With this coming college football season being the last before the playoffs begin, and Alabama likely playing for it all again, I was thinking today of how the BCS format will impact the Tide's run once the playoff system settles in. Basically, I had three theories: 1) Their 3 (or 4) titles won't be diminished, but won't be noteworthy because they playoff system will completely decide who the best team in college football is. This years title game was a joke. ND didn't deserve to play on the same field as Alabama. Put ND in the SEC and they're the 6th best team in the conference at best. Where would they be in the Big 10? Behind OSU obviously, but are they better than Wisconsin? I know they beat both Michigan schools, but would the finish a conference season with as many wins? Really, I don't know. Big 10 guys feel free to chime in. The're, what, the third best team in the Pac 12? Maybe second in the Big 12? Point is, how many times has the BCS gotten it right? Off the top of my head I can only think of a handful of good, competitive title games: Cam Newton vs. Oregon UF vs. OU Texas vs. USC Miami vs. OSU I'm sure there are others, but you understand. Point is, this year's title game didn't have the two best teams. Oregon was the best team in college football this year in my opinion. I think if Oregon and Alabama would have played, Oregon probably would have won this year. Notre Dame was just the beneficiary of an easy schedule. Manti Te'O looked pathetic and Brian Kelly was scared to death. Will the playoff system get it right every time? No. Just like the BCS got it right occasionally. But would Alabama have won 3 in 4 years, or 4 in 5 playing in a playoff system? No. 2) Not nearly as long or thought provoking, but it will make their title run look all the more impressive because of the importance of the regular season. Simply put, you have a smaller margin for error with the BCS system. Alabama dominated last night, but they needed both KSU and Oregon to lose to even make the title game. With a playoff system it's likely an SEC team is going to be able to lose at least 1, maybe two games and still have a shot to play for it all. Outside of LSU, 2 losses and you were toast in the BCS. Georgia, Florida, Oregon, and K-State, Florida State all could have made arguments that they deserve a playoff spot this year and the opportunity to play for the National Championship, yet only Oregon has anything worth being proud of during the bowl season. Point is, Alabama created a dynasty when there was little margin for error all the while playing in the nation's toughest conference when said conference is enjoying the most success said conference has ever enjoyed. 3) It is what it is. Nick Saban hates children, is the spawn of satan, and Alabama rules for winning 3 in 4 or 4 in 5. Discuss.
I think tOSU would beat ND, I think Wisconsin would beat ND toward the end of their season. Michigan and MSU both were not very good this year. Michigan will be better next year. I think Oregon was the most impressive team this year. I do not think tOSU would beat Oregon or Alabama. I think Oregon would beat tOSU more handily than Alabama would. tOSU's defense is set up to stop power run games (Tressels recruits) and struggled mightily with spread attacks this year. I do think next years defense will be a step up from this years though. There will be much better athletes on the field, just not as game tested as all of the seniors and the early entry tackle Hankins. Not sure if I answered your question, I kind of side tracked myself.
There is no point. It's a discussion. A condensed version of the OP: Will the playoff system diminish (to a degree) or strengthen the significance of BCS championships, more specifically Alabama's current run?
It will be BP and AP... (before playoffs and after playoffs) Their certainly will be a difference in how people view them, I believe they will look down upon the BS system and favor the playoff system.
I dont' think it will diminish what Bama has accomplished. Personally I can't wait for a playoff system. As long as I can remember watching the "BS" championship game it ALWAYS leaves you wanting to see a different team play whoever won that game (even the decent BCS championship games). Playoffs take that out of the equation and it truley is the last team standing (kind of like march madness in basketball). Notre Dame didnt belong there (spoken from a diehard ND fan). I think a lot of people would love to see Oregon vs. Bama this weekend. And most would be satisfied who the best team in the land is.
I guess the main concern is how to keep their heads out of the NFL? College baseball made a transition from a 1 game NC to a best of 3 series in 2003. I think those are looked at somewhat different, but there needs to be a playoff.
I think Bama was truly the best team in the country each of the 3 years they won the championship....playoffs or not I don't think this years Oregon team would be able to handle Bama's power running game
Probably not. I never watch Oregon that much, but I did watch a bit of the Fiesta Bowl, and there defensive players are tiny. Their middle linebacker looks like an SEC safety. But I do think Alabama would struggle to contain Oregon's offense. Alabama's defense wasn't what it had been in recent years, and I think it would have been difficult for them to contain Oregon's speed. Johnny Football shredded Alabama's D, imagine what an offense with speed like that at every position could do. Either way, it would have been more entertaining than last night's debacle. ND embarrassed their conference last night. Oh, wait...
I think a playoff makes it that much easier for the SEC (Bama obviously leading the pack) to continue their string of Natty Cs... there will no longer be a scare of "lose 1 game and you are out" for the SEC teams. A one loss SEC team (maybe 2 teams) is guaranteed a spot in the top 4 BCS essentially. This year appeared to finally be the year two undefeateds would finish ahead of 1 or 2 loss SEC schools who are better teams... In the future, this won't matter. Go undefeated in the fluffy west coast or up north. You still will have to face a SEC powerhouse regardless. That said, I think the only diminished titles are those before a true title was established where MANY schools went back and claimed 7 or 8 obscure different polls to make them number 1 thus the Champion.
LOL I don't know the history... I just know every single major program in the country claims a title in the same year that another program claims a title back in the day. It's just how they rolled back then apparently.
I can't find the article....so take it or leave it..... I read that in the 40's, 50's, 60's and even some in the 70's, there was at least two schools and sometimes three that would claim a NC that year. The main three listed were ND, USC, and Bama.
Back in the day the natl champ was crowned before the bowl games, so if Bama was #1 after the regular season they claimed the title, then if tOSU beat them they claimed it as we'll. the only team to actually win all the titles they claim is........................................wait for it....................................................The University of Alabama. On a serious note, I do not feel the playoff will diminish anything Bama has done, simply because we are better than everyone else...well I tried to be serious, but germ and Vito have broken me...not stump broke, but close.
Michael did you notice the world wide leader only acknowledged 9 of Bama's claimed national titles leading into the game? I did
