Non-Key Tweets

[dayooper]

LSU beat Georgia 36-16. I think that is the quality win that has them in the top 10.

While I completely agree with you, the big debate is everything is within the SEC. Who did LSU beat to deserve that top 10 ranking. Was it based off of beating other SEC teams. Was it based off of last year or on reputation? Too much of an echo chamber, especially when it’s better for ESPN to teams they “own” in the playoffs. When ESPN controls the narrative, they have sway over who gets in and who is ranked high.

 

[Irishfan]

While I completely agree with you, the big debate is everything is within the SEC. Who did LSU beat to deserve that top 10 ranking. Was it based off of beating other SEC teams. Was it based off of last year or on reputation? Too much of an echo chamber, especially when it’s better for ESPN to teams they “own” in the playoffs. When ESPN controls the narrative, they have sway over who gets in and who is ranked high.

I don’t disagree, but which teams did Michigan or Ohio State beat which were outside the Big Ten. Did any of these wins make them deserving of a top ten ranking? What was michigan’s best win outside of the Big Ten? What was Ohio States top win out of the Big Ten?

 

[buddy]

I think ND should automatically be crowned mythical national champions in football all the time., since they are not in a conference. Someone else will be the real national champion after the playoffs. ND will not need to participate in the playoffs as their position is secured.

 

[SubbaBub]

LSU beat Georgia 36-16. I think that is the quality win that has them in the top 10.

LSU was 5-3 in conference, Purdue was 5-4 with an equally quality win. I am attempting to penetrate the delusion that conference rep is statistically significant. Most of the teams/games used to puff up the SEC or any conference is based solely on weak OOC scheduling and a not quite round robin of conference games.

Are Bama and Georgia the two best SEC teams, obviously based on a simple look at their record. Are they better than OSU, OU, Clemson, or even UCF? You have no idea because there simply isn't enough data to make that leap objectively. The best example I can give is UCF last season, all the experts said they weren't worthy of a bid because they'd be non-competitive. Well all they did was beat the one team to beat the eventual national champ.

I know the Bama/UGA winner will be the best team in the SEC, I know OU/TX winner will be the best team in the B12. I already know that OSU is the best team in the B1G regardless of the NW outcome. They winner of UW/Utah will have the best claim in the P-12, and the UCF/Memphis winner will depending on the score have an asterisked claim in the AAC.

The winner in each matchup is the legitimate pool of contenders. You can eliminate Memphis, the P-12, NW, TX, and the loser of the SEC because these aren't play-in games. Whomever is left should get the bids based on 1) number of losses and the balance of quality wins vs suspect losses. And by quality wins, I don't mean teams who are barely over .500 in their conference. Bama would be a quality win for Georgia (and vice versa), Michigan for OSU, OU has none really (TX lost to MD in their only test outside a really bad B12) but it might be enough if not for an undefeated ND and UCF. Clemson's best win is TA&M. Fine if they win, but not enough if they lose without help. They should easily be Pitt, so to simplify this I keep them at 13-0

The correct selection should be either:

1. Bama...….1. ND
2. ND-...…….2. Clemson
3. Clemson..3. UCF
4. UCF...…..…..4. UGA (as champ over Mich and better win/loss over OSU and OU)
5. OSU...…….5. OSU (as champ over Bama)
6. OU...……….6. OU (as champ over Bama)

A loss by UCF, Bama or Clemson drops them to the bottom and everyone moves up (OU 2x over TX beats Clemson over TAMU. A 1-loss Bama best win would also be TAMU).

The desire to try to overthink this to satisfy the money/power interests of the P5 is the reason the committee exists. We spend an entire season to figure out who isn't the best team, then we make excuses at the end to make sure that name programs/conferences get the nod.

 

[SubbaBub]

While I completely agree with you, the big debate is everything is within the SEC. Who did LSU beat to deserve that top 10 ranking. Was it based off of beating other SEC teams. Was it based off of last year or on reputation? Too much of an echo chamber, especially when it’s better for ESPN to teams they “own” in the playoffs. When ESPN controls the narrative, they have sway over who gets in and who is ranked high.

I don’t disagree, but which teams did Michigan or Ohio State beat which were outside the Big Ten. Did any of these wins make them deserving of a top ten ranking? What was michigan’s best win outside of the Big Ten? What was Ohio States top win out of the Big Ten?

This is exactly the point. Because no one play anyone OOC outside a game or two nationally, no one can say which conference wins count more comparatively. Hence, with a few exceptions champions only is the only true way to do this.

The media and committee are ranking based on reputation or the "eye" test. Not exactly sport is it? It's closer to figure skating that we'd like to admit.

