The NCAA football-playoff system

[pjohns]

The four teams selected for the National Championship playoff have now been announced; and three of those teams are entirely uncontroversial: Florida State (undefeated, and the reigning national champion); Oregon (who avenged its only loss of the season--against Arizona--to the tune of 51-13, just the other day); and Alabama (whose 23-17 loss to Ole Miss, way back on October 4, remains its only blemish), were all but certain choices. But Ohio State, TCU, and Baylor all had very reasonable cases to be made for the fourth spot. TCU clobbered an outmanned Iowa State team last weekend, 55.3. And Baylor--which, at about the same time, defeated Number 9 Kansas State, 38-27, is the only team to have defeated TCU this season, in a shootout on October 11, 61-58. But Ohio State's 59-0 romp over Number 13 Wisconsin also made a rather powerful statement.

In the end, I really cannot quibble with the committee's selection of Ohio State--just as I could not have quibbled if it had chosen TCU or Baylor, instead--but I can (and do) quibble with the current, restricted format. Yes, it is an improvement over the old system of a "mythical" national championship. But it is just not sufficiently inclusive.

Granted, no matter how many teams might be included in a playoff system, it is almost certain that the fans of some teams would complain about the exclusion of their own favorite teams. That is certainly the case with the NCAA basketball playoff system (the so-called "Big Dance"). But the more teams that are included, the less compelling the case that might be made that if only an excluded team had been given the opportunity, it could have won the whole shebang. Which is why I would prefer a 16-team playoff system (or at leas an eight-team playoff system). Anything larger than that would probably be impractical for a sport so physically demanding as football is.

[mountaineer]

When it comes to college football, the teams I like usually don't have a chance, so I end up rooting against the teams I don't like. Go Alabama and Oregon!

[jmyrlefuller]

When it comes to college football, the teams I like usually don't have a chance, so I end up rooting against the teams I don't like. Go Alabama and Oregon!

Yeah, I'm pulling for Oregon, just because they're not the same teams that always get the votes. Was hoping Baylor got in, but the cesspool that is Ohio State got in instead. Of course, margin of victory isn't supposed to be included in the judges' considerations, and Ohio State blatantly ran up the score, but hey, who's counting? There are more Buckeyes fans than Bears fans.

I've said before, and I'll say it again, they really need at least 6 or 8 to get all the deserving teams a shot. Move some of the bowls up to the same weekend as Army-Navy to make room. (I'm not a big fan of a 16-team or bigger format; the lower divisions do that and it just creates several weeks of bad football as the perennial powerhouses blow out their lower-seeded opponents (this while the best rivalry games are going on Thanksgiving weekend in D-I).

[pjohns]

When it comes to college football, the teams I like usually don't have a chance...

As a longtime fan of Vanderbilt University (which is not typically known as a football powerhouse--to say the least), I can certainly empathize with you...

[pjohns]

Was hoping Baylor got in, but the cesspool that is Ohio State got in instead.

Well, I am not sure I would be quite that hard on them.

I am really not a Buckeyes fan--I don't actively dislike them; but I am no better than neutral toward them--but the recent suicide of one of their football players, Kosta Karageorge, has made me just a bit sympathetic toward the team. 

[Slide Rule]

Buckeyes by 17.

[Slide Rule]

Buckeyes by 17.

SEC too Slow to Keep Up with The Big 10

Ohio State 42 35 over Alabama.  Not the 17 predicted, but officiating was suspect.

Also winning today
Michigan State
Wisconsin

[pjohns]

Well, Ohio State definitely proved that they deserved to be chosen to play for the National Championship, what with their 42-35 upset of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

As for the two teams that were excluded from the playoffs, whose fans indicated irritation about the exclusion, there was a mixed response:  Baylor was the victim of a fourth-quarter comeback by Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, losing a heartbreaker, 42-41.  Yet the previous day, TCU upheld its own end of the bargain by destroying Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, 42-3. 

I still believe that an eight-team playoff system would be preferable to just four teams.  (Actually, I would prefer a 16-team playoff system.  But that is probably out of the question; at least, anytime within the foreseeable future.)

[jmyrlefuller]

As for the two teams that were excluded from the playoffs, whose fans indicated irritation about the exclusion, there was a mixed response:  Baylor was the victim of a fourth-quarter comeback by Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, losing a heartbreaker, 42-41.  Yet the previous day, TCU upheld its own end of the bargain by destroying Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, 42-3. 

And Michigan State, despite being a two-loss team…their two losses were to teams in the CFP. In an 8-team playoff you could certainly make the case for them being a lower seed.

