Total number of playoff berths, by conference
by ShermanOaksND (2018-12-12 15:05:09)

In reply to: The Big-10 is pushing this because they can't make a final 4  posted by Jvan

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SEC: 6 (Bama 5, UGA 1)
ACC: 5 (Clemson 4, FSU 1)
Big 12: 3 (all OU)
Big Ten: 3 (OSU 2, MSU 1)
Pac-12: 2 (Oregon 1, Wash. 1)
ND: 1

This is not about determining the most worthy national champion. It's about money, specifically for the conferences.

Of course, in a year like 2018, the SEC would've nabbed a second playoff spot, with the Big Ten also getting two and the AAC getting one (unless voting chicanery caused UCF to be replaced by LSU, for example). The Pac-12 still would've been shut out -- unless the system were changed to ensure automatic bids for the 5 major conferences.

There is definitely a push for an "autobid" for
by 84david  (2018-12-12 15:42:34)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

the regular season conf. champion of the power 5.

We could conceivably have 8-4 (or even 7-5) teams in the playoffs.
Interesting to look at, the results don't necessarily show..
by KevinG  (2018-12-12 15:31:47)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

...strong conferences in the SEC and ACC, but specifically strong programs. Nobody would argue the ACC is a strong, top-to-bottom football conference, but Clemson has 4 bids in 5 years.

Overall, 12 of the 20 bids have gone to 3 programs (Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma). 14 of the 20 to 4 programs (add OSU).
Indeed, Clemson is helped by being in a weak ACC
by ShermanOaksND  (2018-12-12 16:23:43)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

which has become even weaker with the demise of FSU. Clemson is rarely challenged, and almost never has consecutive difficult games.