Welcome to the 2016-2017 College Football Tournament selection
show, sponsored by Brother Doug's Pizza. Now to the ESPN Studios, with Rece Davis,
Mark May, and Lou Holtz.
RECE: Welcome back to our College Football Tournament selection show, and welcome to my old, dear friends Lou Holtz and Mark May. How have you been doing coach?
LOU: Well I am just dandy and so excited that it is time to be back here, and see, who is going to play in this wonderful tournament. You know it's going to be a dandy!
RECE:Guys, we started the weekend with eighteen teams that we thought had a shot at a bid to the ten team tournament. Those were the ten teams vying for the Power Five conference championships, in addition to Western Michigan, Navy, and Temple, who seemed most likely to get the Group of Five bid, and then Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, USC, and West Virginia, who we believed to be the most serious contenders for a Wild Card spot.
Since then, we can say, for certain, Washington, Oklahoma, Alabama, Clemson, and Penn State are in, winning their conference. Of the eighteen, we can say Navy is out, as are Virginia Tech and Florida, as teams that lost conference championship games and do not have a real chance at a Wild Card. So that puts us at fifteen schools. And Mark, I think most of the drama is in the middle of the bracket, the top and bottom are pretty clear. So let's start at the top, who is the top seed?
MARK: Rece, I agree, no drama there, the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide will be top seed. Nick Saban's program is unbelievably consistent. Alabama last missed the tournament six years ago, and this will be the sixth consecutive year, that the Crimson Tide will be a top three seed.
LOU: That is amazing Mark. No debate here, Alabama is undefeated, and the defending tournament champion, by golly, no let down there, I tell you, that is something.
RECE: How about second seed, a prized place in the tournament, because you face a team who had to play a First Round game, like the top seed does. Who do you like Coach?
LOU: Well, I would like to see Washington as second seed. I know people are talking, Ohio State, Ohio State, but Washington had to play a conference tournament game, and they won it. Ohio State stayed home this week. I like the Huskies.
MARK: But coach, it will be Ohio State, as number two seed. Actually, Clemson is the team who could have used the ACC championship game to vault over the Buckeyes, but their performance was just not as strong as needed to get a top two seed.
RECE: So there is not much drama at the top, but seeds three to six are going to be very interesting, because making the top six means no First Round game. And we have Washington and Clemson with one loss, they are in the top six. So now we have two more slots, and conference champions Oklahoma and Penn State plus, highly ranked Michigan for those last two places in the top six. This is a big deal.
LOU: Oh yes it it is, you don't want to have to play a First Round game, that is one thing, but then to have Alabama waiting for maybe the next opponent. No, you don't want to be outside the top six. I think it will be Oklahoma and Penn State filling out the top six. These are conference champions, so they deserve it. Michigan though is still a threat to win this whole tournament, even with a seven seed, they are so well coached, they are scary. But they should be out of the top six.
MARK: No Coach, for seeds three through six, it will be Clemson, Washington, Michigan, and Penn State. Oklahoma will be seventh seed, and with a great likelihood that they play Alabama even if they win the First Round game. They played Ohio State already this year, so the guidelines to avoid regular season rematches may mean they get Alabama, probably in the Sugar Bowl.
RECE: So with Ohio State and Michigan grabbing Wild Card slots, two more remain. Mark who do you see taking those last spots?
MARK: I think it will be Wisconsin and USC. Coming into the weekend, Florida State had a Wild Card spot, but I think Wisconsin's loss knocked the Seminoles out of the tourney, because I think Jimbo Fisher's team would have remained above a losing Penn State team. I think the ACC will lose a bid after the Big Ten championship game.
LOU: I think it has to be Wisconsin and Colorado in those last two spots. They finished the season with two losses, then had to play a conference championship game. They should not have to pay a price for a great season, and some teams sitting home, like Florida State or Southern California getting into the tournament. Aww, that is not right. And what about West Virginia, a two loss team? Why are these three loss teams being talked about and not the Mountaineers? It does not make a lick of sense.
RECE: Lastly, I said there was not much drama at the top of the bracket or the bottom, it looks like Western Michigan is in good shape for that Group of Five bid for the highest ranked champion.
LOU: I agree, I thought Western Michigan was in no matter what the Naval Academy did in their game against Temple. In fact, don't be surprised if Western Michigan is an eighth seed or ninth seed, and not tenth.
MARK: I agree. You know every year, we think it is going to be the previous year's Group of Five representative, and certainly it looked like Houston was in line this year. They beat Oklahoma and Louisville, yet still lost three games in their conference. Boise State also looked like they had a great opportunity and their loss to Air Force doomed their chances. The Group of Five teams have done very well in the tournament, such as Houston beating Iowa last year, but the one exception was Northern Illinois, a MAC team. So it may be a tough game for the MAC's Western Michigan. But they are undefeated, and deserve a chance to face off with the Power Five teams.
Since then, we can say, for certain, Washington, Oklahoma, Alabama, Clemson, and Penn State are in, winning their conference. Of the eighteen, we can say Navy is out, as are Virginia Tech and Florida, as teams that lost conference championship games and do not have a real chance at a Wild Card. So that puts us at fifteen schools. And Mark, I think most of the drama is in the middle of the bracket, the top and bottom are pretty clear. So let's start at the top, who is the top seed?
