Hey everyone! I know I'm new to the community but I haven't seen a thread about this topic yet. Since we are almost halfway through the season, I wanted to see who your top 4 teams would be at this moment to be selected for the playoffs. You can even throw in a "wild-card" that isn't ranked in the top 10 if you want. Just pick the best 4 teams that you've seen and go from there. Granted, I know the list will probably change at the end of the year, but I always find it interesting what we say DURING the season. Thanks and GO HOKIES!!!!
My top 4:
1. Oregon
2. Alabama
3. Texas A&M
4. Clemson
I understand A&M might surprise some people, but I've been able to watch them a lot since I live in Texas and feel like they are the real deal (remember last year when they caught fire at the end of the season?).
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME:
Oregon vs Clemson
Oregon wins National Championship
Thanks everyone!
Comments
If we go by records...
1) Alabama
2) Stanford
3) Clemson
4) OSU
If we go by how good I think a team is
1) Alabama
2) Stanford
3) OSU
4) FSU
If we go homer picks:
1) VT
2) Alabama
3) Stanford
4) Miami
If we're ESPN
1) Alabama
2) Ohio State
3) Michigan
4) Notre Dame
Horse you literally killed any reason for anyone else to post another comment on this thread
I didn't include Baylor, which is a good call from the other posters who mentioned them. The Baylor/OK winner, assuming they win out, should be in here, too.
The one I wanted to mention that I couldn't really justify was UGA. I think if they can replace the receivers they lost in the Tennessee game, they are probably the best or second best in the SEC behind Alabama. But they already lost to Clemson, who appears in most of my picks, so they're hard to justify.
So really, assuming any of these teams win out, I think the four candidates should really be:
1) Alabama/UGA
2) Oregon/Stanford
3) FSU/Clemson/VT/Miami
4) OK/Baylor
...
5) OSU
OSU has a crap schedule this year compared to the others (Buffalo, SDSU, Cal, FAMU), except Baylor (Wofford, Buffalo, LA-Monroe), who also plays no one. OK's biggest out of conference matchup is ND (Tulsa, LA-Monroe), who doesn't look as good this year, but ND will win a lot of their upcoming games because they're already through the meat of their schedule (play USC next weekend, then Stanford to finish the season), so their record will be pretty good, improving OK's SOS, even though ND will have only beaten average teams.
I can't explain why I don't like Oregon (Nicholls St, UVA, Tenn) as much as I do, but I dearly hope Washington beats them today or Stanford (SJSU, ND, Army) beats them, because I can't see anyone else doing it. I really don't want to see them get to the MNC. I guess I'm partially scared they'll win it.
Clemson will have the strongest resume from the ACC at the end of the year if they win out (UGA, USCe, FSU, Miami/VT in the ACCCG). That might also be the strongest resume in the country. FSU or Miami would be second (Florida, each other, and Clem/VT in the ACCCG, depending on who comes from which side), while VT would have the worst of the four with our only big OOC game coming from Alabama, which was obviously a loss, Miami, and FSU/Clem in the ACCCG. We have a strong possibility of getting 2 BCS bids this year.
Having said all of that, conference winners from the following conferences should get in this year:
1) SEC
2) PAC12
3) ACC
4) Big12. If OSU and OK/Baylor go undefeated, the Big12 team should get the nod, but you know Harris Poll voters won't vote Baylor in over OSU. It'll probably go OK > OSU but OSU > Baylor. OSU/Baylor is the only toss up in my book, given their SOS.
Agree on all fronts. I really hope Baylor is for real. Someone down below also mentioned putting Louisville in the conversation, but idk if that could be justified based solely on the fact that they are in the AAC (this is where conference affiliation and perception will kill you)
Sh!t! I totally forgot about Louisville. I've been high on them since the Sugar Bowl last year, and definitely think they could beat anyone in a 1-game matchup. Having said that, the Sugar Bowl tends not to favor the replacement SEC team that doesn't make the MNC. Off the top of my head, I remember Florida (vs Louisville), Arkansas (vs OSU), and Alabama (vs Utah) all losing. The only game since 2009 that the SEC won was Florida over Cincy in 2010. It tends to be a let down game for the SEC, so I don't know how seriously I can take the Louisville win, although they really did pummel Florida for most of that game.
