College football 2014 season

[Boris Godunov]

Me too. Oregon's first legit title shot that I'm aware of, and I'm generally in favor of new blood in the winner's circle.

You don't remember that Auburn and Oregon played in the NCG for the 2010 season? The Ducks only lost by 3 points that time, and that was due to a fluke play.

While Oregon got to within 1 point of OSU in the 3rd quarter, the game really didn't feel that close. My best guess is that the loss of so many of their top players just caught up with them. Addison, Johnstone, Ekpre-Olamu, Brown, Allen, Carrington... You can't lose your big play makers and expect to keep winning in all cases. There were so many dropped passes that should have been caught (the Dwayne Stanford one was a surefire TD). I can't fault the defense much at all (they couldn't tackle Elliott, but neither could Wisconsin or pretty much any other opponent), because they were put in the position they were due to the offense being unable to produce. I mean, they got 4 turnovers, but the offense couldn't take advantage like it needed to. I'd also guess they were just flat out-coached by Meyer.

I'd never blame one person, the Carrington suspension was unquestionably a gut punch to the offense and rattled them badly before the game. You could tell in their body language in interviews in the days leading up to the game. It was a bad distraction for them, and of course cost them one of their few-remaining strong receivers.

But congrats to the Buckeyes, it was definitely a monster game for them. They brought their A game and the Ducks didn't, simple as that.

[Drizzy Drake]

Is Guy ok? I'm glad to see Boris is handling it well and didn't join Guy in any suicide pact, but we all know Oregon fans are more sensible than Michigan Men...

Anyway, not sure how thrilled I am about having a national champ who lost to a 7-6 team at home, but at least the SEC didn't win again.

[Donegeal]

It's better than having a National Champion who couldn't even win their conference.

[Drizzy Drake]

OSU's loss to VT this year was way worse than Bama's loss to LSU in 2011.

[-Jrabbit]

You don't remember that Auburn and Oregon played in the NCG for the 2010 season?

What is this "2010" of which you speak? It sounds fascinating...

[MRT144]

OSU's loss to VT this year was way worse than Bama's loss to LSU in 2011.

Well, what are the alternatives? OSU did as much as a team can do to rectify a slip up by beating 2 conference champions back to back and remaining unbeaten.

[Berzerker]

we need an 8 team playoff

[-Jrabbit]

I disagree. Look at what happened with NCAA basketball. The tournament went from 8 (1939) to 16 (1950), and eventually to 64. Then 65 (1971), leading to whatever it is now -- 68 IIRC.

No matter how many teams you allow in, there will always be someone whining about being left out. For football, 8 teams means a 3-week playoff and 15-game season for these unpaid athletes, with more chances for injury and greater disruption of (remember education?) school. Admittedly, it would be great for the broadcast networks.

Going to 4 teams addresses the biggest issues of the old system while extending the season for only 2 teams. It also retains a fair degree of relevance for the regular season, something else that would go up in smoke by expanding the field.

Besides, this year was great. So don't panic. Give this system a few years to work and revisit it only if needed.

[rah]

Also with only 4 teams, there's a greater chance that every team will have either 0 or 1 lose so the eventual winner will at least be tied with the fewest loses (and the best record)
If you go 8 there's a chance that one of the teams will have 2 loses and could win all three rounds but still have a worst record than an eliminated team.
So unless you restrict the 8 to no more than 1 lose, your champion might not have the best record.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I think on some level though, you need to have 5... so all the Champions of the Power 5 conferences can make it... how do you do playoffs with 5 teams? You do a play in game, 4 vs. 5 a week before New Year's Day. Then continue as you did this year.

Would also force some conferences *cough* Big 12, to name a Champion. Oh yeah, in my system, only Conference Champions would be eligible for the playoffs.

[Ming]

While I think a team must be a conference champion to qualify, I don't think a conference championship should make for automatic inclusion. The four best conference champions work for me, regardless of the conference.

[H Tower]

Still no Guy? This is starting to get serious.

[rah]

While I think a team must be a conference champion to qualify, I don't think a conference championship should make for automatic inclusion. The four best conference champions work for me, regardless of the conference.

IS there any room for an independent?

[Imran Siddiqui]

Not anymore.

Actually I'd be quite fine with a "Super-League" - Power 5 conferences. The lower level conferences can be a somewhat separate tier. I have no issues with the Power 5 expanding to 16 teams each either.

[MRT144]

16 conferences of 10 teams, 9 division games with championship for every conference, and one 16 team tournament based on each conference winner. You're welcome for solving your problems, I'm out.