CFP Top 25

[IrishMike409]

Agree. There’s something about playing a soft schedule, losing at home to crappy Northern Illinois, and then saying a top 4 ranking is deserved that does not add up correctly.

It's about to be December, and all you want to talk about is a shitty game that was clearly a fluke, played in early September.

A lot has happened since then. If I could sum it up: we've kicked everyone's ass. Dominated everyone. The D and the run game are both elite. Leonard gets better every Saturday too. Freeman has this team absolutely rolling.

There's 6 maybe 8 teams that can go and win this thing, and we're right in the middle of it all.

You're mad over it.

 

[Patrish]

Next Saturday should bring clarity to this argument !

 

[Chitown11]

I rate Penn State higher than ND on a better schedule and losing to Ohio State rather than NIU.

But I now think it's 50:50 between the Irish and Nittany Lions in a playoff game.

Only the top 4 I mentioned give me some pause...but I am hoping ND shows upside obfuscated by this schedule.

ND beats Penn St 7 out of 10x. You obviously havent watched many of their games

Uhhhh.....USC beat LSU head to head

But of course, much better

No bias here at all

Good point Mel! However it was the first game of the year.

 

[Golson5]

10-1.

But when you lose at home to Shitty Abysmal Northern Illinois, and you compare yourself to 10-1 Penn State, don’t whine if you are ranked one spot behind.

IMO the loss was that egregiously bad.

There is no excuse for losing to NIU. Evwr. Bad loss.

But you act like they are an FCS team.

Again no excuse. Brutal performance. But they aren't a 1 win fcs team you make them out to be

And twe have played 11 games this year. You compare all 11 games. When watching the teams, we are a better team than psu

 

[Golson5]

ND beats Penn St 7 out of 10x. You obviously havent watched many of their games

Good point Mel! However it was the first game of the year.

Yes it was! And it still counts. Just like NIU still counts or else we would be ranked number 2 in the country

USC is better than LSU

 

[Telx1]

10-1.

But when you lose at home to Shitty Abysmal Northern Illinois, and you compare yourself to 10-1 Penn State, don’t whine if you are ranked one spot behind.

IMO the loss was that egregiously bad.

It was that egregiously bad, and EVERYBODY acknowledges this! But it is one game of 11 played by ND, and ND has not only won the other 10, but has increasingly looked very good doing so. My stated concern coming into this season was the play of the OL; and frankly, that is still my concern when we go up against better competition. As for whether we should be ranked ahead or behind Penn St., I have no opinion as I’ve only seen Penn St play once. But you’ve watched every ND game, and you refuse to marginalize their one shitty second game of a highly successful season to date.

 

[Chitown11]

10-1.

But when you lose at home to Shitty Abysmal Northern Illinois, and you compare yourself to 10-1 Penn State, don’t whine if you are ranked one spot behind.

IMO the loss was that egregiously bad.

No shit! We fricking know it was an awfull loss. How many f...king times are you going to say it? You obviously havent watched any Penn St games, ND is clearly better. One $hit game doesn't define a season. Give it a break. Why don't you hang out on some sorry usc forum?

 

[mbd11]

True about A&M but it will be close for ND to jump Penn State. ND can help their cause by stomping USC whereas PSU really escaped.

If we beat USC substantially worse than PSU did, then I could see it happening. But not if/until then IMO. And the reason for that is we have the worse loss, obviously.

 

[Chitown11]

Yes it was! And it still counts. Just like NIU still counts or else we would be ranked number 2 in the country

USC is better than LSU

I didn't say it didnt.

 

[banmate6]

It's about to be December, and all you want to talk about is a shitty game that was clearly a fluke, played in early September.

A lot has happened since then. If I could sum it up: we've kicked everyone's ass. Dominated everyone. The D and the run game are both elite. Leonard gets better every Saturday too. Freeman has this team absolutely rolling.

There's 6 maybe 8 teams that can go and win this thing, and we're right in the middle of it all.

You're mad over it.

I agree the NIU has gotten less damaging as this season unfolds. Again, much as I am an ND fan, it still has some weight...particularly in lieu of the schedule. It is easier to recover, roll, and get stronger with this schedule.

