First Round Blowouts

[Kelly_32]

Seems like the media is jumping all over teams that lost big (Indiana and SMU) and ignoring other teams that lost big (brand names Tennessee and Clemson). Lots of talk about teams not belonging in the playoffs and games being uncompetitive.

As you know, all four teams lost on the road by double digits.

Average margin of victory: 19.25

How does this compare to the 30 CFP games played over the last ten years?

Average margin of victory: 18.6

So is that 0.65 points per game really bothering them or do they hate the fact that non-brand schools have invaded their party?

 

[jacksback]

The media has got to write about something. Blowouts happen every year. Nothing is more amazing than what Cig and IU did this year on the heals of 3 pretty bad seasons where IU only won 9 games total. Incredible turnaround!

 

[kmathum]

The media has got to write about something. Blowouts happen every year. Nothing is more amazing than what Cig and IU did this year on the heals of 3 pretty bad seasons where IU only won 9 games total. Incredible turnaround!

Yeah you can't pay any attention to these dweebs. They can't wrap their tiny brains around the fact that we were one of the best teams in the country this year. They just can't believe it.

 

[Bowlmania]

Seems like the media is jumping all over teams that lost big (Indiana and SMU) and ignoring other teams that lost big (brand names Tennessee and Clemson). Lots of talk about teams not belonging in the playoffs and games being uncompetitive.

As you know, all four teams lost on the road by double digits.

Average margin of victory: 19.25

How does this compare to the 30 CFP games played over the last ten years?

Average margin of victory: 18.6

So is that 0.65 points per game really bothering them or do they hate the fact that non-brand schools have invaded their party?

ESPN/ABC/Disney suck big time. They’re beholden to the SEC because of the big contract they have with them, and their on-air “talent” doesn’t even attempt to mask their bias. Friday night the theme was basically IU isn’t that good/doesn’t belong. Last night, if Kirk “Ego Man” Herbstink took any shots at Tenn, I didn’t hear them. Instead, it was variations of “you’ve got to hand it to Ohio State.”

I can’t wait (2 or 3 years) until Cig has the talent and depth to stick it to elite programs like Notre Dame, and overrated programs like the SEC schools.

 

[ORG]

Seems like the media is jumping all over teams that lost big (Indiana and SMU) and ignoring other teams that lost big (brand names Tennessee and Clemson). Lots of talk about teams not belonging in the playoffs and games being uncompetitive.

As you know, all four teams lost on the road by double digits.

Average margin of victory: 19.25

How does this compare to the 30 CFP games played over the last ten years?

Average margin of victory: 18.6

So is that 0.65 points per game really bothering them or do they hate the fact that non-brand schools have invaded their party?

They do not like the teams that are sitting uninvited at the cool kids’ table!

 

[GR8IUFAN]

The lopsided scores in the first round probably has more to do with home field advantage, especially with 2 weeks of prep. That does not mean I think any of the road teams would have won, but the games would have been much more competitive. If they are going to continue this format, at least make tickets a 50/50 split. That rewards the fans of the lower seed for their teams success in making the CFP

 

[Tammany Hall]

50/50 tickets — schools that have to travel reasonably far will rarely take up 40-50K tickets. Even if they did, some of these small college towns wouldn’t have close to enough hotels and places to stay for that many visitors.

I like the idea of 10-15% for visiting fans, like the FA Cup, but it’s not going to change.

 

[Crossblock]

I think We can find a way to solve the SEC multiple 3 loss teams and their exclusion. Put on Your Big Boy Pants and play a 9 game Conference Schedule so You can sound even more stupid than You do now (Yes, I'm Talking about you Lane Kiffin and Paul Finebaum) while arguing that your 8-4 Teams with 5-4 Conference Records should be in the Playoff.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

Literally every year of the CFP there are blowouts in the semi’s and/or finals.

