Re: College Football 2015-16: The Big Ten Rises
I thought I would want them to expand to 8 to be like DII or FCS football but after this second year I think that would be a mistake. It already bothers me that the bowl games are not historically like they normally have been. Small thing to complain about but I'm a traditionalist.
Four times is just the right number because 8 teams would make it less exciting and draw out the bowl games even more. Now I think it could happen because it would increase the TV contract in the future, but that's about the only reason.
This may surprise you -- particularly because my team wound up at #7 this time around -- but I agree with you completely. I really like that the four team playoff creates a field of conference champions. I'm coming to believe that adding wild cards would actually detract from the tournament.
For example, MSU shouldn't be facing a potential rematch with either OSU or Iowa. They won the right to represent the B1G in the Playoff. For 2015, the B1G pecking order has been settled. Both the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes came close, but didn't get it done. IMHO, there's no reason we should be given the opportunity to "earn a split."
And BTW, Hockey and Basketball are fundamentally different. For them it's normal to play multiple games against an opponent during the same season. Playing an additional game on a winner-take-all basis doesn't bother me in those sports. Well, as long as it's not a first round match-up.
...I don't like how the Rose Bowl is potentially a game without a Big Ten and PAC 12 team. I'm very much a traditionalist.
Amen.
Whew- looks like Iowa will go play Stanford in Pasadena.
Wonder if Iowa will patch up that run game D enough for Stanford. That should be a good one.
It will be, and I plan to watch. And be just a little jealous. Great Pac12 vs. B1G match-up. Playoff or not, the Rose Bowl will always be cool.
But you know what? The Committee and the Rose Bowl got it right. Iowa earned it. They gave MSU a better game than we did. Had the Spartans won in a blow-out, I'd say that Stanford/OSU would have been the right call for the Rose Bowl. But as we all know, the game in Indy couldn't have been closer.
And Notre Dame vs. OSU. That will be interesting, but I'm hoping to miss that game attending another one.
Oh, that.
There is a downside to the four team playoff, and this brings it into focus. Even though I thought OSU's final ranking was 100% fair, I experienced our bowl assignment as a letdown. Couldn't muster any reaction beyond a shrug.
In my head, I know that's just wrong.
Back in the 90's when we had a home and home series with ND, I was hugely excited for those games from the moment they were announced. Same thing for the OSU/ND Fiesta Bowl from a decade ago. And yes, when New Years' 2016 rolls around, I will find a way to care and be more engaged. But at the irrational, emotional level: Right now the 2016 Fiesta feels like another one of the countless runner-up bowls that maybe shouldn't be played.
And to bring my comment full circle, this last factor may help push us down the path to an 8 team playoff. More games that "count" would create a lot of additional interest. Add in the enhanced TV money and it may prove to be an irresistible combination.
