Are we still on the outside looking in?

[SWC75]

The Big 12 and SEC champions will now be playing in a New Years Day bowl. Brent Axe is describing it as "their Rose Bowl" and suggests that the SEC, Big 12, Big 10 and Pac 12 will be the elite conferences with both the Big East and ACC being lesser than them. Could we have a four team playoff someday of the SEC, Big 12, Big 10 and Pac12? Could it be that we are still on the outside, looking in?

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7945482/big-12-sec-champions-play-new-year-bowl-game

 

[PeteCalvin]

Screw all of them. Nobody back East cares about the PAC, the Rose Bowl hasn't meant anything to anyone other than the BIG and PAC in years, and, quite frankly, none of this really means anything. The ACC will always have a place at the table. And when Texas or Oklahoma decide to win a national championship again, maybe I'll look that the Big 12 the same way they look at themselves.

 

[cusenole9]

So it seems this is just designed to make an assload of money for these two conferences on top of the playoffs.

 

[arbitragegls]

we can think it doesnt matter, but it does...and teams will potentially leave the ACC and ND isnt coming! The ACC took a hit today unless it has a surprise response for all of us.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

The SEC and BigXII Champions have played on New Years Day for years...

It's called the Sugar Bowl.

 

[cusenole9]

we can think it doesnt matter, but it does...and teams will potentially leave the ACC and ND isnt coming! The ACC took a hit today unless it has a surprise response for all of us.

Agreed. I thought teams leaving the FSU was somehwere around 50/50, I don't think this anymore.

 

[cusenole9]

The SEC and BigXII Champions have played on New Years Day for years...

It's called the Sugar Bowl.

But that wasn't guaranteed to be an SEC - B12 matchup. Now it is. This a blatant move to freeze out the ACC.

 

[N.Y. Orangeman]

But that wasn't guaranteed to be an SEC - B12 matchup. Now it is. This a blatant move to freeze out the ACC.

So the SEC #2 (or #3) is now locked into playing the Big XII #2 at a time when bowls have been made less relevant? They'll make more money, but if the ACC ends up playing the #3 or 4 SEC team, the #2 Pac-10 team or the #3 Big 10 team, it isn't fatal.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

But that wasn't guaranteed to be an SEC - B12 matchup. Now it is. This a blatant move to freeze out the ACC.

2011: SEC finished 1, 2, and 6. BigXII finished 3 and 8. ACC finished 11.
2010: SEC finshed 1 and 8, BigXII finished 7. ACC finished 13.
2009: SEC finished 1 and 5, BigXII finished 2. ACC finished 9.
2008: SEC finished 2 and 4, BigXII finished 1 and 3. ACC finished 19.


Looks like the ACC did a pretty good job of freezing themselves out.

 

[BlazeOrange]

So we'll have four (former) BCS bowls.
One scenario has those bowls hosting the playoff games on a rotating basis prior to a plus one, although there are still issues to be worked out - i.e., Rose Bowl. Most years, the playoffs will be the champions of the Big 4 conferences, with an occasional upstart taking one of the spots. Here are the options I see:

Rose Bowl
B1G vs. Pac-12 conference champions (on years it's part of a playoff)
B1G or Pac-12 conference champion vs. SEC/Big 12/other (on years it's part of a playoff if they lose their exclusivity)
B1G vs. Pac-12 (on years it's not part of a playoff - usually runners-up playing, sometimes a conference champion)

Sugar Bowl
SEC vs. Big-12 conference champions (on years it's part of a playoff)
SEC or Big-12 conference champion vs. B1G/Pac-12/other (on years it's part of a playoff)
SEC vs. Big-12 (on years it's not part of a playoff - usually runners-up playing, sometimes a conference champion)

Fiesta Bowl
SEC/Big 12/other vs. B1G/Pac-12/other conference champions (on years it's part of a playoff)
Matchup of 2nd choices of SEC/Big 12/B1G/Pac-12 &/or champions of ACC/BE (inc. ND)/MWC/CUSA (on years it's not part of a playoff)

Orange Bowl
SEC/Big 12/other vs. B1G/Pac-12/other conference champions (on years it's part of a playoff)
Matchup of 2nd choices of SEC/Big 12/B1G/Pac-12 &/or champions of ACC/BE (inc. ND)/MWC/CUSA (on years it's not part of a playoff)

I guess that the Fiesta would keep its both of its options open in non-playoff years while the Orange might want to lock down the ACC champion for one spot against a team TBD. So the ACC would be guaranteed a major bowl every other year at a minimum and more if the champion is in the top 4.

