We’ve heard it all the last few weeks… What’s going to be playoff format? The Big 12 and SEC want the top 4 teams. The Pac 12, Big 10, ACC want the conference champs. I decided to take at both formats over in the BCS era; to find out is there really that much of a difference in the two. Is this really worth all the fuss? Let’s check it out… We’ll use the BCS standings to determine the top 4 teams.
For the sake of discussion in the event of a tie in a conference, we’ll give the higher ranked team the conference championship for that year.
Top 4 Teams
USC (12-0), Texas (12-0), Penn State (10-1), Ohio State (9-2)
Conference Champs
USC (12-0), Texas (12-0), Penn State (10-1), Notre Dame (9-2)
Three of the teams are the same and you switch out a 2 loss Ohio State with 2 loss Notre Dame. Nobody is crying over that. Let’s say the Irish have some deal if they are higher ranked than the next conference champion.
Top 4 Teams
Ohio State (12-0), Florida (12-1), Michigan (11-1), LSU (10-2)
Conference Champs
Ohio State (12-0), Florida (12-1), USC (10-2), Louisville (11-1)
The top two teams are still in the playoffs and you switch out 2 loss LSU and 2 loss USC. That seems like a wash. Here though Louisville gets in over Michigan, but both with 1 loss. We’re really nit picking because a 11-1 Wisconsin team gets left out in either scenario.
Top 4 Teams
Ohio State (11-1), LSU (11-2), Virginia Tech (11-2), Oklahoma (11-2)
Conference Champs
Ohio State (11-1), LSU (11-2), Virginia Tech (11-2), Oklahoma (11-2)
No Change…
Top 4 Teams
Oklahoma (12-1), Florida (12-1), Texas (11-1), Alabama (12-1)
Conference Champs
Oklahoma (12-1), Florida (12-1), USC (11-1), Utah (12-0)
If there was a ever to prove the conference champ format is better, this might be it. Again the top 2 teams are the same, Texas and USC are swapped out but both with one loss. Here’s the kicker Utah gets in under the conference champ format over Alabama. That year Utah beat Bama by 2 Touchdowns… Hmm…
Top 4 Teams
Alabama (13-0), Texas (13-0), Cincinnati (12-0), TCU (12-0)
Conference Champs
Alabama (13-0), Texas (13-0), Cincinnati (12-0), TCU (12-0)
No Change…
Top 4 Teams
Auburn (13-0), Oregon (12-0), TCU (12-0), Stanford (11-1)
Conference Champs
Auburn (13-0), Oregon (12-0), TCU (12-0), Wisconsin (11-1)
Stanford and Wisconsin are both 1 loss that trade places. Ohio State, Michigan St. and Boise St. have 1 loss and don’t make it under either format. Three teams are the same.
Top 4 Teams
LSU (13-0), Alabama (11-1), Oklahoma St. (11-1), Stanford (11-1)
Conference Champs
LSU (13-0), Oklahoma St (11-1), Stanford (11-1), Wisconsin (11-2)
This would be the year that the top 4 argument is strongest. I’m not sure you would find anyone that would say Alabama wasn’t one of the top 4 teams in the country. In this case the Tide is out and Wisconsin is in. Wisconsin was a very good team but they were all the way down at 10th in the BCS rankings. The Tide being left out here wouldn’t make much sense. Also what if LSU had lost to Georgia in the SEC Title Game? There’s no question that LSU was still a deserving top 4 team.
Thoughts?
In 2 of the years (2007, 2009) we get the exact same lineup. In (2005, 2006, 2010), I think we basically have interchangeable teams with 1 or 2 losses, and other 1 loss teams getting left out. 2008 is the year the conference champ scenario is better while 2011 clearly supports the top 4 teams format. In all honesty I’m not seeing a superior format. What I am gathering from this is that what really matters is winning and having an elite record.
You go undefeated in a BCS conference you are going to be in the 4 team playoff under any format. TCU proves even a mid major can make it under either format. The fact of the matter is under either format teams will have a shot at the playoff. What’s the answer to every question is sports? Just win and everything else will take care of itself. I still believe this to be true in the vast majority of cases.
5 pings
kevin says:
May 31, 2012 at 9:36 pm (UTC -5)
I believe Boise State lost their conference in 2011. I believe TCU won the conference. The closest to that was I believe 10th or 11th ranked tOSU.
Jfann says:
May 31, 2012 at 9:58 pm (UTC -5)
Great catch Kevin! I corrected my error…. Thanks
Kevin says:
May 31, 2012 at 9:47 pm (UTC -5)
Correction on my last comment. It was Wisconsin at ranked number 10 at 10-2
Is the ACC at a disadvantage in a 4-Team playoff format? » All Sports Discussion says:
June 2, 2012 at 9:33 pm (UTC -5)
[…] I took a look at the two 4 Team playoff formats, conference champions or 4 team playoffs. I concluded that in either scenario if you simply win games you’ll have a shot at the […]
Is the ACC at a disadvantage in a 4-Team playoff format? | Sports Blog United says:
June 2, 2012 at 9:47 pm (UTC -5)
[…] I took a look at the two 4 Team playoff formats, conference champions or 4 team playoffs. I concluded that in either scenario if you simply win games you’ll have a shot at the […]