The SMU case for the CFP

[Mustangs_Maroons]

I actually think BYU losing a close game against a ranked Arizona State helps us because BYU will still be ranked but a canΓÇÖt use the argument they should still be ranked against us (they had a much stronger argument when we were both 1 loss teams and they have the head to head win).

[planoponyfan]

The only way SMU gets to the playoffs is to beat Cal and win the ACC title game. Lose either and we'll be in the Frisco Bowl or something, but definitely not the playoffs.

[PlanoStang]

The only way SMU gets to the playoffs is to beat Cal and win the ACC title game. Lose either and we'll be in the Frisco Bowl or something, but definitely not the playoffs.

Wow! DoesnΓÇÖt seem that long ago when the loudest crowd noise ever at Ford was when we sacked the UTEP QB to win our trip to the Hawaii Bowl. First bowl game in like 24 years.

[max the wonder dog]

The only way SMU gets to the playoffs is to beat Cal and win the ACC title game. Lose either and we'll be in the Frisco Bowl or something, but definitely not the playoffs.

I'm not so pessimistic. The # 9 ranking in both polls puts us in play if we beat Cal. Even if we don't make the playoffs I see a Gator Bowl-level post season game in our future.

[max the wonder dog]

The Athletic's Stewart Mandel has Ponies as 11 seed in the CFP.

[b_caesar]

The only way SMU gets to the playoffs is to beat Cal and win the ACC title game. Lose either and we'll be in the Frisco Bowl or something, but definitely not the playoffs.

I'm not so pessimistic. The # 9 ranking in both polls puts us in play if we beat Cal. Even if we don't make the playoffs I see a Gator Bowl-level post season game in our future.

Yeah, dang it, I'm gonna be that pessimistic, too - or play devil's advocate, maybe? I'm not seeing much room for us moving up in the polls with a win this weekend unless we see another few shockers above us like what happened this past weekend. I'll definitely be rooting for GT, Vandy, Purdue, USC, Auburn, Maryland, etc. But then again, if we lose the ACCCG, no matter how close or to whom, pollsters will absolutely LOVE to dump us back just enough spots and knock us the whole way out - oh darn, SMU got "that close" and they'll all secretly giggle in evil glee 'cause we weren't supposed to be this good, this quickly... one less unexpected upstart interloper wrinkle to worry about.

I truly, sincerely hope I'm wrong. Just keep winning and it won't matter. Right? ... Right?

[JasonB]

There are a lot of obvious things to root for, but we really need Clemson and/or GT to win this weekend.

[leopold]

I find it kinda and of funny we could end up playing Clemson in the CFBP.

[ponyte]

The only way SMU gets to the playoffs is to beat Cal and win the ACC title game. Lose either and we'll be in the Frisco Bowl or something, but definitely not the playoffs.

I'm not so pessimistic. The # 9 ranking in both polls puts us in play if we beat Cal. Even if we don't make the playoffs I see a Gator Bowl-level post season game in our future.

Assume we win this week and lose in the ACC championship. The Committee will automatically move us down 5 spots. Unless we are ranked 7th or better going into the championship, we have no chance of making it in with another loss.

The committee is desperate to create another spot for a 3 loss or greater SEC team in the playoffs.

[Pony_law2]

The committee will absolutely favor a 3 loss SEC team over a 2 loss SMU pretty much under any scenerio. I think Miami might still squeeze in if they lose to us. None of this has anything to do with the objective criteria. It is 100% about brand power. The comittees default preference is 4 Big 10, 4 SEC, NorterDame, Top ranked G5, 1 Big 12, 1 ACC. They woud only be happy with multiple ACC teams if they are blue bloods (Clemson, Miami, and FSU). The Big 12 does not have any remaining blue blood schools and will set up to get screwed by this process for as long as it lasts. I legit think they will need 2 one loss teams to every get multiple bids going forward or for ND to have a down year.

Dream scenerio is the following, Clemson beats SC, Miami beats Syrecuse, Alabama loses to Auburn, Tenn. loses to Vandy (which I view as more likely than GA losing to GaTech). Texas beats GA in SEC championship game. We beat Miami in close ACC championship game. Assuming the Big ten plays out with none of the top 4 losing I think the Playoffs are (not in order): Oregon, OH State, Penn State, ND, Indiana, Texas, GA, Boise State, SMU, Miami, Clemson, Big 12 champ. Alabama or Tenn will grab one of the ACC spots if they don't lose and we lose the title game.

