Posted on 12/06/2014 8:50:06 PM PST by re_nortex
Looking at it dispassionately, the committee did indeed get it right and the matchups will be compelling with Saban-Meyer meeting again and Heisman QBs (Marcus Mariota is a lock) squaring off. As a Texan pulling for our regional teams, I would have put Baylor in the playoff but that would have been due to my homer bias.
That said, ESPN's Paul Finebaum made a good point a few minutes ago. The rankings last week when TCU jumped FSU top land at #3 and then the fall to #6 indicated that the path to the final four was rocky and the pentultimate ordering gave what turned out to be false hope for a Big XII team.
Big XII only has themselves to blame. They are a joke, and I look for more schools to try to get out. I see OU trying to make a move within the next few years.
If the Bears had even one strong OOC team on the schedule, they probably would have edge OSU. The trio of SMU, Northwestern State and Buffalo to start the season was an albatross they couldn't shake.
It pays to play a cupcake non-conference schedule that featured Kent State; I guess Ohio U was busy this year.
They Had Kansas State.
There was an opportunity during the shakeups a few years back to reinvigorate the Big XII when A&M and Mizzou bailed for the SEC. Instead, it was the AAC that aggressively rebuilt that conference. I think it’s too late to add two more teams to make it an even dozen. I don’t see any more migrations on the horizon.
K-State is a conference team.
Yep I see OU and perhaps even Texas jumping to the Pac 12. And that will be the end.
Exactly, who can they add to add prestige to the conference? Boise State? BYU?
Stick a fork in ‘em they’re done.
Looks like you pegged it.
The Big 12 Commissioner. One True Idiot.
Historically, Texas hasn't wanted to go anywhere where they couldn't be top dog (You have a Big 10 Network. You have an SEC network. You have a University of Texas network.)
Texas calling the shots is what forced TAMU to jump to the SEC. And earlier, Arkansas saw the handwriting on the wall and jumped, leading to the death of the SW Conf.
OK State should look to the SEC (although they won't bring many TV sets) and TxTech should look to the PAC. Split up most of the Big '12' among the 4 superconferences, and leave UTex to play by itself. They could schedule SMU, Tulane, Vandy, North Texas, and enough other similar teams so that they could always brag about their record.
Seriesly, the committee not only got it right but set the table for two must-see bowl games. I think where they got it wrong was the previous week where TCU was slotted at #3. Had they put the Frogs at #4 in that next-to-last list, there would have been less wailing here in Big XII territory. That said, in the final rankings, the margins between #4, #5 and #6 are razor thin.
When I saw your post before church this morning, I thought you were off base. Glad I didn’t embarrass myself.
It does make sense - there are only 4 major conferences with playoffs; they took the playoff winners. They probably should just formalize it with that.
I think Baylor was the ONLY team that could have beat (and did) TCU this year.
Honestly I could care less about Saban-Meyer or Heismans QB matchup.
I wanted to determine who was the BEST team, and without TCU and Baylor in the final four that wont happen.
The criteria for picking the final four should have been who are the four best teams. Period. Not which matchups make for interesting coverage.
Well if UT is happy being the big fish in a small (and getting smaller) pond, go for it.
But DeLoss Dodds is gone, and I suspect the new AD will see the writing on the wall.
As I said, OU’s loss tipped the scales in Ohio State’s direction.
OOOOOOPS.
If you were to pick the final four, what teams would it be and in what order?
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