BREAKING: ACC football mini-playoff tournament discussed

[OmarMarino]

ACC will weigh changes to conference title game

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said on Sunday the league will have conversations among coaches and athletic directors to ponder changes to its conference championship game format after a season in which two league teams made the College Football Playoff.

www.espn.com

 

[HailtoPitt]

Talk about rearranging the deck chairs.

 

[Burgh15]

This only makes sense if each of the P4 teams enter 4 teams into a 16-team playoff and this serves as the first couple of rounds. Other than that, just get rid of the games and start the playoffs earlier.

 

[Panther Parrothead]

Given the mess that college football is in, the “rearranging the deck chairs” description is spot-on. These conferences should be screaming at the top of their lungs for someone in the position of power to bring some sanity back to collegiate athletics.

 

[YourPittDanceTeam]

ACC will weigh changes to conference title game

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips said on Sunday the league will have conversations among coaches and athletic directors to ponder changes to its conference championship game format after a season in which two league teams made the College Football Playoff.

www.espn.com

The problem isn't the conference championship games, it is the fact that the ACC (along with a couple of other conferences) are way to BIG. No conference should have more then 10 teams in it. That way every team has a chance to play each team in their conference yearly, bot every 5 or 6 years as the ACC is now.
May I add, if you agree to have a conference championship game, then that team should receive that conference's "bye". Otherwise, why even play the game. Teams need too stop whining and learn to play better.

 

[Jsr862]

He also said possibly giving the regular season champion a bye and having the 2nd place and 3rd place team okay for the ACC championship? What crap is that? Bunch of cry babies. If you are so worried about getting in .. just WIN! HOW HARD IS IT? It's sports. You win or you lose. Better things happen when you win. It's been that way since the beginning of time. This is absolutely ridiculous. Bunch of cry babies.

 

[joeydavid]

He also said possibly giving the regular season champion a bye and having the 2nd place and 3rd place team okay for the ACC championship? What crap is that? Bunch of cry babies. If you are so worried about getting in .. just WIN! HOW HARD IS IT? It's sports. You win or you lose. Better things happen when you win. It's been that way since the beginning of time. This is absolutely ridiculous. Bunch of cry babies.

It's not a bad strategic thought, if the goal is to maximize CFP spots, in the best position. Or just do what the B1G and rig it all on your favor.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

It's not a bad strategic thought, if the goal is to maximize CFP spots, in the best position. Or just do what the B1G and rig it all on your favor.

They literally do the same thing the ACC does.

 

[TD_6082]

Given the mess that college football is in, the “rearranging the deck chairs” description is spot-on. These conferences should be screaming at the top of their lungs for someone in the position of power to bring some sanity back to collegiate athletics.

The 2 conferences that basically run the sport are seeing their members rake in record revenues. Im not sure they think there's a problem.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

more games that players will opt out of. great.

 

[pittdan77]

It's not a bad strategic thought, if the goal is to maximize CFP spots, in the best position. Or just do what the B1G and rig it all on your favor.

Revenue grab. That's all.

 

[joeydavid]

They literally do the same thing the ACC does.

Michigan AD Manuel is the Chair of the CFP Selection Committee. How do you think they got 3 teams who didn't leave their state for the first round, plus a bye- even through the best quality OOC win between 3 of them was WVU?

The CFP shouldn't have anyone who can financially benefit, picking and seeding teams.

 

[pittdan77]

Michigan AD Manuel is the Chair of the CFP Selection Committee. How do you think they got 3 teams who didn't leave their state for the first round, plus a bye- even through the best quality OOC win between 3 of them was WVU?

The CFP shouldn't have anyone who can financially benefit, picking and seeding teams.

You're under the impression that anything but the myth of "fairness" is important. They're already scrambling to fix the playoff because things went off script and somehow the SEC tanked.

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

You're under the impression that anything but the myth of "fairness" is important. They're already scrambling to fix the playoff because things went off script and somehow the SEC tanked.

the seedings were bad, it will be changed. it was a flukish season, i doubt there was any "shenanigans" going on to get certain teams byes..

What is more alarming is it comes off as almost beneficial for teams in sec and big 10 to miss the championship game than be in it..

 

[pittdan77]

the seedings were bad, it will be changed. it was a flukish season, i doubt there was any "shenanigans" going on to get certain teams byes..

What is more alarming is it comes off as almost beneficial for teams in sec and big 10 to miss the championship game than be in it..