 

[billybud]

The media and committee are ranking based on reputation or the "eye" test. Not exactly sport is it? It's closer to figure skating that we'd like to admit.

A bunch of teams...they don't play each other...the same can be said for basketball seeding.

A bunch of guys in the back room...basketball, football, figure skating...

 

[Irishfan]

This is exactly the point. Because no one play anyone OOC outside a game or two nationally, no one can say which conference wins count more comparatively. Hence, with a few exceptions champions only is the only true way to do this.

The media and committee are ranking based on reputation or the "eye" test. Not exactly sport is it? It's closer to figure skating that we'd like to admit.

They need the eye test because there are more than ten conferences and only four playoff spots. And they don’t even always give it to the champions of the conference. Clearly conference affiliation is worthless in this process. Which is why the idea that ND should be forced to be in a conference to participate in the playoff is ridiculous.

 

[SubbaBub]

The media and committee are ranking based on reputation or the "eye" test. Not exactly sport is it? It's closer to figure skating that we'd like to admit.

A bunch of teams...they don't play each other...the same can be said for basketball seeding.

A bunch of guys in the back room...basketball, football, figure skating...

For the at large bids beyond the ibvious ones sure but every conference champion gets a bid any every team plays about a dozen OOC games and not every one is a cupcake.

BB is not a good argument to support the CFP. If they started with the P5 champions and the best G5 champion they at large wouldn't matter as much. Instead they shoehorn as many SEC teams and brand into the mix as possible and hope that they can sell the outcome at the end.

 

[SubbaBub]

They need the eye test because there are more than ten conferences and only four playoff spots. And they don’t even always give it to the champions of the conference. Clearly conference affiliation is worthless in this process. Which is why the idea that ND should be forced to be in a conference to participate in the playoff is ridiculous.

Clearly all ND has to do to he in the mix is win 11 and beat beat one other contender. With their schedule they almost always get that chance.

ND will need to join a conference the minute the B1G gets tired of getting left out.

And they don't need the eye test, they want it because it can't be questioned.

 

[Irishfan]

Clearly all ND has to do to he in the mix is win 11 and beat beat one other contender. With their schedule they almost always get that chance.

ND will need to join a conference the minute the B1G gets tired of getting left out.

And they don't need the eye test, they want it because it can't be questioned.

The Big Ten needs a one loss team, where the one loss wasn’t a 29 point loss to Purdue, combined with giving up 51 points to a 5-7 Maryland.

 

[Ha Who]

At this point I would welcome a moonshine tweet

 

[DarthGrumpy]

The correct selection should be either:
1. Bama...….1. ND
2. ND-...…….2. Clemson
3. Clemson..3. UCF
4. UCF...…..…..4. UGA (as champ over Mich and better win/loss over OSU and OU)
5. OSU...…….5. OSU (as champ over Bama)
6. OU...……….6. OU (as champ over Bama)

This is also why a expansion to 6 playoffs teams, 1 slot for each P5 Conference leader and 1 G5 slot because at last one conference will always demand that their 2 best teams are better than everyone else's #1 (and sometimes they are right) and then there would be the issue with the contractually obligated ND entry and a G5 entry as I can't see how the Playoff Committee does not allow a G5 participant, especially an undefeated G5 team, with 6 playoff slots without a major lawsuit and/or US Congressional Investigation.

That said, this is what a 6 team playoff could have looked like this season with ND basically replacing the PAC 12 winner and no second team from the SEC (likely Georgia).

Round 1

• #6 UCF @ #3 ND
• #5 Ohio St @ #4 Oklahoma

Round 2

• ND @ #2 Clemson
• Oklahoma @ #1 Alabama

Final in Santa Clara CA

• Alabama (so decreed by his almighty, Mr. Saban, regardless of actual on-field results)

More realistically is an 8 team playoff with 5 guaranteed P5 slots, 1 G5 slot, and 2 Open Slots, one of which would be for ND should they qualify. For this season, this could be a possibility. The biggest argument here is if a second team from the XII or B1G should get in over UCF or this year's PAC winner.

Round 1

• #8 Washington @ #1 Alabama
• #7 UCF @ #2 Clemson
• #6 Georgia @ #3 Notre Dame
• #5 Ohio St @ #4 Oklahoma

Round 2

• w/o Ohio St/Oklahoma v. w/o Washington/Alabama @ LA (Rose Bowl)
• w/o Georgia/ND v. w/o UCF/Clemson @ Miami (Orange Bowl)

Final in Santa Clara CA

• Alabama (so decreed by his almighty, Mr. Saban, regardless of actual on-field results)

 

[CoastAtlantic]

Football season is definitely almost over.