ND deserves its ranking. For me the question remains: can ND hang with and beat the top 4? Hard to tell given the greater context.

I am sold on the ND defense. But will Denbrock play calling be a liability against a much better team? Will RL still having deep issues be a concern against a much better team? Will the OL be consistent, especially in power situations against a much better team?

We will find out. Starting next week...with, God willing, a victory to face better teams in the playoffs.

My final verdict for this week: ND is in that middle you describe, but not in that front 4...and yes, evenly matched with Penn State, although strictly speaking I rank them 1 spot ahead of the Irish because of the loss and schedule thing...on a technically...as it'd be 50:50 right now for me between them.

 

[Golson5]

I agree the NIU has gotten less damaging as this season unfolds. Again, much as I am an ND fan, it still has some weight...particularly in lieu of the schedule. It is easier to recover, roll, and get stronger with this schedule.

ND deserves its ranking. For me the question remains: can ND hang with and beat the top 4? Hard to tell given the greater context.

I am sold on the ND defense. But will Denbrock play calling be a liability against a much better team? Will RL still having deep issues be a concern against a much better team? Will the OL be consistent, especially in power situations against a much better team?

We will find out. Starting next week...with, God willing, a victory to face better teams in the playoffs.

My final verdict for this week: ND is in that middle you describe, but not in that front 4...and yes, evenly matched with Penn State, although strictly speaking I rank them 1 spot ahead of the Irish because of the loss and schedule thing...on a technically...as it'd be 50:50 right now for me between them.

Can ND hang with the top 4....

Has anyone watched the top 4 this year?

There are no great teams this year. Wisconsin had Oregon on the ropes. Nebraska had OSU on the ropes. Arkansas had Texas on the ropes. Psu lol

Who are you talking about?

 

[banmate6]

It was that egregiously bad, and EVERYBODY acknowledges this! But it is one game of 11 played by ND, and ND has not only won the other 10, but has increasingly looked very good doing so. My stated concern coming into this season was the play of the OL; and frankly, that is still my concern when we go up against better competition. As for whether we should be ranked ahead or behind Penn St., I have no opinion as I’ve only seen Penn St play once. But you’ve watched every ND game, and you refuse to marginalize their one shitty second game of a highly successful season to date.

Solid points. I highlighted a specific one you made. Throw on RL and Denbrock.

Against, like you said...better competition!

That is my focus and concern.

Again, ND can go in any game in my book with any opponent 50:50 by now...with those specific concerns that might make the margin of difference...but would not be favored vs Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, and Texas.

I'll keep beating the dead horse: I weight things like this because of the NIU loss and schedule. I will champion ND, my team...but as a long suffering fan since 1988, I've seen various situations. The burden of proof is on The Irish.

I'm seeing crystal sparkles of hope...praying they materialize. Maybe this is the year?

 

[banmate6]

Can ND hang with the top 4....

Has anyone watched the top 4 this year?

There are no great teams this year. Wisconsin had Oregon on the ropes. Nebraska had OSU on the ropes. Arkansas had Texas on the ropes. Psu lol

Who are you talking about?

ND might be able to hang with favored Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Georgia to beat them.

ND can hang with the rest of a tight pack, as others have described it, to be 50:50.

I saw the Wisconsin and Oregon game. Just like with ND, take it in holistic across the season context. Oregon pulled it out when they were lackluster...and have hit heights and consistency in a tough schedule ND hasn't.

And even with Georgia, play their schedule. You seem to think the SEC has severely declined, but I disagree. Any team would find it tough to play Florida and South Carolina in their homes...teams capable of a surge game to beat other decent teams.

All good, everybody has their opinion. I tune my based on these discussions. I posted overall where I stand. A top 4 with a tight pack after that...where ND is fully justified.

 

[IrishMike409]

It was that egregiously bad, and EVERYBODY acknowledges this! But it is one game of 11 played by ND, and ND has not only won the other 10, but has increasingly looked very good doing so. My stated concern coming into this season was the play of the OL; and frankly, that is still my concern when we go up against better competition. As for whether we should be ranked ahead or behind Penn St., I have no opinion as I’ve only seen Penn St play once. But you’ve watched every ND game, and you refuse to marginalize their one shitty second game of a highly successful season to date.