2014 Season - Oregon 59 Florida State 20
Ohio State 42 Oregon 20

2015 Season - Clemson 37 Oklahoma 17
Alabama 38 Michigan State 0

2016 Season - Alabama 24 Washington 7
Clemson 31 Ohio State 0

2017 Season - Alabama 24 Clemson 6

2018 Season - Clemson 30 Notre Dame 3
Clemson 44 Alabama 16

2019 Season - LSU 63 Oklahoma 28
LSU 42 Clemson 25

2020 Season - Alabama 31 Notre Dame 14
Ohio State 49 Clemson 28
Alabama 52 Ohio State 24

2021 Season - Alabama 27 Cincinnati 6
Georgia 34 Michigan 11
Georgia 33 Alabama 18

2022 Season- Georgia 65 TCU 7

2023 Season- Michigan 34 Washington 13

2024 Season- Notre Dame 27 Indiana 17
Penn State 38 SMU 10
Texas 38 Clemson 24
Ohio State 42 Tennessee 17

Was there a lot of outrage about these results prior to this year? This has been going on for 10 years and now all the experts are complaining .

 

[jrbjrb]

ESPN/ABC/Disney suck big time. They’re beholden to the SEC because of the big contract they have with them, and their on-air “talent” doesn’t even attempt to mask their bias. Friday night the theme was basically IU isn’t that good/doesn’t belong. Last night, if Kirk “Ego Man” Herbstink took any shots at Tenn, I didn’t hear them. Instead, it was variations of “you’ve got to hand it to Ohio State.”

I can’t wait (2 or 3 years) until Cig has the talent and depth to stick it to elite programs like Notre Dame, and overrated programs like the SEC schools.

I used to like Kirk but he just talks too much. Constant mouth in motion.

 

[CC Mac]

Literally every year of the CFP there are blowouts in the semi’s and/or finals.

2014 Season - Oregon 59 Florida State 20
Ohio State 42 Oregon 20

2015 Season - Clemson 37 Oklahoma 17
Alabama 38 Michigan State 0

2016 Season - Alabama 24 Washington 7
Clemson 31 Ohio State 0

2017 Season - Alabama 24 Clemson 6

2018 Season - Clemson 30 Notre Dame 3
Clemson 44 Alabama 16

2019 Season - LSU 63 Oklahoma 28
LSU 42 Clemson 25

2020 Season - Alabama 31 Notre Dame 14
Ohio State 49 Clemson 28
Alabama 52 Ohio State 24

2021 Season - Alabama 27 Cincinnati 6
Georgia 34 Michigan 11
Georgia 33 Alabama 18

2022 Season- Georgia 65 TCU 7

2023 Season- Michigan 34 Washington 13

2024 Season- Notre Dame 27 Indiana 17
Penn State 38 SMU 10
Texas 38 Clemson 24
Ohio State 42 Tennessee 17

Was there a lot of outrage about these results prior to this year? This has been going on for 10 years and now all the experts are complaining .

It’s really weird,I know it sounds paranoid but there is a lot of dislike for IU among the media.
I assume it has a lot to do with Cig,it’s obvious that he has ruffled some feathers this year with his ummmm confidence😉

 

[YOTHN]

I used to like Kirk but he just talks too much. Constant mouth in motion.

I think he made of a bit of a mistake based on raw emotion due to his disappointment in the outcome of the game.

This argument is simple. In the end, Oklahoma, Kentucky.........these are teams IU would smash, yet Bama and Ole Miss lost to. Bama beat South Carolina and so did LSU, who lost to USC. Had Alabama or Ole Miss had a similar schedule and not played any ranked teams, won all of those games that they lost vs ranked teams, they would've both been 11-1 and they STILL would've each had one loss to an unranked team. IU had none. Its not the schedule!!!!

Anyways, to assume a 3-loss team in the SEC would beat a 1 loss team in the B1G is simply baseless and pathetic. If any team in the B1G or SEC ever goes 11-1, they should ALWAYS be in. You can't go off hypotheticals because I just outlined how there's an equal argument that IU and SMU could've beat those teams. Therefore, you go with the teams that have earned it.

 

[IUCrazy2]

The lopsided scores in the first round probably has more to do with home field advantage, especially with 2 weeks of prep. That does not mean I think any of the road teams would have won, but the games would have been much more competitive. If they are going to continue this format, at least make tickets a 50/50 split. That rewards the fans of the lower seed for their teams success in making the CFP

It also has to do with how teams were seeded. A conference champion should get an auro qualifier but maybe not a guaranteed first round bye.