 

[CL82]

Football season is definitely almost over.

"I'm glad you like your dinner BTM, so let's talk conference realignment."​

 

[dayooper]

I don’t disagree, but which teams did Michigan or Ohio State beat which were outside the Big Ten. Did any of these wins make them deserving of a top ten ranking? What was michigan’s best win outside of the Big Ten? What was Ohio States top win out of the Big Ten?

Never said they did. It’s the fallacy in the system and it was designed to be that way. Making this a subjective policy, they can push who will make them the most money.

 

[Irishfan]

Never said they did. It’s the fallacy in the system and it was designed to be that way. Making this a subjective policy, they can push who will make them the most money.

I agree. Conferences screw everything up. I think it’s obvious that only teams that aren’t in conferences should be allowed in the playoff.

 

[Dooley]

View attachment 36848
"I'm glad you like your dinner BTM, so let's talk conference realignment."​

That's my kind of dinner!

 

[LBird33]

View attachment 36848
"I'm glad you like your dinner BTM, so let's talk conference realignment."​

This is about right LoL.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Unhappy people out in PAC land...

Conference bias ruined Wazzu chances, AD says

 

[CoastAtlantic]

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
This is going to take a bit. Plenty of tweets incoming. This info comes from BTM on Saturday night. (Dinner-Sushi) BTM is a Big Ten Source who has broken multiple local and national stories though us on Twitter and @Minnesota247

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Again..all info is coming from BTM. From Big Ten perspective. It’s real...it’s big.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
I shared some of this info before today with my good friend @Expansion_Crush. I was hoping to use different platform to distribute this info. Story for another day.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
FOX Sports (21st Century FOX) who owns 51% of Big Ten Network and holds 50% of Big Ten Tier 1/2 Contract from 2017-2022 + Big Ten Football CCG is overjoyed with the content and ratings Big Ten have delivered in first 2 years of said contract.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
It can’t be undersold the relationship FOX Sports and Big Ten now has..the relationship is cemented in the fact Mark Silverman holds both position as head of Big Ten Network & FOX Sports. I needed to explain all of this to give context to what BTM just told us Saturday night.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
FOX Sports gave a massive contract to Big Ten Network for Tier 1&2 content + CCG + Basketball..etc. The TV AD rates FOX Sports have been able to pass on to its customers..well... FOX Sports is all in on Big Ten Live Sport Content now and into the future. ALL IN.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
FOX Sports & Big Ten want more. Working in tandem they want more. They believe there is an opportunity to gain more content for next Media contract for both to succeed in tandem. Realignment begins with FOX Sports & Big Ten in their attempt to gain more value.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
According to BTM the Big Ten Conference will make Oklahoma & Texas their main targets for expansion for 2024/2025. Both of them. Yes, Texas. Let me explain as best I can what BTM told us on Saturday night.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
There is so much to discuss. It would be easier and cleaner if I could do it on a podcast. But I will give it my best shot here on Twitter. BTM went into great detail. Tremendous detail.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
First, let’s discuss why Big Ten believes their is an opportunity to add Oklahoma & Texas in 2024 & 2025. It starts with the Big 12 Conference.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Choke points. Choke points to successfully deliver live content comes in 3 different forms. 1) Financing 2) Content 3) Distribution Big 12 does not have a Content issue, nor a Financing issue. But it will have a distribution issue in 2024.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
The same reasons why Big 12 could not get an interested distributor in a Conference Network(with or without Texas) is the same reason they won’t get near the same contract for Tier 1&2 Content in their next negotiations compared to SEC & Big Ten. The money gap grows even larger

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
This is what Big Ten plans to do...already doing. Big Ten Conference, in tandem with FOX Sports, will/have made it known to Oklahoma what their intentions are through 3rd parties. Oklahoma is soon to be negotiationing (with who is unknown at this time) a new 3rd Tier Contract

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Big Ten Conference wanted to get out in front of Oklahoma...show them what’s at stake when negotiationing their 3rd Tier Contract. In other words...make it a short term contract Oklahoma because we are willing to make it worthwhile.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Big Ten could not wait to make their intentions known. Big Ten could not wait for 2-3 more years to make plans and act on them. They needed to give OU a road map. And secure place to land once Big 12 GOR is up.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Before I get on to Texas. Let me explain the words Delany expressed today. It was told to us on Saturday night..sure enough..well. Big Ten & ACC will try to push P5 reforms through to make it possible to eliminate Round Robin play in 1 Conference. Let me explain.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Today it’s impossible for SEC, Big Ten, ACC & PAC to lump all their schools into just 1 big division/conference because they would need to play round robin schedule. Delany will push for this reform.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
In public Delany and the Big Ten profess to still support divisions. But in private they would encourage the ability for a conference to line up all of their 12-14-16 schools in one division/conference in Football Conference play. But it’s for reasons you might not think of..