So I guess I should say the SEC, ACC, and PAC12 champs should be in this year with a space for OK if they're undefeated, but if Baylor wins out, then the undefeateds OSU, Baylor, and Louisville should have a triangular-field deathmatch to determine the fourth participant.
Of course, the ACC might ACC-it-up with FSU and Clemson losing to someone stupid during the season and winning the ACCCG, turning my picks on their heads.
Annnnd it looks like all of this just got turned on its ear.
1) Stanford
2) Alabama
3) Oregon
4) Clemson
But Ohio State is right up there...
edit: I will say this much: November is when the old Hokies would come alive and this team is looking like those older years. When November is over, the hokies are arguably a top 10 opponent regardless of record. I wish we could have one the championship in the BCS format, but I think the playoffs were long overdue and will be much more beneficial.
You must have missed the Novembers of 2001-2003.
The Hokies would go from legit National Title contenders in late October to unranked by the bowl game.
It was starting to get pretty ridiculous and it was happening to some of the more talented teams of the Beamer era.
Thankfully, that ship sailed with the 2004 team. But those teams left such a mark, that I get anxiety for pretty much every late regular season game.
Haha...nah I remember those, but I was younger then. Because of that I have vague memories of lots of games, but it was not until 04-05 that I really started watching a ton--and remembering them.
I remember even after five or six years of B. Randall, T. Taylor, and 10-win seasons, I would mention Virginia Tech and someone (obviously uninformed) would laugh and say they "always lose in November". Wanted to ask if they'd been living under a rock...
oh its still a thing amongst hokie haters to this day.
My top 4:
1. Oregon
2. Alabama
3. Clemson
4. Stanford
My top 5:
1. Dylan
2. Dylan
3. Dylan
4. Dylan
5. Dylan
Because he spits hot fire, correct?
Supah hot! Ohhhhhhh
1) Whoever wins between Stanford and Oregon
2) Alabama
3) Clemson
4) Ohio State, begrudgingly
Tough call on #4 between Clemson, FSU, OSU and Stanford. A&M doesn't have the defense to be top 4 (see: Bama game) and Clemson and Stanford haven't looked overly impressive the past two weeks. Regardless Oregon better win the title this year (if we don't, of course).
Sorry for being stupid, but can I ask the stupid question?: How is this whole playoff thing going to work? Originally I liked the idea that the top 4 could battle it out. But now we have some sort of March Madness committee picking teams. Are there still rankings and polls? Or do you just cross your fingers and hope?
You know I'm not even sure either, but my gut tells me they'll either be going off the AP or an average between AP, Coaches, and Harris. Or some combination of them.
Selection committee, similar to the NCAA tournament. And we all know that format leaves everyone happy! :)
1) Alabama
2) Oregon (thinks they beat Stanford)
3) Clemson (thinks they beat Florida State)
4) Baylor (they have the talent to run the Big 12 - Oklahoma is very beatable)
5) Ohio State - given the benefit of the doubt because of the name on the front of the jerseys and the coach on the sidelines. In the "what have you done for me recently" category - they haven't played a top 15 team since the middle of 2011. 4 awful OOC games this year. Cant do that this year in the BIG 10.
If either Alabama, Ore/Stan, Clem/Fl St, Okla/Baylor is undefeated at the end of the season, I'm leaving the buckeyes out.
Good analysis, which also allows Baylor to shock Alabama and face Oregon in the NCG. A great way to transition into basketball season, with Oregon winning 65 to 52.
Living in Texas I was almost tempted to pick Baylor as a dark horse. I'll wait till they play better defenses, but they look absolutely nasty on offense. Pretty sure on their scoring plays it's an average of like 1:20 minutes. Crazy numbers, but again, no competition yet.
