2024 College Football Season

[NWI_Irish96]

Dixie locked out of the national championship game for second year in a row

Perhaps this is a sign of the times. Since championship games became an official thing for the 1998 season, there are few times that there wasn't at least one "Dixie" team in the game:

2004: USC vs Oklahoma
2014: Ohio State vs Oregon
2023: Michigan vs Washington
2024: Notre Dame vs Ohio State

[Roadgeekteen]

Dixie locked out of the national championship game for second year in a row

Perhaps this is a sign of the times. Since championship games became an official thing for the 1998 season, there are few times that there wasn't at least one "Dixie" team in the game:

2004: USC vs Oklahoma
2014: Ohio State vs Oregon
2023: Michigan vs Washington
2024: Notre Dame vs Ohio State

Eh Oklahoma is Dixie. Also congrats Ohio State on winning the natty.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Also congrats Ohio State on winning the natty.

THank you.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

I just wish that alumni get something out of their school winning a national championship instead of spending money on their school when they "win."

[hobsini2]

I just wish that alumni get something out of their school winning a national championship instead of spending money on their school when they "win."

Like a senior discount or something?

[Max Rockatansky]

I just wish that alumni get something out of their school winning a national championship instead of spending money on their school when they "win."

Like a senior discount or something?

You get a sense of satisfaction that you can ride until next season.  I guess that also extends to non-alumni fans.

[mgk920]

Now if this was in Europe or pretty much anywhere else in the World outside of North America, because of this the Buckeyes would be promoted to the NFL and the Titans would be relegated.

 

Mike

[hobsini2]

Now if this was in Europe or pretty much anywhere else in the World outside of North America, because of this the Buckeyes would be promoted to the NFL and the Titans would be relegated.

 

Mike

I wish there was a downgrade for some teams to something like the UFL.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Now if this was in Europe or pretty much anywhere else in the World outside of North America, because of this the Buckeyes would be promoted to the NFL and the Titans would be relegated.

 

Mike

Most of Ohio would gladly switch out the Browns for the Buckeyes.

[Max Rockatansky]

There is no way any college team stands a chance against the worst modern NFL teams. 

And yes, before someone mentions it I'm aware there were occasional matchups a half century ago. 

[NWI_Irish96]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

[thspfc]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

[NWI_Irish96]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

[thspfc]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

[NWI_Irish96]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

[SEWIGuy]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

Notre Dame would likely have been seeded fifth heading into the tournament.

[NWI_Irish96]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

Notre Dame would likely have been seeded fifth heading into the tournament.

And Ohio State would have been the sixth seed. That doesn't change the reality that they were the two best teams.

[SEWIGuy]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

Notre Dame would likely have been seeded fifth heading into the tournament.

And Ohio State would have been the sixth seed. That doesn't change the reality that they were the two best teams.

They ended up in the championship game but were not the two best teams heading into the playoffs. Oddsmakers had Texas, Georgia and Oregon as the three favorites.

[Max Rockatansky]

Ohio State was only on such a lowly betting position because they got embarrassed by Michigan at home.  The entire rest of the year they pretty much were the favorite to win it all.

[SEWIGuy]

Ohio State was only on such a lowly betting position because they got embarrassed by Michigan at home.  The entire rest of the year they pretty much were the favorite to win it all.

Yes that's usually how it works. When you lose a game, the odds you will be a champion usually diminish. They also lost to Oregon by the way.

[thspfc]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

You understand why it's silly to use the margins of victory - not even the results - of 3 games to determine an entire ranking, right?

[NWI_Irish96]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

You understand why it's silly to use the margins of victory - not even the results - of 3 games to determine an entire ranking, right?

Generally, yes, but when they are playoff games all occurring within the span of a month, they are more telling.

There's no data to suggest that, at the end of the season, Notre Dame was anything other than the second best team.

[thspfc]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

You understand why it's silly to use the margins of victory - not even the results - of 3 games to determine an entire ranking, right?

Generally, yes, but when they are playoff games all occurring within the span of a month, they are more telling.