 

[abraxis]

A lot was being said during the first game that perhaps IU didn’t belong because of the “dud” game. Revealed later was that all four first round games were basically “duds” in firecracker-speak. I immediately pointed out here that we only lost by 10 points, which proved to be the smallest margin of defeat in the four games. Someone here dismissed this fact because 14 of are points came during “garbage” time with ND’s second and third stringers. Well, how about the fact ALL these lopsided games would have had “garbage” time players in at the end so how come these other three “more deserving” teams couldn’t get their final scores within 10 pts or better? Say what you want, but a 27-17 score against ND in South Bend in freezing conditions to me, IU doesn’t deserve to be dismissed as the team that didn’t belong, as is still being said.

 

[Bowlmania]

I used to like Kirk but he just talks too much. Constant mouth in motion.

Enormous ego, and becoming more of a douche with each passing year. I think the big contract with Amazon Prime (Thursday Night Football, $10 mil/yr) went to his head. He deliberately embarrassed Booger McFarland with a condescending comment during the CFP Selection Show that looked/sounded much worse in real-time than how it comes across in print.

 

[YOTHN]

It’s really weird,I know it sounds paranoid but there is a lot of dislike for IU among the media.
I assume it has a lot to do with Cig,it’s obvious that he has ruffled some feathers this year with his ummmm confidence😉

I think that is the issue as well. I have said since day 1, the arrogance comes off as genius as long as you win. His value was amplified tenfold because when you back up wild statements like he had made, it's hard not to believe it's true. The downside is if you lose, the bottom can come out from under you and it's a really hard crash.

I don't mind coach being himself and he may have had a motivational reason to sit at that desk on Friday and give the internet another clip for the ages, but I would rather it be spread out a bit. lol At this point, it's hard to question this man though. So, carry on!

 

[frikkenfrakken]

I think he made of a bit of a mistake based on raw emotion due to his disappointment in the outcome of the game.

This argument is simple. In the end, Oklahoma, Kentucky.........these are teams IU would smash, yet Bama and Ole Miss lost to. Bama beat South Carolina and so did LSU, who lost to USC. Had Alabama or Ole Miss had a similar schedule and not played any ranked teams, won all of those games that they lost vs ranked teams, they would've both been 11-1 and they STILL would've each had one loss to an unranked team. IU had none. Its not the schedule!!!!

Anyways, to assume a 3-loss team in the SEC would beat a 1 loss team in the B1G is simply baseless and pathetic. If any team in the B1G or SEC ever goes 11-1, they should ALWAYS be in. You can't go off hypotheticals because I just outlined how there's an equal argument that IU and SMU could've beat those teams. Therefore, you go with the teams that have earned it.

Yeah, their whole "I guess we shouldn't schedule tough games then!" hissy fit after Alabama got knocked out by Clemson would make sense if they got excluded for losing some big OOC game, but that's not what happened. They lost conference games to shitty conference teams. We beat the teams we were supposed to beat. They did not. Don't wanna get left out? Don't lose to Vanderbilt.

We beat the nerdy private school in our conference.

 

[Bowlmania]

A lot was being said during the first game that perhaps IU didn’t belong because of the “dud” game. Revealed later was that all four first round games were basically “duds” in firecracker-speak. I immediately pointed out here that we only lost by 10 points, which proved to be the smallest margin of defeat in the four games. Someone here dismissed this fact because 14 of are points came during “garbage” time with ND’s second and third stringers. Well, how about the fact ALL these lopsided games would have had “garbage” time players in at the end so how come these other three “more deserving” teams couldn’t get their final scores within 10 pts or better? Say what you want, but a 27-17 score against ND in South Bend in freezing conditions to me, IU doesn’t deserve to be dismissed as the team that didn’t belong, as is still being said.

This will all blow over after the next round on New Year's Eve/New Year's Day. Nobody will give a shit and, next year this time, the only thing people will see (and/or remember) will be the score, which was respectable.

What I'll remember, though, is that Ohio State pulled their starters early in the 4th quarter against one of the SEC's marquee teams, Tennessee. That embarrassing blowout of an SEC team would have been even worse if OSU hadn't emptied the bench.

