2020 College Football Discussion and Pick 'Em Thread

[7,052,770]

The top 25:

1. Alabama (7-0)
2. Notre Dame (8-0)
3. Clemson (7-1)
4. Ohio State (4-0)
5. Texas A&M (5-1)
6. Florida (6-1)
7. Cincinnati (8-0)
8. Northwestern (5-0)
9. Georgia (5-2)
10. Miami (7-1)
11. Oklahoma (6-2)
12. Indiana (4-1)
13. Iowa State (6-2)
14. BYU (9-0)
15. Oregon (3-0)
16. Wisconsin (2-1)
17. Texas (5-2)
18. USC (3-0)
19. UNC (6-2)
20. Coastal Carolina (8-0)
21. Marshall (7-0)
22. Auburn (5-2)
23. Oklahoma State (5-2)
24. Iowa (3-2)
25. Tulsa (5-1)


BYU at 14 is absolute garbage. They've looked awesome. Georgia at 9 is also laughable. And it looks from this like the Pac-12 has no path even going undefeated with Oregon all the way at 15.

It's garbage that they're not like 24th. Every P5 team on that list is better than all the teams BYU has beaten.

I could see the justification for putting Coastal Carolina higher, since they beat ULL, who beat Iowa State, but that's not a particularly strong resume anyway.

And if Oregon or any other Pac-12 team finishes as an undefeated conference champion, they'll be in, without a doubt. The committee can, should, and does move teams around a lot and does not feel bound for one week's rankings to resemble the previous.

[7,052,770]

Put another way: imagine if Auburn or Oklahoma State played BYU's schedule. Does anyone think they wouldn't be 9-0 right now? Me neither.

[Donerail]

Put another way: imagine if Auburn or Oklahoma State played BYU's schedule. Does anyone think they wouldn't be 9-0 right now? Me neither.

I count three teams on BYU's schedule (Troy, Houston, Boise) that are clearly better than this year's South Carolina team, so yeah, I could absolutely imagine Auburn losing one or all of those games.

"Ain't played nobody" is dumb logic in the best of times, but especially when so many teams are playing conference-only schedules. BYU's annihilated everybody they've played by 30+. What more do you want?

[NewYorkExpress]

https://twitter.com/YahooSportsCFB/status/1331374351220805632

If there's a positive side of this, Northwestern is now a lock for the Big Ten title game.

[7,052,770]

The playoff picture is actually pretty straightforward at this point. The most ideal scenario for the selection committee is to have the SEC, ACC, Big 10, and Pac-12 champions all be undefeated and just take those 4 teams. Then there's very little controversy. But short of that, there are 11 teams with a realistic path to the playoffs, 10 of which control their own destiny, and another 6 that hypothetically get there, but still almost certainly won't even if they win out.

SEC

• Alabama is obviously in at 11-0 and SEC champ, and I think they are also easily in if they drop a regular season game win the SEC Championship to finish 10-1.
• The nightmare scenario for the Selection Committee is for Alabama, Texas A&M, and Florida to win out and then Florida to beat Alabama in the SEC Championship. That would mean all three finish with 1 loss, and went 1-1 against each other. How do you pick between them? I think that scenario the selection committee chooses Florida
• Texas A&M is very unlikely to play in the SEC Championship Game, needing Alabama to lose twice, but they are well-positioned to sneak in the 4th slot if the Pac-12 doesn't provide an undefeated team. There could be a great debate between a 9-1 Texas A&M and 11-1 Notre Dame team for the last slot, and I suspect that Texas A&M probably has the edge.
• Mathematically, Georgia or Auburn could somehow find their way into the SEC Championship with enough losses above them, but I don't think they would get into the top 4 regardless even if they get there and win it.

ACC

• Notre Dame is easily in if they win out and win the ACC Championship and get to 12-0. They also should be in if they lose a regular season game and then win the ACC Championship to get to 11-1.
• If Clemson and Notre Dame win out in the regular season, and then Clemson wins the rematch, I think the selection committee probably takes Clemson since the ND win was in overtime and without Trevor Lawrence. But Notre Dame would be still hanging around at 11-1, though probably in line behind a 9-1 Texas A&M. Clemson would have to be 11-1 to get in with the ACC Championship. Losing another game and still getting into the ACC Championship and winning it wouldn't cut it.
• With only one loss, Miami is still hanging around. If Clemson were to lose another regular season game, Miami could sneak into the ACC Championship and then sneak into the playoffs by beating Notre Dame. But that's very unlikely.