Then it gets tricky if you look at potential agreements that could be made for years depending on which bowls are hosting playoff games. You could align the Rose/Fiesta and Sugar/Orange to alternate playoff/non-playoff years, with the non-playoff bowl providing a home to the Big 4 runners-up (or non-playoff champion). That would pretty much put a dagger in the other conferences.

 

[orangeinjersey]

The Big12 was on the cusp of extinction just a few months ago, and with just a few strategic moves is making the ACC look like its about to be on the cusp of extinction.

 

[All4SU]

THis has all the look of the Big Bowls trying to secure their places in the face of a playoff. The Orange Bowl will do the same. It will be the ACC Champ -- IF not in the 4 team playof -- against the next best team they can get. They just won't be locked into one other specified conference. In some ways, that could work out for the best.

The mission, of course, for all of these conferences will be to get their top team into the playoff.

 

[44PRIDE]

Bad News: The ACC and Notre Dame were pushed outside of the circle today.

Good News: The ACC and Notre Dame have more reason than ever to discuss joining forces....and soon.

If the ACC and Notre Dame can agree to terms, there is no way in hell that the ACC will be left on the "outside looking in".

 

[cusenole9]

THis has all the look of the Big Bowls trying to secure their places in the face of a playoff. The Orange Bowl will do the same. It will be the ACC Champ -- IF not in the 4 team playof -- against the next best team they can get. They just won't be locked into one other specified conference. In some ways, that could work out for the best.

The mission, of course, for all of these conferences will be to get their top team into the playoff.

So, when the ACC gets snubbed a playoff spot, and they will be the most likely conference to get snubbed, their champion gets to play who in a meaningless bowl game? One of the major conference's 3rd place team, or the big east champion? Sounds like those are the options...

 

[OrangeXtreme]

So, when the ACC gets snubbed a playoff spot, and they will be the most likely conference to get snubbed, their champion gets to play who in a meaningless bowl game? One of the major conference's 3rd place team, or the big east champion? Sounds like those are the options...

If the ACC Champion finishes ranked in the Top 4, they don't get snubbed.

If they finish outside the Top 4, they don't really deserve to be in consideration for a playoff spot.

They'll just have to play in the meaningless Orange Bowl ... just like they do now.

 

[44PRIDE]

So, when the ACC gets snubbed a playoff spot, and they will be the most likely conference to get snubbed, their champion gets to play who in a meaningless bowl game? One of the major conference's 3rd place team, or the big east champion? Sounds like those are the options...

Yeah, that's about it. The only power play left for the ACC is to start talking with Notre Dame. Otherwise, they are the new Big East.

Worst case scenario for the ACC is for Notre Dame to go to the B1G.

 

[cusenole9]

If the ACC Champion finishes ranked in the Top 4, they don't get snubbed.

If they finish outside the Top 4, they don't really deserve to be in consideration for a playoff spot.

They'll just have to play in the meaningless Orange Bowl ... just like they do now.

You're right...but word on the street is that this will be RPI based and the ACC's sos will put teams at a severe disadvantage to make the playoffs. I'm not saying it will never happen. Just how in the previous system it wasn't impossible for a Big East team to win a NC. However, it won't happen often and the ACC will be considered a lesser football conference while the other four are considered the majors.

 

[cusenole9]

Yeah, that's about it. The only power play left for the ACC is to start talking with Notre Dame. Otherwise, they are the new Big East.

Worst case scenario for the ACC is for Notre Dame to go to the B1G.

Completely agree.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

An undefeated ACC team will not get shut out.

 

[orangehomer]

i don't think we are on the outside of anything until we start winning. the acc is a good enough platform to be nationally relevant for anybody that is in it. we have increased our revenue, now is time to win games, period.

 

[Toga]

So we'll have four (former) BCS bowls.
One scenario has those bowls hosting the playoff games on a rotating basis prior to a plus one, although there are still issues to be worked out - i.e., Rose Bowl. Most years, the playoffs will be the champions of the Big 4 conferences, with an occasional upstart taking one of the spots. Here are the options I see:

Rose Bowl
B1G vs. Pac-12 conference champions (on years it's part of a playoff)
B1G or Pac-12 conference champion vs. SEC/Big 12/other (on years it's part of a playoff if they lose their exclusivity)
B1G vs. Pac-12 (on years it's not part of a playoff - usually runners-up playing, sometimes a conference champion)