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Yes, in theory securing “2 best teams” in CCG after Conference play would enhance your Conference ability to gain a spot in College Football Playoffs. But it’s more than..much more than CFP significance.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
1) If Big Ten was allowed to have all their schools in 1 Division/Conference with no Round Robin rule it would increase their value to TV/Media even more than it is now. I’m going to get back to this point. 2) Expansion of Conference..expanding value of Conference much easier

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Why Texas now? For those of you who have followed BTM over the years and seen him break the news of Notre Dame Hockey to Big Ten..Fleck to Minnesota..etc.. You know he has always stated Texas will not be the target for Big Ten. Things have changed.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Let’s first take it from the perspective of Big Ten Conference. It’s obvious why Big Ten would want Texas. We are not going to waste time discussing the why..but let’s discuss why Big Ten believes they have an opportunity for Texas to actually say yes.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Texas’s options are incredibly limited if you are to believe Oklahoma will leave the Big 12 after 2025. BTM have stated many times it’s the belief of those within the Big Ten and other P5 programs that Oklahoma will leave Big 12 after 2025.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
Playing Football as an Independent is pretty much is impossible for Texas. Scheduling...and yes, distribution reasons are the major road blocks. Everyone in Texas Leadership will tell you the same thing.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
PAC is not a viable option for those in Texas’s leadership. Texas has studied this option for years. For them, above all else, they don’t want to travel West for all their Athletic Programs. Travel is a roadblock much more than PAC’s current issues.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
SEC is not seen as a viable option for Texas. Boosters & Faculty of the University of Texas would revolt. Texas is not following Texas A&M to SEC. This is Big Ten perspective.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
Now for the last road block LHN...owner by Disney. According to BTM this road block is no more. Nobody now takes this as a serious road block if Texas wants to make a move. There is a contract until 2031 buts it’s not ironclad like the Big 12 GOR of 2025.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
If LHN had any truly significant money value to Disney it would be a different story. But LHN is a losing proposition to Disney..and loser to Texas for exposure. LHN is no longer a log in the road..merely a twig (BTM words)

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
TV Media Contract which Big Ten could say to potential distributor (FOX Sports + Amazon?..CBS?) you will have Ohio State play Texas at least 2 times in 4 years..OU play Penn State 2 times in 4 years..(1 Conference - no Round Robin) Is Delany’s goal.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
Now..will Oklahoma and Texas choose to realign themselves into the Big Ten Conference in 2024/2025? We don’t know. But for the first time BTM has information which leads him to an undeniable truth. Oklahoma & Texas are the targets. Yes, Texas

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
It’s not going to take long to figure out where this is all going. Watch Oklahoma. Watch them. When Oklahoma signs new 3rd Tier Contract and if it’s short term...does not take them past year 2025... Brace for impact.

shoobie doobie doowah‏ @Expansion_Crush 4h4 hours ago
Texas and Oklahoma will be a package deal

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
Replying to @Expansion_Crush
I never though we would get to this point. Never. But here we are.

shoobie doobie doowah‏ @Expansion_Crush 3h3 hours ago
Replying to @flugempire
Thanks for the detailed update! What do you think Texas's price is? 60 to 70 million a year?

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 3h3 hours ago
Real number will be... This is what you get for 1/2 of Big Ten Tier 1/2 package with FOX Sports (2nd half would be matched by FOX Sports or ESPN or ...etc) + BTN $ vs what you think/hope you will get with ? after Big 12 GOR is up and Big 12 negotiating with ?+? Gap will be real.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
If you need something tangible to sink your teeth into when trying to figure out if Big Ten is really planning on being aggressive in next Media negotiations/Realignment..just look at the end date of last contract. 2022.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
Remember back at last Big Ten Media negotiations when out of nowhere FOX Sports got 1/2 of Big Ten Tier 1&2 Contract..gave Big Ten massive deal? Why did Big Ten want deal to end 2022? Why not have contract go to 2028?..2030?..when in uncertain times of live media distribution?

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 3h3 hours ago
Positioning. By 2022 Big Ten and their partner FOX Sports will know the Realignment landscape (wants and needs of Oklahoma & Texas) enough to be able to act and give best effort to land both before Big 12 GOR ends in June 30th, 2025.

Kirk Richardson‏ @kirksreview 4h4 hours ago
Did BTM talk about whether B1G thinks Oklahoma is leaning one way or the other in 2025 - B1G, SEC, staying B12. Logic tells me they will align a short-term 3rd tier contract regardless. Gives them max flexibility. Thoughts?

