Coming into the games today BSU was ranked #14 and BU was ranked #22.

It would be a huge leapfrog for us to jump them tomorrow....but isn't our undefeated resume more impressive than theirs?

We beat 3 P5 teams, two that beat ranked opponents.

Our resume is a helluva lot better.

Their best win is over hapless FSU.

Absolutely it's better, but because of that one win at FSU that looked good at the tine they entered the rankings weeks ahead of us.

Cactus Bowl rematch for the higher ranking?

The only differences I see are the number of P5 teams we've defeated (as noted) and the margin of victory: there's look larger. It shouldn't matter but apparently beating creampuffs by a wide margin helps.

Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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True. If we win all other games. It would be wonderful but I don't see it happening this year. Maybe in 2020--especially with another SEC victory.

historian said:

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tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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True. If we win all other games. It would be wonderful but I don't see it happening this year. Maybe in 2020--especially with another SEC victory.

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It's improbable but not impossible. It'll require some real SEC flops and maybe Clemson falls.

It's extremely unlikely. Still like our position more than the BSU.

Good news: there are almost always some real SEC flops (like Georgia losing to SC) and Clemson can certainly have one too (barely surviving UNC last week, for example). I certainly like the optimism but realistically, I don't see it happening this year. I will be very happy if they prove me wrong.

Beaneater said:

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tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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If BU goes 11-1 with a loss to OU, makes the champ game and beats OU, BU will not be in the playoffs.
If OU goes 11-1 with a loss to BU, makes the champ game and beats BU, OU will be in the playoffs.

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yep.

The current play off model is better than the BCS system we used to have.

But it will never be fixed until the power 5.....and some would say Mountainwest & AAC.....Champs gets an auto bid to the playoff.

There will always be an inherent bias in the system for name brand name schools like (USC, Oregon, Texas, OU, Mich, Ohio St., Penn State, LSU, Auburn, Bama, UGA, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Clemson) over every one else.

Everyone knows a 1 loss bama is getting in over an undefeated say Wake Forrest.

Or a one loss Florida State is getting in over an undefeated TCU.

It's still got a rigged feel to it.

Beaneater said:

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tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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If BU goes 11-1 with a loss to OU, makes the champ game and beats OU, BU will not be in the playoffs.
If OU goes 11-1 with a loss to BU, makes the champ game and beats BU, OU will be in the playoffs.

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Unfortunately, that's probably true.

But it depends on how many undefeated teams there are at the end and who the one loss teams are. If there are few of either and we have wins over several ranked opponents (OU, Texas, and potentially one or more of the _____ States) then we would have a better resume than most any other one loss team. The committee won't see it this way, but our resume will be better than almost any 1 loss SEC team unless it's a weird scenario like Auburn losing to LSU but beating Bama or vice versa (& even that's questionable if Auburn loses many more games).

This is all too hypothetical and it's a long shot that we will end the season with only 1 loss or even make it to the Big 12 title game.

Playoffs? we talking playoffs? Let's come back to reality.

Questionable offense, Lynch is out so what happens to the defense, punters, kickers, O-line, all real issues and I'm sure there are more. BUT:

My Bears are 6-0 with huge wins against ISU, KSU, and Tech.
Let's say the Bears go 2-1 in the next 3 games are OSU, Toad, and WVa.

Then as expected they lose to UT & OU.

Now they're 8-3, Kansas comes to Waco, all of a sudden the season is over and the record is 9-3, 3rd place finish in the B12, with a chance for a 10th win in a bowl game!

I don't care who you are that's an INCREDIBLE season for this team!

So, the key to the season is the next 3 weeks.

Even if they go 1-2 in this 3-game stretch, they likely then end up 8-4 and I will take that this year.

Beaneater said:

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Playoffs? we talking playoffs? Let's come back to reality.

Questionable offense, Lynch is out so what happens to the defense, punters, kickers, O-line, all real issues and I'm sure there are more. BUT:

My Bears are 6-0 with huge wins against ISU, KSU, and Tech.
Let's say the Bears go 2-1 in the next 3 games are OSU, Toad, and WVa.

Then as expected they lose to UT & OU.