MARK: Rece, I agree, no drama there, the defending champion Alabama Crimson Tide will be top seed. Nick Saban's program is unbelievably consistent. Alabama last missed the tournament six years ago, and this will be the sixth consecutive year, that the Crimson Tide will be a top three seed.
LOU: That is amazing Mark. No debate here, Alabama is undefeated, and the defending tournament champion, by golly, no let down there, I tell you, that is something.
RECE: How about second seed, a prized place in the tournament, because you face a team who had to play a First Round game, like the top seed does. Who do you like Coach?
LOU: Well, I would like to see Washington as second seed. I know people are talking, Ohio State, Ohio State, but Washington had to play a conference tournament game, and they won it. Ohio State stayed home this week. I like the Huskies.
MARK: But coach, it will be Ohio State, as number two seed. Actually, Clemson is the team who could have used the ACC championship game to vault over the Buckeyes, but their performance was just not as strong as needed to get a top two seed.
RECE: So there is not much drama at the top, but seeds three to six are going to be very interesting, because making the top six means no First Round game. And we have Washington and Clemson with one loss, they are in the top six. So now we have two more slots, and conference champions Oklahoma and Penn State plus, highly ranked Michigan for those last two places in the top six. This is a big deal.
LOU: Oh yes it it is, you don't want to have to play a First Round game, that is one thing, but then to have Alabama waiting for maybe the next opponent. No, you don't want to be outside the top six. I think it will be Oklahoma and Penn State filling out the top six. These are conference champions, so they deserve it. Michigan though is still a threat to win this whole tournament, even with a seven seed, they are so well coached, they are scary. But they should be out of the top six.
MARK: No Coach, for seeds three through six, it will be Clemson, Washington, Michigan, and Penn State. Oklahoma will be seventh seed, and with a great likelihood that they play Alabama even if they win the First Round game. They played Ohio State already this year, so the guidelines to avoid regular season rematches may mean they get Alabama, probably in the Sugar Bowl.
RECE: So with Ohio State and Michigan grabbing Wild Card slots, two more remain. Mark who do you see taking those last spots?
MARK: I think it will be Wisconsin and USC. Coming into the weekend, Florida State had a Wild Card spot, but I think Wisconsin's loss knocked the Seminoles out of the tourney, because I think Jimbo Fisher's team would have remained above a losing Penn State team. I think the ACC will lose a bid after the Big Ten championship game.
LOU: I think it has to be Wisconsin and Colorado in those last two spots. They finished the season with two losses, then had to play a conference championship game. They should not have to pay a price for a great season, and some teams sitting home, like Florida State or Southern California getting into the tournament. Aww, that is not right. And what about West Virginia, a two loss team? Why are these three loss teams being talked about and not the Mountaineers? It does not make a lick of sense.
RECE: Lastly, I said there was not much drama at the top of the bracket or the bottom, it looks like Western Michigan is in good shape for that Group of Five bid for the highest ranked champion.
LOU: I agree, I thought Western Michigan was in no matter what the Naval Academy did in their game against Temple. In fact, don't be surprised if Western Michigan is an eighth seed or ninth seed, and not tenth.
MARK: I agree. You know every year, we think it is going to be the previous year's Group of Five representative, and certainly it looked like Houston was in line this year. They beat Oklahoma and Louisville, yet still lost three games in their conference. Boise State also looked like they had a great opportunity and their loss to Air Force doomed their chances. The Group of Five teams have done very well in the tournament, such as Houston beating Iowa last year, but the one exception was Northern Illinois, a MAC team. So it may be a tough game for the MAC's Western Michigan. But they are undefeated, and deserve a chance to face off with the Power Five teams.
RECE: Men, it is time to go to Brent Musburger in Tampa, and all our questions will be answered. Brent?
Let's go to tournament Commissioner Nelson, who will reveal this year's tournament. Commissioner..."
COMMISIONER:
Thank you Brent. It is my yearly pleasure to announce the teams that
will be playing in the 2016-2017 BCS College Football Tournament.
In the First Round, in Arlington, Texas, the seventh seed, the Sooners of the University if Oklahoma, champions of the Big XII, will play the tenth seeded Western Michigan Broncos, champions of the Mid-American Conference.
The other First Round game will be played in Green Bay, where the eighth seed and at-large team from the Big Ten Conference, the Badgers of the University of Wisconsin, will take on the ninth seed, and at-large team from the Pac-12 Conference, the University of Southern California Trojans.
In the First Round, in Arlington, Texas, the seventh seed, the Sooners of the University if Oklahoma, champions of the Big XII, will play the tenth seeded Western Michigan Broncos, champions of the Mid-American Conference.
The other First Round game will be played in Green Bay, where the eighth seed and at-large team from the Big Ten Conference, the Badgers of the University of Wisconsin, will take on the ninth seed, and at-large team from the Pac-12 Conference, the University of Southern California Trojans.
