Roughly 12 million people watched Saturday’s Georgia-Alabama thriller, a reminder of just how popular college football already is. And, no, the addition of a 12-team playoff won’t ruin the regular season.
Or they could change the Dawgs-Tide game to Jacksonville, Carolina.
In fact, the stakes in this game were no different than a four-team playoff, or even the BCS of old. Neither team was eliminated from national championship contention with a September loss. Back in 2011, LSU defeated Alabama in a November game, but was again beaten by the Crimson Tide, this time losing in the BCS title game. It was the era of two-team “playoffs.”
However, the seasons are different. And it will be different. Not all results are important, but more are. A month in, we’re already starting to see some of it and can now predict how the year will play out with another massive playoff.
Here’s what we like so far…
Still walking the tightrope
After Alabama’s 41-34 win, there were a lot of rumors that either team would make the playoffs, but is that really the case? Believing that is difficult, including injuries. You end up ignoring all kinds of possibilities that could befall your team. You can never fully predict the future.
As for Georgia, there’s real uncertainty. The Bulldogs still have eight games remaining, including games against No. 1 Texas, Ole Miss and at home against Tennessee. This is the Georgia team that almost lost to Kentucky. There is no chance that they will lose all three of these games, and there is a high possibility that they will be eliminated with 8 wins and 4 losses. Losing two spots would put them in jeopardy, but a blowout loss to Clemson in the opener would help a lot.
The important thing is that each match is still very important. Even for a team that has won two of the last three national titles and entered the season ranked No. 1 overall.
So you’re not dead yet
On September 21, Kansas State led BYU 6-0 with just over two minutes left in the second quarter. Just 6 minutes, 45 seconds into the game, the Wildcats led 31-6. It was an avalanche of scores for BYU caused by turnovers and wild punt returns. The team lost to Kansas State, one of the Big 12 preseason favorites.
Will that tragic turn of events ruin the entire season? Well, not anymore. Kansas State still has a chance to win the Big 12 and its automatic bid, and could compete for an at-large spot. Maybe some people would like to see a short-term blunder destroy a team, but the idea that the season can continue feels positive. The excitement remains in Manhattan.
conference race
Speaking of the Big 12, it’s the most even league in the country, with only two undefeated teams remaining: BYU and Iowa State. It is unlikely that either team will survive the challenges of league play undefeated. so what? It doesn’t have to be perfect.
The Big 12 teams are locked in an intense, roller-coaster championship battle, knowing that whoever wins will clinch a playoff berth. Fans around the world can enjoy it. Utah, Colorado, K-State, and even Texas Tech and West Virginia could be in the running. who knows? That’s the good point.
A loss does not mean the meeting is dismissed as meaningless. There’s still a lot to play for there.
5 person race
Similarly, a chance to make the playoffs doesn’t require perfection or be ruined by a slight stumble.
Consider Boise State, a very good football team led by Ashton Giunty, the best running back in college football. The Broncos are 3-1, and their loss to Oregon on September 7th was primarily due to the Ducks taking an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown and then an effective 99-yard kickoff for a touchdown. Because they were deprived of a return.
Should that end their association with the country?
This leaves Boise State still at 11-1 and potentially a very dangerous playoff opponent. To do that, they need to win, win the Mountain West, and also beat teams from the other four leagues. All teams are worth paying attention to now. That means more games in more important locations. Bringing a positive new wrinkle to the season.
Cinderella’s dream season
In case you haven’t noticed, Indiana is 5-0 for the first time since 1967. Thanks to new coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers are playing well and have a real chance of going 9-0 and winning the Michigan-Ohio State game in November. At 10-0.
Previously, they had to beat both the Buckeyes and Wolverines to win the Big Ten East. Perhaps they only need to beat one of them to advance to the playoffs. If that happens, it would be a great season for a program like this, helping build fan support and build recruiting momentum.
Realistically, not everyone can win a national championship. But just because you can’t beat the neighboring superpower doesn’t mean you should ignore big seasons, especially ones where everything comes together nicely. Indiana has a real chance at a big season, not just relegation to a bowl game that has become worthless.
Don’t sweat the record
Due to conference realignments, many schedules are now tighter than ever. College football has always been about one strong team winning out against all competition on the way to being voted champion.
The chances of an undefeated season will be slim. Look at Georgia’s schedule, for example. There’s a good chance the Bulldogs will play five teams ranked in the top 15 at the end of the season. We shouldn’t expect perfection when dealing with it.
Meanwhile, Alabama has to travel to Tennessee, LSU and Oklahoma, not to mention host Missouri. If they can get through that, they’ll have a likely top-five opponent (likely Texas) in the SEC Championship Game.
Can a team with two or three losses ever make the playoffs? Of course, that’s okay. Sports times are different. Just sit back and enjoy the game.
Regular season inspiration
In the BCS and four-team playoffs, there was no real advantage to being the No. 1 overall team in the country. There were no byes and all matches were played on neutral grounds. Now there is.
The top four conference champions can skip the first round. Teams ranked 5-8 could host the playoffs, which could be a huge advantage both on the field and in the school’s profile, which helps with recruiting. The better you do, the better the system will take care of you.
It would be even better if campus grounds could be used for the quarterfinals and even the semifinals (like the NFL), but for the time being, the bowl industry is still going after the playoffs.
But someday the regular season will mean even more.