Hopefully the OSU win and the Baylor loss doesn't set a precedent for leaving out less prominent teams.

[Bigun]

TCU is the best college football team in America right now period!

[Bigun]

Well, Ohio State definitely proved that they deserved to be chosen to play for the National Championship, what with their 42-35 upset of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

As for the two teams that were excluded from the playoffs, whose fans indicated irritation about the exclusion, there was a mixed response:  Baylor was the victim of a fourth-quarter comeback by Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, losing a heartbreaker, 42-41.  Yet the previous day, TCU upheld its own end of the bargain by destroying Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, 42-3. 

I still believe that an eight-team playoff system would be preferable to just four teams.  (Actually, I would prefer a 16-team playoff system.  But that is probably out of the question; at least, anytime within the foreseeable future.)

Well I can tell you for sure that letting a bunch of know nothings decide who should be in the playoffs doesn't work at all!

[pjohns]

TCU is the best college football team in America right now period!

That seems to me entirely possible; although I really do not know if it is the case or not.

And that argues rather strongly, I believe, for an expanded playoff system, so that a team that is arguably the best in the country, at the end of the season, will not likely be excluded.  (Please notice that I am placing special emphasis on the "end" of the season, as that is really more important to me than early wins or losses are.  That is not to say that the early wins and losses are entirely insignificant; just that they should not count as much as late-season wins and losses do, in determining the best teams at the end of the season--and therefore, the teams most deserving of a shot at the national championship.)     

[Slide Rule]

Well, Ohio State definitely proved that they deserved to be chosen to play for the National Championship, what with their 42-35 upset of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

As for the two teams that were excluded from the playoffs, whose fans indicated irritation about the exclusion, there was a mixed response:  Baylor was the victim of a fourth-quarter comeback by Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, losing a heartbreaker, 42-41.  Yet the previous day, TCU upheld its own end of the bargain by destroying Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, 42-3. 

I still believe that an eight-team playoff system would be preferable to just four teams.  (Actually, I would prefer a 16-team playoff system.  But that is probably out of the question; at least, anytime within the foreseeable future.)

I believe in a 64 team playoff system.

The top 20 plus plenty more.  Every coach who thought his team was the greatest.  You know.  Like basketball.

The schedule would not have to be unnecessarily long.  They could play the games nightly. That way there would be a premium on toughness, conditioning, coaching and skill.
Something grueling.

Yep.  A 64 game playoff would maximize advertising revenues.  Give the ESPN folks something to talk about for months, and by the time it is complete, the southern teams would want to play the last games up north.  You know, for being cooler.

It would take the guess work out of it.

Yep a 64 team playoff.  :) 

[musiclady]

Yeah, I'm pulling for Oregon, just because they're not the same teams that always get the votes. Was hoping Baylor got in, but the cesspool that is Ohio State got in instead. Of course, margin of victory isn't supposed to be included in the judges' considerations, and Ohio State blatantly ran up the score, but hey, who's counting? There are more Buckeyes fans than Bears fans.

I've said before, and I'll say it again, they really need at least 6 or 8 to get all the deserving teams a shot. Move some of the bowls up to the same weekend as Army-Navy to make room. (I'm not a big fan of a 16-team or bigger format; the lower divisions do that and it just creates several weeks of bad football as the perennial powerhouses blow out their lower-seeded opponents (this while the best rivalry games are going on Thanksgiving weekend in D-I).

Ohio State a 'cesspool??'

Good grief.

That's absolutely absurd.

[musiclady]

Well, Ohio State definitely proved that they deserved to be chosen to play for the National Championship, what with their 42-35 upset of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

As for the two teams that were excluded from the playoffs, whose fans indicated irritation about the exclusion, there was a mixed response:  Baylor was the victim of a fourth-quarter comeback by Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, losing a heartbreaker, 42-41.  Yet the previous day, TCU upheld its own end of the bargain by destroying Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, 42-3. 

I still believe that an eight-team playoff system would be preferable to just four teams.  (Actually, I would prefer a 16-team playoff system.  But that is probably out of the question; at least, anytime within the foreseeable future.)

Absolutely agree that there needs to be an 8 team playoff system.  I think 16 is a bit excessive, but four is definitely too small a field.

And YES, the Buckeyes proved their worth in spades by beating Alabama on the big stage.

They'll have to work against Oregon, but I think they can end up on top of the heap in the end.  Urban Meyer is an unbelievably talented coach, and he's got an enormous amount of talented kids playing for him.