Telx-

Where do you think we're weak on the OL? Are there any spots where we'll flat-out get pounded and overwhelmed vs better comp?

 

[Golson5]

ND might be able to hang with favored Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Georgia to beat them.

ND can hang with the rest of a tight pack, as others have described it, to be 50:50.

I saw the Wisconsin and Oregon game. Just like with ND, take it in holistic across the season context. Oregon pulled it out when they were lackluster...and have hit heights and consistency in a tough schedule ND hasn't.

And even with Georgia, play their schedule. You seem to think the SEC has severely declined, but I disagree. Any team would find it tough to play Florida and South Carolina in their homes...teams capable of a surge game to beat other decent teams.

All good, everybody has their opinion. I tune my based on these discussions. I posted overall where I stand. A top 4 with a tight pack after that...where ND is fully justified.

Miami destroyed Florida by 24 at Florida. Do they get the credit for that?

Old Dominion lost by 4 at South Carolina

This overrating the SEC this year is just wild. They used to be by far the best conf in cfb. Now the gap is very small.

 

[banmate6]

Telx-

Where do you think we're weak on the OL? Are there any spots where we'll flat-out get pounded and overwhelmed vs better comp?

Yesterday the OL failed to push in power up the middle situations against a smaller Army. Some argued numbers. But a jumbo package should still get push.

I'm not saying flat out overwhelmed...but if Army can make a stand against the ND OL, you'd think this might be a margin of difference against a really good team.

It's a legitimate question and concern. Again, maybe things get corrected by then?

 

[NDinNJ]

It will be talked about when this 2 teams are battling for position.

How teams played against common opponents is always a factor

And if we played better against Purdue and SC there's a good chance that puts us above PSU

Use your head

No, strength of schedule will be talked about. Look up any of the services that rank strength of schedule. They ALL have PSU with a fairly significant better strength of schedule than ND. PSU SoS is in the 30's-40's, ND's is in the 50's-80's. That's what the committee is going to look at, not that ND beat Purdue by 59 and PSU only beat them by 39. that's foolish, but I should expect that from a fool.

 

[banmate6]

Miami destroyed Florida by 24 at Florida. Do they get the credit for that?

Old Dominion lost by 4 at South Carolina

This overrating the SEC this year is just wild. They used to be by far the best conf in cfb. Now the gap is very small.

It's somewhere between by far and very small...not to nit pick.

The greater point is that there are a few good SEC teams...and other programs playing in the SEC might suffer 1-2-3 losses...a normalized outcome given the strength of the schedule...as plain as I can say that.

Don't get me wrong, I agree more parity has come. I doubt we see a Saban type Alabama team from anybody...but they were an anchor for other SEC teams evolving to catch up, winning some NCs when Alabama didn't.

If I have to guess right now, I'd guess Ohio State or Oregon win in the playoffs...not an SEC team...but Georgia could, Texas less likely.

Again, ND stands to compete well...we will see...again, I admit I wouldn't mind Alabama and as many SEC teams not making it...as I think it raises the odds of ND perhaps pulling it all off.

 

[banmate6]

No, strength of schedule will be talked about. Look up any of the services that rank strength of schedule. They ALL have PSU with a fairly significant better strength of schedule than ND. PSU SoS is in the 30's-40's, ND's is in the 50's-80's. That's what the committee is going to look at, not that ND beat Purdue by 59 and PSU only beat them by 39. that's foolish, but I should expect that from a fool.

Why do we snap at each other discussing something as cheerful and positive as what has turned out to be a nice ND season!



Fingers crossed. I'm enjoying this season. I will try to buy tickets and visit South Bend for the 1st time in my life if ND wins next week.

🙏

 

[NDinNJ]

Why do we snap at each other discussing something as cheerful and positive as what has turned out to be a nice ND season!



Fingers crossed. I'm enjoying this season. I will try to buy tickets and visit South Bend for the 1st time in my life if ND wins next week.

🙏

ND is going to end up hopefully 5th or 6th in the playoff seeding. 6th most likely, which is perfectly fine because they'll get #11 at home and # 3 in round 2 which will be the ACC, B12, champ or Boise State.

