2025-26 College Football Thread

[Robbieac]

Notre Dame vs BYU would have been a must watch Bowl game.
That told us who was really the best team left out.

Terrible look that ND opted out of that game. Doubling down on the criticism that they do not have enough data points.

Exactly.

ND is acting like a bunch of privileged spoiled brats.

Notre Dame:
“They should let us in the playoffs because we are Notre Dame! We haven’t actually earned it, and we haven’t won anything in a few generations…..Never mind that! We are the Irish! Let us in, or we will take our ball and go home!”

 

[DFWJC]

ND, Iowa St, and Kansas St have a LOT in common.

well ND snob factor for sure the biggest, but I'll give you a few things

• All 3 play in P4 or Indy
• All three have been to bowls last 7 years in a row, with KSU having the longer current streak of 13
• None has a National in at least 35 years (but one acts like they've had 10)

 

[Reality]

While I have no favorite college team, I do enjoy watching good football games and regularly root for the underdogs or teams that don't often have amazing seasons.

I know that for some people they hate Notre Dame (almost like people hate the Cowboys), but I think Notre Dame should have been in the CFP.

Their two losses were to Miami (first game of the season by 3 at Miami) and Texas A&M (second game of the season), two teams that are both in the CFP.

Now, if it was between Notre Dame and Miami I think there is no question Miami deserved it more due to their head-to-head win.

My comment about Notre Dame deserving to be in the CFP is more about them deserving a spot more than Alabama, Tulane and JMU.

 

[gtb1943]

ND being poor losers is not a good look.

when someone slaps you in the face, only losers say thank you

 

[gtb1943]

Exactly.

ND is acting like a bunch of privileged spoiled brats.

Notre Dame:
“They should let us in the playoffs because we are Notre Dame! We haven’t actually earned it, and we haven’t won anything in a few generations…..Never mind that! We are the Irish! Let us in, or we will take our ball and go home!”

I love your whine

 

[Robbieac]

While I have no favorite college team, I do enjoy watching good football games and regularly root for the underdogs or teams that don't often have amazing seasons.

I know that for some people they hate Notre Dame (almost like people hate the Cowboys), but I think Notre Dame should have been in the CFP.

Their two losses were to Miami (first game of the season by 3 at Miami) and Texas A&M (second game of the seaosn), two teams that are both in the CFP.

Now, if it was between Notre Dame and Miami I think there is no question Miami deserved it more due to their head-to-head win.

My comment about Notre Dame deserving to be in the CFP is more about them deserving a spot more than Alabama, Tulane and JMU.

BYU deserved to be in before ND.
They only lost to 1 team this year (the #4 team in the country). ND lost to 2 different teams.

 

[gtb1943]

While I have no favorite college team, I do enjoy watching good football games and regularly root for the underdogs or teams that don't often have amazing seasons.

I know that for some people they hate Notre Dame (almost like people hate the Cowboys), but I think Notre Dame should have been in the CFP.

Their two losses were to Miami (first game of the season by 3 at Miami) and Texas A&M (second game of the seaosn), two teams that are both in the CFP.

Now, if it was between Notre Dame and Miami I think there is no question Miami deserved it more due to their head-to-head win.

My comment about Notre Dame deserving to be in the CFP is more about them deserving a spot more than Alabama, Tulane and JMU.

Which is the point: all those saying the committee was not playing favorites or twisting things for what they wanted rather then what is right are basically supporting corruption.
There is no way in the world that Tulane or JMU is one of the top 12 teams this year but the committee

 

[gtb1943]

BYU deserved to be in before ND.
They only lost to 1 team this year (the #4 team in the country). ND lost to 2 different teams.

