The Death Spiral of CFB began 12-4-11

[u/Responsible_Animal63]

The BCS slogan was every game mattered. On December 4, 2011 that all changed. Alabama, which finished in 3rd place in the SEC and had already lost on their home field to No. 1 LSU, was placed in the BCSNC game due to “the eye test” over an Oklahoma State team that had a better overall resume.

Whether it was to usher in the four-team playoff or just generate bigger TV ratings, this completely invalidated the results of the so-called “Game of the Century”
between LSU and Alabama. Alabama’s consequence for losing on its home field was to essentially get a free pass to back in to the championship game. LSU’s “reward” for beating the Tide was a matchup with UGA in the SEC Championship Game - and then having to beat Bama again. Essentially, LSU had to go 3-0
in those games, but Bama only had to be 1-1.

Every game no longer mattered.

EDIT TO ADD:

Resume Comparison

SOS - Okie St # 6, Bama # 23

Wins vs BCS Top 25- OSU 4 (#8 Kansas, #12 Baylor, #14 Oklahoma, #24 Texas)

Bama - 2 (#6 Arkansas, #22 Penn State)

FBS Wins - OSU 11, Bama 10

Oklahoma State - Big 12 Champs

Bama - 3rd Place SEC (2nd in West Division)

—————

Bama’s argument is based on their loss being better than Oklahoma State’s loss.

Bama lost to the #1 team in the country. It was at home, with a huge home crowd, in a game where they knew the SEC West and likely a national championship berth was on the line.

OSU lost to a 6-6 team. It was on the road, on a Friday night, on a day that the university’s athletic department suffered a major tragedy.

Bama was given a do-over for a losing a game where they had everything in their favor.

[u/EddieDantes22]

Eight was the number. The ninth best team bitching about it would've been silly. But it should've been eight.

[u/Responsible_Animal63 → u/EddieDantes22]

Well, last season’s playoff saw the 10th seeded Miami Hurricanes make it to the National Title game….i’d argue that gave the first team out ND some argument about not getting in, and maybe even Texas. That’s the thing - it’s now a post season tournament where any team that gets hot could conceivably win. It has diminished the regular season in college football.

[u/EddieDantes22 → u/Responsible_Animal63]

At eight, Miami wouldn't have gotten in. But I don't see it as a tragedy anymore than if the NCAA tournament was cut in half and you said "but what about when George Mason made the Final Four as a 12 seed" or whatever they were.