There have been calls for the CFB Playoff Committee to expand to 6 or 8 teams. I can only imagine the uproars that will be coming in december when the final playoff rankings are released. Currently there are 12 teams who are undefeated (6) or have 1 loss (6). This offseason is the best chance we have at getting the playoffs extended to more teams. Furthermore, people who are fans of extending the playoffs should be fans of the SEC chaos.
No other conference has a louder fan base than the SEC. The SEC also has the potential to cause mass chaos with the potential to having 3 teams in the final 4 when the conference championship games are all said and done.
SEC has 4 teams currently in the top 10
- Alabama (8 – 0)
- LSU (8 – 0)
- Florida (7 – 1)
- Georgia (6 – 1)
It is important to note that the job of the Playoff Committee is to rank the top 4 best teams, regardless of conference championships. While conference championships are taken into account, it is not the sole criteria.
This very realistic scenario only works if the winner of Florida and Georgia (Nov. 2nd) and the winner of Alabama and LSU (Nov. 9th) win out and the loser in Tuscaloosa ends the season with only 1 loss. The SEC East representative will also have to beat the SEC West representative.
….. If Georgia Wins Out
Georgia winning out means they will have alot of key wins to cover up for their embarrassing loss at home to USCar. It’s impossible to keep them out after wins vs Notre Dame, Florida, Auburn, and winner of LSU/Bama. All of these wins came when these teams were ranked in the top 10 at the time of play. In addition, you could even add in a Texas A&M and Mizzou victory to their resume.
….. If Florida Wins Out
Florida’s only loss this season occurred in Baton Rouge against arguably the best team in college football. In other words, it’s a good loss. They also would accumulate wins against Mizzou, Auburn, Georgia, and winner of LSU/Bama. They as well cannot be kept out of the playoffs if they win the SEC.
Attention is Turned to the SEC West
If the loser of Alabama and LSU end the regular season with only 1 loss, would they have a good enough resume to be kept in consideration for the final the CFB Playoffs to create this SEC chaos?
A 1-loss Alabama team, who has been ranked in the top 2 all season, will have wins over Auburn and a Texas A&M team whose record doesn’t do them justice. With Oklahoma looking like the best team in the Big 12 and losing to Kansas State, this opens up a chance for a 1 loss SEC team who didn’t make the conference championship. Also, do you even see Alabama getting left out with 1 loss?
A 1-loss LSU team will have more key wins. Wins over Texas (in Austin), Florida, Auburn, and Texas A&M will be a tough sell to keep them out. However, I don’t believe LSU has the same amount of pull as Alabama, so a win in Tuscaloosa is more important for them.
SEC Championship
If Georgia/Florida win a close game against LSU/Alabama, what do you do with the 1 loss loser? Surely that 1 loss is better than Oklahoma’s current 1 loss to Kansas State and better than Clemson going undefeated in the worst Power 5 conference in football.
Final Rankings
There is a great chance the final 6 rankings could be:
- Ohio State/Penn State (13 – 0)
- Georgia/Florida (12 – 1)
- LSU/Alabama (12 – 1)
- Alabama/LSU (11 – 1)
- Clemson (13 – 0)
- Penn State/Ohio State (11 – 1)
So Why 3 SEC Teams Over the Others?
The Big 10 has a great chance to be the 4th spot in the playoffs in this scenario. Both Ohio State and Penn State are sitting at a solid 8 – 0. However, they will play each other for the chance to play in the Big 10 title game.
I dont think Oklahoma will be able to overcome their loss to Kansas State. They already had a defense that was suspect and still have to play Baylor (currently sitting at 7 – 0), Iowa State, and Oklahoma State. Add on the Big 12 title game if they get through that patch. I’m not sure their defense can hold up
I know, I have undefeated Clemson missing the playoffs. That alone could cause chaos but they’re not a top 4 team. They haven’t played anyone special, they’re in the weakest conference, and Trevor lawrence is having a relatively down year. In addition, it doesn’t go over too well if the winner of Wake Forest vs Clemson decides the Atlantic Division.
The only real consideration for Notre Dame is if they win out and Georgia wins the SEC. However, even then I am not sold they will be heavily considered. They need a conference.
To sum it all up, I’m not sure the Playoff Committee is ready to create such divide in the fans by making a truly monumental decision. Ultimately, the SEC may wind up with only 2. However, it is not impossible to see 3 teams.
Do you want SEC chaos? Are you for expanding the 4 team playoff system? Tell us on twitter how you feel.
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