This could be ND's best realistic chance to win a championship in a long time because there is no one dominant team. My concern is, ND really hasn't been tested. they haven't played a true top 10-15 team this season, so we don't know how good this team really is. defense is elite, Special Teams is great. Offense, RB's are elite, the rest of the offense is a question mark. If the coaching can exploit the weaknesses of the other teams in the playoffs, that can be an advantage and the deciding factor in how well ND does in the playoffs.

 

[Golson5]

No, strength of schedule will be talked about. Look up any of the services that rank strength of schedule. They ALL have PSU with a fairly significant better strength of schedule than ND. PSU SoS is in the 30's-40's, ND's is in the 50's-80's. That's what the committee is going to look at, not that ND beat Purdue by 59 and PSU only beat them by 39. that's foolish, but I should expect that from a fool.

TeamRankings has us with the 28th ranked schedule. Any site that has our schedule below the 60s you should just laugh at them but you are a tool and it wouldn't fit your narrative

At the end of the day, I'm just glad Jack didn't take your advice and go after Deboer or Fickell when he had the right coach already in South Bend

 

[NDinNJ]

TeamRankings has us with the 28th ranked schedule. Any site that has our schedule below the 60s you should just laugh at them but you are a tool and it wouldn't fit your narrative

At the end of the day, I'm just glad Jack didn't take your advice and go after Deboer or Fickell when he had the right coach already in South Bend

Yeah and again it has PSU ranked 15th. Significantly higher.. What a joke you are.

 

[Golson5]

Yeah and again it has PSU ranked 15th. Significantly higher.. What a joke you are.

13 is significant 🤣🤣

It's a subjective ranking and 13 is not significant

But even it was, we've dominated our schedule more than enough to make up for that SIGNIFICANT difference

🤣🤣

 

[NDinNJ]

13 is significant 🤣🤣

It's a subjective ranking and 13 is not significant

But even it was, we've dominated our schedule more than enough to make up for that SIGNIFICANT difference

🤣🤣

Oh now you are changing the narrative. You are the biggest loser on this forum.. Like I said EVERY SERVICE HAS PSU SoS RANKED HIGHER THAN ND.

That's why PSU will remain ahead of ND in the CFP ranking. They have a better overall resume. That doesn't mean PSU is better than ND.

 

[NDinNJ]

13 is significant 🤣🤣

It's a subjective ranking and 13 is not significant

But even it was, we've dominated our schedule more than enough to make up for that SIGNIFICANT difference

🤣🤣

lol also the CFP committee rankings is also subjective. 😂 you're a tool.

Another subjective poll just released. The coaches poll has PSU 4, ND 5.

 

[Golson5]

Oh now you are changing the narrative. You are the biggest loser on this forum.. Like I said EVERY SERVICE HAS PSU SoS RANKED HIGHER THAN ND.

That's why PSU will remain ahead of ND in the CFP ranking. They have a better overall resume. That doesn't mean PSU is better than ND.

No they don't. I just put one on here that has us ranked higher. And actually a SIGNIFICANT margin

Our resume after USC will be better and on the field it is better as well

Jack Swarbrick probably thinks you would be the biggest loser.....Deboer and Fickell when we have Freeman here already and for cheaper

Good thing he is in charge

 

[Golson5]

lol also the CFP committee rankings is also subjective. 😂 you're a tool.

Another subjective poll just released. The coaches poll has PSU 4, ND 5.

And ESPN FPI and their power rankings have us rated higher

See how that works


What an absolute loser and tool you are 🤣🤣

 

[Golson5]

Last week we were 68 points behind PSU for 4th place. This week we are 25 points behind.

1 more week

 

[NDinNJ]

No they don't. I just put one on here that has us ranked higher. And actually a SIGNIFICANT margin

Our resume after USC will be better and on the field it is better as well

Jack Swarbrick probably thinks you would be the biggest loser.....Deboer and Fickell when we have Freeman here already and for cheaper

Good thing he is in charge

Team rankings has PSU SoS ranked 15th and ND ranked 28th, you don't know what you're talking about..You're an idiot. PSU SoS is ranked higher in every ranking service than ND, find me one where they are not. Unless PSU loses this week, they'll sit ahead of ND.

