Remaking the CFP Selection Process

[JBVolunteer]

With only 4 slots to fill; the committee really has an impossible task. Every year they are left hoping to avoid a catastrophic scenario.

I honestly believe that CFB will be better when power 5 conference championships are valuable. In my opinion, if you win a power 5 conference title; you should be an automatic qualifier for the playoff.

After conference titles are settled; I would seed the champions 1-5 and set a play-in game between the two highest ranked non-automatic qualifiers for the week after the conference championship games.

Automatic Qualifiers
#1- SEC Champion- Georgia
#2- Big 10 Champion- Ohio State
#3- Big 12 Champion- TCU
#4- PAC 10 Champion- USC
#5- ACC Champion- Clemson

Play-In
Tennessee 11-1
Michigan 11-1

In this format, the selection committee’s role would be ranking the conference champions and setting the play-in matchup. I think back on years where a non-power 5 team went undefeated but still missed the playoffs. The play-in would be their opportunity.

Just my opinion but I think the format is clear and fair.

 

[VOLfrombama]

I would be fine with 8 teams and think that's plenty. With the 12 team format all but approved by the commish, the logistics, bowl tie ins, and format are the only things remaining to be decided.

 

[JBVolunteer]

I would be fine with 8 teams and think that's plenty. With the 12 team format all but approved by the commish, the logistics, bowl tie ins, and format are the only things remaining to be decided.

8 teams would be max in my opinion but I still prefer the 6 team play-in format. I really like the idea of the play-in game. Every conference winner had to play a championship game. It’s only fair that the play-in team comes in having played the same number of games. Also, I like the idea of rewarding the top 2 teams with a bye week.

1 and 2 are rewarded with a bye week while the 3vs6 and 4vs5 matchups play out.

 

[VOLfrombama]

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying the CFP committee and conference commissioners are past that and onto 12 teams. They have already agreed to that format.

College Football Playoff Board of Managers Votes to Expand Playoff to 12 Teams - College Football Playoff


The board approved the following:

1. The 12 teams will be the six conference champions ranked highest by the selection committee (no minimum ranking requirement), plus the six highest-ranked teams not included among the six highest-ranked conference champions.
2. The ranking of the teams will continue to be done by a selection committee whose size, composition, and method of selection will remain substantially unchanged. The Management Committee will modify the selection protocol as required by the change to the playoff structure.
3. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and each will receive a first-round bye.
4. The other eight teams will play in the first round with the higher seeds hosting the lower seeds either on campus or at other sites designated by the higher-seeded institution (No. 12 at No. 5, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8.)
5. The model allows for first-round games to be played on either the second or third weekend in December in a way that best accommodates the format and the participating teams, with at least 12 days between the conference championship games and the first-round games. The Management Committee would make the final determination of the calendar.
6. Subject to reaching agreement with bowls, the four quarterfinal games and two Playoff Semifinal games would be played in bowls on a rotating basis.
7. The national championship game will continue to be played at a neutral site.
8. Subject to reaching agreement with bowls, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be assigned to quarterfinals bowls on selection day in ranking order, and in consideration of current contract bowl relationships if those bowls are selected for the rotation. For example, if the Pac-12 champion were ranked #1, the Big Ten champion were ranked #3, and the Rose Bowl were a quarterfinal site, the Pac-12 champion would be assigned to the Rose Bowl and the Big Ten champion would be assigned elsewhere.
9. With the four highest-ranked champions assigned to quarterfinal games in bowls, the opponent from first-round game winners will be assigned by the selection committee based on the bracket.
10. The higher seeds would receive preferential placement in the Playoff Semifinal games.
11. First-round games will not have title or presenting sponsors and existing venue signage will remain in place. The CFP will control the video boards.

 

[vols40]

I would be fine with 8 teams and think that's plenty. With the 12 team format all but approved by the commish, the logistics, bowl tie ins, and format are the only things remaining to be decided.

12 teams in the playoffs is the end of college football and it's tradition. Regardless I will still be pulling for the Vols.

 

[iWishItWasTheWeekend]

I have no problem with 12 teams, but I would prefer it be 8 teams.

- 5 Power 5 conference champions

- Highest rated Group of 5 team

- 2 at large bids

The first round would be a home game for the teams seeded 1-4, with the semifinals being at neutral sites.

There will be complaining over the 6th, 7th, and 8th seeds like there are now with the 4th seed in the current system, but at least there will be set criteria for 5 of the 8 teams selected and the regular season would still matter a ton.