No. I don’t think there were shenanigans but the seeding wasn’t close to being right because the auto bids helped the wrong schools.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Michigan AD Manuel is the Chair of the CFP Selection Committee. How do you think they got 3 teams who didn't leave their state for the first round, plus a bye- even through the best quality OOC win between 3 of them was WVU?

The CFP shouldn't have anyone who can financially benefit, picking and seeding teams.

Very few teams had any good wins this season. Tell me who Texas beat in the regular season. Tell me who Notre Dame beat in the regular season.

Ohio State is about the win the national championship after having, unequivocally, the most difficult and arguably unfair path in the tournament. And Oregon didn't have a fair path, either, as the 1-seed because their first game was against OSU.

You're using the fact that Notre Dame happens to be in the same state as Indiana to bolster the argument? Weak. You claim Penn State sucks, but they sure proved they're in a different universe from SMU. The ACC has zero ground to stand on, and the Big Ten is about to win its second natty in as many years.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

the seedings were bad, it will be changed. it was a flukish season, i doubt there was any "shenanigans" going on to get certain teams byes..

What is more alarming is it comes off as almost beneficial for teams in sec and big 10 to miss the championship game than be in it..

They rigged it for the Big Ten by having their two best teams meet in the round of 8. And Indiana, while playing a road game against a team vying for the national championship, didn't have to travel far enough... so it's fixed. They should have played the Dallas Cowboys in Zimbabwe.

#BigTenBias

#ACCWasScrewed

 

[PushupMan]

the seedings were bad, it will be changed. it was a flukish season, i doubt there was any "shenanigans" going on to get certain teams byes..

What is more alarming is it comes off as almost beneficial for teams in sec and big 10 to miss the championship game than be in it..

I hope this experience gets conferences thinking about abolishing the money-grab conference championship games.

As I think you’re alluding to, Ohio State had a home playoff game against Tennessee instead of having to play in the B10 championship game. After blowing out Tennessee, they beat Oregon and Texas, two teams that had to play in conference championship games. Texas even had to play in both the SECCG and their first round playoff matchup against Clemson - one extra game than Ohio State did.

Notre Dame had a very similar path. They sit out the conference championship weekend, then hosted and dominated Indiana. They then beat Penn State, which like Texas had the disadvantage of playing one more game than Notre Dame. The Irish then beat Georgia, who was in a similar situation to Oregon, having won their conference championship (and lost their starting QB during the SECCG).

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I proposed having a tournament a long time ago though mine was having 4 division champs play for it. Adjusted for the 17 team league, I would base the divisions on geography

ACC South
Clem
GT
FSU
Miami

ACC Central
Duke
UNC
NC St
Wake

ACC North
BC
Syr
Pitt
UVa
VT

ACC West
Cal
Stanford
SMU
Lou

Division champs advance to 4 team tournament.

But now with the 12 team playoff, I think I'd give teams the option of opting out of the championship game, especially if they take the guaranteed bye away.

 

[Saboteur II]

I hope this experience gets conferences thinking about abolishing the money-grab conference championship games.

As I think you’re alluding to, Ohio State had a home playoff game against Tennessee instead of having to play in the B10 championship game. After blowing out Tennessee, they beat Oregon and Texas, two teams that had to play in conference championship games. Texas even had to play in both the SECCG and their first round playoff matchup against Clemson - one extra game than Ohio State did.

Notre Dame had a very similar path. They sit out the conference championship weekend, then hosted and dominated Indiana. They then beat Penn State, which like Texas had the disadvantage of playing one more game than Notre Dame. The Irish then beat Georgia, who was in a similar situation to Oregon, having won their conference championship (and lost their starting QB during the SECCG).

Beating Tennessee at home, the Ducks on the left coast and UT in Dallas with a title game against ND in Atlanta is a murders row. OSU beat 3 times more teams in the top 10 over 3 straight weeks than Franklin has in 10 years ND didn’t play in a conference championship game either. Ducks got a bye. So did AZ. With a week off to prepare both teams lost, though AZ has a legit gripe.

 

[cease10]

Sigh...this conference's days are numbered.

I just hope Pitt finds a soft landing spot when it happens.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Beating Tennessee at home, the Ducks on the left coast and UT in Dallas with a title game against ND in Atlanta is a murders row. OSU beat 3 times more teams in the top 10 over 3 straight weeks than Franklin has in 10 years ND didn’t play in a conference championship game either. Ducks got a bye. So did AZ. With a week off to prepare both teams lost, though AZ has a legit gripe.