 

[Golson5]

Team rankings has PSU SoS ranked 15th and ND ranked 28th, you don't know what you're talking about..You're an idiot. PSU SoS is ranked higher in every ranking service than ND, find me one where they are not. Unless PSU loses this week, they'll sit ahead of ND.

I put 3 up on another thread you dope. Look it up

 

[NDinNJ]

Last week we were 68 points behind PSU for 4th place. This week we are 25 points behind.

1 more week

For a poll that's meaningless. See how that works. 😂 You still haven't shown me where the cfp committee considers margin of victory between common opponents as a data point in their ranking criteria. Show it to me, link it! You can't because there is none. You jcan't at make sh1t up and pretend you know when you don't. You're a fraud.

 

[Golson5]

For a poll that's meaningless. See how that works. 😂 You still haven't shown me where the cfp committee considers margin of victory between common opponents as a data point in their ranking criteria. Show it to me, link it! You can't because there is none. You jcan't at make sh1t up and pretend you know when you don't. You're a fraud.

Are you saying they don't compare common opponents ??

 

[NDinNJ]

Are you saying they don't compare common opponents ??

No Im saying they don't compare margin of victory between common opponents which is what you are claiming.

 

[NDinNJ]

I put 3 up on another thread you dope. Look it up

Show me where, tag me, better yet post them here. Not a single service has ND ahead of PSU in terms of Strength of Schedule. Link it here.

 

[Golson5]

No Im saying they don't compare margin of victory between common opponents which is what you are claiming.

Riiight....

So hypothetical if you flipped it and PSU beat SC by 28 and ND beats SC by 3 in overtime...

That has no meaning or bearing on how you would compare the teams battling for the 4 and 5 spot?

You are a lying piece of shit if you say it doesn't because you know it would you just don't want to look like you were wrong

I get it but you're still wrong and still a huge tool. Maybe worse than Chase

 

[Golson5]

Show me where, tag me, better yet post them here. Not a single service has ND ahead of PSU in terms of Strength of Schedule. Link it here.

I didn't say they were ahead. I said they are all comparable except for ESPN. Apparently you're Bible. Kind of like Chase with F+

28th to 37th is nothing. Meaningless. It only matters to fit your narrative

 

[NDinNJ]

Riiight....

So hypothetical if you flipped it and PSU beat SC by 28 and ND beats SC by 3 in overtime...

That has no meaning or bearing on how you would compare the teams battling for the 4 and 5 spot?

You are a lying piece of shit if you say it doesn't because you know it would you just don't want to look like you were wrong

I get it but you're still wrong and still a huge tool. Maybe worse than Chase

strength of schedule has more weight than two teams blowing out a common opponent, one by 39 and the other by 59. A blow out is a blow out. winning by 39 vs 59 is meaningless. That's what we have as a data point because ND hasn't played USC yet.

 

[Golson5]

strength of schedule has more weight than two teams blowing out a common opponent, one by 39 and the other by 59. A blow out is a blow out. winning by 39 vs 59 is meaningless. That's what we have as a data point because ND hasn't played USC yet.

Hypothetical. PSU blows out SC by 28. ND beats SC by 3 in overtime

Will it matter, yes or no. Be honest and not a tool like usual

 

[sjb75]

Miami destroyed Florida by 24 at Florida. Do they get the credit for that?

Old Dominion lost by 4 at South Carolina

This overrating the SEC this year is just wild. They used to be by far the best conf in cfb. Now the gap is very small.

This is the Georgia schedule. The SEC gap is small until you play this schedule. How many games would Notre Dame win?

At Kentucky
At Alabama
Auburn
Mississippi State
At Texas
Florida
At Mississippi
Tennessee

 

[NDinNJ]

Hypothetical. PSU blows out SC by 28. ND beats SC by 3 in overtime

Will it matter, yes or no. Be honest and not a tool like usual

You're a dope. Here are the rules as provided by the CFP:
The committee will select the teams using a process that distinguishes among otherwise comparable teams by considering:
Strength of schedule,
Head-to-head competition,
Comparative outcomes of common opponents (WITHOUT INCENTING MARGIN OF VICTORY).

It's in their own selection criteria, that margin of victory is not a consideration when looking at common opponents. It also carries far less weight than wins and losses, strength of schedule, and head to head.