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.

          Alot of Ifs in football. If FSU starting QB stay healthy, Saban would have been on the outside looking in. Same scenario with GA receivers.
          Now, imo, Bama could very well take it all.
          Imo, there were 7 teams this yr who had enough talent to go all the way. The 4 teams selected plus Ga, FSU and Ohio State.
          It's been a great yr for college football!

          Stu1961 I think it speaks to matchups....cannot go based on what happened with common opponents. UW could win it all or they could get there ass handed to them, same goes for Michigan.....I think the one sure bet is Bama.but I hope Michigan wins and I hope UW wins!

              Wouldn't.habe been cruel to pit FSU and Iowa against each other 🙃

              ode I think Bama will have a good game plan for Michigan, but I wouldn't call it a great bet. In the past two games they've won on a miracle 4th and goal from the 31 yard line, and then by one score after a careless pitch from the Georgia QB deep in their own territory for the only turnover in the game (I think). I have been impressed by improvements in their o-line and d-line and d-back performance in recent weeks though and they only appear to be getting stronger with time.

              • ode likes this.

                azgreg at my attempt to be objective, I think there are way too many bowl games. My wife thinks so as well.🤔
                But as a football fan(atic), I say bring em on👍

                    garyt1957

                    Insufferable is an understatement. They claim to be both "America's Team" and yet it's "U of M vs Everybody ". They're delusional wannabes. They're gonna get trucked by Bama just like they did by Georgia two years ago.

                        https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa-proposing-new-college-athletics-subdivision-rooted-in-direct-athlete-compensation-145051537.html

                        “NCAA proposing new college athletics subdivision rooted in direct athlete compensation.”

                        “NCAA president Charlie Baker is planning to introduce this week a proposal to create a new subdivision within Division I that grants certain schools more autonomy around policy-making and permits them to compensate athletes in a new and profound way.”

                        • ode replied to this.

                          Stu1961 Curious who this is directed at: Alabama for playing Chattanooga (66-10); Florida St for playing North Alabama (58-13); or both?

                          Both

                            Sneakylong IMO they should just consider them clubs affiliated with the University.......and they have a free scholarship to take classes/get undergrad degree, if they'd like, as long as the university is in business. Make as much $ as you want through the university in profits or through sponsorship, etc.

                              I've listened to some sports talk radio, read posts here, heard the rants of the FSU fans and here's my bottom line from 10,000 feet up:

                              There is no bowl selection system that will not generate an endless diatribe of "yeah but" defenses on why they got it wrong. It's so circular and redundant, I simply ignore it all. I'll probably watch the games, though.

                                Spartan absolutely. I know guys who couldn't get a janitors job at UM that get all dressed up in the garb and say "we did this" and "we did that". I wonder how much has to do with the Lions being bad for decades so they latched onto the only decent FB team in the area.