[musiclady]

TCU is the best college football team in America right now period!

They should have been in the playoffs instead of Florida State, who didn't deserve to be there.

IMHO.....

[jmyrlefuller]

They should have been in the playoffs instead of Florida State, who didn't deserve to be there.

IMHO.....

The problem is, FSU went undefeated, and as weak as their schedule might have been, they played 12 games against major conference opponents and won them all. To let a bunch of one-loss teams into the playoff and leave out the one that actually did sweep the table is just wrong.

Of course, that's why we have playoffs, so they expose cupcake teams with weak schedules like Florida State.

I agree with the notion it should be 8. A playoff with Alabama, Florida State, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas Christian, Baylor, Michigan State and one of the non-major conferences would be worth watching. I don't like the idea of more because if you look at the lower divisions where they do that, it makes the regular season shorter (no more Thanksgiving weekend rivalries) and the top few teams constantly win in blowouts in the early rounds. In short, big tournaments only equal ugly football. This isn't basketball where you can play, then two days later turn around and move to the next round.

[pjohns]

[TCU] should have been in the playoffs instead of Florida State, who didn't deserve to be there.

IMHO.....

I agree.  But that is a matter of mere hindsight; which, as the old saying goes, is 20/20.

To have excluded the reigning national champion--which was undefeated during the regular season--is something that I would not have done. 

[Bigun]

They should have been in the playoffs instead of Florida State, who didn't deserve to be there.

IMHO.....

ABSOLUTELY agree!

[musiclady]

I agree.  But that is a matter of mere hindsight; which, as the old saying goes, is 20/20.

To have excluded the reigning national champion--which was undefeated during the regular season--is something that I would not have done.

I know that including Florida State had to be done because of their undefeated status, and understand why the committee did it, but they were the only team in the top four that didn't deserve to be there, and both Baylor and TCU would have been better choices. (Again, selecting 8 teams and not 4 would have solved that issue).

And actually, I think there were a number of people who felt that way well ahead of the selection, so it wasn't exactly 'hindsight' to think they really weren't one of the best four teams in the country.

Obviously as a Buckeye fan, I knew they belonged because I've watched them play all season under very difficult circumstances, and knew after the Michigan State and Wisconsin games that they had what it takes to be a Championship team.  Third string quarterback, very, very young team, but firing on all four pistons at the end of the season.

I think they can beat Oregon if they bring the same team that beat Michigan State, Wisconsin and Alabama to the National Championship next Monday.

(And for the record, it's a clean program with a stellar coach and an avid fan base).

[Relic]

I am a Buckeye fan. I won't apologize for the Buckeyes being included, and I don't feel bad in any way.

However, I think TCU got hosed. They were 3rd, and did nothing to lose that place. I think Oregon, Alabama and FSU were locks. You can't exclude an undefeated reigning champ, you just can't. TCU was third, and got dropped after winning? The committee looked at OSU and their 59-0 pasting of Wisconsin, considered the huge OSU fan base and the money involved and went wobbly.

Like I said, no apologies, OSU has done some amazing things this year, but TCU did get hosed, and is one of the best teams in the country. Just ask Ole Miss.

[Bigun]

I know that including Florida State had to be done because of their undefeated status, and understand why the committee did it, but they were the only team in the top four that didn't deserve to be there, and both Baylor and TCU would have been better choices. (Again, selecting 8 teams and not 4 would have solved that issue).

And actually, I think there were a number of people who felt that way well ahead of the selection, so it wasn't exactly 'hindsight' to think they really weren't one of the best four teams in the country.

Obviously as a Buckeye fan, I knew they belonged because I've watched them play all season under very difficult circumstances, and knew after the Michigan State and Wisconsin games that they had what it takes to be a Championship team.  Third string quarterback, very, very young team, but firing on all four pistons at the end of the season.

I think they can beat Oregon if they bring the same team that beat Michigan State, Wisconsin and Alabama to the National Championship next Monday.

(And for the record, it's a clean program with a stellar coach and an avid fan base).

I'll say this much for Ohio State! What they have managed to accomplish despite loosing not one but two starting quarterbacks is nothing short  of amazing!

I don't think they will be able to handle Oregon  but maybe it will still be a good game.

[Bigun]

I am a Buckeye fan. I won't apologize for the Buckeyes being included, and I don't feel bad in any way.

However, I think TCU got hosed. They were 3rd, and did nothing to lose that place. I think Oregon, Alabama and FSU were locks. You can't exclude an undefeated reigning champ, you just can't. TCU was third, and got dropped after winning? The committee looked at OSU and their 59-0 pasting of Wisconsin, considered the huge OSU fan base and the money involved and went wobbly.

