Topic: AAC Commissioner : Bring back the BCS, 'deck is stacked' against the G5.

[puma]

I thought this article was interesting and would be appreciated here:

American Athletic Conference commissioner Michael Aresco strongly criticized the College Football Playoff selection committee for dropping undefeated Cincinnati another spot in its rankings -- behind three two-loss teams.

"I never thought I'd say it, but if this continues, bring back the BCS and the computers because it would be a fairer system than what I'm seeing now," Aresco said. "This is the seventh year [of the CFP], and it does appear the deck is stacked against us and against other [Group of 5 teams]."

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30534280/aac-commissioner-says-deck-stacked-group-5-college-football-teams

[wasbarryb]

While I agree with the message, I have to reject the messenger.  This is the same guy and conference who spent the last two years saying they were the sixth Power conference league and disparaging the other members of the G-5.  His whine now may be a delayed recognition of reality, but is also a continuation of pure self-interest with no interest in joining with other conferences in the same situation as his conference.  It’s this constant unwillingness to look at the greater communal interest and looking out for only your own that ensures things will not change for the better.

[herd2win]

This year shows to me that the G5 needs to have their own championship.  Cincy is undefeated and is behind 2 loss teams that have lost to G5 teams.

There are really only 6 teams that get true mentions on a regular basis.  Coastal hardly gets takes about now even though they have had a great year and we’re willing to play BYU at the last minute.

[The E-Man]

While I agree with the message, I have to reject the messenger.  This is the same guy and conference who spent the last two years saying they were the sixth Power conference league and disparaging the other members of the G-5.  His whine now may be a delayed recognition of reality, but is also a continuation of pure self-interest with no interest in joining with other conferences in the same situation as his conference.  It’s this constant unwillingness to look at the greater communal interest and looking out for only your own that ensures things will not change for the better.

I have to give the AAC Commissionaire credit for being proactive and standing up to the P5..

[CoachMaclid]

The issue with the BCS wasn't the actual rankings themselves.  The BCS rankings were superior than what the CFP has been putting out for some time.  The issue was that other than putting #1 vs #2 into the title game, the other 3 BCS bowls still fought for their traditional teams and did not have to follow the rankings, so the other BCS games did not give us matchups we wanted nor a non-power conference rep.  The CFP committee has far more ability to create matchups, but their ranking system is more flawed.  I wish we could combine the BCS ranking methodology with the flexibly to make the NY6 Bowls assignments based on those rankings.

Use the BCS rankings to assign out the matchups...

SEMIFINAL 1 vs 4
SEMIFINAL 2 vs 3
Sugar Bowl is SEC vs Big 12 Champions.  If either is in the playoff, then you replace with next highest ranked team.
Rose Bowl is PAC vs Big 12 Champions. If either is in the playoff, then you replace with next highest ranked team.
Orange Bowl is ACC vs Highest Rated G5 Champions.  If either is in the playoff, then you replace with next highest ranked team.
The late rotated NY6 bowl is then the next highest rated at at large teams.


Here's the current approximation of the latest BCS rankings (not exact as not everything is in place that was back in 2013).



Following my plan, that would give us:

SEMIFINAL: Alabama vs Clemson
SEMIFINAL: Notre Dame vs Ohio State
SUGAR: Texas A&M vs Iowa State
ROSE: USC vs Cincinnati
ORANGE: Indiana vs Georgia
COTTON: Coastal Carolina vs Florida

This kinda feels like the best possible matchups to me.  Maybe Rose and Orange would trade Cincinnati and Indiana since they are back-to-back in the rankings and Indiana would prefer Rose and Cincinnati may prefer the shorter trip, but my point would be that the new system would not totally skip teams in the BCS rankings like Marshall was skipped in 1999.

[herdfan429]

I have to give the AAC Commissionaire credit for being proactive and standing up to the P5..

he’s not standing up to them. He made a comment and there is absolutely nothing he can do about it.

