Man did the NCAA get it wrong again?

[PARAM]

Watching this OSU/Clemson game and it looks to me like they got it wrong again. THEY said, conference titles mattered. THEY said, head to head mattered. What they didn't say is 2 loss teams aren't considered even if they're among the hottest teams in the country the final 9 weeks of the season. I thought Michigan had an argument to be in the playoff but after losing, albeit to a very good Florida St. team, they lost 3 of their last 4 games. Hell they weren't even the 3rd best team in the Big 10. I wasn't sure Washington deserved to be there and after the first quarter of their bowl game, were they even a threat? I believed Penn St. was one of the hottest teams in the country after week 3 but they need a good showing vs. So. Cal. to make their point. I didn't believe for one second Ohio St. deserved the slot over Penn St.. IMHO, I would have had Alabama play Penn St. and Clemson play Washington. It probably still would have ended up Alabama/Clemson but that's not the point. They didn't even get the chance and I'd bet Alabama, Clemson and Washington are all glad they didn't have to face PSU. After losing big to Michigan in week 3 they beat two of the best teams in the Big 10 in Ohio St. and Wisconsin. If Penn St. beats USC, they will end up the #3 team in the country. And that may be where they should have been ranked going into the Bowl season.

 

[OldSchool]

Clemson and Alabama are easily the best 2 teams this year and going to be a great finals game again.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

They were favorites but teams that dominate for a few years get a boost in voting based on reputation. Every year, I try to get excited about the PSU vs OSU matchup, but I expect it to be a loss. I watch anyway and just hope PSU is competitive. This year after the game, I came away thinking that OSU isn't that good of a team. They are very susceptible to a good pass rush, their running game can be neutralized and despite being full of talent their defense can be scored on. If the committee watched that game they couldn't have thought that they looked like the third best team in the country. So, they make an excuse. It was just a bad game. It wasn't their only bad game, but the others weren't losses. It is supposed to be about timing. Get hot late and early losses are forgivable, because you want the teams in the playoffs to be playing the best football. That is why a conference champion should get in the finished the strongest.

It is funny that neither Michigan, nor Ohio State played well in the second half of the season, yet it was number two vs number three and was a big deal for the title scene. When actually neither team was playing that good. People just get blinded by the Big Show. But nobody wants to admit that Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer can have a slight down year, nor conceive a playoff where one of them is not at least in it.

Now I don't know if Penn State would have beaten Clemson or not, but I am sure they would have scored and they would have made it an interesting game.

BTW, In the past even Meyer himself was pounding the table saying that Conference champions should be in a championship game over non champions even if their record didn't say it.

In the end the committee was lazy and played it safe, and went with the record instead of making a good decision about who was playing the best football, using a knowledgeable football eye. That is why they were formed, after all wasn't it?. A child could have simply pointed to the teams won loss record.

 

[den-the-coach]

Being a Buckeye fan I knew this was a horrendous match-up and although I realize that @Elmgrovegnome looks at things through his navy blue & white colored glasses, he has a point to a degree. Now I do believe Penn State would have played better I don't think they would have won, but they would have played better.

Ohio State just did not have it on offense this year especially of late and their defense made big plays, but Clemson did not turn the ball over and their offense is most likely the best in college football. Overall I felt there were other teams more worthy, in fact, I totally thought Michigan was going to beat the Buckeyes in Columbus, however, they turned the ball over which led to their demise, if they did not, it would not have been close.

Overall yes reputation has something do with it when teams are close that's why you can't give them a reason to go in another direction. No worries @Elmgrovegnome the Buckeyes will be looking forward to playing the Nittany Lions next year in Columbus and best of luck against the Trojans tomorrow.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

So you admit it is all about ratings and money and not about the best teams.

It's funny because I have been a serious football fan since the late seventies and that rivalry was always meaningless to. Couldn't have cared less, until PSU got into the Big Ten. Even then it is overblown.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Being a Buckeye fan I knew this was a horrendous match-up and although I realize that @Elmgrovegnome looks at things through his navy blue & white colored glasses, he has a point to a degree. Now I do believe Penn State would have played better I don't think they would have won, but they would have played better.

Ohio State just did not have it on offense this year especially of late and their defense made big plays, but Clemson did not turn the ball over and their offense is most likely the best in college football. Overall I felt there were other teams more worthy, in fact, I totally thought Michigan was going to beat the Buckeyes in Columbus, however, they turned the ball over which led to their demise, if they did not, it would not have been close.

Overall yes reputation has something do with it when teams are close that's why you can't give them a reason to go in another direction. No worries @Elmgrovegnome the Buckeyes will be looking forward to playing the Nittany Lions next year in Columbus and best of luck against the Trojans tomorrow.

Yes! The first Ohio State fan that actually admits that they didn't have a great team this year! Thank you Den! I have gone back and forth with many OSU fans, and they act as if it isn't possible for them not to be one of the top two teams in the country. I guess it is mostly based on Meyer's coaching and all star recruiting, but it is possible. The young Oline is the biggest problem. The fans need not worry. Meyer is reloading them each year. This year he has a record setting ranking with the class coming in. It is a flaw in the system IMO that recruiting is so even but there is nothing to be done about.