Big 10

• Like Alabama and Notre Dame, Ohio State is a lock for the playoff if they win the Big 10 Championship at undefeated, or at one loss.
• As long as they're undefeated, Northwestern controls its own destiny and can win out and then beat Ohio State to be a lock for the playoff. If they drop a regular season game and still beat Ohio State anyway, who knows. They would have the same resume as the hypothetical 8-1 Ohio State in the above bullet, so it would be a good test for the selection committee.
• Maybe Indiana, Wisconsin [currently not eligible?], or Maryland somehow find themselves in the Big 10 Championship with only 1 loss and then win it to get into consideration, but all of that is too far-fetched to seriously consider.

Pac-12

• Pretty straightforward - Oregon, USC, Colorado, Washington can get into the playoff by finishing undefeated and conference champion.
• I don't think a 1-loss Pac-12 champion is going to have the resume or just a high enough win count to jump in front of 9-1 Texas A&M or 11-1 Notre Dame or even a 1-loss loser of the Big 10 Championship.

Others

• Everybody in the Big 12 already has at least 2 losses. I just don't think there's anything Iowa State, Oklahoma, Texas, or Oklahoma State can do at this point to get considered. They'd be in line behind all of the 1-loss non-champions of the P5 conferences.
• Cincinnati seems like a possibility being ranked #7 today, but there's nothing left on their schedule to impress anyone. Even if they add a game with BYU and win it, I don't think it's going to help. They need to find a way to add a game with a highly-ranked SEC/ACC/Big 10 team, like top 10 or so, and win it, but they would have to work it out with the conferences.
• BYU's schedule is just too weak to be seriously considered, and their refusal to play Washington this weak is ridiculous. Playing Cincinnati on 12/5 and winning probably gets them in the top 10, but they need to find some way to schedule Georgia or Texas A&M on 12/19 and win that (which would require SEC permission and for one of those teams to sign on for it, which they have no reason to) to get any actual consideration.
• Coastal Carolina, Marshall, and the undefeated MWC/MAC teams - just not happening.

[JGibson]

Friday, November 27th

#15 Iowa State @ #20 Texas Noon EST ABC

Nebraska @ Iowa 1 PM EST ABC

#2 Notre Dame @ #25 North Carolina 3:30 PM EST ABC

UCF @ South Florida 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Stanford @ California 4 PM EST FOX

#9 Oregon @ Oregon State 7 PM EST ESPN

Saturday, November 28th

Maryland @ #12 Indiana Noon EST ESPN2

#24 Tulsa @ Houston Noon EST ESPNU

Penn State @ Michigan Noon EST ABC

Arkansas @ Missouri Noon EST SECN Vanderbilt @ Missouri Noon EST SECN

Kent State @ Buffalo Noon EST CBSSN

Ball State @ Toledo Noon EST ESPN3

Georgia Southern @ Georgia State Noon EST ESPN3

Minnesota @ #18 Wisconsin 2 PM EST BTN

#22 Auburn @ #1 Alabama 3:30 PM EST CBS

Colorado @ #19 USC 3:30 PM EST ABC

Pittsburgh @ #4 Clemson 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Mississippi State @ Ole Miss 4 PM EST SECN

San Jose State @ Boise State 4 PM EST FOX

Rutgers @ Purdue 4 PM EST FS1

LSU @ #5 Texas A&M 7 PM EST ESPN

Arizona @ UCLA 7 PM EST FOX

#14 Oklahoma @ West Virginia 7:30 PM EST ABC

Troy @ Appalachian State 8 PM EST ESPNU

[GeorgiaModerate]

Put another way: imagine if Auburn or Oklahoma State played BYU's schedule. Does anyone think they wouldn't be 9-0 right now? Me neither.

I was thinking something similar to this.  I've watched Cincinnati play a couple times this year.  They are no doubt a good team -- but at best they're Auburn/Oklahoma State level of good, not Alabama/Notre Dame level.

[7,052,770]

Put another way: imagine if Auburn or Oklahoma State played BYU's schedule. Does anyone think they wouldn't be 9-0 right now? Me neither.

I count three teams on BYU's schedule (Troy, Houston, Boise) that are clearly better than this year's South Carolina team, so yeah, I could absolutely imagine Auburn losing one or all of those games.

"Ain't played nobody" is dumb logic in the best of times, but especially when so many teams are playing conference-only schedules. BYU's annihilated everybody they've played by 30+. What more do you want?

I acknowledge that BYU originally scheduled several P5 teams that canceled on them, and it's not very fair to penalize them. But it would also be pretty unfair to Texas A&M or whoever got bumped out of the playoffs to give a spot to BYU when half the teams Texas A&M beat this year would be undefeated on BYU's schedule.

And just looking at the wins and losses on their schedules, Boise State is the only one of those three you mentioned that is potentially as good as South Carolina, but considering how South Carolina tends to have more NFL draft picks on its roster (24-16 over the last 8 years example, which admittedly was closer than I expected) and presumably does again this year, I doubt it.

