do is irrelevant to me.
If OU wins out, it will not help their resume' other than they won the games. We won't get much favor for beating Kansas. Or WV. And the committee isn't showing any love to TCU right now, so beating them again in a Champ game will not help us. It may in fact hurt us as it would give TCU another loss. OU could easily fall out of the top 4 even if they win out. They better play above average defense or it could happen. That ISU loss continues to raise it's ugly head.
Having said this, that Clemson loss was far worse, QB injury or not. They lost to a 4-6 team. That just doesn't sit well.
Having said this, that Clemson loss was far worse, QB injury or not. They lost to a 4-6 team. That just doesn't sit well.
And I have no doubt that being the defending national champion and having played in the last 2 national title game does factor into these things. We don't like it, but it's reality. It's like 2003 and OU getting into the national title game after losing to Kansas State. Very few programs at the time could have pulled that off. But OU was about the best program in the country back then. So OU got the benefit of the doubt. Clemson is getting some of that treatment right now too.
A 4-6 team that lost to mid Tennessee, I believe. Syracuse is horrible.
Iowa State has 4 losses, but all 4 were nail biters and to OSU, WVU, Iowa and Texas. Not exactly chumps.
At least some are taking exception to the methodology.
https://www.crimsonandcreammachine....ollege-football-playoff-committee-clemson-fox
https://www.crimsonandcreammachine....ollege-football-playoff-committee-clemson-fox
And the prospect of Alabama losing to Auburn or possibly Georgia in the SEC title game is a very real possibility. Been hearing that Alabama's defense has been gutted by injuries this season. Good teams like Auburn or Georgia no doubt have the teams to exploit that when the time comes. So Alabama's spot in the playoffs is pretty shaky going forward.
WNAS is correct. Winning out does not guarantee OU is in. As I said earlier that to many variables could put our team just outside. Alabama losing and Wisconsin winning out are the two biggest variables in this equation.
Miami winning out up to ACCCG and losing a close game to Clemson is another variable. The ACC champ is in as is the SEC champ. If Wisconsin wins out at 13-0 they are in no matter their schedule strength. That would leave one slot and if Alabama is there sitting at 11-1 or 12-1 and the committees love affair with Saben, OU may cery well be out unless our D plays lights out over the next 3 games.
No one should put any trust in this committee and if you do I have a feeling a lot of those confident that winning out puts OU in will be very dissapointed if the marbles fall the way they could.
Klatt has always been outspoken. Good for him as someone needs to challenge them
I will say this. I do have to agree that simply winning out doesn't guarantee OU stays in. Because it all boils down to HOW OU finishes these last few games.
If OU shows up and plays like trash like in the Baylor and KSU games, then ya the committee isn't going to be very giving with OU. But if OU shows up and just dominates then that's another story. Kansas is a joke. But WVU is 7-3 and a decent team. Plus if OU dominates TCU again with TCU likely getting back into the Top 10 by then.
But OU right now can't afford to show up with performances like we saw against Baylor, KSU, and Iowa State. OU right now is playing again like they were during the Ohio State game. Let's hope this level of play is here to stay this time.
The Clemson loss is a lot worse than our loss. Syracuse has lost 5 of their last 7 games and has 6 losses this season with more to go.
OU was ranked #5 last week and dominated #6 TCU & we barely moved in the CFP poll. .
Good question, but only on the if Alabama loses a close one. If Georgia loses, I think they'd almost certainly be out, barring a whole bunch of crazy results in other games.
As we learned this past weekend, crazy stuff happens... so who knows?
Not in the eyes of the committee Bull. What we think or others think about that Syracuse loss the comitte is basically giving them a pass while holding OU loss against them. It doesn't sit well with me as I am sure it doesnt with others because its an excuse for the committee.
However unfortunately our opinions have no influence on their choices and thought process. I just wish the playoffs was expanded to 8 teams with all P5 champs getting an automatic from the beginning to eliminate any human bias. Right now though OU just needs to win out in imprresive fashion and let the chips fall however they fall. I am confident that this entire team knows what is at stake and forces the committee no other choice but to include them and I dont give a rats ass which seed it is as long as they get in.
Well put, Soonerborn...A good summary of 'The Situation'...
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