Mid-Majors With a Realistic Shot at the 4 Team Play-off for 2014

[Ironbreaker]

All I have left to say is technically I thought ND was considered a mid-major. By definition. By definition they are, but they have an exception. An exception to a made up term not recognized by the NCAA.

I wasn't trying to insult NDs history and tradition. I know full well their record vs UW and other neat things like theyve never played an FCS school, apparently questioning the definition has hurt some peoples feelings. So Sorry for that.


As to the rest, if you want to call me a fool, dumb-ass etc for thinking none of these teams have a realistic shot at the playoff, and if you want to think that they do because they play maybe one strong team and go undefeated, then thats your choice.

History has shown us that it's very hard for a mid-major to get any respect. If you think now that theres 4 playoff spots that they suddenly will get recognized then you disagree with the majority of talking heads out there, and you disagree with me as well.


I'm not the dumb ass in this thread if those are the things you believe.

 

[olympicoscar]

At this point, the only one that has zero chance in hell is Marshall.

Texas St. would be a close runner up with only having Illinois.

Marshall has a chance for one of the New Years Bowls, but not the playoff.

 

[Ironbreaker]

What conference would ND have a tougher schedule? Stanford, USC, Stanford, Florida State, Louisville. This is a big time schedule and no FCS teams on the schedule.

It is a big time schedule. I know that.

Just think it's silly to always have to note an exception for ND everytime something new comes along.

 

[olympicoscar]

It is a big time schedule. I know that.

Just think it's silly to always have to note an exception for ND everytime something new comes along.

Is there not an exception for BYU? Don't they go by the same rules as ND?

 

[Ironbreaker]

Is there not an exception for BYU? Don't they go by the same rules as ND?

Well if they did RA wouldn't have listed them in this now would he?


Maybe they do, in which case they shouldn't be listed.


Talk to the smartest guy in the room about it when he returns...

 

[Red_Alert]

It is a big time schedule. I know that.

Just think it's silly to always have to note an exception for ND everytime something new comes along.

It's because their schedule IS an exception.

They are not playing 8 AAC, CUSA, MAC, MWC, or Sunbelt teams every year like the mid-majors do.

BYU is still a mid-major because even though they're Independent they still play 9 games against mid-majors.

Of those 9 mid-majors, only Houston, Utah St, UCF, and Boise St could be expected to go .500 or better in a P5 conference.

 

[dennis580]

Not sure whats to laugh at.

Theyve (committee) said they would look at SOS.

You said teams with a realistic shot at the playoff.

None of those teams play a schedule worth a damn other than BYU.

Is the conversation switching to who has the best shot at going undefeated in the mid-majors?


The committee isnt going to consider Texas state with Illinois as their signature win. Undefeated or not.


If they do, they are really dumb.

The committee will seriously consider any team that goes undefeated. Now that doesn't mean they get in the playoffs if they go undefeated, but the committee will seriously consider any team that goes undefeated, and though they may leave a undefeated team out its not something they will be happy about.

 

[Red_Alert]

Remaining

Independents

BYU (3-0) - @ Texas (W), Virginia (Sept 20th), @ California (Nov 29th)

American Athletic (ACC)

Cincinnati (1-0) - @ Ohio St (Sept 27th), @ Miami, FL (Oct 11th)

Conference USA (CUSA)

Marshall (3-0) - Play NO Majors

Mid-American (MAC)

Northern Illinois (3-0) - @ Northwestern (W), @ Arkansas (Sept 20th)

 

[Red_Alert]

Virginia just helped BYU by beating Louisville.

 

[Brasky]

Fresno has the best chance. Still would not call it realistic

LOL

 

[Red_Alert]

LOL

They actually did had they remained undefeated.

They had a good non-conference and they've retained a bit of respect from the Hill days.

If they beat USC and Utah on the road, beat Nebraska at home, and win their conference games like they needed to, they could have been pushing top 5 if not in it. Especially if there were only 3 undefeated/1 loss P-5 teams.

BYU, Cincy, and Northern Illinois are the only threats now.

Marshall doesn't stand a chance even if every P-5 had two losses.

 

[Brasky]

LOL @ calling any of those teams a "threat"

This thread no longer serves a purpose.

 

[Red_Alert]

Remaining

Independents

BYU (4-0) - @ Texas (W), Virginia (W), @ California (Nov 29th)

American Athletic (ACC)

Cincinnati (2-0) - @ Ohio St (Sept 27th), @ Miami, FL (Oct 11th)

Conference USA (CUSA)

Marshall (4-0) - Play NO Majors

 

[Phantom]

Just not going to happen. The only way a mid major would even have a chance is to beat a top 5 team late in the year and go undefeated. Key phrase is "late in the year." BYU has a good team this year, but beating Texas, Virginia, and even California doesn't mean much this year. THEN, we have to consider TV revenue. That's the big one! BYU would not be a big draw. Again, it's not about football.

 

[michaeljordan_fan]

Just not going to happen. The only way a mid major would even have a chance is to beat a top 5 team late in the year and go undefeated. Key phrase is "late in the year." BYU has a good team this year, but beating Texas, Virginia, and even California doesn't mean much this year. THEN, we have to consider TV revenue. That's the big one! BYU would not be a big draw. Again, it's not about football.

I think you underestimate how many Mormons would go to the Fiesta Bowl

 

[Phantom]

I think you underestimate how many Mormons would go to the Fiesta Bowl

It's not that. It's TV revenue. College football fans like you and me are going to watch the game no matter what. It's that middle of the road fan that likes college football and knows a little about it, but not a lot. It's just not their favorite. There are much more of those guys out there than us. They are much more likely to watch a Alabama vs Oregon game than a BYU vs anybody game. They just figure the other team is going to win. Right or wrong, they just do. When you start to get in the high percentage of tv share, 1/10 of market share can mean an extra $100,000 every 15 seconds of revenue they can charge. Maybe more than that. I'm not saying it's right, just the facts.

 

[olympicoscar]

Well if they did RA wouldn't have listed them in this now would he?


Maybe they do, in which case they shouldn't be listed.


Talk to the smartest guy in the room about it when he returns...

That would be knowledge, not intelligence. Big difference.

 

[olympicoscar]

Remaining

Independents

BYU (3-0) - @ Texas (W), Virginia (Sept 20th), @ California (Nov 29th)

American Athletic (ACC)

Cincinnati (1-0) - @ Ohio St (Sept 27th), @ Miami, FL (Oct 11th)

Conference USA (CUSA)

Marshall (3-0) - Play NO Majors

Mid-American (MAC)

Northern Illinois (3-0) - @ Northwestern (W), @ Arkansas (Sept 20th)

East Carolina has a shot at the New Years 6 Berth also. They could run the rest of their schedule with only the 10 point loss to South Carolina as their only blemish. This might require BYU to lose one game. If Marshall runs the table they could finish ahead of everyone depending on circumstances.

 

[Red_Alert]

Oscar, September 21st called.

 

[olympicoscar]

Oscar, September 21st called.

Red Alert, September 20th won't go away.