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 4h4 hours ago
Replying to @kirksreview
SEC is the competition for Oklahoma. According to BTM Oklahoma will leave Big 12. SEC option is viable according to Big Ten perspective. It’s another reason why Texas is being targeted by Big Ten because Big Ten perspective is SEC is not an option for Texas.

MJ‏ @MinnySeminole 2h2 hours ago
MJ Retweeted Greg Flugaur

This isn’t possible without Tech or OSU partnered up w Texas and OU respectively per most recent state legislatures

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Replying to @MinnySeminole
It’s the Big 12 GOR and bylaws which keeps Texas & Oklahoma in Big 12,not legislators of both respective states. Once GOR has run out the decision makers of both universities, BOR & Presidents, will have the ability to make a choice without running to Legislators for go ahead.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
Replying to @MinnySeminole
State Legislators will have influence, and will flex them just as boosters. But both Universities have autonomy to decide its Athletic Contracts..which Conference Affiliation is basically your biggest one of them all.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 2h2 hours ago
This is going to take a bit. Plenty of tweets incoming. This info comes from BTM on Saturday night. (Dinner-Sushi) BTM is a Big Ten Source who has broken multiple local and national stories though us on Twitter and @Minnesota247

In summary, the B1G is interested in Texas and is willing to take Oklahoma with them as a package. That's about as big of a secret as folks in Connecticut liking pizza. Ditto got the B1G going after the XII, especially after this football season. What is not addressed is that if 1) Texas will be willing to give-up the power they have in the XII and 2) Texas Tech and Oklahoma St. will need P4 landing sports as the XII would cease to exist.

Second, the addition of Texas could make the B1G more attractive of a landing spot for Notre Dame. No big surprise there. A league that spans from Texas to DC to NYC for football while providing local competition for its non-revenue sports would be of interest to ND, if the independent route is no longer viable in a P4 structure. Of course, ND's move to a league took a big hit this football season with the Irish being selected into the playoffs.

Overall, if the B1G expands and causes the death of the XII, the B1G will likely jump to 18 to 20 teams. As geography, academics and other revenue sports are important to the B1G, they would take Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas from the XII to go to 17 teams. The remaining 1 to 3 openings would come from 1) Missouri (to fix an obvious whole and a regret that I think the B1G has), 2) Notre Dame, 3) UConn, 4) UVA, 5) UNC.

But, this is at least 5 years off. So, UConn has a lot to fix between now and then to be in a postion to even be considered.

 

[CoastAtlantic]

Kirk Richardson‏ @kirksreview 1h1 hour ago
Texas will have a more difficult path navigating in-state politics than Oklahoma. Not saying a move to B1G can't/won't happen, but there are a lot of interests at stake that ride UT's coattails. Ultimately, they may have to stay and lead a new B12 w/o Oklahoma. It's complicated.

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 1h1 hour ago
Replying to @kirksreview @MinnySeminole
It’s is complicated. Made a little easier with Texas A&M departure of Big 12 against wishes of legislators in Austin who were Pro University of Texas & Texas Tech. But yes, it’s complicated. OU’s current President does not have the “ ties that bind” with OSU. Again, complicated.

Andy‏ @ABfromthe513 1h1 hour ago
Fox is invested in B12 currently. Presumably their B12 deal will be or close to expiring if okla and Texas are flipping to B10? Or would fox work with B12 to identify backfill candidates to fill okla and Texas spots?

Greg Flugaur‏ @flugempire 1h1 hour ago
Replying to @ABfromthe513
Not sure what FOX would do if/when OU & UT depart for Big Ten. But FOX will let (if they haven’t already in some manner) OU & UT know that Big Ten for 2023 and beyond will get FOX Sports Tier 1/2 offer >>>> FOX Sports offer for Big 12 Tier 1/2 content beyond 2025 Big 12 GOR.

 

[LBird33]

Yawn. Lot of crap flying around to say we might have conference realignment in 2020.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Yawn. Lot of crap flying around to say we might have conference realignment in 2020.

I think before there is another conference realignment wave, the media world needs to sort out its next steps with Comcast/NBC buying Sky, Disney/ESPN buying non-spots Fox resulting in the local Fox sports channels being put up for auction, and what is Amazon and Netflix doing. This shake-up also ties directly into the brewing war between cable and streaming. Once the dust settles, the amount of money available will become clearer and then the conferences will decide what to do.

 

[Stinger92860]

Any change is good for us. I hope Oklahoma goes to the SEC, as I believe this move creates the most chaos across the P5.