There's no data to suggest that, at the end of the season, Notre Dame was anything other than the second best team.

That's interesting, because there actually is data to suggest that. A lot of it in fact.

ESPN FPI: 3rd behind OSU and Texas
ESPN SOR: 3rd behind OSU and Oregon
ESPN offensive efficiency: 9th (they're 2nd in defensive efficiency)
Teamrankings.com SOR: 4th behind OSU, Oregon, and Georgia (I am aware they beat Georgia)

[NWI_Irish96]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

You understand why it's silly to use the margins of victory - not even the results - of 3 games to determine an entire ranking, right?

Generally, yes, but when they are playoff games all occurring within the span of a month, they are more telling.

There's no data to suggest that, at the end of the season, Notre Dame was anything other than the second best team.

That's interesting, because there actually is data to suggest that. A lot of it in fact.

ESPN FPI: 3rd behind OSU and Texas
ESPN SOR: 3rd behind OSU and Oregon
ESPN offensive efficiency: 9th (they're 2nd in defensive efficiency)
Teamrankings.com SOR: 4th behind OSU, Oregon, and Georgia (I am aware they beat Georgia)

Those metrics measure over the entire season. Notre Dame was clearly nowhere close to the second best team early in the season. At the end of the season, they were the second best team, though I'll also note that they were ahead of both Texas and Oregon in one of FPI and SOR, so even accounting for the early season struggles the data supports being among a small number of teams that could be considered to be #2.

ND: 3rd in FPI, 3rd in SOR
Oregon: 8th in FPI, 2nd in SOR
Texas: 2nd in FPI, 5th in SOR

[thspfc]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45271767/sources-college-football-playoff-moving-straight-seeding

The 12-team College Football Playoff will move to a straight seeding model this fall, rewarding the selection committee's top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye, the CFP announced Thursday.

The 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who comprise the CFP's management committee, reached the unanimous agreement necessary to make the change during a call on Thursday afternoon.
Editor's Picks

This past season, the four highest-ranked conference champions earned the top four seeds -- regardless of where they were ranked. Now, independent Notre Dame is eligible to earn a first-round bye if the Irish are ranked in the top four.

The 12-team format has only been around for a year and yet this still feels long overdue. Last year's seeding made the whole tournament kinda unserious. The game that should have been the natty happened in the quarterfinals, and once Oregon was out, the next game that should have been the natty happened in the semifinals.

Not sure what you are talking about. The two best teams met in the finals.

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country.

Notre Dame lost to Ohio State by 11
Texas lost to Ohio State by 14
Oregon lost to Ohio State by 20

You understand why it's silly to use the margins of victory - not even the results - of 3 games to determine an entire ranking, right?

Generally, yes, but when they are playoff games all occurring within the span of a month, they are more telling.

There's no data to suggest that, at the end of the season, Notre Dame was anything other than the second best team.

That's interesting, because there actually is data to suggest that. A lot of it in fact.

ESPN FPI: 3rd behind OSU and Texas
ESPN SOR: 3rd behind OSU and Oregon
ESPN offensive efficiency: 9th (they're 2nd in defensive efficiency)
Teamrankings.com SOR: 4th behind OSU, Oregon, and Georgia (I am aware they beat Georgia)

Those metrics measure over the entire season. Notre Dame was clearly nowhere close to the second best team early in the season. At the end of the season, they were the second best team, though I'll also note that they were ahead of both Texas and Oregon in one of FPI and SOR, so even accounting for the early season struggles the data supports being among a small number of teams that could be considered to be #2.

Yes, that's all true . . . but this is what I said:

Notre Dame was the 4th best team in the country [last season].

If you shrink the timeframe enough you can draw just about any conclusion you want, including that ND was awful because they lost to a MAC team. Did Notre Dame have the 2nd best playoff run of any team? Yes. Does that automatically make them the second best team? No.

In the NFL, it's undeniable that Washington had a great playoff run last year, probably a better run than the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, Lions, etc. Nobody would say Washington was better than those teams.