Oregon
Penn State
Indiana
Tennessee
Oregon
Texas
Notre Dame

So Ohio State will have played 7 games against playoff teams this season, including two games against the #1 team. I don't get how anyone could possibly think they caught some sort of break. That has to be a record for most games against top ten teams in a season. And they might go 6-1 against them.

 

[PittPharm2002]

Given the mess that college football is in, the “rearranging the deck chairs” description is spot-on. These conferences should be screaming at the top of their lungs for someone in the position of power to bring some sanity back to collegiate athletics.

Why ?
What does that accomplish?!

 

[bladerunner1204]

And they might go 6-1 against them.

And might end up one point away from being 7-0. IMO we found the best team if CFB this year. Not sure we need any more ass hattery to make things more "fair". I'm guessing any deck chair rearranging will have more to do with making the ACC somehow more financially viable with the hopes of holding it together.

And I don't think there should be any "bye" in any of this. Take the best 16 and play them off. Seed it like the NCAA Basketball tournament and flush the rest of the nonsensical bowl games down the toilet. I don't ever need to see pitt beclown itself against another MAC team.

"But that's, just, like, my opinion, man...."

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

so the reasoning or mindset behind this is what? that the runner up team in ACC has one more "good win" to get them into the playoffs?

hmm, not so sure about that to be honest. but i like the "thinking outside of the box."

 

[Large Panther]

I'll take Acts of Desperation for $400 Ken.

 

[Panthergrowl13]

so the reasoning or mindset behind this is what? that the runner up team in ACC has one more "good win" to get them into the playoffs?

hmm, not so sure about that to be honest. but i like the "thinking outside of the box."

The NFL has "Wild Card" games.

Since 1970, 10 "Wild Card" teams have advanced to play in the Super Bowl and 6 "Wild Card" teams have actually won the Super Bowl.

HAIL TO PITT!!!!

 

[Zeldas Open Roof]

I'll take Acts of Desperation for $400 Ken.

well at least they acknowledge that they are on a sinking ship, that's the first sign of recovery..

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

so the reasoning or mindset behind this is what? that the runner up team in ACC has one more "good win" to get them into the playoffs?

hmm, not so sure about that to be honest. but i like the "thinking outside of the box."

If you made it #2 vs #3, I think the reasoning is to get an extra team in. You assume the #1 seed is getting in as an at-large, and then the conference championship winner gets an auto bid.

But that would look awful if it was a down year and #1 didn't get in. It would also look awful when #3 got a bye but #1 didn't.

Unless they're planning on saying #1 is the conference champion and then just playing a game in addition to that. But then that would look awful if it knocked a team out of the playoff, because I don't think the CFP committee would be giving the same benefit of the doubt - as far as conference championships not being held against a team go - if it was just some pseudo "championship" game designed to game the system.

All in all, stupid idea.

 

[HailToPitt725]

It goes against the spirit of the conference championship game, but the 2v3 is a surprisingly good idea for this reason:

The regular season conference champion gets the AQ bid. Then the second and third place teams essentially have an extra game to make their case for the CFP. A win could help boost a team into an at-large bid, while a loss might not hurt enough to drop a team out of consideration (e.g., SMU). There’s a scenario where this produces as many as three bids for the ACC.

If you’re not the B1G or SEC, you need to get creative in order to get more teams into the playoffs. This would certainly do that.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

It goes against the spirit of the conference championship game, but the 2v3 is a surprisingly good idea for this reason:

The regular season conference champion gets the AQ bid. Then the second and third place teams essentially have an extra game to make their case for the CFP. A win could help boost a team into an at-large bid, while a loss might not hurt enough to drop a team out of consideration (e.g., SMU). There’s a scenario where this produces as many as three bids for the ACC.

If you’re not the B1G or SEC, you need to get creative in order to get more teams into the playoffs. This would certainly do that.

I think there are scenarios where it could play out both favorably and unfavorably.

But, at the end of the day, let's say it did play out favorably one year for the ACC: is it smart, in the long game, for them to rock the boat like this? The SEC/Big are the straws that stir the drink. They could take their ball and go home at any time. If SMU, Clemson, and Miami all got in (especially if they lost early) while Alabama, Ole Miss, and Michigan all were barely left out... well, careful what you wish for, ACC.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

If you made it #2 vs #3, I think the reasoning is to get an extra team in. You assume the #1 seed is getting in as an at-large, and then the conference championship winner gets an auto bid.

But that would look awful if it was a down year and #1 didn't get in. It would also look awful when #3 got a bye but #1 didn't.