Now they're 8-3, Kansas comes to Waco, all of a sudden the season is over and the record is 9-3, 3rd place finish in the B12, with a chance for a 10th win in a bowl game!

I don't care who you are that's an INCREDIBLE season for this team!

So, the key to the season is the next 3 weeks.

Even if they go 1-2 in this 3-game stretch, they likely then end up 8-4 and I will take that this year.

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Those scenarios seem very likely and doable. I would 9-3 in a split second.

Beaneater said:

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Playoffs? we talking playoffs? Let's come back to reality.

Questionable offense, Lynch is out so what happens to the defense, punters, kickers, O-line, all real issues and I'm sure there are more. BUT:

My Bears are 6-0 with huge wins against ISU, KSU, and Tech.
Let's say the Bears go 2-1 in the next 3 games are OSU, Toad, and WVa.

Then as expected they lose to UT & OU.

Now they're 8-3, Kansas comes to Waco, all of a sudden the season is over and the record is 9-3, 3rd place finish in the B12, with a chance for a 10th win in a bowl game!

I don't care who you are that's an INCREDIBLE season for this team!

So, the key to the season is the next 3 weeks.

Even if they go 1-2 in this 3-game stretch, they likely then end up 8-4 and I will take that this year.

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Great scenarios but two corrections: both Lynches are fine, James & Blake. It's Clay Johnston that is out. Also, we play Kansas in Lawrence.

You are absolutely correct: by any standard it would be an amazing season--even if we don't get the 10th win (something Baylor has only done 5 times in program history).

And I still believe we have a shot at beating both TCU & Texas.

historian said:

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Beaneater said:

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Playoffs? we talking playoffs? Let's come back to reality.

Questionable offense, Lynch is out so what happens to the defense, punters, kickers, O-line, all real issues and I'm sure there are more. BUT:

My Bears are 6-0 with huge wins against ISU, KSU, and Tech.
Let's say the Bears go 2-1 in the next 3 games are OSU, Toad, and WVa.

Then as expected they lose to UT & OU.

Now they're 8-3, Kansas comes to Waco, all of a sudden the season is over and the record is 9-3, 3rd place finish in the B12, with a chance for a 10th win in a bowl game!

I don't care who you are that's an INCREDIBLE season for this team!

So, the key to the season is the next 3 weeks.

Even if they go 1-2 in this 3-game stretch, they likely then end up 8-4 and I will take that this year.

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Great scenarios but two corrections: both Lynches are fine, James & Blake. It's Clay Johnston that is out. Also, we play Kansas in Lawrence.

You are absolutely correct: by any standard it would be an amazing season--even if we don't get the 10th win (something Baylor has only done 5 times in program history).

And I still believe we have a shot at beating both TCU & Texas.

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d'oh. Johnston. Kansas. Apologies, and thanks for the correction.

You're welcome.

You're main point was spot on. That's what matters.

Going 8-4 is great. We actually could go 9-3 realistically. Plus a Bowl win, hopefully.

Beaneater said:

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tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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If BU goes 11-1 with a loss to OU, makes the champ game and beats OU, BU will not be in the playoffs.
If OU goes 11-1 with a loss to BU, makes the champ game and beats BU, OU will be in the playoffs.

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Probably true. It's even probable that we could go undefeated and not be in the playoffs over a one loss LSU team. I get that. P5 is my point. P5 trumps whatever BSU is.

tommie said:

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Beaneater said:

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tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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If BU goes 11-1 with a loss to OU, makes the champ game and beats OU, BU will not be in the playoffs.
If OU goes 11-1 with a loss to BU, makes the champ game and beats BU, OU will be in the playoffs.

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Probably true. It's even probable that we could go undefeated and not be in the playoffs over a one loss LSU team. I get that. P5 is my point. P5 trumps whatever BSU is.

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I'm pretty sure if a big 12 team goes undefeated they are in the CFP.

Jorkel said:

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tommie said:

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Beaneater said:

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tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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If BU goes 11-1 with a loss to OU, makes the champ game and beats OU, BU will not be in the playoffs.
If OU goes 11-1 with a loss to BU, makes the champ game and beats BU, OU will be in the playoffs.