As for next year, PSU returns the whole team minus 1or 2 players. All of the coaches return. It will be the second year in the new system. Many young and higher rated players will be more experienced, to fill out a sanction thinned roster too. I am sure PSU will be ready.

 

[den-the-coach]

As for next year, PSU returns the whole team minus 1or 2 players. All of the coaches return. It will be the second year in the new system. Many young and higher rated players will be more experienced, to fill out a sanction thinned roster too. I am sure PSU will be ready.

That will be good for the Big Ten and God knows you guys deserve it. Always wish Penn State the best just not against Ohio State. Meyer needs to find somebody to take over the offense because the combination of Ed Warinner & Tim Beck is not working, needs to name one guy, IMHO,however, that's not the Meyer way.

And BTW, would kill you to put a lion on the damn helmet?

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

That will be good for the Big Ten and God knows you guys deserve it. Always wish Penn State the best just not against Ohio State. Meyer needs to find somebody to take over the offense because the combination of Ed Warinner & Tim Beck is not working, needs to name one guy, IMHO,however, that's not the Meyer way.

And BTW, would kill you to put a lion on the damn helmet?

I would love that helmet. But whenever I express my opinion about PSU joining the present; fellow fans throw a fit. I said we need a new mascot that doesn't look like a tattered Halloween costume that my parents had in the attic. I nearly got booted from the Scout PSU forum.

 

[den-the-coach]

. I nearly got booted from the Scout PSU forum.

Well, some people don't like to buck tradition and I understand that and I understand the philosophy about the uniform being basic and act like you've been there. But with traditionalist I always ask them if they like indoor plumbing and air conditioning and that usually brings them around.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Ohio State Michigan is such overblown hype IMO. I have watched and it really doesn't hold my interest. Give me two dynamic offenses like PSU/Clemson any day of the week.

Unlike you I don't buy into mainstream propaganda. I would rather look a little harder to find the more interesting match ups on paper. The B1G commissioner needs to go. He ignores promotion of every other team in the conference in favor of his two precious babies.

BTW watching college football is a nice alternattive when your pro team sucks. If not for Penn State I would have absolutely nothing to be excited about in the way of football.

I will add that it sounds like you think PSU is not a major player in college football. They are. They have won National Championships in the past. Sanctions put them in a hole that they are slowly digging out of, despite some people not wanting them to.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Well, some people don't like to buck tradition and I understand that and I understand the philosophy about the uniform being basic and act like you've been there. But with traditionalist I always ask them if they like indoor plumbing and air conditioning and that usually brings them around.

I told them that if the really were traditionalists then why isn't anyone advocating the old pink and black uniforms that PSU started with.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I want to bring up a point here about why PSU fans are so upset about not making the playoff. Besides feeling like we were the better team this year...teams like Ohio State and Alabama have a shot to be in the playoff every year because they are the only two teams that truly have a National recruiting ground. They have top classes every year. They reload, not rebuild. The other 100+ colleges cannot do that. So,when there is a justifiable reason to pick one, like PSU, it is very frustrating because we all know that they may never get a chance to get in again, or for at least another four years or so. OSU has a very good shot every year.

Throw in that they get media favor and get a huge boost in rankings based on reputation and you have an unneeded advantage. It feels like an insurmountable obstacle each and every year. So, when an opportunity exists and is denied because, well, it is Ohio State after all. Well it is beyond frustrating. MostLY fans don't get that. They just want more even if it is not deserved.

 

[dieterbrock]

How did they get it wrong?
Michigan is a joke, they've lost 3 of their last 4
Clemson was a joke all year, got lucky in several wins, namely a 20 yard missed FG against NC State
If Penn State wins today, maybe that's worth an argument. But if USC wins, then who has a right to say they should have been top 4?

 

[LACHAMP46]

Eyeball test says Michigan is better than OSU.....Eyeball test says Big 10 football has better coaching but less talent that most big 5 conferences. Gut says Penn State will get eaten alive by the Trojans today..With a true pro-style QB....Darnold is the real deal...Playoffs won't be perfect until they allow 10 teams to account for the obvious improvements of several schools.

If Penn St. beats USC,

If Penn State wins today, maybe that's worth an argument. But if USC wins, then who has a right to say they should have been top 4?

I hope @flv puts this in the sportsbook....I'd guess a blowout....USC is loaded with young players that will be playing on Sunday...soon.

 

[dieterbrock]

Eyeball test says Michigan is better than OSU.....Eyeball test says Big 10 football has better coaching but less talent that most big 5 conferences. Gut says Penn State will get eaten alive by the Trojans today..With a true pro-style QB....Darnold is the real deal...Playoffs won't be perfect until they allow 10 teams to account for the obvious improvements of several schools.


I hope @flv puts this in the sportsbook....I'd guess a blowout....USC is loaded with young players that will be playing on Sunday...soon.

Don't know what test Michigan passes. They were terrible down the stretch and instead of whining about blown calls Michigan should have gained some yardage in the 2nd half and maybe scored some more points
I think SC blows out Penn State today

 

[Hey Man]

My opinion is PSU should have been #4, win conference championship matters!!!
PSU stays blue and white, no lion on helmet, to change that is like taking the number's off the side of Alabama helmets.