We all know the current 4 team system is a joke, but it goes further than that now. UCF is getting straight up jobbed, and it's a fact. The reason I say that is because there is absolutely no way for them to get in, ever. Why?
1. Most will never give a Group of 5 league credit, no matter the rankings.
2. UCF is undefeated, yet ranked 12 behind a 2 loss team.
3. Detractors will say they need to prove themselves, but Power 5 schools keep dropping them from schedules or won't schedule them in the first place. Hard to prove yourself when people are afraid to play you.
4. Labelling themselves "National Champions" last year did them no favors. I think they are ranked so low because people on the committee rememeber that and are saying "well, then you can sit out another year and claim another one if you want."
Look, do I think they're actually a top 4 team? No. I don't think they have the depth to hold up to a power 5 schedule. However, I also hate a system that inherently makes it impossible for a team like UCF to ever be included. We've seen teams like Utah go undefeated beating Alabama in a bowl game, Boise State go undefeated beating Oklahoma in a bowl game, and UCF go undefeated beating Auburn in a bowl game... I honestly would have liked to have seen those teams go up against someone who is playing for something, not just a team that was depressed because they just missed out I'm going to the championship.
This is exactly why I am for an 8 team playoff. the five power conferences get Auto beds, one group of six gets an auto bid, and two wild cards are selected from the rest. I'd rather have a discussion about who the wild card teams are, rather than arguing about which conference champions should be left out.
I agree with most of your post, but let them play Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Michigan State and Wisconsin and go undefeated and I will do what I can on my end to lobby for them! You can't beat one very good team and consider yourself the best of the best. MD had Ohio State on the ropes and went for the WIN! They could have kicked a FG and went in to a second OT and who knows what could of happened. Point is, every good team will have an off day. Md played their hearts out for that one chance at beating a great football team.
UCF beat Auburn last year. That was one game that they had a month to prepare for and one game that they had to get up for. The rest of their schedule was who? Do you realize how many games Penn State had to prepare for that were crucial and had only one week to prepare for?
If UCF wants to play a for National Title, then join a Power 5 conference or become an Independent and ramp up their schedule. They play a chump schedule and should be thrilled to play in a major bowl game. They are being treated fairly and accordingly!
All in IMO!
So who has Clemson beaten this season? I really can't see the justification for them being ahead of UCF. It will be hilarious if sPitt beats them in the championship game.
OK so I went and looked at some SOS rankings and Clemson's isn't quite as bad as I thought and is ahead of UCF but still far from impressive.
I agree with most of your post, but let them play Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Michigan State and Wisconsin and go undefeated and I will do what I can on my end to lobby for them! You can't beat one very good team and consider yourself the best of the best. MD had Ohio State on the ropes and went for the WIN! They could have kicked a FG and went in to a second OT and who knows what could of happened. Point is, every good team will have an off day. Md played their hearts out for that one chance at beating a great football team.
UCF beat Auburn last year. That was one game that they had a month to prepare for and one game that they had to get up for. The rest of their schedule was who? Do you realize how many games Penn State had to prepare for that were crucial and had only one week to prepare for?
If UCF wants to play a for National Title, then join a Power 5 conference or become an Independent and ramp up their schedule. They play a chump schedule and should be thrilled to play in a major bowl game. They are being treated fairly and accordingly!
All in IMO!
They would play better teams if someone stepped up to schdule them. Teams such as Wisconsin, Washington, etc. dropped them from their schedules and no one else that is any good is willing to play them. That was part of my point!
Not playing them makes sense. Win the game and get no credit because UCF demonstrated why they are not in contention. Lose to them, and you are dropped from the rankings. It's sort of like protecting your GPA to get into grad school. Don't take tough courses because if you don't ace the course, GPA drops.
UCF deserved to be in the playoffs last year. They have every right to claim the National Championship.
Not playing them makes sense. Win the game and get no credit because UCF demonstrated why they are not in contention. Lose to them, and you are dropped from the rankings. It's sort of like protecting your GPA to get into grad school. Don't take tough courses because if you don't ace the course, GPA drops.
This is exactly my point Navy, the system is set up so that UCF has no shot at anything. The only way they can get in is to play good teams, but the system makes sure that those good teams don't play them. It sucks.
I think giving six spots to five conference champions and one group of six team would allow four more big out of conference games, because teams would know that losing them doesn't disqualify them from the playoffs. They still have a chance to win their conference, and actually playing a strong out of conference schedule boasters their chance at a wild card if it comes to that
Plus Roam it makes sure all the conferences gets paid every year.