Unless they're planning on saying #1 is the conference champion and then just playing a game in addition to that. But then that would look awful if it knocked a team out of the playoff, because I don't think the CFP committee would be giving the same benefit of the doubt - as far as conference championships not being held against a team go - if it was just some pseudo "championship" game designed to game the system.

All in all, stupid idea.

Pre-planning 2 vs 3 is stupid because this could easily happen.

#1 goes 10-2 but no real good wins, not guaranteed to be in Top 12

#2 goes 10-2

#3 goes 9-3

#3 beats #2 for the championship but does not get an auto bid because the Pac 12 or Mountain West or American champ went 13-0 or 12-1.

#1 doesn't get in because it didn't have a strong enough resume

So 0 ACC teams get in in this scenario.

Should just keep it 1 vs 2 but allow a team to opt-out to save their spot in the CFP.

Also, tell Phillips to do something about basketball. Football is about as good as it can be. Basketball is a mess.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

It goes against the spirit of the conference championship game, but the 2v3 is a surprisingly good idea for this reason:

The regular season conference champion gets the AQ bid. Then the second and third place teams essentially have an extra game to make their case for the CFP. A win could help boost a team into an at-large bid, while a loss might not hurt enough to drop a team out of consideration (e.g., SMU). There’s a scenario where this produces as many as three bids for the ACC.

If you’re not the B1G or SEC, you need to get creative in order to get more teams into the playoffs. This would certainly do that.

Would #1 really get the AQ? They technically wouldn't be ACC Champions.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Pre-planning 2 vs 3 is stupid because this could easily happen.

#1 goes 10-2 but no real good wins, not guaranteed to be in Top 12

#2 goes 10-2

#3 goes 9-3

#3 beats #2 for the championship but does not get an auto bid because the Pac 12 or Mountain West or American champ went 13-0 or 12-1.

#1 doesn't get in because it didn't have a strong enough resume

So 0 ACC teams get in in this scenario.

Should just keep it 1 vs 2 but allow a team to opt-out to save their spot in the CFP.

Also, tell Phillips to do something about basketball. Football is about as good as it can be. Basketball is a mess.

Yeah, I can think of scenarios that would go in both directions. So why change it?

Especially when, like I said above, if it does benefit them one season it won't be without drawing the ire of the SEC and Big Ten... which would be a loss in the long run.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Would #1 really get the AQ? They technically wouldn't be ACC Champions.

They way I see it, they could award the conference championship to the regular season champion and then call the ACC Championship game in Charlotte the “ACC Showcase” or something like that

Likewise, awarding it to the conference championship game winner and hoping the regular season champion gets in with an at-large would produce a similar result. I’d be fine with either scenario.

 

[HailToPitt725]

I think there are scenarios where it could play out both favorably and unfavorably.

But, at the end of the day, let's say it did play out favorably one year for the ACC: is it smart, in the long game, for them to rock the boat like this? The SEC/Big are the straws that stir the drink. They could take their ball and go home at any time. If SMU, Clemson, and Miami all got in (especially if they lost early) while Alabama, Ole Miss, and Michigan all were barely left out... well, careful what you wish for, ACC.

I think the Big Ten and SEC are either going to rig the rules and breakaway altogether regardless, so we might as well make it work for us in the meantime. I get where you’re coming from, though.

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

They way I see it, they could award the conference championship to the regular season champion and then call the ACC Championship game in Charlotte the “ACC Showcase” or something like that

Likewise, awarding it to the conference championship game winner and hoping the regular season champion gets in with an at-large would produce a similar result. I’d be fine with either scenario.

Yeah, but say they did that this year.

SMU would be in with the auto bid, so no change.

But then say Clemson beats Miami. Then neither of those teams would have gotten in, so the ACC would have had one instead of two.

 

[HailToPitt725]

Yeah, but say they did that this year.

SMU would be in with the auto bid, so no change.

But then say Clemson beats Miami. Then neither of those teams would have gotten in, so the ACC would have had one instead of two.

Very true. So maybe it’d make more sense to let the championship game determine who gets the AQ. I have no issue with that; either way, we need to rig it in our favor. That might be the best way to do it.

 

[Phillypanther2]

I think the Big Ten and SEC are either going to rig the rules and breakaway altogether regardless, so we might as well make it work for us in the meantime. I get where you’re coming from, though.

Yeah, better watch out for the inferior SEC and Big Ten rigging the rules so their teams can get it over the superior ACC and Big 12 teams 😂😂