This was a big step towards the SEC getting no one in the playoffs.

I borrowed JD's quote to start a new thread.

 

Two questions:

 

#1. What scenario where the SEC didn't get a single team in the playoffs would satisfy you as a fan?

 

#2. If the Alabama @ LSU game tonight is close, will LSU get screwed on a call if it comes to it?

I borrowed JD's quote to start a new thread.

 

Two questions:

 

#1. What scenario where the SEC didn't get a single team in the playoffs would satisfy you as a fan?

 

#2. If the Alabama @ LSU game tonight is close, will LSU get screwed on a call if it comes to it?

 

I can't answer either of those questions.. But the SEC beats up on each other every year, which is why I believe we need an 8 team playoff. Let a couple of the "questionable " teams from whatever conference in and let them fight it out with the so called favorites. I imagine in most cases the bottom four would hang right with the top four, with an upset here and there.

I'm going to be completely serious, with the SEC knowing it's risking no teams in the playoffs and Alabama at #5, I wouldn't be shocked if they got the benefit of the doubt on a late all as a way of the conference protecting that cash that would come with a team in the playoff.

I'm going to be completely serious' date=' with the SEC knowing it's risking no teams in the playoffs and Alabama at #5, I wouldn't be shocked if they got the benefit of the doubt on a late all as a way of the conference protecting that cash that would come with a team in the playoff.[/quote']

 

So your saying the games are fixed?

Anything to back that up or just wild speculation.

 

SEC cod have saved Auburn twice today and didn't

An SEC team will still make it.

I'm going to be completely serious, with the SEC knowing it's risking no teams in the playoffs and Alabama at #5, I wouldn't be shocked if they got the benefit of the doubt on a late all as a way of the conference protecting that cash that would come with a team in the playoff.

 

So are you saying an SEC higher up has told the refs before the game to try to help Alabama win? Not a chance. You know you are saying that both an SEC higher up AND the official(s) would have to be in on this, right?

I'm not saying they fixed the game. I'm saying if there's a close, benefit of the doubt call that can be made, it wouldn't shock me at all if Alabama is the team that would get it.

 

Maybe I'm crazy, but I think millions of dollars in revenues could make people do things like that.

 

What about 2010 Kentucky, who'd locked up a #1 seed in the NCAA by that point, going to Tennessee and getting absolutely screwed down there. That game was the difference in Tennessee being on the 6/7/8 range of seeds versus the 3/4/5 range. HUGE difference in those, and a big difference in the revenue that comes to the conference as you advance in each round.

 

In short, yes, I think it happens. Not to the level of them trying to make UK beat Alabama, but I wouldn't be shocked if there was some influence to help Alabama or to do what you could slyly to help an undefeated but not invincible Mississippi State be assured of a spot.

The SEC champion will absolutely be in the final four. And the best two teams in the league are playing right now.

Not a tourney without an SEC team.

So are you saying an SEC higher up has told the refs before the game to try to help Alabama win? Not a chance. You know you are saying that both an SEC higher up AND the official(s) would have to be in on this, right?

 

I don't think they sent an email or even made a phone call where there's some chance of it leaking, but yes, I think it's something that would be very well understood by both the SEC Administration and the Officials.

 

You think the NBA didn't have people on the Admin side in on the awful Kings/Lakers series? Why would the referees care about the big market teams and better TV match ups being played? They wouldn't directly, but the league has much more of a vested interest and might have ways of showing officials "the light".

The SEC champion will absolutely be in the final four. And the best two teams in the league are playing right now.

 

So UGA, Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, or someone from the East gets to the Championship and wins, and they're in?

 

What if UGA loses to Auburn next week but goes on and wins it? That's the best team from the East that could make it. If not them (due to their loss to Auburn), then there's no way Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, or whoever making it. No chance in hell. I really doubt Georgia could even make it.

So UGA, Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, or someone from the East gets to the Championship and wins, and they're in?

 

What if UGA loses to Auburn next week but goes on and wins it? That's the best team from the East that could make it. If not them (due to their loss to Auburn), then there's no way Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, or whoever making it. No chance in hell. I really doubt Georgia could even make it.

 

Those teams aren't winning. The best teams in the SEC are Mississippi State, LSU, Alabama and Auburn. And yes, one (or likely two) of those teams will be in the playoff. And one of them will likely win the national championship.

I don't think they sent an email or even made a phone call where there's some chance of it leaking, but yes, I think it's something that would be very well understood by both the SEC Administration and the Officials.

 

You think the NBA didn't have people on the Admin side in on the awful Kings/Lakers series? Why would the referees care about the big market teams and better TV match ups being played? They wouldn't directly, but the league has much more of a vested interest and might have ways of showing officials "the light".

 

Joker, I hear what you are saying but just don't agree that game officials would go along with this. It would have to be all the officials in on it and if caught, you could go to jail. And for every example of big market making it to the finals, there are just as many others where they don't. You think the SEC wanted Auburn to lose today? You think San Antonio being in the NBA finals so many times recently is good for the NBA - small market team? You think San Fran/KC was good for MLB this year?

I used to think similarly to you on this subject. I just think the downside of getting caught - especially when the replays are so clear now - is too much to try to influence a game.

Joker, I hear what you are saying but just don't agree that game officials would go along with this. It would have to be all the officials in on it and if caught, you could go to jail. And for every example of big market making it to the finals, there are just as many others where they don't. You think the SEC wanted Auburn to lose today? You think San Antonio being in the NBA finals so many times recently is good for the NBA - small market team? You think San Fran/KC was good for MLB this year?

I used to think similarly to you on this subject. I just think the downside of getting caught - especially when the replays are so clear now - is too much to try to influence a game.

 

I'm not sure it takes all of the officials to go along with it. Just the head official, something like that. At the end of the day, those guys being "company men" would mean retention and promotion, and I think people know that.

 

Trying to trace a paper trail on that would probably be impossible because I'm not sure that people in those positions are that stupid, but I'm sure that there are probably winks and nods.

 

I know what you are saying about San Antonio, Auburn, all that. I'm just saying that it's one of those deals where IF the opportunity arises, people probably know what's expected of them.