Re: College Football 2019-20: It'll Just Be Alabama vs. Clemson AGAIN.
I hate the SEC as much as the rest, but it certainly is possible that Alabama and LSU actually ARE 2 of the 4 best teams.
Based on what I've seen, LSU is the best team in the country. Alabama probably is a top 4 team as well. The biggest problem I have in the event both LSU and Alabama get in, is that winning your conference should matter more than it does. The real solution to all the griping about the SEC is to let each of the Power 5 conference's champions into the Playoff, and then one of the following options to fill out an eight team filed: (a) use the committee to pick the top 3 at-large bids; or (b) use the committee to pick the top 2 at-large bids, as well as the top Group of 5 conference champion. I'd prefer (b), but could live with (a).
Last year, under option (a):
1. Alabama v. 9. Washington
2. Clemson v. 7. Michigan
3. Notre Dame v. 6. Ohio State
4. Oklahoma v. 5. Georgia
Last year, under option (b):
1. Alabama v. 9. Washington
2. Clemson v. 8. UCF
3. Notre Dame v. 6. Ohio State
4. Oklahoma v. 5. Georgia
2017 (a):
1. Clemson v. 8. Southern Cal
2. Oklahoma v. 7. Auburn
3. Georgia v. 6. Wisconsin
4. Alabama v. 5. Ohio State
2017 (b):
1. Clemson v. 12. UCF
2. Oklahoma v. 8. Southern Cal
3. Georgia v. 6. Wisconsin
4. Alabama v. 5. Ohio State
2016 (a):
1. Alabama v. 8. Wisconsin
2. Clemson v. 7. Oklahoma
3. Ohio State v. 6. Michigan
4. Washington v. 5. Penn State
2016 (b)
1. Alabama v. 15. Western Michigan
2. Clemson v. 7. Oklahoma
3. Ohio State v. 6. Michigan
4. Washington v. 5. Penn State
I'd even be okay with incorporating the traditional bowls for the Quarterfinals and reseed after for the Semifinals. For example, last year, under option (b):
Rose Bowl (B1G v. Pac 12): 6. Ohio State v. 9. Washington
Orange Bowl (ACC Champion): 2. Clemson v. 8. UCF
Sugar Bowl (SEC v. Big 12): 1. Alabama v. 4. Oklahoma
Fiesta Bowl (At-Large/Notre Dame): 3. Notre Dame v. 5. Georgia