Deep Creek
Well-Known Member
In what way don't they matter? Because a team no longer has a chance at a national championship?
He's holding onto minutiae of meaning.
'every game matters' has to be interpreted based on the context of the discussion. He's using it entirely in a broad sense here, but typically that phrase is used specifically when talking about expanding playoffs. That means in the case of THAT conversation it's inferred that you are talking about playoff worthy teams.
Of course in a more broad sense every game matters to someone. That's kind of general. However he wants to ALWAYS mix the two.
Not every game matters toward the playoffs. Not every game matters to every fan.
In the usual context it simply means losing has consequences unlike the NFL and most other leagues where .500 teams can make the post season. In college every loss means something fairly substantial. Even to those not otherwise in real competition for the playoffs or even their league. It can mean a bowl game or not which also takes 15 more practices away if you fail that. It has dire consequences. So many rivalries and so many things on the line week to week for over half of the FBS level. And ALL of it matters.
If all games matter for the reasons you state, then such would also apply to the regular season for college basketball as well. They "matter" to all those examples referenced in your football examples.Every game matters to those who are still in it for college football playoffs.
It's silly to think every single team has to have a game that matters towards that individual team getting to the playoffs since they lose games and that ends it for them personally.
But it does go beyond that. Some may say Penn St is out of it due to the 2 losses. But every game they play still matters for Ohio St's SoS for example. Same for TCU. A few weeks ago, Ohio St was all big and bad, played all these tough teams. Now due to those other games that "don't matter" from those teams, Ohio St's SoS is no where near what it appeared to be.
And that goes down through all teams to some degree, although the more removed from a playoff contending team the less effect.
Still, we can go even further and state that at the start of the season - every game matters for the playoffs, since all teams are equal. Sure we know 90% of them really have no chance, but that's the fact no matter what national championship format takes place and what the fuck can you do - hand out participation trophies?
Not sure what the point is really. All the games matter.
And the "not wanting rendering the regular season meaningless like college basketball has done" by "preserving the regular season where all games matter" has been the spewed bullshit I was referring to.
Both of you know that's been the mantra. Don't say you haven't.