 

[KoachKrab127]

With only 4 slots to fill; the committee really has an impossible task.

It's better than the BCS, and it's way better than the bowl system before the BCS. With a 12 team playoff, we'll finally have a legitimate championship tournament, like every other sport in the world.

 

[vols40]

It's better than the BCS, and it's way better than the bowl system before the BCS. With a 12 team playoff, we'll finally have a legitimate championship tournament, like every other sport in the world.

Disagree with this. The only way you arrive at this line of thinking is a belief that some regular season games don't matter.

 

[volfan102455]

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying the CFP committee and conference commissioners are past that and onto 12 teams. They have already agreed to that format.

College Football Playoff Board of Managers Votes to Expand Playoff to 12 Teams - College Football Playoff


The board approved the following:

1. The 12 teams will be the six conference champions ranked highest by the selection committee (no minimum ranking requirement), plus the six highest-ranked teams not included among the six highest-ranked conference champions.
2. The ranking of the teams will continue to be done by a selection committee whose size, composition, and method of selection will remain substantially unchanged. The Management Committee will modify the selection protocol as required by the change to the playoff structure.
3. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and each will receive a first-round bye.
4. The other eight teams will play in the first round with the higher seeds hosting the lower seeds either on campus or at other sites designated by the higher-seeded institution (No. 12 at No. 5, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8.)
5. The model allows for first-round games to be played on either the second or third weekend in December in a way that best accommodates the format and the participating teams, with at least 12 days between the conference championship games and the first-round games. The Management Committee would make the final determination of the calendar.
6. Subject to reaching agreement with bowls, the four quarterfinal games and two Playoff Semifinal games would be played in bowls on a rotating basis.
7. The national championship game will continue to be played at a neutral site.
8. Subject to reaching agreement with bowls, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be assigned to quarterfinals bowls on selection day in ranking order, and in consideration of current contract bowl relationships if those bowls are selected for the rotation. For example, if the Pac-12 champion were ranked #1, the Big Ten champion were ranked #3, and the Rose Bowl were a quarterfinal site, the Pac-12 champion would be assigned to the Rose Bowl and the Big Ten champion would be assigned elsewhere.
9. With the four highest-ranked champions assigned to quarterfinal games in bowls, the opponent from first-round game winners will be assigned by the selection committee based on the bracket.
10. The higher seeds would receive preferential placement in the Playoff Semifinal games.
11. First-round games will not have title or presenting sponsors and existing venue signage will remain in place. The CFP will control the video boards.

So the conference champion from the SEC, ACC, PAC, B10, PAC12 get in and one from the other 5 conferences. The four highest get a bye. Then you take the 6 highest that are not a conference champ - those plus the 2 lower of the 6 play a game to get to 8. Then 8 play to get to 4. Then 4 to two and 4 weeks to finish out the playoff. A non-conference champ or one ranked 5 and 6, must win 4 games, the top 4 have to win 3 games.

 

[volfan102455]

It's better than the BCS, and it's way better than the bowl system before the BCS. With a 12 team playoff, we'll finally have a legitimate championship tournament, like every other sport in the world.

Not the way they are setting it up unless you assume all conferences are equal. More than likely the recognized top 6 to 7 teams will get in but there will probably always be someone left out.

 

[KoachKrab127]

Disagree with this. The only way you arrive at this line of thinking is a belief that some regular season games don't matter.

Disagree with this. The only way you arrive at this line of thinking is a belief that some regular season games don't matter.

A playoff tournament is the format for every single sport, except FBS college football. So do you believe every other sport is wrong because the regular season games don't mean enough? Does the NFL have it wrong? Does the NFL regular season not matter enough? Should the NFL just have regular season games and then have polls to determine who plays in the Super Bowl instead of a playoff?

I understand people liking tradition. I like tradition too, but the traditional format of college football is wrong and way more controversial than a playoff.

 

[KoachKrab127]

Not the way they are setting it up unless you assume all conferences are equal. More than likely the recognized top 6 to 7 teams will get in but there will probably always be someone left out.

I'd rather there be controversy on which 2 or 3 loss team is more deserving of the 12th or 13th seed than controversy on which one loss team is 4th or 5th.

 

[VOLfrombama]

12 teams in the playoffs is the end of college football and it's tradition. Regardless I will still be pulling for the Vols.