[Dereich]

Put another way: imagine if Auburn or Oklahoma State played BYU's schedule. Does anyone think they wouldn't be 9-0 right now? Me neither.

I count three teams on BYU's schedule (Troy, Houston, Boise) that are clearly better than this year's South Carolina team, so yeah, I could absolutely imagine Auburn losing one or all of those games.

"Ain't played nobody" is dumb logic in the best of times, but especially when so many teams are playing conference-only schedules. BYU's annihilated everybody they've played by 30+. What more do you want?

I acknowledge that BYU originally scheduled several P5 teams that canceled on them, and it's not very fair to penalize them. But it would also be pretty unfair to Texas A&M or whoever got bumped out of the playoffs to give a spot to BYU when half the teams Texas A&M beat this year would be undefeated on BYU's schedule.

And just looking at the wins and losses on their schedules, Boise State is the only one of those three you mentioned that is potentially as good as South Carolina, but considering how South Carolina tends to have more NFL draft picks on its roster (24-16 over the last 8 years example, which admittedly was closer than I expected) and presumably does again this year, I doubt it.

Texas A&M have beaten Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Florida this year. Florida is the only team in that list I am confident would go undefeated against any FBS schedule...and their defense has been playing so bad at times I'm not even 100% about that.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Vanderbilt football, which finds itself in need of a place-kicker, could turn to women's soccer player Sarah Fuller.

Appearing on 102.5 The Game in Nashville on Wednesday, coach Derek Mason confirmed that Fuller "is an option for us."

The Vanderbilt Hustler first reported that Fuller practiced with the football team Tuesday with many of the team's specialists in quarantine because of COVID-19 testing.

If Fuller plays Saturday against Missouri, it is believed that she would be the first woman to participate in a Power 5 football game.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30386218/vanderbilt-soccer-sarah-fuller-option-kick-football-team-coach-says

[GeorgiaModerate]

https://twitter.com/CecilHurt/status/1331629950110150662

[Terry the Fat Shark]

OU West Virginia postponed

[Donerail]

Friday, November 27th
#15 Iowa State @ #20 Texas
Nebraska @ Iowa
#2 Notre Dame @ #25 North Carolina
UCF @ South Florida
The Big Game: STANFORD
#9 Oregon @ Oregon State

Saturday, November 28th
Maryland @ #12 Indiana
#24 Tulsa @ Houston
Penn State @ Michigan
Arkansas @ Missouri
Kent State @ Buffalo
Ball State @ Toledo
Georgia Southern @ Georgia State
Minnesota @ #18 Wisconsin
#22 Auburn @ #1 Alabama
Colorado @ #19 USC
Pittsburgh @ #4 Clemson
Mississippi State @ Ole Miss
San Jose State @ Boise State
Rutgers @ Purdue
LSU @ #5 Texas A&M
Arizona @ UCLA
#14 Oklahoma @ West Virginia
Troy @ Appalachian State

[GeorgiaModerate]

#15 Iowa State @ #20 Texas
Nebraska @ Iowa
#2 Notre Dame @ #25 North Carolina
UCF @ South Florida
Stanford @ Cal
#9 Oregon @ Oregon State

Maryland @ #12 Indiana
#24 Tulsa @ Houston off
Penn State @ Michigan
Arkansas @ Missouri off
Kent State @ Buffalo
Ball State @ Toledo
Georgia Southern @ Georgia State
Minnesota @ #18 Wisconsin off
#22 Auburn @ #1 Alabama
Colorado @ #19 USC
Pittsburgh @ #4 Clemson
Mississippi State @ Ole Miss
San Jose State @ Boise State
Rutgers @ Purdue
LSU @ #5 Texas A&M
Arizona @ UCLA
#14 Oklahoma @ West Virginia off
Troy @ Appalachian State

[DINGO Joe]

Ia St
Iowa
ND
UCF
Cal
Oregon

Indiana
Michigan
Buffalo
Toledo
Ga Southern
Bama
USC
Clemson
Miss St
Boise St
Rutgers
LSU
UCLA
App St

[Terry the Fat Shark]

Week 13 games

Friday, November 27th

#15 Iowa State @ #20 Texas Noon EST ABC

Nebraska @ Iowa 1 PM EST ABC

#2 Notre Dame @ #25 North Carolina 3:30 PM EST ABC

UCF @ South Florida 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Stanford @ California 4 PM EST FOX

