Bobref

This is the way it works. As the new kid on the block, IU probably doesn’t get as good a bowl as they should, all things being equal. On the other hand, if they get to be a perennial bowl team, you probably get a little better bowl than you “deserve,” based on rep. The Hoosiers have a way to go.

For those of you saying that ND should not aspire to the playoff because they have no chance of beating Clemson or Alabama, you obviously don’t understand football. And just as obviously, you don’t understand Notre Dame.

Kirk Herbstreit came out last week and described college football’s playoff system as “broken.” In the wake of Clemson’s predictable beat down of the Irish, I’ll ask the broader question: is college football broken? Most people thought, and yesterday confirmed, that Alabama and Clemson are at the top, and the gulf between them and the next level is pretty wide. This is demonstrated by won-loss record, championships, lopsided victories, recruiting rankings ... pretty much any metric you can think up. Ohio State is attempting to join that select company. They are already there in terms of won-loss record, recruiting rankings... everything but playoff success. We’ll see if they’re ready soon. Here on the GID, we seem to think seeing the same cast of characters in our high school 6A final — the Big Four of the MIC — is not a positive for the sport. Do we feel the same way about college football? If so, what’s the answer? You can always expand the playoff number, but will that do the trick? Or is the presence of 2-3 “dynasty” programs actually healthy?

The new coach of the Illini is the former Wisconsin coach, Brett Bielema. This is a very interesting hire. He's a B1G guy, originally from Illinois, played at Iowa, coached at Wisconsin. I think this is a terrific hire.

It would certainly be fascinating to watch the various coalitions form around each issue. Makes for some strange bedfellows.

Sure. Piece of cake.

I’m just trying to take from the electoral cycle we just went through and extrapolate that to 6 separate plebiscites, each on a vital national issue. And it’s really 50 x 6, isn’t it? Sort of boggles the mind. I don’t know if they’re “more” corrupt. They’re certainly better at it. 😉

Just curious @DanteEstonia, you’ve obviously given this subject a great deal of thought, and have formed strong opinions. Just how many distinct amendments would you propose to add or repeal?

The fact is, there’s been a significant drop off after the top 2 teams for several years now. The Bucks think they’re breaking through to that level now. We’ll see.

No idea. But I do know that this is a very different America than 1913. So, I’m not sure we can take much from that experience.

That’s a very interesting scenario. Do you think the outcry that would result from a 2-loss non conference champion Clemson getting in would be a catalyst for expanding the field, changing the process, etc.?

And with our inability to achieve consensus on even the smallest issues, what are the chances of any meaningful effort to do that now?

I wasn’t around during the Civil War, but in my lifetime I cannot recall a time when the American people have been so divided, and not just on different sides. They’re on the extremes of both sides. So, IMO, the gulf is wider than ever. What we saw this past year was nothing short of civil unrest aimed at the government. There is a reasonable possibility that the next great issue to divide us - regardless of what it is - will result in the same, only orders of magnitude greater, since many legitimized this year’s civil unrest in the name of political expediency. IMO, it is not at all far-fetched to think of whole sections of cities ablaze, martial law, troops in the streets.

They won’t. The election is over. The pandemic was weaponized and used to bring down Trump. He helped ... a lot. It’s served it’s purpose. There’s a vaccine in production. The politicos will move on to the next great cause, and the pandemic will be ... whatever.

Speculation. That’s all anyone has from this point forward. Here’s what I expect to happen: Clemson will beat Notre Dame, OSU will beat Northwestern, Bama will beat Florida. The final order will be: 1. Alabama 2. Clemson. 3. OSU. 4. Notre Dame. Then, in the semis, Bama will beat ND, Clemson will beat OSU. In the finals, Bama crushes Clemson. In other words, chalk.

Buchner did not play this year as CA canceled their high school season. Unfortunately, I think that means he’ll get out of the gate more slowly than he would otherwise.

Yeah, but when he wears his hat, you can’t see it.

For those of you not fluent in Dabo-speak, here’s the translation: “We think Ohio State will kick our butts.”

I think he had gotten rid of the ball before his helmet came completely off.

Are you sure it’s #3? I just watched it, and the last shot of him in the video he is sitting on the turf with his helmet fully on. I watched him throughout the play and didn’t see his helmet come off.

He is The Chosen One.

There’s a clear way to make that game irrelevant. I think we’ll opt for that.

A bold, unprovable, and undoubtedly wrong statement. The B1G has some great venues, no doubt. But I can name 3 places that are bigger nightmares for visitors than any B1G venue. 1. Ever seen a night game down on the bayou at LSU? UNTIL 2015 THEY HAD AN ACTUAL FULL GROWN BENGAL TIGER AT THE GAMES. You want to talk about intimidating? 2. Why do you think they call Clemson “Death Valley?” https://clemsontigers.com/death-valley/ 3. Bryant-Denny Stadium at Alabama is the stuff of nightmares for visitors.

Agreed. ESPN ranks their class No. 8, which is pretty much the best we can expect, given our recruiting limitations.