I agree from a tradition standpoint, but it will make the sport way bigger and and bring more viewers and revenue than ever before.

Quite frankly, I think a lot of attitudes will change if the Vols are left out this season.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

The fact is that the two best teams in the country, in my opinion, are not only in the same conference but the same division. Same story for the likely 3rd and 4th best teams. In that context, making conference championships automatic qualifiers makes very little sense to me.

 

[fossilfiction]

You are right it happens every year, and every year, it sorts out. This will too.

It's better than the BCS, and it's way better than the bowl system before the BCS. With a 12 team playoff, we'll finally have a legitimate championship tournament, like every other sport in the world.

I actually really miss the meaning of 2 teams are in and the post-New Years Bowls were valued prizes. I like playoffs too though.

 

[Concept]

I'd dispute that a championship format is the only valid format. Much of the world still recognizes regular season standings as the championship, even if they play some sort of tournament for an additional prize. That's how major league baseball used to work, too.

That can't really work in college football due to the strength of schedule disparities, but we can at least make the regular season matter where they are balanced, within each conference.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

From what I have read, the committee was pressured by the bowls to keep them relevant and going to 12 teams was a way to do that. I think it can work. With the current format most of the bowls are meaningless. This way it can at least make a bowl have some meaning instead of just being another toilet bowl.

 

[volfan102455]

I'd rather there be controversy on which 2 or 3 loss team is more deserving of the 12th or 13th seed than controversy on which one loss team is 4th or 5th.

12 doesn't get in unless the top 6 conference champions are in the top 12. It they just took the top 12, then yes there would be a controversy but that is not what the rules above say.

If the current standings and CPF poll were used as it today. Here would be the teams assuming the higher ranked team wins their conference - you do end up with the top 11. But the conference champions could be teams lower ranked or teams not even ranked in the top 25 (i.e. Purdue or Illinois). Those teams then take that conference out of the top 4 and push out someone in the top 10. For example, if OSU did not win the conference, it would put Clemson in the top 4 and push OSU to the 8 that play in and remove Penn State. And if Kansas State wins instead of TCU - then it probably moves UCF into the top 4, pushes TCU into the 8 and removes Utah.

1. UGA
2. OSU
3. TCU
4. USC

Others with rank based on where there are at in the CPF Poll:

1. UM
2. TN
3. LSU
4. Alabama
5. Clemson
6. Utah
7. Penn State
8. UCF

 

[volfan102455]

I'd dispute that a championship format is the only valid format. Much of the world still recognizes regular season standings as the championship, even if they play some sort of tournament for an additional prize. That's how major league baseball used to work, too.

That can't really work in college football due to the strength of schedule disparities, but we can at least make the regular season matter where they are balanced, within each conference.

Agree and the divisions in the conference are not all equal. For a long time the SEC west has the best two teams but only one could play in that game. This year, the two best teams are in the east and only one gets to play. The BIG 10 is even worse. They have loaded the three best in the East.

 

[iWishItWasTheWeekend]

The fact is that the two best teams in the country, in my opinion, are not only in the same conference but the same division. Same story for the likely 3rd and 4th best teams. In that context, making conference championships automatic qualifiers makes very little sense to me.

That’s why you have a few at large buds because in a 12 or even 8 team format, both Tennessee and the Ohio State/Michigan loser get in.

 

[volfan102455]

With only 4 slots to fill; the committee really has an impossible task. Every year they are left hoping to avoid a catastrophic scenario.

I honestly believe that CFB will be better when power 5 conference championships are valuable. In my opinion, if you win a power 5 conference title; you should be an automatic qualifier for the playoff.

After conference titles are settled; I would seed the champions 1-5 and set a play-in game between the two highest ranked non-automatic qualifiers for the week after the conference championship games.

Automatic Qualifiers
#1- SEC Champion- Georgia
#2- Big 10 Champion- Ohio State
#3- Big 12 Champion- TCU
#4- PAC 10 Champion- USC
#5- ACC Champion- Clemson

Play-In
Tennessee 11-1
Michigan 11-1

In this format, the selection committee’s role would be ranking the conference champions and setting the play-in matchup. I think back on years where a non-power 5 team went undefeated but still missed the playoffs. The play-in would be their opportunity.

Just my opinion but I think the format is clear and fair.

You left out a representative from the group of 5 conferences.