The big ten is also getting lucky in that it is the only conference where none of their mediocre teams have beaten the top teams (there have been plenty of close calls just none that got over the line).

[EastStang]

To add to the chaos theory, what if UT loses to the Aggies?

[leopold]

If the Aggies beat UT then we absolutely need UGA to beat the Aggies.
In the short run we possibly move up over UT, but UT (most likely) isn't going to get knocked out of the CFP's with a loss to A&M. So if the Aggies go and win against UGA then they, as a 3 loss team, go to the playoffs and they could possibly take our spot in the CPF should we lose to in the ACCCG.


*Actually, now that I think about it, we could find ourselves picked over UT if we lose in the CCG (assuming we beat Cal) if UT losses to Aggie. It's unlikely but possible the committee picks a 1-loss SMU who played in the ACC Championship over a 2 loss UT that didn't play in theirs.

Go USC!
Go Vandy!
Go Georgia Tech!
Go Michigan!
Go Purdue!
Go Clemson!
Go Oregon State!
Go Maryland!

There's got to be 2 or 3 wins in there for us!

[indianmustang]

While they looked bad against the No. 2 team in the nation, they aren't the only ones to suffer that same fate against Ohio State this year. The disrespect comes from where they are ranked, though, with Klatt arguing that the SMU Mustangs ΓÇö ranked No. 9 ΓÇö have no business being ahead of them.

Both teams are 10-1, but the Hoosiers' resume is far stronger than SMU's. Indiana has strong wins over the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines, while the Mustang's best wins are over Lousiville and Duke. Meanwhile, Indiana's one loss on the year is to No. 2 Ohio State, while SMU lost to a No. 19 BYU team that has fallen by the wayside in recent weeks.

Indiana's strength of record is 51st in the nation, while SMU's is 77th. To Klatt, these teams are not the same.

ΓÇ£You tell me how SMUΓÇÖs resume is better than IndianaΓÇÖs. You canΓÇÖt," Klatt said. "The loss, first and foremost, is not even comparable.

ΓÇ£If I was a Hoosier fan, I would be really upset. SMU should not be ranked higher than Indiana right now. Not eve
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... ngNewsVerp

[HubbaHubba]

While they looked bad against the No. 2 team in the nation, they aren't the only ones to suffer that same fate against Ohio State this year. The disrespect comes from where they are ranked, though, with Klatt arguing that the SMU Mustangs ΓÇö ranked No. 9 ΓÇö have no business being ahead of them.

Both teams are 10-1, but the Hoosiers' resume is far stronger than SMU's. Indiana has strong wins over the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines, while the Mustang's best wins are over Lousiville and Duke. Meanwhile, Indiana's one loss on the year is to No. 2 Ohio State, while SMU lost to a No. 19 BYU team that has fallen by the wayside in recent weeks.

Indiana's strength of record is 51st in the nation, while SMU's is 77th. To Klatt, these teams are not the same.

ΓÇ£You tell me how SMUΓÇÖs resume is better than IndianaΓÇÖs. You canΓÇÖt," Klatt said. "The loss, first and foremost, is not even comparable.

ΓÇ£If I was a Hoosier fan, I would be really upset. SMU should not be ranked higher than Indiana right now. Not eve
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... ngNewsVerp

6-5 michigan and 6-5 washington are their signature wins and they were blown out in their loss? Poor iu. Something not right in this strength of schedule calculation. Now have him do why nd is ranked ahead of SMU.

[CA Mustang]

Both teams are 10-1, but the Hoosiers' resume is far stronger than SMU's. Indiana has strong wins over the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines, while the Mustang's best wins are over Lousiville and Duke. Meanwhile, Indiana's one loss on the year is to No. 2 Ohio State, while SMU lost to a No. 19 BYU team that has fallen by the wayside in recent weeks.

Indiana's strength of record is 51st in the nation, while SMU's is 77th.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... ngNewsVerp

Michigan and Washington are both 6-5 (4-4 in conference) this season, so neither is that impressive this year. Heck, Duke, Louisville and Pittsburgh all have better records. Not to mention Indiana dropped Louisville from their schedule this year to play a horrible FCS program.