They got spanked by the same team twice
you left that part out

 

[DFWJC]

Which is the point: all those saying the committee was not playing favorites or twisting things for what they wanted rather then what is right are basically supporting corruption.
There is no way in the world that Tulane or JMU is one of the top 12 teams this year but the committee

The committee HAD to select those 2 teams because they were among the 5 highest-ranked conference champs

They didn't at all select Tulane and JMU over ND, Vandy, BYU or Texas
They were just following the rules. There was no real decision involved

They DID select them over Duke because Duke was not ranked as high as they were.
Tulane did beat Duke head-to-head anyway, fwiw

 

[gtb1943]

The committee HAD to select those 2 teams because they were among the 5 highest-ranked conference champs

They didn't at all select Tulane and JMU over ND, Vandy, BYU or Texas
They were just following the rules. There was no real decision involved

They DID select them over Duke because Duke was not ranked as high as they were.
Tulane did beat Duke head-to-head anyway, fwiw

and then explain their rankings why don't you?

that left 7 other slots does it not?

No matter how you try and defend it, it was done by agenda and not by any real honesty.

 

[jterrell]

BYU deserved to be in before ND.
They only lost to 1 team this year (the #4 team in the country). ND lost to 2 different teams.

yes

 

[jterrell]

Which is the point: all those saying the committee was not playing favorites or twisting things for what they wanted rather then what is right are basically supporting corruption.
There is no way in the world that Tulane or JMU is one of the top 12 teams this year but the committee

Literally zero corruption in putting in JMU and Tulane over much bigger brands.
They had to follow the basic rules of 5 highest ranked conf Champs get spot.
That leaves only 7 spots.
ND was tied in that 7th spot with Miami, but Miami moved on because of head-to-head.

You should be mad they kept Bama on lock and ignored BYU. Because if they had considered all 4 equally maybe the head-to-head wouldn't have been such a factor.
But I WARNED you this would happen because they had one less data point and a SOS ranked 42nd in the country.

BYU got screwed over twice. Last year they got left out even with a road win over SMU and this year they get left out even though they had 11 wins only losses are to Texas Tech which is the 4 seed.

 

[Reality]

Which is the point: all those saying the committee was not playing favorites or twisting things for what they wanted rather then what is right are basically supporting corruption.
There is no way in the world that Tulane or JMU is one of the top 12 teams this year but the committee

I would be glad to see Tulane and JMU in the CFP, but I think their softer schedules mean that should only happen when they have undefeated seasons and then only if they won most of their games convincingly.

In other words, I'm all for non-power conference teams making it when they earn their way in, but that's not about merit but simply wanting to watch better games.

As a college football fan, I want to see good, competitive games and seeing a team get blown out in the CFP in any circumstance increases when you start reserving spots and inserting lower ranked teams over higher ranked teams.

Now, that doesn't mean I won't root for Tulane or JMU and hopefully they will play strong games against their opponents.

If that doesn't happen though, it's going to be a stark reminder to everyone that their spot(s) were wasted on lower ranked teams when we as fans could have had much better games with higher ranked teams that deserved to be playing.

 

[jterrell]

 

[jterrell]

I would be glad to see Tulane and JMU in the CFP, but I think their softer schedules mean that should only happen when they have undefeated seasons and then only if they won most of their games convincingly.

In other words, I'm all for non-power conference teams making it when they earn their way in, but that's not about merit but simply wanting to watch better games.

As a college football fan, I want to see good, competitive games and seeing a team get blown out in the CFP in any circumstance increases when you start reserving spots and inserting lower ranked teams over higher ranked teams.

Now, that doesn't mean I won't root for Tulane or JMU and hopefully they will play strong games against their opponents.

If that doesn't happen though, it's going to be a stark reminder to everyone that their spot(s) were wasted on lower ranked teams when we as fans could have had much better games with higher ranked teams that deserved to be playing.

The 5 Conf champs protects the games spread across conferences and gives us a metric ton of more meaningful games.
I watched like 3 UNT games this year for instance. JMU and Tulane ratings were up by over 100%.

The Notre Dame take is goofy.
They literally beat 1 team (USC) as good as or better than James Madison ALL YEAR.

ESPN telling fans only 10 teams in 2 conferences really matter is the issue not the solution.