Sugar Bowl
SEC vs. Big-12 conference champions (on years it's part of a playoff)
SEC or Big-12 conference champion vs. B1G/Pac-12/other (on years it's part of a playoff)
SEC vs. Big-12 (on years it's not part of a playoff - usually runners-up playing, sometimes a conference champion)

Fiesta Bowl
SEC/Big 12/other vs. B1G/Pac-12/other conference champions (on years it's part of a playoff)
Matchup of 2nd choices of SEC/Big 12/B1G/Pac-12 &/or champions of ACC/BE (inc. ND)/MWC/CUSA (on years it's not part of a playoff)

Orange Bowl
SEC/Big 12/other vs. B1G/Pac-12/other conference champions (on years it's part of a playoff)
Matchup of 2nd choices of SEC/Big 12/B1G/Pac-12 &/or champions of ACC/BE (inc. ND)/MWC/CUSA (on years it's not part of a playoff)

I guess that the Fiesta would keep its both of its options open in non-playoff years while the Orange might want to lock down the ACC champion for one spot against a team TBD. So the ACC would be guaranteed a major bowl every other year at a minimum and more if the champion is in the top 4.

Then it gets tricky if you look at potential agreements that could be made for years depending on which bowls are hosting playoff games. You could align the Rose/Fiesta and Sugar/Orange to alternate playoff/non-playoff years, with the non-playoff bowl providing a home to the Big 4 runners-up (or non-playoff champion). That would pretty much put a dagger in the other conferences.

Assuming the Orange locks in the ACC Champ on years it's part of a playoff - all other Notre Dame issues aside - where does this leave Notre Dame? Getting a little confused on Top 4 / Bowl lock-ins / Notre Dame. Thoughts?

 

[Stern]

Depending on how the playoff is set up this seems like non-news or not big news. I mean in what year will the SEC champ NOT be in the Top 4 and in the playoff? Seriously, that will be a rare circumstance, it might be a few decades before we see that. Alabama didn't even finish 1st in their division of their conference and they made the national title game. So lets say in a given year for example you got 2 SEC teams in the playoff. Then, this bowl gets the #3 SEC team? So, lets assume the SEC only sends 1 team to a playoff, then this bowl will get the #2 SEC team every year vs the #1 Big 12 or #2 Big 12. So, this new bowl just screwed the Sugar or Fiesta essentially. I don't see how its big news.

And if the ACC makes a deal with the Big East they are nuts. I would rather the ACC champ play the #3 or #4 SEC team than the #1 Big East team. The Big East is a DEAD football conference with no draws anymore. That game will get NO coverage. Draw NO TV ratings. And if you lose then you lose all respect and if you win you gain nothing because you are supposed to beat a bad BE team. At least if you lose to the #3 or #4 SEC team you are losing to a real team from a real conference. And it might be a 1 or 2 loss team. The BE champ might have 3 or 4 losses!!!

 

[Chip]

Weird that in all this ACC doomsday today, no one seems to be wondering what ESPN thinks. Might want to get that opinion first.

 

[Stern]

Weird that in all this ACC doomsday today, no one seems to be wondering what ESPN thinks. Might want to get that opinion first.

This is Sugar Bowl/Fiesta Bowl doomsday. I don't see it as ACC doomsday. If the ACC has a team in the Top 4 they are in the playoff. What more can ya ask for. If you aren't in the playoff, who cares where the conference champ goes. It's gonna be a big bowl.

 

[mikekan14]

The SEC and BigXII Champions have played on New Years Day for years...

It's called the Sugar Bowl.

That's not true. The Sugar Bowl has only hosted a Big XII/SEC matchup once in the BCS era (LSU vs Oklahoma in '04). Prior to the BCS, the Big XII (or it's predecessor leagues) have made appearances in the Sugar against the SEC but the Sugar Bowl's only tie in is with the SEC (the other is an at-large bid). Before Oklahoma in '04; Nebraska played LSU in '87. Even Syracuse has played in the Sugar before (vs Auburn in '88). And this past year didn't even have an SEC team (Michigan/VTech) because the top two SEC teams were playing the the championship game.

Maybe you're thinking of the Cotton, which has been a Jan 1 bowl since 2010. It matches the #2 Big XII (i.e. the team that doesn't make the Fiesta) with the #3/4 SEC (i.e. the next team that isn't one of the 2 SEC teams playing BCS games).

Since the Cotton already plays in a BCS level stadium, they might as well elevate that to "BCS" status and match the SEC/Big XII champs. OR the Sugar should make the Big XII the permanent opponent.