Like I said, no apologies, OSU has done some amazing things this year, but TCU did get hosed, and is one of the best teams in the country. Just ask Ole Miss.

 

[jmyrlefuller]

I'll say this much for Ohio State! What they have managed to accomplish despite loosing not one but two starting quarterbacks is nothing short  of amazing!

This isn't the NFL, where you can't afford to carry three good quarterbacks on your roster. The NCAA recruiting process is rigged so heavily toward the big schools that most of them carry two or even three starting caliber quarterbacks in their systems. So it's not amazing to me at all, just another symptom of what ESPN has turned college football into.

[Relic]

This isn't the NFL, where you can't afford to carry three good quarterbacks on your roster. The NCAA recruiting process is rigged so heavily toward the big schools that most of them carry two or even three starting caliber quarterbacks in their systems. So it's not amazing to me at all, just another symptom of what ESPN has turned college football into.

I think you're missing something. Back in the old days, before sometime in the 1970s, the deck was really stacked. The big schools had even more scholarships and could collect 3rd string teams that would demolish most smaller schools. A lot has been done to even the playing field. ESPN has done a lot of bad things to college football, with the knowing participation of fans, but rigging the game for big schools isn't one of them.

[musiclady]

I'll say this much for Ohio State! What they have managed to accomplish despite loosing not one but two starting quarterbacks is nothing short  of amazing!

I don't think they will be able to handle Oregon  but maybe it will still be a good game.

I hoping for the same thing in the Championship as I was in the game against Alabama........... a good game.

I'm proud of the team, proud to be an Ohio State alum (grad school) and a prof, and whatever happens now is just fine with me.

Oregon is an awesome team, and just having the Buckeyes hold their own against them will be satisfying to me.

[musiclady]

This isn't the NFL, where you can't afford to carry three good quarterbacks on your roster. The NCAA recruiting process is rigged so heavily toward the big schools that most of them carry two or even three starting caliber quarterbacks in their systems. So it's not amazing to me at all, just another symptom of what ESPN has turned college football into.

You're forgetting that OSU has had outstanding coaches and teams and that high school football players WANT to play for the Buckeyes.  Cardale Jones is only a sophomore and  J.T. Barrett a redshirt freshman.  Great QB coaching has helped them step in after Braxton Miller was hurt and do the job for the Buckeyes.

Another thing you haven't factored in is how many great HS football programs there are in Ohio, and how strong the desire is for these Ohio kids to play on a great team a few hours from home.  (If you look around the Big Ten, you'll see a lot of Ohio players everywhere).

THIS is where football started, and the OSU program existed before and will most likely outlast ESPN.

Your post sounds a bit like sour grapes to me........... but then, I'm not exactly objective on this subject.  ^-^

[DCPatriot]

You're forgetting that OSU has had outstanding coaches and teams and that high school football players WANT to play for the Buckeyes.  Cardale Jones is only a sophomore and  J.T. Barrett a redshirt freshman.  Great QB coaching has helped them step in after Braxton Miller was hurt and do the job for the Buckeyes.

Another thing you haven't factored in is how many great HS football programs there are in Ohio, and how strong the desire is for these Ohio kids to play on a great team a few hours from home.  (If you look around the Big Ten, you'll see a lot of Ohio players everywhere).

THIS is where football started, and the OSU program existed before and will most likely outlast ESPN.

Your post sounds a bit like sour grapes to me........... but then, I'm not exactly objective on this subject.  ^-^

Have to ask.....

Do you make sauce?     

[musiclady]

Have to ask.....

Do you make sauce?     

From scratch.   ^-^

[DCPatriot]

From scratch.   ^-^

 

[musiclady]

Hey, guess what people??  THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!   

[Scottftlc]

Congratulations Ohio State...it was a definitive statement.

Urban Meyer has cemented himself as one the best college coaches in history...everyone forgets that he also should have had a national championship with his Utah team years ago in 2005 (his second year of coaching) - that 12-0 team only finished 4th in the final poll after crushing Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl.  I wonder how long it will take before someone proposes a statue of him in Ohio...

[massadvj]

My wife being born and raised in Fort Worth, we were big TCU fans all season long.  While we were disappointed that they did not get into the final four, we both agreed that Ohio State was more deserving based on the difficulty of its schedule and the decisiveness with which they won the conference.  I'd love to see OSU and TCU play each other.