 

[Notorious NIC]

I would get rid of the weekly college football playoff rankings until AFTER the conference championship games and just go with the AP and Coaches polls. On the Sunday after the conference championship games, I’d do a College Football Selection Sunday and rank all teams from 1 to 75. Then I’d create a point system that rewards teams that won games vs top 50 opponents; this will force teams like Kentucky to create a real schedule if they want to be respected and make the playoff.

I’d like to add that in college basketball, we always here about quadrant wins. A mid-level SEC team like Miss State upsets a number 3 ranked Duke, and that qualifies as a quadrant 1 win. All teams are put into quadrants: Quadrant 1, Quadrant 2, Quadrant 3. If you’re talking about a tournament/ playoff, you’re going to have to quantify wins and losses based on the level a team is at. And the talking heads kinda already do that, but it’s no consistency. Wins vs LSU and Bama should have more weight than wins vs UCLA and Arizona State. We’ve seen that the SEC is clearly the best conference in college football and has been for the last 2 decades. But somehow, the talking heads keep telling us that USC, Clemson, and Oregon have better resumes.

 

[JBVolunteer]

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying the CFP committee and conference commissioners are past that and onto 12 teams. They have already agreed to that format.

College Football Playoff Board of Managers Votes to Expand Playoff to 12 Teams - College Football Playoff


The board approved the following:

1. The 12 teams will be the six conference champions ranked highest by the selection committee (no minimum ranking requirement), plus the six highest-ranked teams not included among the six highest-ranked conference champions.
2. The ranking of the teams will continue to be done by a selection committee whose size, composition, and method of selection will remain substantially unchanged. The Management Committee will modify the selection protocol as required by the change to the playoff structure.
3. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and each will receive a first-round bye.
4. The other eight teams will play in the first round with the higher seeds hosting the lower seeds either on campus or at other sites designated by the higher-seeded institution (No. 12 at No. 5, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8.)
5. The model allows for first-round games to be played on either the second or third weekend in December in a way that best accommodates the format and the participating teams, with at least 12 days between the conference championship games and the first-round games. The Management Committee would make the final determination of the calendar.
6. Subject to reaching agreement with bowls, the four quarterfinal games and two Playoff Semifinal games would be played in bowls on a rotating basis.
7. The national championship game will continue to be played at a neutral site.
8. Subject to reaching agreement with bowls, the four highest-ranked conference champions will be assigned to quarterfinals bowls on selection day in ranking order, and in consideration of current contract bowl relationships if those bowls are selected for the rotation. For example, if the Pac-12 champion were ranked #1, the Big Ten champion were ranked #3, and the Rose Bowl were a quarterfinal site, the Pac-12 champion would be assigned to the Rose Bowl and the Big Ten champion would be assigned elsewhere.
9. With the four highest-ranked champions assigned to quarterfinal games in bowls, the opponent from first-round game winners will be assigned by the selection committee based on the bracket.
10. The higher seeds would receive preferential placement in the Playoff Semifinal games.
11. First-round games will not have title or presenting sponsors and existing venue signage will remain in place. The CFP will control the video boards.

I’ve always believed that anything more than a 3 round playoff in college football is absurd and ultimately not in the best interest of the student athlete but I understand it is inevitable.

In my opinion, 12 teams does not even make sense and it ultimately opens up a much larger can of worms.

The 12 team playoff devalues the power 5 conference championship. Why even play it if the goal is to be in the top 12 nationally?

Only 4 of the 5 Power 5 Champions will get a bye week. So the first round will be made up of whichever champion the committee deems to be a bastard + 7 teams… 7 teams made up mostly of teams that really don’t deserve to be there.

I know it’s just my opinion but I think 12 teams will be a bigger mess.

 

[volfan102455]

The fact is that the two best teams in the country, in my opinion, are not only in the same conference but the same division. Same story for the likely 3rd and 4th best teams. In that context, making conference championships automatic qualifiers makes very little sense to me.

Totally agree - if at the end of the season UGA and OSU are undefeated and both TN and UM have 1 loss if the committee is picking the 4 best - those four should be the 4.

 

[volfan102455]

I would get rid of the weekly college football playoff rankings until AFTER the conference championship games and just go with the AP and Coaches polls. On the Sunday after the conference championship games, I’d do a College Football Selection Sunday and rank all teams from 1 to 75. Then I’d create a point system that rewards teams that won games vs top 50 opponents; this will force teams like Kentucky to create a real schedule if they want to be respected and make the playoff.

Are you serious? The AP and Coaches polls are way too political.