 

[YOTHN]

A lot was being said during the first game that perhaps IU didn’t belong because of the “dud” game. Revealed later was that all four first round games were basically “duds” in firecracker-speak. I immediately pointed out here that we only lost by 10 points, which proved to be the smallest margin of defeat in the four games. Someone here dismissed this fact because 14 of are points came during “garbage” time with ND’s second and third stringers. Well, how about the fact ALL these lopsided games would have had “garbage” time players in at the end so how come these other three “more deserving” teams couldn’t get their final scores within 10 pts or better? Say what you want, but a 27-17 score against ND in South Bend in freezing conditions to me, IU doesn’t deserve to be dismissed as the team that didn’t belong, as is still being said.

ha "Garbage time points". That is an insane argument people keep making. Riley Leonard scored with a little over 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Do we consider that a garbage time TD too?

 

[gator mcCluskey]

ha "Garbage time points". That is an insane argument people keep making. Riley Leonard scored with a little over 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Do we consider that a garbage time TD too?

It’s a complete joke. If IU makes that second two point conversion it’s a one possession game with another onside kick on the way. I GUARANTEE you Notre Dame did not want to be in that position.

 

[abraxis]

I think that is the issue as well. I have said since day 1, the arrogance comes off as genius as long as you win. His value was amplified tenfold because when you back up wild statements like he had made, it's hard not to believe it's true. The downside is if you lose, the bottom can come out from under you and it's a really hard crash.

I don't mind coach being himself and he may have had a motivational reason to sit at that desk on Friday and give the internet another clip for the ages, but I would rather it be spread out a bit. lol At this point, it's hard to question this man though. So, carry on!

Cignetti’s overzealous confidence has made him, along with IU, a household name in the housing subdivisions of college football fans. Cignetti…Curt Cignetti is a very catchy name and a great one for a football coach. Imagine if it had been Harry Johnson or, God forbid, Larry Dorfman. He said he wasn’t on campus more than 2 hours before recognizing it as a downtrodden fanbase of low self esteem. The first thing he did was to rally the crowd with around him instilling confidence with his now iconic quote, “I win. Google me!” Google him Football Nation did and IU has been in the conversation ever since. Thank you, Coach Cignetti!

 

[mobilehoosier]

Two cents: We lost two games this year. On the road to top 5 teams. We got handled up front in both.
Our loss to ND was 10 points. As shitty as I felt Friday night on Saturday, we had the closest game.
Tennesse looked about like we did at OSU. Nobody saying that but they should.
I like the reference above about the cool kid's table.
Screw everyone else. This is about money. Must be taken. Will not be given.
Go Hoosiers!

 

[BassLake]

Part of the reason IU is coming in for so much heat from critics is that their game was the first of the playoffs -- and the only Friday night contest. Some of the awful play by teams like Tennessee get lost in the clutter of a three-game Saturday lineup. After IU lost, everyone had plenty of time to tee up their complaints for Saturday morning. (Witness Kirk Herbstreit, who blasted IU on Game Day but seemed to have little negative to say about the Vols' awful performance even though it was happening right in front of him.) My guess is the same thing will happen with the next round. The Dec. 31 game between PSU and Boise State is likely to come in for far more criticism than any of the losers in the three games on Jan. 1 ... especially if that Friday loser is Boise.

 

[ams66]

Enormous ego, and becoming more of a douche with each passing year. I think the big contract with Amazon Prime (Thursday Night Football, $10 mil/yr) went to his head. He deliberately embarrassed Booger McFarland with a condescending comment during the CFP Selection Show that looked/sounded much worse in real-time than how it comes across in print.

There is just too much talk in Football telecasts altogether. Game time listed at 8:00, turns out it's 20 minutes of blather and an 8:20 kickoff. Just get on with it, some people have to work in the morning. Then constant drivel throughout the game.

 

[CC Mac]

Part of the reason IU is coming in for so much heat from critics is that their game was the first of the playoffs -- and the only Friday night contest. Some of the awful play by teams like Tennessee get lost in the clutter of a three-game Saturday lineup. After IU lost, everyone had plenty of time to tee up their complaints for Saturday morning. (Witness Kirk Herbstreit, who blasted IU on Game Day but seemed to have little negative to say about the Vols' awful performance even though it was happening right in front of him.) My guess is the same thing will happen with the next round. The Dec. 31 game between PSU and Boise State is likely to come in for far more criticism than any of the losers in the three games on Jan. 1 ... especially if that Friday loser is Boise.

IU received much more criticism than TCU did when Georgia hung 60+ on them in Championship Game a few years back.
Lots of hatred out there concerning IU which I find extremely odd.

 

[daddyhoosier]

We beat the nerdy private school in our conference.