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Probably true. It's even probable that we could go undefeated and not be in the playoffs over a one loss LSU team. I get that. P5 is my point. P5 trumps whatever BSU is.

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I'm pretty sure if a big 12 team goes undefeated they are in the CFP.

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I'm not. I can see two SEC (LSU/Alabama), 1 big 10 (OSU) and 1 ACC (Clemson).

tommie said:

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Jorkel said:

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tommie said:

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Beaneater said:

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tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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If BU goes 11-1 with a loss to OU, makes the champ game and beats OU, BU will not be in the playoffs.
If OU goes 11-1 with a loss to BU, makes the champ game and beats BU, OU will be in the playoffs.

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Probably true. It's even probable that we could go undefeated and not be in the playoffs over a one loss LSU team. I get that. P5 is my point. P5 trumps whatever BSU is.

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I'm pretty sure if a big 12 team goes undefeated they are in the CFP.

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I'm not. I can see two SEC (LSU/Alabama), 1 big 10 (OSU) and 1 ACC (Clemson).

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No power 5 teams that has gone undefeated has ever been left out of the playoffs. Even if Kansas ran the table they would be in. However it's incredibly hard to be undefeated in any conference.

However an 12-1 baylor team that ended up losing in the conference championship game could be left out over a non conference championship 11-1 LSU/Alabama team...just look at Ohio State

Jorkel said:

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tommie said:

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Jorkel said:

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tommie said:

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Beaneater said:

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tommie said:

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Irrelevant. They can go undefeated but not make a New Year's Day Bowl. We can lose to OU, beat them in the big 12 championship and make the playoffs.

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If BU goes 11-1 with a loss to OU, makes the champ game and beats OU, BU will not be in the playoffs.
If OU goes 11-1 with a loss to BU, makes the champ game and beats BU, OU will be in the playoffs.

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Probably true. It's even probable that we could go undefeated and not be in the playoffs over a one loss LSU team. I get that. P5 is my point. P5 trumps whatever BSU is.

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I'm pretty sure if a big 12 team goes undefeated they are in the CFP.

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I'm not. I can see two SEC (LSU/Alabama), 1 big 10 (OSU) and 1 ACC (Clemson).

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No power 5 teams that has gone undefeated has ever been left out of the playoffs. Even if Kansas ran the table they would be in. However it's incredibly hard to be undefeated in any conference.

However an 12-1 baylor team that ended up losing in the conference championship game could be left out over a non conference championship 11-1 LSU/Alabama team...just look at Ohio State

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Naw. They would screw us. Although p5, we're starting from too far down.

The SEC would use the usual excuses about our ooc, never mind that Bama & most other SEC teams play the same number of creampuffs this year--except they only play them at home (cowards) & get one in November.

historian said:

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The SEC would use the usual excuses about our ooc, never mind that Bama & most other SEC teams play the same number of creampuffs this year--except they only play them at home (cowards) & get one in November.

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If Baylor goes 13-0 they are in.

Jorkel said:

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historian said:

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The SEC would use the usual excuses about our ooc, never mind that Bama & most other SEC teams play the same number of creampuffs this year--except they only play them at home (cowards) & get one in November.

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If Baylor goes 13-0 they are in.

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True. But that's a huge "if". I know Oklahoma did it but I don't know if Baylor can. I certainly hope so! Then, beat Bama in the semis!

historian said:

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Jorkel said:

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historian said:

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The SEC would use the usual excuses about our ooc, never mind that Bama & most other SEC teams play the same number of creampuffs this year--except they only play them at home (cowards) & get one in November.

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If Baylor goes 13-0 they are in.

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True. But that's a huge "if". I know Oklahoma did it but I don't know if Baylor can. I certainly hope so! Then, beat Bama in the semis!

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Oh it's absolutely a huge if. I think only 4 teams have gone undefeated since the start of CFP. I'm just saying that no undefeated power 5 team will be left out for an 11-1 non SEC conference champion Like LSU or Alabama, even Baylor wouldn't be. Now if Baylor was 12-1 conference champion. They could be left out for a 1 loss SEC team that didn't win the SEC. it's happened before

I agree with everything you've said so far.

We can set our hopes high but it's still one game at a time.

Sic 'em Bears!