Now Now....I thought we were riding the bench on this!

 

Darnit! You caught me!!! I'm done.

My sophomore year we were the four seed and had to travel to Belfry. I would say most people thought we might as well not show up, that the game was "over" before it started. But I never once heard a word from anybody on my team say they didn't want to make the 3 1/2 hour trip down to Pike County. In fact, we competed in that game with them for a half. the score was 21-14 at halftime and ended with a 41-14 final. I don't think anybody left that night saying they didn't want to be there or we didn't deserve to be there. I like the current setup, if teams/schools REALLY don't want to make the trip, they can forfeit. Simple as that.

The only alternative I would be okay with is the top 3 teams advancing with the district winners getting a first round bye.

Understand...But they are an extreme exception to the rule AND I would say then they should have taken care of business when it mattered! And I bet if they were eliminated, schools like that would agree 100% with the statement "should have taken care of business" because they don't look for excuses. They play in an extremely tough district and that would stink for the losers of that district. But they would know what they needed to do before the season even started. As much as it would stink for that district...that is the only district in the entire state that it would effect like that.

 

Thank you. Didn't take care of business. Plain and simple.

Understand...But they are an extreme exception to the rule AND I would say then they should have taken care of business when it mattered! And I bet if they were eliminated, schools like that would agree 100% with the statement "should have taken care of business" because they don't look for excuses. They play in an extremely tough district and that would stink for the losers of that district. But they would know what they needed to do before the season even started. As much as it would stink for that district...that is the only district in the entire state that it would effect like that.

 

I disagree on the "extreme exception" comment. I found 12 #4 seed teams that have .500 or better records and/or a chance at winning in round 1. There are probably 50 respectable to very good football teams that are #3 seed teams - who would be eliminated from the playoffs by everyone who wants only the top 2 teams to get into the playoffs. I don't want the weak teams to ruin a once in a lifetime opportunity for all those teams, players, coaches and fans. Let's offer opportunity to those teams instead of taking it away.

I disagree on the "extreme exception" comment. I found 12 #4 seed teams that have .500 or better records and/or a chance at winning in round 1. There are probably 50 respectable to very good football teams that are #3 seed teams - who would be eliminated from the playoffs by everyone who wants only the top 2 teams to get into the playoffs. I don't want the weak teams to ruin a once in a lifetime opportunity for all those teams, players, coaches and fans. Let's offer opportunity to those teams instead of taking it away.

 

Honestly and respectfully, to me it makes no difference how many teams you found. They can always play a very weak schedule to get their record respectable. You see that in NKY, I know! As for a chance to win the first game, that's great. But I would tell them the exact same thing if they came crying at the end of the season that I would tell T and Manual...take care of business and you're not in that situation. Those teams would know what they have to do to make the playoffs. If you don't do it, you don't make it. Good or decent teams get eliminated all the time. What would you tell an NFL team that is the 3rd place team in their division and doesn't make the playoffs but is clearly better than a team from a different division that snuck in because their division was weak?

 

And I will ask you to separate your first statement and tell me how many 4/5 seeds you found with a legitimate shot to win their first game...outside the super district. Records mean nothing unless you know who they played.

This annual thread and why people try to make football the only sport that doesn't include all the teams in their playoffs is just totally befuddling to me. I really don't get it. I read these posts every year and they just aren't logical.

 

Good point. I also think it is befuddling to me why football doesn't get more regular season games. Basketball, volleyball, and socccer all get more than twice as many regular season games. That too is just not logical.

I disagree on the "extreme exception" comment. I found 12 #4 seed teams that have .500 or better records and/or a chance at winning in round 1. There are probably 50 respectable to very good football teams that are #3 seed teams - who would be eliminated from the playoffs by everyone who wants only the top 2 teams to get into the playoffs. I don't want the weak teams to ruin a once in a lifetime opportunity for all those teams, players, coaches and fans. Let's offer opportunity to those teams instead of taking it away.

 

Here's last year's results on 1 vs 4's:

 

If I counted right...47 1vs4 games tonight...94 teams.

 

Two 4's beat the 1's:

Manual beat Ballard to death (which really isn't an upset when your 4 seed is in the top 8 of the state!)

 

Dunbar beat Tates Creek (a 5-4 one seed taking on a 5-5 4 seed. Both teams played earlier in the year with TC winning 21-20) Not really your typical 1vs4 scenario. More of a weak number 1 from a weak district)

I disagree on the "extreme exception" comment. I found 12 #4 seed teams that have .500 or better records and/or a chance at winning in round 1. There are probably 50 respectable to very good football teams that are #3 seed teams - who would be eliminated from the playoffs by everyone who wants only the top 2 teams to get into the playoffs. I don't want the weak teams to ruin a once in a lifetime opportunity for all those teams, players, coaches and fans. Let's offer opportunity to those teams instead of taking it away.

 

When are the players going to learn that everything in life isn't free? I feel like that lesson is apart of the sport of football as anything is. Football teaches life lessons just as much as it teaches the sport. That is why it is the best sport in the world.

Honestly and respectfully, to me it makes no difference how many teams you found. They can always play a very weak schedule to get their record respectable. You see that in NKY, I know! As for a chance to win the first game, that's great. But I would tell them the exact same thing if they came crying at the end of the season that I would tell T and Manual...take care of business and you're not in that situation. Those teams would know what they have to do to make the playoffs. If you don't do it, you don't make it. Good or decent teams get eliminated all the time. What would you tell an NFL team that is the 3rd place team in their division and doesn't make the playoffs but is clearly better than a team from a different division that snuck in because their division was weak?

 

And I will ask you to separate your first statement and tell me how many 4/5 seeds you found with a legitimate shot to win their first game...outside the super district. Records mean nothing unless you know who they played.

 

I believe it is 8 teams who #4 seeds with a legitimate shot at winning in round 1.

 

By the way ... gotcha ... welcome to the discussion. I figured if I was posting in here for the ___ year in a row making the same arguments again, then you should be in here too.

When are the players going to learn that everything in life isn't free? I feel like that lesson is apart of the sport of football as anything is. Football teaches life lessons just as much as it teaches the sport. That is why it is the best sport in the world.

 

Those players all learned that the first game of the year when they got their butt kicked and lost the game.

Those players all learned that the first game of the year when they got their butt kicked and lost the game.

 

And for those teams that won?

Nonetheless, I think the way the playoffs are set up right now is wrong. We are allowing too many teams into the post season. If you wanted to meet in the middle, top three teams in each district, one seed getting a bye, and the respective 2 and 3 seeds play. If you don't take care of business in the regular season, then that's too bad. Work harder for next year. There will not be as many blowouts, decreases the chances of injury, and rewards everyone for their success in the regular season. I believe that is how it should be. I think the top two teams isn't the best way, however, it is a solution.