2v2 B1G v SEC Playoff?
We are only halfway through the season (ps what a fun year of college football) so clearly this is just a “for fun” exercise:
Assume Iowa, Georgia, and Alabama all win out. Alabama beats Georgia for the SEC title. And one of Michigan (undefeated), one loss tOSU, or one loss PSU meet Iowa for the B1G. If Michigan wins or loses a close game or PSU/tOSU win the title, would a SEC v B1G playoff be merited?
okay fine…MSU can also be considered…This is not a knock on Oklahoma but holy crap how strong does the B1G East look at the top this year.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:26 PM ^
Not gonna happen. Bad assumptions.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:42 PM ^
Yeah…assuming wins over Washington and Wisconsin were also bad assumptions at the beginning of the season too. This has been a wild and surprising year of college football where no one has been immune to chaos, just thought it was an interesting scenario that could happen, assuming Oklahoma loses somewhere along the way.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:38 PM ^
Unlikely, but I think it’s possible. I think you’d have to have Alabama beating undefeated Georgia in the SECCG, undefeated Iowa meeting undefeated Michigan in the Big Ten CG, and Oklahoma having a loss for it to happen. Maybe even Wake losing somewhere because it’s hard to see an undefeated Power 5 champ being left out. I personally think Cincy is on the outside looking in, their schedule just isn’t as impressive as all the 1-loss P5 teams.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:49 PM ^
Pressure would be really strong to put unbeaten Cinci in in this scenario. You'd definitely need an Oklahoma and Oklahoma State loss in there somewhere. Probably an Oregon loss, but not sure.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:47 PM ^
It’s more likely that the Big Ten just gets left out entirely. At least compared to the possibility of getting two teams in. The upper half of the conference is very deep this year and they’re likely all going to beat up on each other. OSU is of course the team most likely to get through unscathed, but they could very well lose another game as well.
October 10th, 2021 at 1:17 PM ^
Unfortunately I could see this too. This is the perfect argument that these playoffs need to expand sooner rather than later. There is so much parity this year that some worthy teams are going to be left out.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
If 1-loss Alabama beats UGA in Atlanta and either us or OSU beat undefeated Iowa in Indy. I don't think too many talking heads would be upset if there was a B1G/SEC CFP.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:55 PM ^
Unlikely, and possible. Would almost have to be Michigan, MSU, or PSU and Iowa, a 3 point or less B 10 Championship game and a lot of other stuff. OSU's home loss to Oregon would probably keep OSU out on any close call unless they win B 10 outright. Yes Big 10 East amazingly strong this year.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:57 PM ^
Sorry, but I see zero chance if Iowa winning out and winning the championship game. PSU was clearly the better team until they lost Clifford.
October 10th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^
I don’t know. Only team left on their schedule that looks* like they could get them is Nebraska and whoever makes it to the championship game. And there’s no guarantee that Frost can keep those guys motivated the way their season is but punching them.
October 10th, 2021 at 12:59 PM ^
This would only happen if OSU loses to Iowa in the B1G championship game. They would let a 2-loss OSU or a 2-loss Alabama in the playoffs but for any other team a second loss would automatically disqualify them.
If Iowa or Cincinnati or Michigan loses a single game they’re out.
Yeah, I’m that cynical about the playoff selection process.
October 10th, 2021 at 1:18 PM ^
I would be very surprised if any Big Ten team other than Ohio State was in the playoffs.
October 10th, 2021 at 1:24 PM ^
Poor assumptions.
The biggest being Iowa winning out. That would mean that none of you other BIG teams records could happen...
Michigan undefeated - nope because an undefeated Iowa would have beaten them in the BIG Championship game...
tOSU with one loss - again, nope an undefeated Iowa would have to beaten them in the BIG Championship game...
PSU with one lose - again, nope see tOSU
I believe the scenario you are looking for is an undefeated Michigan beating Iowa in the BIG championship game, giving Iowa 1 loss. But even in that scenario, an undefeated Cincy would get in....
Plus there is NO WAY the committee would shut out 3 of the 5 power conferences.
October 10th, 2021 at 2:24 PM ^
You see Iowa's schedule? Who's going to beat them?
I like it that the Nebraska game is on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I will be off work to see it. You can bet Iowa's total defensive purpose will be focused on Adrian Mrtinez's world!
October 11th, 2021 at 1:19 AM ^
My statement was more towards that both can not happen at the same time. I do believe that Iowa will be 12-0 going into the BIG Championship game, but my point is that Iowa can not be the one team undefeated AND another BIG Ten team gets in because that would mean they would have to beat either Michigan (thus 1 loss), OSU (thus 2 losses), OR Penn State (2 losses) in the Championship game.
IF Iowa were to go undefeated, they would be the lone representative in the CFB, only a 1 loss Michigan would be under consideration and that would not be likely....
This the OP original assumptions are not very sound.
PS: I would not totally discount Nebraska either. Are they Team Self Destruct....? Yup, but they will make it very tough for Iowa and one of these days they just might be able to pull it off.
Just thrilled that we were not that team....
October 11th, 2021 at 2:17 PM ^
Might not have been clear. No assumptions just scenarios.
1. undefeated Iowa and undefeated Michigan meet and play out “an instant classic”
2. Undefeated Iowa meets 1-loss PSU or tOSU and Iowa loses a close game
It was never a prediction just a “would they allow this to happen” question.
October 10th, 2021 at 2:06 PM ^
This movie is only half over. Lot's of things can change. I too wouldn't bank on Iowa winning out. Of course they can, but they too have to play NE and Wisc in their division. As for the undefeated teams in the East division, buckle up, it's gonna get wild.
October 10th, 2021 at 2:18 PM ^
Iowa is going to completely beat up Adrian Martinez. Nebraska will be road kill.
October 10th, 2021 at 2:15 PM ^
2 from the SEC and 2 from the BIG10 could happen. But Iowa has a poor passing game, and will likely lose badly in the BIG 10 Championship, even if it is Penn St they play again. So they would be out then. But Georgia and Alabama could both get in.
October 10th, 2021 at 2:19 PM ^
I think Oklahoma solved their biggest problem Saturday. Yes, their defense is typical Big XII hot garbage, but if they win out there's no way they don't make the playoffs. Since they won't be tested again until Thanksgiving weekend and Bedlam, I see little chance of 2 B1G teams being ahead of them at the end of the year.
October 10th, 2021 at 3:05 PM ^
The problem is Cincinatti has a really weak schedule going forward and they will be in the playoff because of their ND win and likely undefeated record. Yet, there are possibly 10 teams nationally that are better but must face far more competitive teams each week.
So of the remaining 3 spots, your looking at one SEC team, one B12 team, and one B10 team. If Oklahoma screws up we might see the highest ranked 2nd team from the SEC or B10.
I would predict Cincinatti, Georgia, Oklahoma, and the B10 Champion.
This assumes Cincinatti wins out and Georgia beats Alabama.
October 10th, 2021 at 3:21 PM ^
Ha. Guarantee there will be 2 sec teams, one big team, and another. Wash, rinse, repeat. The espn fix is in.
October 10th, 2021 at 7:17 PM ^
It looks as strong as OSU looks every year… then everyone else. Michigan is “ok” Sparty is “ok” penn st is “ok”… so what’s the question again? Oh right, can we compete with the SEC.. emphatically no.