Rickochet I would hope that, in consideration of the academics (😆) and injury to the players that they would shorten the regular season by a week or two or maybe even add an extra bye for every team. But in consideration of $, they may just keep everything the same and use two weeks in Dec. for the first two rounds of the playoff. I haven't heard how it will work.

    It's really a shame Jordan Travis got hurt. What would the committee have done if he was healthy? It appears FSU would have gotten in instead of Bama, but would the committee have had the guts to shut out the SEC?

    Possible unpopular opinion: If Michigan doesn't like having to play Alabama, maybe they aren't a legit #1 seed. The Big 10 was weak and they played an easy nonconference schedule. Basically, Michigan played two good teams (Ohio State and Penn State), and neither of them is as good as Bama, Washington, or Texas.

    propman I'm sure that's the case but living in Michigan and listening to sports talk radio, Michigan fans are insufferable. They haven't won a Natty in 26 years but the fans think they're Bama.

        propman
        I have no problem with P5 teams playing FCS teams but not in the 2nd to last week of the season.

            They do book some cream puffs, but Bama did book Texas. And Georgia had Oklahoma on this year's schedule before the NCAA cancelled it. The top SEC teams never shy away from booking perennial top-tier teams at the beginning of the schedule, but many of those other schools have stopped accepting due to fear that even a loss out of conference will kill their chances of making the CFP. SEC teams were trending in that direction, but will probably be less concerned about it due to the expansion.

            azgreg
            Curious who this is directed at: Alabama for playing Chattanooga (66-10); Florida St for playing North Alabama (58-13); or both?
            I imagine the timing of these simply boils down to conference scheduling (fitting them in the only place they can). Alabama played 8 SEC opponents in nine week span. The only week off was Nov 18th. I also wonder if it’s as simple as Alabama scheduling a cupcake, or do they also have trouble getting quality teams to play them this late in the season? It always seems like big matchups occur in weeks one or two, giving the teams time to recover

                Stu1961 I also wonder if it’s as simple as Alabama scheduling a cupcake, or do they also have trouble getting quality teams to play them this late in the season?

                Don't think we can really fault the big schools for those opponents. iirc, it's usually the small guys that approach the big teams for a game. 2 fold....they knock them off, they are somebody, if only for a week. Plus a ton of money is brought back to those small places, esp. if they play at home.

                Do we want the NCAA to start setting up all schedules???? 😲

                    Par4QC Supposedly Auburn payed New Mexico State 1.4 million to come into their home stadium and give them a public spanking in front of their own 😁. All the Alabama fans were so giddy for a week and then just missed theirs when Auburn let them score an impossible touchdown with no time left.

                        Par4QC Heck yeah. They take that money and go back to build up their team for dominance in their own conference. They don't have delusions of playing for the national championship.

                          Quiz Question: One year from now, Team #13 and their fans will be:
                          a) Disappointed
                          b) Angry
                          c) LIVID
                          d) TOTALLY PISSED OFF
                          e) All of the above

                          johnnydoom seems unlikely but I would have given them a shot to beat Michigan......if there is a team I think they could shut down enough to scare it would be them. UW is an unknown, IMO hard to judge due to the p12. I think Texas would likely score on them and Bama is a omplete team, but, again I think Fla. St could hang with them based on their D....we will never know!

                              Having watched Caleb Williams’ 2023 highlight reel, I was left far more impressed with how wide open his targets were. Even Mac Jones could have completed 90% of those throws. The Patriots would be better off going after Lincoln Riley as Offensive Coordinator, or maybe petition to join the PAC 12.
                              yeah, I know it’s soon to be defunct - which gives them an even better chance.

                              Well according to the ESPN attachment above, Indiana, Rutgers and Mich St. had the strongest SOS.
                              Mediocre teams at best. All from 1 conference
                              Bama came in no. 5.
                              Michigan came in at 3xth with Georgia somewhere in same vicinity.

                              ode UW is an unknown

                              … and they’ve walked a tightrope over their last nine games - winning - but only winning by a average of 6 points. They are in by beating Oregon, twice, who were so impressive in blowing out their opposition (other than Washington). If Oregon had lost another game, Washington may have been on the outside

                              • ode replied to this.