[wasbarryb]

I have to give the AAC Commissionaire credit for being proactive and standing up to the P5..

I guess where I differ with you, is I didn't see it as standing up to them. I saw it as groveling and pathetically pleading to be let in.  It’s only after that didn’t work that they suddenly have a spine.

[svherd]

I have to give the AAC Commissionaire credit for being proactive and standing up to the P5..

Exactly, I don't see anyone from CUSA promoting our cause. Hell, Judy probably doesn't even know there is a playoff.

[MicDrass1]

Exactly, I don't see anyone from CUSA promoting our cause. Hell, Judy probably doesn't even know there is a playoff.

A CUSA football team will never be in one ..... she doesn't need to know ..... bad football league with too much parity of 80-120 ranked teams playin in it.  It's like what the MAC would have been in the 90's without Marshall in it.  Marshall was so good it made about 4-5 other teams improve into Top 25 rankings.  The best CUSA team each year would not win the FCS title.  I want the Herd to rock everyone they play but a win tomorrow just means a 1 loss CUSA team won the CUSA championship.  Outside of Marshall it's a blurp on the tv if that.  Never will gain respect in this league nationally unless there is a yearly dominance of it comprised of undefeated in-league play. 

[Herdalum83]

This year shows to me that the G5 needs to have their own championship.  Cincy is undefeated and is behind 2 loss teams that have lost to G5 teams.

There are really only 6 teams that get true mentions on a regular basis.  Coastal hardly gets takes about now even though they have had a great year and we’re willing to play BYU at the last minute.

I'm I the only person that hates this idea? I see it thrown around a lot, and it seems like this is eventually going to happen and I hate it. If that happens then it is no different than being in FCS. Nobody except the fans of that school gives a %^&* about who wins the FCS and the money is peanuts and that would also be true of a G5 championship game. No one but the schools involved would care and the money would be nothing in comparison to what is gained from the Access Bowl. I want the opportunity to play with the big boys and show we belong not to be relegated back to the kiddy table.

[CoachMaclid]

I'm I the only person that hates this idea? I see it thrown around a lot, and it seems like this is eventually going to happen and I hate it. If that happens then it is no different than being in FCS. Nobody except the fans of that school gives a %^&* about who wins the FCS and the money is peanuts and that would also be true of a G5 championship game. No one but the schools involved would care and the money would be nothing in comparison to what is gained from the Access Bowl. I want the opportunity to play with the big boys and show we belong not to be relegated back to the kiddy table.

I despise the idea of a separate G5 championship as well.  The moment that happens, we are back in I-AA again.

[MUsince96]

I despise the idea of a separate G5 championship as well.  The moment that happens, we are back in I-AA again.

Exactly. In 1999 we had no access to BCS/NY6 bowls no matter what. We now have access every year no matter what.

To voluntarily separate ourselves into a lower division when all that's left is a spot in the playoff would be insanity. Especially when calls for expanding the playoff are getting louder and louder.

[coalherd]

I despise the idea of a separate G5 championship as well.  The moment that happens, we are back in I-AA again.

Like it or not, Marshall, the rest of CUSA, and the other G5 programs are in a de facto 1-AA status right now, but they just don't know it!!!

[vanhorn78]

I’m with the guy. The playoff system we have right now, with 4 teams, is bull. I watched ESPN analysts and talking heads say a two loss Iowa State team gets in before an undefeated Cincy team. BCS or 8 teams, and one of them being your top G5 team.

[elginherd]

I’m with the guy. The playoff system we have right now, with 4 teams, is bull. I watched ESPN analysts and talking heads say a two loss Iowa State team gets in before an undefeated Cincy team. BCS or 8 teams, and one of them being your top G5 team.

Like it or not, Marshall, the rest of CUSA, and the other G5 programs are in a de facto 1-AA status right now, but they just don't know it!!!

Both Coal & VH are correct in my view.

