Best four in play-off!

[red_n_black_attack]

The Big East dodged the first bullit! The best four will play in a football playoff, which means we control our own destiny. Undoubtedly, we will have to be undefeated to be in the top four; however, at least it's not four conference winners from the "Super Conferences".

This is not a loss; however, I stop short of calling it a win for UC. We have a shot staying in the Big East and depending on how the tv contracts shake out we may not need to move to larger conference. The SEC insistence on best four could save the ACC and the Big East. It may also improve our chances of retaining champion in a major bowl - formerly BCS Bowls as the top four will be in the playoffs. We need to take this little bit of leverage and perform on the field.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoot...urphy/19392518

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoot...-runs-the-show

[Thegreatone]

I think this is great news for us.

[cpawstoney]

"The best four will play in a football playoff..."

Don't pack your bags yet. I'm skeptical until I see how the selection process is determined. Don't be surprised to see it skewed to favor conferences like the SEC, BIG-10, BIG-12 and PAC-whatever.

It's the SEC that's been pushing for the BEST FOUR. Their thinking is that will include two SEC teams.

[cmm27]

You are correct. Best Four is not the best thing for the Big East, because then it could end up being the "best four" happen to be two from the SEC, one from the Big 10 and one from the Big 12. This makes it a more exclusive system while giving the pretense of being more egalitarian.

[bearcatgary]

It's a start though. And when the dollars start pouring in, they will eventually expand to 8 teams.

--Gary

[richard k.]

Originally Posted by cpawstoney

"The best four will play in a football playoff..."

Don't pack your bags yet. I'm skeptical until I see how the selection process is determined. Don't be surprised to see it skewed to favor conferences like the SEC, BIG-10, BIG-12 and PAC-whatever.

It's the SEC that's been pushing for the BEST FOUR. Their thinking is that will include two SEC teams.

What makes you think the SEC thinks that only 2 SEC teams will be included? They probably envision Alabama/LSU/Florida/Georgia as being almost a permanent 4, with maybe one of their other schools sneaking in every so often.

[cincycpaw]

I'll never understand it. 8 teams makes so much sense. Conference Champions from each of the current 6 BCS and then 2 at-large based upon selection criteria. Seed the teams via same selection committee and play round 1 at home sites.


Would allow for keeping the meaning of the regular season (rewarding conference champs) but allow for the Boise's, ND's, etc of the world to crash the party as well as allowing a 1 loss SEC/Big 10/Big 12 team to still make it into the playoffs.

[mjv780]

Originally Posted by cpawstoney

"The best four will play in a football playoff..."

Don't pack your bags yet. I'm skeptical until I see how the selection process is determined. Don't be surprised to see it skewed to favor conferences like the SEC, BIG-10, BIG-12 and PAC-whatever.

It's the SEC that's been pushing for the BEST FOUR. Their thinking is that will include two SEC teams.

Agree - the whole idea of a selection committee is suspect to me... especially if there are not committee members representing each conference with an equal voice for each.
It's already been said that 'strength of schedule' will play a big part in the selection process - so the so-called 'big boys' of the SEC, BIG-10, 12, and PAC will just not schedule any 'little guys' like UC anymore - it's instantly 2 strikes to them:

1) UC would get SOS points for playing them, whereas if they don't play UC, they can just use the argument that UC doesn't play anyone good (see Boise St. for the past 7-10 years) when it comes time to discuss the merits of an undefeated season
2) UC could beat them.

To me there was no winning situation for college football, the gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" just continues to widen, because the "haves" keep finding ways to keep the "have-nots" down.
I will continue to root for UC and watch them any chance I get because I love the game of football, but Saturdays in the fall are not going to be as much fun as they used to be if CFB continues down the road it's on.

[1977 BearCat]

I think the "strength of schedule" issue is a huge problem. With so many conferences going to 9 games, it is going to be even more difficult to schedule games with teams from quality conferences. It also sickens me that that teams like Pitt and Syracuse, who were Big East also rans, are now suddenly part of the "gentry."

[mjv780]

Originally Posted by 1977 BearCat

It also sickens me that that teams like Pitt and Syracuse, who were Big East also rans, are now suddenly part of the "gentry."

It's funny how in these meetings to determine the future of CFB, there was a side decision made that the Big East is no longer one of the 'big six' any more - since now they're saying the 'big five' and 'others'... did our interm commissioner not attend these meetings? did he just roll over and let them officially knock the Big East back to C-USA status?
I get that WVU leaving left some big shoes to fill as far as quality, but seriously, all of the sudden, the ACC is just better than the Big East? Only if you don't compare the results on the field... (which is why my previous post is so cynical toward the idea of a team like UC getting a spot in the 4 team playoff regardless of record).

[red_n_black_attack]

Originally Posted by mjv780

... but Saturdays in the fall are not going to be as much fun as they used to be if CFB continues down the road it's on.

Many said the same about the NFL when they expanded their playoffs. I disagree with you because it's football and still a short regular season. Add into the mix it's college football and I will watch just about any college football game any where any time. The more the merrier as far as I am concerned and the possibility of being excluded from 4 team play-off will not make it any less exciting than being excluded from the two team BCS National Championship hoax.

Under this scenario, UC has a chance to sneak into the playoffs with an undefeated season. Our strength of schedule should be improved playing Boise and Houston vs. Pitt and 'Cuse. This really means we need to improve out out of conference schedule. Playing tO$U in 2016 should be really interesting for us now, especially when we kick their a$$e$!!

[Bearcat22]

I don't like how UofL president and AD are representing the BEast in these meetings. Im not sold that they aren't making some kind of under the table deal to join the Big12 or ACC to vote in favor for big 4/5 conferences?

[longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Bearcat22

I don't like how UofL president and AD are representing the BEast in these meetings. Im not sold that they aren't making some kind of under the table deal to join the Big12 or ACC to vote in favor for big 4/5 conferences?

You mean the way Pitt was in charge of the BE TV negotiations? I see your point, and just remember that there is no such thing as ethics in college athletics.

[cpawstoney]

WINNERS. If it's college football, the Southeastern Conference must be winning. The playoff negotiations were no different. SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, whose teams have won the last six BCS titles, has been pushing for a playoff since 2008. It took a little longer than he would have liked, but he got his way.

LOSERS. As much as the BCS seemed stacked against the so-called little guys — those teams from conferences outside the six founding member leagues — a playoff-driven postseason could widen the gap between the haves and have-nots. While a playoff will increase the amount of revenue the postseason generates, those funds might be distributed more unevenly. Leagues such as the Mountain West, Conference USA and the Sun Belt will make more money in total, but could get a smaller percentage of the pie. And if schedule strength is going to be emphasized for picking the playoff participants, how do those teams fortify their schedules to match what the teams from power leagues already have built-in?

NOT SO BIG EAST. There have been six major conferences. The Big East, after being plundered by expansion, is on the verge of being demoted to second-tier status. How much less it gets in revenue from the playoff than the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC will be something to

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...dcdbded7c9f6fb

[Binturong05]

Originally Posted by bearcatgary

It's a start though. And when the dollars start pouring in, they will eventually expand to 8 teams.

--Gary

Bingo. Money talks and the playoff system will drive so much revenue the powers-that-be will inevitably crave more dollars and expand to 8 teams in short time.