Question about the possible 24-team play-off and rivalries
If the 24-team play-off gets legs, would you see teams pushing their rivalries up in the schedule - i.e. would you see OSU-Michigan maybe middle of the season or toward the beginning instead of the last regular season weekend? If 24 shows up, then conf championships are out, so then if either OSU and/or Michigan feel secure with their seeding, could you see those teams sit players in their regular season games even if it is against their rivals to give some players rest for the play-offs? I would think the only way to fix that is to move up the rivalry game. It was OOC at the time, but the UVA-VT game early in '99 - I didn't see too much of an issue with it. I doubt I would want it as the 1st game. Plus, you could then stagger some of these rivalry games throughout the season instead of most happening at the end.
7 Replies
4mo
Most are in the last week of the season (with a few exceptions like Iowa vs ISU).
Early season games get tons of attendance and viewership because the weather is nice and the fans are full of hope for the season and because everyone missed having football to watch. But the end of season doesn’t have that, so the rivalry games are a good excuse to bump up interest in the late season. Plus it takes advantage of people having time off for thanksgiving.
So I don’t think they will mess with it at all. The only thing likely to change is that Army v Navy might have to share their weekend with more regular season games.
(In response to this post by The_VT_Rock)
4mo
How would you feel (for VT fans) if VT lost to UVA but made a deep run in the play-offs (you can include winning the national championship)? Basically, do what OSU did w/ losing to Michigan and winning it all? I think years ago, that would somehow feel frowned upon - nowadays, I am not sure since the play-offs are taking over the sport.
(In response to this post by The_VT_Rock)
4mo
OSU/Michigan is practically a national holiday here, integral to families Thanksgiving weekend celebrations.
(In response to this post by The_VT_Rock)
4mo
going to be the last game of the season. I think it was the weekend before up until maybe 15-20- years ago.
(In response to this post by mancunian)
S
Stech
4mo
and end the Conference Championship games. Conference Champions are highest ranked team in the conference after the regular season. (It will cause a huge following of the regular season rankings) Also top 12 teams host the first round, which will also focus people on the regular season rankings.
Challenges that can be overcome. Money from Conference Championship games is made up from starting a week earlier and instead of 11 games, everyone has an Out of Conference Rivalry game, that’s 65 games versus 11 games, way more money$$$$$$!!!!!!!!
I have more I would like to do with the Spring game, like FBS vs FCS instead of basically an intramural game. Opening with VMI or W&M is boring or should be, but in a Spring Game it could be really good for both.
(In response to this post by The_VT_Rock)
4mo
Greed will kill in end game.
(In response to this post by The_VT_Rock)
4mo
But in general, I'd like to see rivalry games spread out, even if they stay at 12.
And I would have no problem if UVa-VT became the pioneers here and moved their game to week 1. Would be a great way to gain national attention for the rivalry. Would give juice to the pre-season as well.
(In response to this post by The_VT_Rock)