'96, this isn't the first time that you've raised the argument that NY6 access is a good reason not to split.
Do you believe that a CUSA team has a realistic chance at a bid?

IIRC, there has been only one team outside of BSU & the AAC to get that opportunity.

[MUsince96]

Both Coal & VH are correct in my view.

'96, this isn't the first time that you've raised the argument that NY6 access is a good reason not to split.
Do you believe that a CUSA team has a realistic chance at a bid?

IIRC, there has been only one team outside of BSU & the AAC to get that opportunity.

I do.

Objectively there's a spot for the G5 every year. "Realistic" is subjective and some would argue we've never realistically been in the conversation. I say we've been in the conversation twice and couldn't finish the job.

Same applies if the playoff is expanded to include a G5. There will be a path. If you're in a weak league, schedule better OOC.

G5 or mid major has gone from no major bowl access no matter what to if they were ranked high enough to every year no matter what. People talking about seperating or the P5 never including us just haven't been following the snowball that's been rolling down hill for the last 20 years. One step left.

[elginherd]

I do.

Objectively there's a spot for the G5 every year. "Realistic" is subjective and some would argue we've never realistically been in the conversation. I say we've been in the conversation twice and couldn't finish the job.

Same applies if the playoff is expanded to include a G5. There will be a path. If you're in a weak league, schedule better OOC.

G5 or mid major has gone from no major bowl access no matter what to if they were ranked high enough to every year no matter what. People talking about seperating or the P5 never including us just haven't been following the snowball that's been rolling down hill for the last 20 years. One step left.

While I am not confident enough in an argument for the G5 to say GTFO to the P5, I do disagree about the Herd being ever seriously considered or any present CUSA member ever seriously considered for a NY6 shot.

Scheduling 'better OOC' for strong G5's is a Catch-22. You follow logic well enough not to need an explanation for that.

IF (and it's only an 'if') the so-called playoff expands, why would anyone assume that any of the G5 would get a bid in even an 8 team playoff?

The past behavior of the P5's indicate that the G5 will be left out...why?
Because the NCAA doesn't hold the so-called championship. The P5 & ESPN does. And when the ESPN contract runs out, CBS or Fox will talk to the SEC, Big 10, Big 12, ACC & PAC 12. They will not talk to the CUSA, SBC, MAC or MWC. There is a slight chance that the AAC might get some consideration.

There is a real chance that the P5 will successfully dictate to the NCAA that the P5 operate under different rules than the G5.

[Herdiowa]

WWJD- What would Judy Do? Answer: Not a d@mn thing. Why we need to get out of this cesspool.

[elginherd]

WWJD- What would Judy Do? Answer: Not a d@mn thing. Why we need to get out of this cesspool.

I'm not a fan of the "leadership" of the CUSA, but the "quality" of the football in this conference speaks a lot louder than anything Judy can say.

[Big City]

Of course the deck is stacked. Duh! They just now realizing this?

We have 3 classes:
G5
P5
And the almighty 5 that includes Alabama, Ohio State, and a pick three: Notre Dame, Clemson, LSU Oklahoma

[Herdmeister]

WWJD- What would Judy Do? Answer: Not a d@mn thing. Why we need to get out of this cesspool.

You and others say that. Please tell me where we go? The AAC doesn't want us. The SBC also has a team in Texas where many on here hate the thought of going along with neighboring Arkansas. The MAC is no better.
Yes, you can form a new league and lose out on millions of NCAA basketball dollars for a few years by not getting automatic access into the Big Dance..
No doubt everyone on here would love to do better but it simply is not realistic. We are still a very small school in a small state that is in a terrible location travel wise.

[ThunderValley]

The playoff comittee will grin like a Chesire Cat if Cincy loses saturday. If Cincy wins, the comittee will say “nothing changes”. It is a no win situation for G5. We get a toy bone thrown at us and roll over wagging our tails and bark a  thank you