This is the part(s) I'm not sure you're grasping.
Neither of them won a national championship. No one actually believes they did. But if the "system was fixed", they would've had their shot. That's what it's all about.
If they get beat and knocked out, then they aren't complaining because they got a chance. Instead the blue bloods are in, everyone else outside looking in.
They beat Auburn.I get it, but again, their schedule was nowhere near strong enough to justify a playoff spot. As far as I'm concerned they conceded their shot when they decided to play Maryland, Austin Peay and Maine. Scheduling is almost entirely within their control and they decided to play a P5 team that has almost no history of success and a couple of layups. And I know you can't just go play anyone you want because it takes two to make a deal, but they can sure do a hell of a lot better than that. I'd bet an Ohio State, Penn State, Oklahoma or Clemson would gladly host UCF.
Besides, letting teams like them in just because they "deserve a shot" isn't fair to everyone else, and heck, it'd screw up the competitive balance of the playoff itself. If Alabama, Clemson, TCU and UCF made a playoff wouldn't you be a little miffed if Alabama got to play UCF in the semi-final instead of a team that had a much more legitimate chance of beating them? Drawing UCF in a playoff game would be like winning the lottery compared to other potential opponents. And that reality would exist even if they expanded it to 8 teams. How far down the rankings list would you have to go to find a team that wouldn't be favored against UCF?
Besides, letting teams like them in just because they "deserve a shot" isn't fair to everyone else, and heck, it'd screw up the competitive balance of the playoff itself. If Alabama, Clemson, TCU and UCF made a playoff wouldn't you be a little miffed if Alabama got to play UCF in the semi-final instead of a team that had a much more legitimate chance of beating them? Drawing UCF in a playoff game would be like winning the lottery compared to other potential opponents. And that reality would exist even if they expanded it to 8 teams. How far down the rankings list would you have to go to find a team that wouldn't be favored against UCF?
Since the playoff was implemented, G5 teams are 3-1 in NY6 bowl games.
On another note, I wish the Big XII would add both UCF and USF to the conference so we can stop getting screwed with a round robin schedule.
So you would rather play USF than OU?
As impressive as their bowl win was over Auburn, they beat no other top 20 team (Assuming Memphis falls from 20.) Only beat SMU by a TD. That’s not a natty resume. But congrats on an undefeated season. (Though the opener against Maine was cancelled), LOL
How far down the rankings list would you have to go to find a team that wouldn't be favored against UCF?
Really like Danny Kanell now that he left E$PN:ESPN commentators are predictably offended.
Four teams would have been fine, but taking two teams from one conference should never ever be done again. It doesn't even matter if they truly look like the two best teams.
Besides, letting teams like them in just because they "deserve a shot" isn't fair to everyone else, and heck, it'd screw up the competitive balance of the playoff itself. If Alabama, Clemson, TCU and UCF made a playoff wouldn't you be a little miffed if Alabama got to play UCF in the semi-final instead of a team that had a much more legitimate chance of beating them? Drawing UCF in a playoff game would be like winning the lottery compared to other potential opponents. And that reality would exist even if they expanded it to 8 teams. How far down the rankings list would you have to go to find a team that wouldn't be favored against UCF?
We are the highest level of college football and know we have the best way to determine a National Champion because we have a committee.
— Mike Leach
As impressive as their bowl win was over Auburn, they beat no other top 20 team (Assuming Memphis falls from 20.) Only beat SMU by a TD. That’s not a natty resume. But congrats on an undefeated season. (Though the opener against Maine was cancelled), LOL
I would hate to play a team like UCF in a bowl game.
A team that has nothing to lose and all to gain. Those teams have an edge to them and pretty dangerous.
Like TCU pre-big 12, nobody wanted to play us.