So let's move onto the BCS Bowl quarterfinals. Either Wisconsin, Oklahoma,
or Western Michigan will move on to the Sugar Bowl, to play the top seed and defending champion,
the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama, champions of the Southeastern Conference.
The
winner of the Sugar Bowl, will take on the winner of the Rose Bowl,
which will feature the fourth seed, champion of the Pac-12 conference,
the Huskies of the University of Washington, and fifth seeded champion of the Big Ten Conference, the Nittany Lions of Penn State University.
Either Oklahoma, USC, or Western Michigan will move on to the Fiesta Bowl, to play
the number two seed, and at-large of the Big Ten Conference, the Buckeyes of the Ohio State University.
The Fiesta Bowl winner will take on the winner of the remaining
quarterfinal game, the Orange Bowl, which will feature the third seed,
champion of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Clemson University Tigers, who
will play the sixth seed, at-large from the Big Ten Conference, the Wolverines of University of Michigan.
The
winners of the BCS quarterfinals will meet in Minneapolis for Football's
Final Four, and the winner of the semi-finals will play for the BCS
championship, right here, in Tampa.
BRENT:
Thank you Commissioner, it shapes up to be a whale of a
tournament. Two questions. What was the bubble team that was closest to
make the field, and secondly, both Wisconsin and Oklahoma have played Ohio State this season. If both win, who will play the Buckeyes?
COMMISH: Brent, just as last season, Florida State was the team closest to making the field, but was not particularly close to USC in the standings for the last
at-large slot. If both Oklahoma and Wisconsin wins, it will be based on the bracket, and seventh seeded Sooners will play Ohio State. If USC wins, they will play the Buckeyes since the Trojans have played Alabama early in the season. Great questions Brent.
BRENT: Thank you Commissioner, and now back to Rece at the studio.
(microphones pick up unsuspecting continuing conversation)
BRENT: Good job Commissioner. You did fine.
COMMISH: I hope people don't compare me to previous seasons' tapes, I am now a 2XL. I'm hideous.
BRENT: Oh yes, they always notice, I bet there will be a meme or two of you on-line later today. You just get used to it.
I know I spend most of my time on the SEC Network, do you think I will get a chance to be on ESPN for the Sugar Bowl? After all, the SEC champ will be playing.
COMMISH: I will do my best Brent. I wish you were at the Rose Bowl and introducing the Indy 500. We miss you.
BRENT: Bless you Commissioner.
(back to the studio)I know I spend most of my time on the SEC Network, do you think I will get a chance to be on ESPN for the Sugar Bowl? After all, the SEC champ will be playing.
COMMISH: I will do my best Brent. I wish you were at the Rose Bowl and introducing the Indy 500. We miss you.
BRENT: Bless you Commissioner.
RECE: So Mark, what do you think?
MARK: Rece, I was a bit surprised to see Penn State move up and over Michigan for that fifth spot. It will be a traditional Rose Bowl of champions of the Big Ten and Pac-12, but not great for Clemson. The Tigers have played inconsistently, and we have a history of third seeds struggling in this tournament, such as Michigan State losing to Stanford last season. With Michigan in the offing, not only a dangerous team for Clemson, but a team that could take the entire tournament, I see trouble for the Tigers.
LOU: Well, they probably ranked Penn State so highly because one of their losses was to Pitt, Mark, so that must make you happy. No really, interesting game, USC going to Lambeau Field to play Wisconsin. Remember when Wisconsin played Clemson in Green Bay five years ago, and Russell Wilson lead Wisconsin to the win, and then almost beat top seed LSU? USC is hot, and boy, they are going to need some heat to play in Green Bay, boy.
RECE: So let’s make some predictions. Mark, give me some teams
that you think could go all the way.
MARK: Rece, I think it is very hard to repeat, but Alabama may be the class of the field. Another team from further down the bracket to watch is Michigan. They play Clemson, then maybe a rematch in Minneapolis against Ohio State. The Wolverines might take it all.
LOU: You know, I really like Washington. They had two tough games to play, Washington State and Colorado, and just blew them away. I think they are really ready. Their coach, Chris Peterson always had Boise State teams that did well in the tournament, so that is some great experience. And Urban Meyer at Ohio State, they came close last year to the final game, the Buckeyes might like a rematch with Alabama also.
RECE: A couple things to notice: only one SEC team for the second year in a row. Who would have thunk that a few years ago. Same with no Florida schools, at one time unthinkable, especially with the championship in Tampa. Lastly, can the Semi-Final site of Minneapolis be dreaming of a final four of Wisconsin, Penn State, Ohio State, and Michigan? Well, stranger things have happened.
So let's look at the brackets one more time:
FIRST ROUND:
In Arlington, TX:
7 Oklamoma
10 Western Michigan
In Green Bay:
8 Wisconsin
9 USC
BCS BOWLS (Quarterfinals):
Sugar:
1 Alabama
Wisconsin/Oklahoma/Western Michigan
Rose:
4 Washington
5 Penn State
Fiesta:
2 Ohio State
USC/Oklahoma/Western Michigan
Orange:
3 Clemson
6 Michigan
SEMI-FINALS in Minneapolis
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BCS CHAMPIONSHIP in Tampa
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