Chef's kiss 🤌

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

I think he made of a bit of a mistake based on raw emotion due to his disappointment in the outcome of the game.

This argument is simple. In the end, Oklahoma, Kentucky.........these are teams IU would smash, yet Bama and Ole Miss lost to. Bama beat South Carolina and so did LSU, who lost to USC. Had Alabama or Ole Miss had a similar schedule and not played any ranked teams, won all of those games that they lost vs ranked teams, they would've both been 11-1 and they STILL would've each had one loss to an unranked team. IU had none. Its not the schedule!!!!

Anyways, to assume a 3-loss team in the SEC would beat a 1 loss team in the B1G is simply baseless and pathetic. If any team in the B1G or SEC ever goes 11-1, they should ALWAYS be in. You can't go off hypotheticals because I just outlined how there's an equal argument that IU and SMU could've beat those teams. Therefore, you go with the teams that have earned it.

There is clearly a “brotherhood” in the SEC that isn’t as prevalent in other conferences. Lame Kiffin tweeting from his couch on Friday and Saturday and proclaiming “Go VOLS!” You don’t see Big Ten rival coaches doing much of this. They blasted him for it talking about how he was cheering on a rival from in conference. In his lone season at UT, Kiffin ended 7-6, 4-4 in conference play and lost his bowl game. He was widely disliked by the Tennessee fanbase.
Of course, when Kiffin was an assistant under Saban at Alabama, there was the whole sordid affair that Kiffin had with Saban’s daughter that reportedly ended in a physical altercation between Nick and Lame, while Kiffin was also romantically involved with a booster at the time.
I think the Cignetti-Saban connection is not quite as strong as one thinks. Yes, Cig had indicated very positive comments about modeling his approach after Saint Nick but I think that there is some strain there too, which is why Saban doesn’t go out of his way to talk up Cignetti. And Cignetti is a polarizing figure and easy to dislike by the talking heads.

 

[IUCrazy2]

There is clearly a “brotherhood” in the SEC that isn’t as prevalent in other conferences. Lame Kiffin tweeting from his couch on Friday and Saturday and proclaiming “Go VOLS!” You don’t see Big Ten rival coaches doing much of this. They blasted him for it talking about how he was cheering on a rival from in conference. In his lone season at UT, Kiffin ended 7-6, 4-4 in conference play and lost his bowl game. He was widely disliked by the Tennessee fanbase.
Of course, when Kiffin was an assistant under Saban at Alabama, there was the whole sordid affair that Kiffin had with Saban’s daughter that reportedly ended in a physical altercation between Nick and Lame, while Kiffin was also romantically involved with a booster at the time.
I think the Cignetti-Saban connection is not quite as strong as one thinks. Yes, Cig had indicated very positive comments about modeling his approach after Saint Nick but I think that there is some strain there too, which is why Saban doesn’t go out of his way to talk up Cignetti. And Cignetti is a polarizing figure and easy to dislike by the talking heads.

Nah, if Cignetti were the coach of Alabama, they would all love him. The fact of the matter is that College Football is a good ol' boys club and most of the announcers come from those good ol' boy programs. They aren't truly interested in seeing other teams come in and dilute the "name" programs.

That bias is even more pronounced when you have the playoff games getting played on competitor stations. ESPN got to run most of the narrative Friday night and it directly impacts their bottom dollar when the conference that spurred them gets more teams in than their programming crown jewel.

 

[Walt542]

IU received much more criticism than TCU did when Georgia hung 60+ on them in Championship Game a few years back.
Lots of hatred out there concerning IU which I find extremely odd.

To me it is all envy. No one can believe Cig did what he did they are all extremely jealous and fearful he will get his seat at the table.

 

[abraxis]

To me it is all envy. No one can believe Cig did what he did they are all extremely jealous and fearful he will get his seat at the table.

Most losses in college football.
Three BT wins in last three years.
3-8 record last regular season
to
11-1 Cignetti’s first regular season
“Playoffs!” (“Playoffs?”)
Sold out Memorial Stadium ‘25-‘26

A farmer might say, OUTSTANDING in his field!

Big Ten coaches know their jobs just got a little tougher with this new “kid,” Cignetti, on their annual docket.

If Cignetti was German instead of Italian, they would be calling him “Wunderkind”.