Scrap the Shamrock Series and schedule BYU — it basically has to be BYU because they’re the only other Independent worth the bother — for the first Saturday in December at a neutral site. Wear the wacky jerseys for that game. It isn’t a conference championship game, but it’s a chance to play and impress. And some years BYU is pretty good.
"BYU" and "high quality" are oxymorons. ND actually has more lose if they didn't look impressive against a "pretty good" team that hasn't won anything.
I get that some of the teams in conference championship games aren't overtly strong but the teams that play them will get no buzz in beating them. OSU is getting nothing in playing NW and Clemson get nothing is playing Pittsburgh. Clemson doesn't need any help (if some of ND's opponents had been a tad better, ND might sitting at #2 ) but OSU is going to the Rose Bowl no matter what they do vs NW if either Oklahoma or Georgia wins. But even those divisional winners will be viewed far better than ND playing just another team that hasn't won anything in a given year.
Because they'd all be in conferences with playoffs. Right? As for BYU's quality . . . they've had two down years , . . but prior to that (2011-2016) they won 8, 9, or 10 games each year for six seasons. Pretty much on par with Northwestern this year, who is playing in the Big 10 Championship. As others have pointed out, scheduling such a game isn't allowable.. . . so it is just an academic exercise. But I honestly do feel that ND could get stung in the future in the "multiple one-loss teams competing for a spot" scenario. Sitting at home and not being able to make a case on the field on that last weekend while the other teams in contention get that chance is a disadvantage. I hope someone comes up with a better solution that I came up with, because my suggestion simply doesn't work.
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used, the question is valid.
I think this is an ESPN money push and stadiums are behind it too. More games, more revenue.
there used to be 10 games per season now there are 13 for most schools. And this all in the era of ESPN and big time sport TV.
And “no.”
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Oh mama Mia!
nothing more to say
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Why? As I wrote, to be some mitigation against the so-called “thirteenth data point.” So that if the time comes that ND is one of several teams vying for a final playoff spot, ND has a chance to play and impress — instead of sitting at home while teams like OSU and OU are playing in conference championship games. Why do conferences have the game? It makes the schedule harder for the teams involved. But it is also a resume builder for the team that wins.
I believe ND has typically received very fair treatment when it comes to bowl selections, and have no reason to think that is going to end. If we are ever in a one-loss situation and need help on the last week of the year, perhaps I'll rethink that. But a lot of stars have to align for that. Plus, we could not schedule any teams in conference championship leagues, and so we'd be targeting "lesser" opponents and might just be setting ourselves up for upsets. As for this year, I just don't see any chance of us being outside the top 4. As for being ranked 1, 2, 3, or 4 and whether we face Alabama or a weaker team in the semis, that also does not matter to me that much. If we can get by Bama in the semis, then I really like our chances in the final. If we can't, then we weren't the best team and I'm okay with losing in the semis.
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a victory or loss leaves. The 13th data point is very advantageous to a team on the periphery but finishing very strong. For instance, I don't think OSU would have got in a couple years ago if they hadn't completely destroyed Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship.
But it is something that can make a difference and decide a close call.
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Would be priceless listening to those ass-clowns trying to herald those great triumphs.
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I don't doubt Bama's greatness but if there was any justice in this world they would have to atone for scheduling THREE FCS teams. That's just wrong. One is too many.
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FCS opponent.
But to answer your question, the players are already asked to play too many games because the money grubbing schools don’t care about the “student” part of student athlete.
The number of games should be reduced, not increased.
an 8 team playoff so 8 would play 11, 4 would play 12 and 2 13. The losing teams play a little less, but enjoy college a little more or go to All Star games in front of scouts and the winners would be happy to be playing 1 to 2 more games. Play the first playoff games at the end of the season, say 3rd week in November, play the semi finals two weeks later before finals, and then play the championship on the Saturday nearest January 1 or after whenever that Saturday fell. Start the games after Labor Day.
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I’m talking about ND in an era in which top-rated programs will be playing 13 while ND plays 12. Regarding Army/BYU: BYU is the better team most years. Of the Independents, BYU seemed like the best option to me. Also, don’t Army and Navy always play in December?
...at 11-1 in 2016 or Alabama at 11-1 in 2017.
They just got left out, and finished #4 overall with one loss. When there are a number of 1-loss teams vying, missing that 13th game can be important. To anyone, maybe especially ND.
...loss.
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Too bad. Thought I finally had a good idea.
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I raised this question for a not unlikely future scenario where a 1-loss ND is vying for a playoff spot with other 1-loss teams who will be playing in Championship games while ND is sitting at home. I happen to think ND is disadvantaged in that scenario. I don’t even think that is debatable. I was exploring a possible mitigation option that would allow ND to play and impress in that final impression weekend. A poster pointed out that it isn’t allowable. I completely agree that ND is “in” this year without the “13th data point,” and likely would be in most years if undefeated.
It isn’t hard to imagine a circumstance in which ND is vying with a couple of other teams for a playoff spot and is just sitting at home while the other teams are playing in a conference championship game.
For example, UGA and OSU are happy they have a conference championship game this year. ND is glad they don't.
If ND had lost to Michigan, they'd wish they did have one.
The system is never going to be perfect and there will always be debate. Sometimes your team will be on the right. Sometimes they'll be on the wrong side.
As for being “glad” you don’t have it . . . I don’t know. If you are afraid you’ll lose that 13th game, maybe you aren’t a championship team anyway. I get what you are saying, and don’t disagree with the idea that sometimes not having it won’t hurt you. ND this year is likely proof, because I think ND is in without it. But ND will be at a big disadvantage down the road if ND is one of multiple one-loss teams and ND is sitting at home while the others are playing in championship games. I just wish there was some way to mitigate that. Especially since I think ND/Kelly 2.0 has a chance to be in the mix frequently going forward.