Start off with a game against the 12th seed at home. 12th seed is almost always going to be some Group of 5 champ. 5th seed is going to be at least a two TD favorite. the 5th seed gets that game at home as well, who wouldn't want a nationally relevant game at home against an overmatched opponent? Great revenue for the whole town with only a small chance of a loss.
Then in the quarters, the 5th seed will get the 4th seed, which will almost always be the easiest opponent left. the 4th best conference champion, usually the worst between the Big XII or ACC champs. Like a Utah, Arizona, K State, way easier than facing a tOSU or Georgia.
5th seed is the easiest path to the Semifinals and gets the school the revenue, exposure and recruiting advantages of an additional home game. I wonder if any team will angle for it, by tanking the conference championship game?
Just a hypothetical, but say you are 11-1 Utah and ranked 2 by the selection committee, playing an 8-4 K-State in the Big 12 championship game. Win, take the bye then play a team like Texas in the quarterfinals, tank the game, rest your good players, take the loss, then play Liberty at home then have a rematch with K-State. Could be tempting.
Honestly I don't see anybody tanking a conference championship to do it, but the 5th seed is going to be the easiest path to the Semifinals.
Then in the quarters, the 5th seed will get the 4th seed, which will almost always be the easiest opponent left. the 4th best conference champion, usually the worst between the Big XII or ACC champs. Like a Utah, Arizona, K State, way easier than facing a tOSU or Georgia.
5th seed is the easiest path to the Semifinals and gets the school the revenue, exposure and recruiting advantages of an additional home game. I wonder if any team will angle for it, by tanking the conference championship game?
Just a hypothetical, but say you are 11-1 Utah and ranked 2 by the selection committee, playing an 8-4 K-State in the Big 12 championship game. Win, take the bye then play a team like Texas in the quarterfinals, tank the game, rest your good players, take the loss, then play Liberty at home then have a rematch with K-State. Could be tempting.
Honestly I don't see anybody tanking a conference championship to do it, but the 5th seed is going to be the easiest path to the Semifinals.