[musiclady]

My wife being born and raised in Fort Worth, we were big TCU fans all season long.  While we were disappointed that they did not get into the final four, we both agreed that Ohio State was more deserving based on the difficulty of its schedule and the decisiveness with which they won the conference.  I'd love to see OSU and TCU play each other.

Maybe next year. 

[Bigun]

Hey, guess what people??  THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY BUCKEYES ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!   

I congratulate them! They overcame a lot to get there and made the most of it when they did!

TCU is still the better team however! 

[musiclady]

I congratulate them! They overcame a lot to get there and made the most of it when they did!

TCU is still the better team however! 

I'd love to see a match-up between the two teams.

Which quarterback would you prefer that we start??  (We have three, you know....    :dx1:)

[Bigun]

I'd love to see a match-up between the two teams.

Which quarterback would you prefer that we start??  (We have three, you know....    :dx1:)

Don't care! It's that offensive line that worries me!

[musiclady]

Don't care! It's that offensive line that worries me!

Indeed.

But the defense that stymied Mariota is not one to be trifled with either.  (Meyer obviously figured out how to counter the speed factor).

A complete team.

[raml]

Ohio deserved the National championship period. Elliot was fantastic and Jones did darn well for only quarterbacking 3 games this year. They proved themselves so quit saying so and so is better. The big 10 rocks. My sister went to Ohio state I went to Michigan state and another sister to Michigan. These are my favorite teams to watch and I am thrilled with Ohio States win.

[Bigun]

Ohio deserved the National championship period. Elliot was fantastic and Jones did darn well for only quarterbacking 3 games this year. They proved themselves so quit saying so and so is better. The big 10 rocks. My sister went to Ohio state I went to Michigan state and another sister to Michigan. These are my favorite teams to watch and I am thrilled with Ohio States win.

PHOOEY! You're no phunn!   

[truth_seeker]

Ohio deserved the National championship period. Elliot was fantastic and Jones did darn well for only quarterbacking 3 games this year. They proved themselves so quit saying so and so is better. The big 10 rocks. My sister went to Ohio state I went to Michigan state and another sister to Michigan. These are my favorite teams to watch and I am thrilled with Ohio States win.

I had no favorite, but was inclined to hope my region's entry, Oregon would do well. Mostly I would hope for a good game.

But Ohio just got rolling, and rolling....by the end it was not even a close game.

Jones and Elliott were both awesome. They look like pro material right now. And Ohio's coaching clearly played a big role.

[Bigun]

I had no favorite, but was inclined to hope my region's entry, Oregon would do well. Mostly I would hope for a good game.

But Ohio just got rolling, and rolling....by the end it was not even a close game.

Jones and Elliott were both awesome. They look like pro material right now. And Ohio's coaching clearly played a big role.

That offensive line makes lots of people look REALLY good!

[musiclady]

That offensive line makes lots of people look REALLY good!

I think I heard Urban Meyer say that when the team travels, the QB travels coach and the offensive line travels first class.

I think HE knows that the bread and butter are more important than the glory. 

[jmyrlefuller]

Ohio deserved the National championship period. Elliot was fantastic and Jones did darn well for only quarterbacking 3 games this year. They proved themselves so quit saying so and so is better. The big 10 rocks. My sister went to Ohio state I went to Michigan state and another sister to Michigan. These are my favorite teams to watch and I am thrilled with Ohio States win.

There is one thing that just doesn't sit right with me.

As you noted, Ohio State's quarterback (he was third string, but he was third of five on the roster, so it's not like a hapless NFL third-stringer) was only in three games. The playoff system adds a dimension of endurance in that you have to play 15 games in a season. So you have a guy like Jones who comes in, much more rested than the rest of his opposition, and picks them all apart in three straight games. (College players are notorious for hitting a wall after about 12 or 13 weeks; that's why rookies have such a hard time late in seasons when they get to the NFL.) That doesn't seem to be a very sporting way of going about it from my perspective—it's almost as if the Buckeyes brought in a ringer. Granted they pretty much had to do it that way given the injury, but it still seems to corrupt the whole playoff process. Ohio State was not the same team with Jones at the helm that they were for much of the season.

[musiclady]

There is one thing that just doesn't sit right with me.