1. Sam Rogers
1. SAM ROGERS
2. SAM ROGERS
3. SAM ROGERS
4. SAM ROGERS
MNC
SAM ROGERS v. SAM ROGERS
1. Oregon
2. Alabama
3. Clemson
4.
Ohio StateLOLNOPE, Florida StateI do think when it is all said and done Alabama will have a loss and Stanford will have the most impressive resume.
Where do you see the loss? LSU or SEC Championship game?
I think Georgia can knock them off in the SEC Championship Game if they make it there. (Other than Florida in the Cocktail Party, the back end of their schedule is a breeze.)
That applies to everything I wrote in this thread.
Well Stanford just effed you...
I think Louisville will win out and the whole point of the playoff was to get those question mark teams in. Even with their week sched I would put them in if they are undefeated.
1. Bama
2. Oregon
3. FSU
4. Louisville
also, HALLOWEEN PLAYOFFS:
1. Reeces Cups
2. Skittles
3. Gobstoppers
4. Laffy Taffy
HALLOWEEN PLAYOFFS
1) Laffy Taffy/Airheads
2) Rolo
3) Reeces Pieces/Mini Reeces cups, not the full size ones, boo
4) Skittles
If you're ESPN:
1) Ohio State candy
2) Michigan candy
3) Notre Dame candy
4) Oregon candy
1. M&M's
2. Mini-Three Musketeers
3. Whoppers (I know, they're always left over, but I like them)
4. Mini-Hershey bars (any variety)
Edit: I think they're all in the same conference, so it'll never happen.
Candy playoff? Brilliant!
1. Three Musketeers
2. Snickers
3. Reese's cups
4. Dark chocolate M&M's
1) nerds (halloween is the only time i desire or eat them)
2) reeces cup duh
3) skittles
4) mini butterfingers
honorable mention to the generic gobby peanut buttery candy in the plain orange or black wrappers that old ladies gave out. i'm just kidding my mom would be throwing those away around thanksgiving.
actual playoffs:
1) bama (sigh)
2) stanford
3) fsu
4) baylor
my fear though this year is that it'll be bama and ohio state. bama will win 15-11 or something weird and i'll have to listen to all the bandwagon bama fans who have never been within 200 miles of bryant-denny in their lives for another off season.
Halloween:
1. Sour Patch Kids
2. Sour Patch Kids
3. Sour Patch Kids
4. Sour Patch Kids Berry
Perhaps, sour punch straws can sneak in there, but they're much better in their long form, not the short halloween-fun candy size. If you're going Movie Candy Playoffs:
1. Sour Punch Staws Green Apple
2. Sour Patch Kids
3. Sour Punch Straws Blue Raspberry
4. Sour Punch Straws Watermelon
Candy Playoffs:
1. Orange Slices
2. Peach Rings
3. Mint Leaves
4. Reese's
Candy. freaking. corn.
Circus Peanuts
Lemon heads
Mini Sweet tarts
/barfs
Candy corn?
although I do like lemon heads
If you're HD...
1. Miami
2. The U
3. The Canes
4. Who else but the U!?!?!
Mine:
1. Alabama
2. Stanford
3. FSU
4. Georgia
FS1 was just talking about the top 4 and this one guy named tOSU as his favorite because of their easy schedule, they will go undefeated and basically they are tOSU and Urban Meyer is their coach, 'nuff said.
This is what is wrong with sports entertainment. I don't care what their name is, who their coach is...if they are the best, then they are the best...but too many people are ranking teams based on W-L and not on who they are beating...
Well a lot of the lists may look a bit different now that Stanford lost and A&M lost Johnny...
A&M lost Johnny? What do you know that no one else knows
He came back in a brace. This comment was probably posted when he temporarily left the game. It honestly looked pretty bad and a lot of us thought he could miss significant time if it was an ACL injury.
I'd say it's probably some sort of ligament sprain (MCL or LCL, most likely, which I base on absolutely nothing) similar to what Byrn had last week.
Yeah it looked like he just twisted his knee a little. Only out for a defensive series. I don't root for injuries, but I would be happier with the college football landscape if that guy weren't in it.