 

[triplets_93]

All times Eastern

First round (Dec. 19-20)
Friday, Dec. 19
No. 8 at Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Alabama, 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN, WatchESPN
Saturday, Dec. 20:
No. 7 at Texas A&M vs. No. 10 Miami (Fla.), 12 p.m. on ABC, ESPN, WatchESPN
No. 6 at Ole Miss vs. No. 11 Tulane, 3:30 p.m. on TNT, truTV, HBO Max
No. 5 at Oregon vs. No. 12 James Madison, 7:30 p.m. on TNT, truTV, HBO Max

Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)
Wednesday, Dec. 31
No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 7 Texas A&M/No. 10 Miami (Fla.) winner | Cotton Bowl | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026
No. 4 Texas Tech vs. No. 5 Oregon/No. 12 James Madison winner | Orange Bowl | 12 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 8 Oklahoma/No. 9 Alabama winner | Rose Bowl | 4 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss/No. 11 Tulane winner | Sugar Bowl | 8 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN

Semifinals (Jan. 8-9)
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026
Fiesta Bowl (Glendale, Ariz.) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN
Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
Peach Bowl (Atlanta) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN

College Football Playoff National Championship Game
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, WatchESPN

 

[Reality]

The 5 Conf champs protects the games spread across conferences and gives us a metric ton of more meaningful games.
I watched like 3 UNT games this year for instance. JMU and Tulane ratings were up by over 100%.

The Notre Dame take is goofy.
They literally beat 1 team (USC) as good as or better than James Madison ALL YEAR.

ESPN telling fans only 10 teams in 2 conferences really matter is the issue not the solution.

Then they don't need to make it about rankings at all. Just pick conference winners and let them play.

My problem with it is there is no consistency.

You cannot say conference championships don't matter when it comes to the SEC and the Big 10 and then say they do matter when it comes to other conferences.

Notre Dame isn't even in a conference and they almost made it (and should have over Alabama at the very least).

The subjectiveness of the CFP selection process reeks of bias, favoritism and potentially (and likely eventually) corruption.

They should either select the 12 best teams or select the conference winners.

At least that way, everyone would know where they stand.

 

[Reality]

The 5 Conf champs protects the games spread across conferences and gives us a metric ton of more meaningful games.
I watched like 3 UNT games this year for instance. JMU and Tulane ratings were up by over 100%.

The Notre Dame take is goofy.
They literally beat 1 team (USC) as good as or better than James Madison ALL YEAR.

ESPN telling fans only 10 teams in 2 conferences really matter is the issue not the solution.

This was a post I made previously .. I would be okay with this scenario as well ..

I think they should make a rule each year the CFP committee selects the top 10 and they are in the playoffs and then teams #11 through #14 have to play a wildcard round to see who makes it as #11 and #12.​

​

That way we don't get teams like JMU, BYU, etc. playing the #5/#6 ranked teams as their first game, but rather someone like Miami Notre Dame or Texas (this season) as a barometer to show they belong in the CFP while giving the two teams that are outside the bubble purely based on rankings because they didn't win a lower-tiered conference teams a chance to prove they deserve to be in.​

 

[atlantacowboy]

Again. dude you miss the forest for the trees every time a big southern dummy is involved.

Josh Allen is on a very different level athletically from Arch Manning.
It is 2025 and most people understand 40 time is not a be all end for athleticism.
A whole bunch of guys run 4.7.
Virtually none of those guys are athleticism as Josh Allen.

Josh is elite in his shuttle (agility and balance like Tony Romo) and lower body strength (like Dak) for the position.
Arch has decent straight-line speed. But he has virtually no wiggle or ability to break tackles(yet).

When Arch gets a full draft combine profile you will see the difference.
Same as everyone else saw it play out this year in many games.

Ok. First, I could care less about Manning or Texas. I've been calling him a bust most of the season. The Texas offense has been such a mess all year it's hard to discern if it's him, lack of WRs, the poor OL, or some combo of all 3. You certainly are in no position to answer the question as definitely as you make your opinion sound. You don't have Arch's numbers on those agility tests. The only thing that is clear is that Arch is a good athlete. He may not be a good Qb yet.
There is absolutely no reason to get bent out of shape bc I dared compare them on the one measure that we actually have of the two: straight line speed.

 

[viman96]

I treat those as they should be treated
I am not some wimp that is afraid of telling it like it is

Yeah whatever. Your response is as expected.

ND is soft. Instead of acknowledging they should of handled their business and learn from it, they pout and point the finger at the selection committee.