The Personal Stakes of College Football
This season, college football feels more personal than ever. When your team loses, it’s a direct attack on your character. When someone disrespects your team, it’s a personal affront. The 12-team playoff has amplified these emotions, creating a sense of urgency among fan bases.
Conference Championship Week: The Final Push
As we head into conference championship week, the playoff picture is taking shape. While seeding is still up in the air, it’s clear that only one at-large bid remains. The AP poll has set the stage, with several teams already locked into the playoff.
The Teams That Are In
- B1G: Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana
- SEC: Texas, Tennessee, Georgia
- BIG12 Winner: Arizona State or Iowa State
- ACC Winner: SMU or Clemson
- Group of 5: Mountain West Championship Winner (Boise State vs UNLV)
- Notre Dame: Notre Dame
- At Large: One spot remaining
The Final Spot: A Battle for Respect
The only team that can still lose and make the playoff is SMU. If they defeat Clemson, the committee will likely award the final spot to Alabama. However, this raises questions about the strength of schedules and the perceived gap between conferences.
SEC Strength of Schedule: A Ponzi Scheme?
The SEC is often regarded as the superior conference, but is this reputation deserved? When SEC teams face non-conference opponents, the results are not as lopsided as expected. This season, Georgia barely survived Georgia Tech, while Kentucky was blown out by Louisville. The gap between conferences may not be as wide as perceived.
Miami vs Alabama: A Tale of Two Teams
In a hypothetical scenario where SMU loses to Clemson, Miami could be overlooked in favor of Alabama. While Alabama has better wins, Miami’s single loss is more impressive than Alabama’s three losses. The committee’s decision would be a testament to the SEC’s influence.
SMU’s Fate: A Conference Championship Conundrum
If SMU loses to Clemson, they would be relegated to a two-loss team, while Alabama would remain a three-loss team without a conference championship game. This would create a situation where the committee would need to decide between two teams with different circumstances. Would they prioritize Alabama’s strength of schedule or SMU’s undefeated conference record?
The Bigger Picture: Results Must Matter
The playoff committee’s decision will have far-reaching implications. If they choose Alabama over SMU, it would undermine the importance of conference championship games. The outcome of these games must carry weight, or the entire system becomes redundant. The committee’s decision will be a defining moment in college football history.
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