As you noted, Ohio State's quarterback (he was third string, but he was third of five on the roster, so it's not like a hapless NFL third-stringer) was only in three games. The playoff system adds a dimension of endurance in that you have to play 15 games in a season. So you have a guy like Jones who comes in, much more rested than the rest of his opposition, and picks them all apart in three straight games. (College players are notorious for hitting a wall after about 12 or 13 weeks; that's why rookies have such a hard time.) That doesn't seem to be a very sporting way of going about it from my perspective—it's almost as if the Buckeyes brought in a ringer. Granted they pretty much had to do it that way given the injury, but it still seems to corrupt the whole playoff process. Ohio State was not the same team with Jones at the helm that they were for much of the season.

Oh, come on!  Jones was already on the bench.  He's a Cleveland kid who wanted to play with the Buckeyes.  The only way to have your 'corruption' scenario play out would be to have Barrett break his leg deliberately so that Jones could come in and play.
 
Ridiculous.

He had NO experience coming in, so 'rested and refreshed" doesn't cut it at all.  He should have been at a disadvantage because he was new, not at an advantage.

And he was playing against a Heisman trophy winner, for heaven's sake.  Mariota is a brilliant player, and Jones as green as they get (though obviously gifted).  And what about Elliot?  He's certainly not "rested."

The idea that Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes are corrupt enough to concoct what you think is "unfair" is hogwash.

What the Buckeyes did last night was remarkable........ pure and simple.   They dominated with their offensive line.  Their defense stopped one of the best college football players out there, and they earned the National Championship fair and square.

(And pretty much everyone ELSE recognizes that fact).

[Atomic Cow]

Big 12 Refs sucked in the game just as much as they do in the regular season.

Saw a lot of missed holding that should have been called on Ohio State.  Don't know if it would have made any difference, but I hate when refs toss flags against one team, and then do not call the same things against the other.  Our SEC refs are not much better.

I had absolutely no dog in the hunt when it came to who won the game; just would have preferred to see one without the refs being mindless idiots.

[Relic]

Congratulations Ohio State...it was a definitive statement.

Urban Meyer has cemented himself as one the best college coaches in history...everyone forgets that he also should have had a national championship with his Utah team years ago in 2005 (his second year of coaching) - that 12-0 team only finished 4th in the final poll after crushing Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl.  I wonder how long it will take before someone proposes a statue of him in Ohio...

He's Ohio grown. He grew up somewhere around Ashtabula. Started coaching at Bowling Green.

It's a great story, early loss to a weak opponent at home, lose 2 QBs, win with the 3rd string QB. It doesn't happen often that your team wins it all. Especially in this part of Ohio, where our teams are doomed to shoot for mediocrity as their top end, and consistently fall short. So, I'm savoring every moment of this. Hammer a good Wisconsin team, beat a consistently strong SEC Alabama team, and make the one of the two best QBs in college football look average while decisively beating Oregon.

If they haven't started the statue yet, I wonder what they're waiting for! 

[Relic]

I congratulate them! They overcame a lot to get there and made the most of it when they did!

TCU is still the better team however! 

That's what fandom is about. Stick with your team. However, I disagree, and there's a trophy that agrees with me.

[Relic]

That offensive line makes lots of people look REALLY good!

Consider that the offensive line is the reason they got beat by Virginia Tech. Three of last year's OSU offensive linemen started for a team in last weekend's NFL playoffs, (they graduated 4 starters from the O line). The coaches did a fantastic job with the new group, not discounting that they had a lot to work with.

[Relic]

There is one thing that just doesn't sit right with me.

As you noted, Ohio State's quarterback (he was third string, but he was third of five on the roster, so it's not like a hapless NFL third-stringer) was only in three games. The playoff system adds a dimension of endurance in that you have to play 15 games in a season. So you have a guy like Jones who comes in, much more rested than the rest of his opposition, and picks them all apart in three straight games. (College players are notorious for hitting a wall after about 12 or 13 weeks; that's why rookies have such a hard time late in seasons when they get to the NFL.) That doesn't seem to be a very sporting way of going about it from my perspective—it's almost as if the Buckeyes brought in a ringer. Granted they pretty much had to do it that way given the injury, but it still seems to corrupt the whole playoff process. Ohio State was not the same team with Jones at the helm that they were for much of the season.

Really? How many teams have you seen go down the tubes when losing a starting QB in college? Because it happens all the time. It's incredibly difficult to keep more than one quality QB. Not many quality QBs will sign up to sit behind another. In addition, QB isn't like any other position, there is timing with the center, the line, the running backs, the receivers. If it was such a good idea to start your 2nd or 3rd QB, why didn't Alabama or Oregon do it? Why didn't they even switch it up? I'll tell you why, because your first is your best, and taking your best QB off the field is a very bad idea.