#9 Oregon @ Oregon State 7 PM EST ESPN

Saturday, November 28th

Maryland @ #12 Indiana Noon EST ESPN2

Penn State @ Michigan Noon EST ABC

Kent State @ Buffalo Noon EST CBSSN

Ball State @ Toledo Noon EST ESPN3

Georgia Southern @ Georgia State Noon EST ESPN3

#22 Auburn @ #1 Alabama 3:30 PM EST CBS

Colorado @ #19 USC 3:30 PM EST ABC

Pittsburgh @ #4 Clemson 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Mississippi State @ Ole Miss 4 PM EST SECN

San Jose State @ Boise State 4 PM EST FOX

Rutgers @ Purdue 4 PM EST FS1

LSU @ #5 Texas A&M 7 PM EST ESPN

Arizona @ UCLA 8 PM EST FOX

Troy @ Appalachian State 8 PM EST ESPNU

[NewYorkExpress]

I'm switching my pick in the Alabama/Auburn game to Auburn.

[GeorgiaModerate]

I'm switching my pick in the Alabama/Auburn game to Auburn.

Got it.

[NewYorkExpress]

Colorado @ USC has been canceled.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

Week 13 games

Friday, November 27th

#15 Iowa State @ #20 Texas Noon EST ABC

Nebraska @ Iowa 1 PM EST ABC

#2 Notre Dame @ #25 North Carolina 3:30 PM EST ABC

UCF @ South Florida 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Stanford @ California 4 PM EST FOX

#9 Oregon @ Oregon State 7 PM EST ESPN

Saturday, November 28th

Maryland @ #12 Indiana Noon EST ESPN2

Penn State @ Michigan Noon EST ABC

Kent State @ Buffalo Noon EST CBSSN

Ball State @ Toledo Noon EST ESPN3

Georgia Southern @ Georgia State Noon EST ESPN3

#22 Auburn @ #1 Alabama 3:30 PM EST CBS

Pittsburgh @ #4 Clemson 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Mississippi State @ Ole Miss 4 PM EST SECN

San Jose State @ Boise State 4 PM EST FOX

Rutgers @ Purdue 4 PM EST FS1

LSU @ #5 Texas A&M 7 PM EST ESPN

Arizona @ UCLA 8 PM EST FOX

Troy @ Appalachian State 8 PM EST ESPNU

[Dereich]

Week 13 games

Friday, November 27th

#15 Iowa State @ #20 Texas Noon EST ABC

Nebraska @ Iowa 1 PM EST ABC

#2 Notre Dame @ #25 North Carolina 3:30 PM EST ABC

UCF @ South Florida 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Stanford @ California 4 PM EST FOX

#9 Oregon @ Oregon State 7 PM EST ESPN

Saturday, November 28th

Maryland @ #12 Indiana Noon EST ESPN2

Penn State @ Michigan Noon EST ABC  yikes

Kent State @ Buffalo Noon EST CBSSN

Ball State @ Toledo Noon EST ESPN3

Georgia Southern @ Georgia State Noon EST ESPN3

#22 Auburn @ #1 Alabama 3:30 PM EST CBS

Pittsburgh @ #4 Clemson 3:30 PM EST ESPN

Mississippi State @ Ole Miss 4 PM EST SECN

San Jose State @ Boise State 4 PM EST FOX

Rutgers @ Purdue 4 PM EST FS1

LSU @ #5 Texas A&M 7 PM EST ESPN

Arizona @ UCLA 8 PM EST FOX

Troy @ Appalachian State 8 PM EST ESPNU

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Illinois has cancelled on the Buckeyes. Ohio State will now be ineligible for the Big Ten title game if either Michigan or Michigan State has to cancel one of their next two games. In other news, pressure mounting on Gretchen Whitmer to end all COVID restrictions.

[NewYorkExpress]

Illinois has cancelled on the Buckeyes. Ohio State will now be ineligible for the Big Ten title game if either Michigan or Michigan State has to cancel one of their next two games. In other news, pressure mounting on Gretchen Whitmer to end all COVID restrictions.

Unlike Wisconsin, Ohio State probably can get into the playoff anyways, if they remain undefeated.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Illinois has cancelled on the Buckeyes. Ohio State will now be ineligible for the Big Ten title game if either Michigan or Michigan State has to cancel one of their next two games. In other news, pressure mounting on Gretchen Whitmer to end all COVID restrictions.

Unlike Wisconsin, Ohio State probably can get into the playoff anyways, if they remain undefeated.

5-0 Ohio State with just a TD win at home over Indiana or 9-0 Northwestern with a conference championship, a win over Wisconsin and likely a win over Indiana on a neutral site. Hmmmmm.

5 win Ohio is probably no higher than 6.

Sorry to Justin Fields, the most talented QB in the game.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

The Civil War (or whatever they're calling it now, but it's always the Civil War, just like the WLOCP is always the WLOCP) was insane tonight!