Dan Lanning believes there are many more benefits to Oregon competing in the Big Ten Championship than there are to other coaches speculating about the risk-reward of being in their league’s greatest event, especially those who do not compete in conference championship games.
As the only unbeaten FBS team, the top-ranked Ducks (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) have topped the College Football Playoff standings for all four weeks and will undoubtedly be doing so going into Saturday’s game against No. 4 Penn State. While the loser will probably host a first-round match two weeks later as the No. 5 or 6 seed, the winner receives a first-round bye and will play in the Rose Bowl in a quarterfinal match, most likely as the No. 1 or 2 seed.
Lanning stated, “I see a lot more pros than cons.” For us, it’s the chance to play for a championship in one of the most competitive college football leagues. There are only so many chances to play games, and I cherish each and every one of them for our guys. One major plus is the opportunity to compete with their brothers on the field.
With everything that’s going on this week, college football timing is a little off right now. I’m not sure if that’s the most convenient aspect of the schedule. What an opportunity if you can adjust to the task. Our challenge is to adjust to that chance. We don’t mind staying busy and having the chance to fight for a championship, but some teams that are participating in a playoff game this week get some time to unwind and watch ball.
At-large bids and opinions of the relative difficulty of each team’s route to the national championship are the focus of the political maneuvering that has taken place and will continue through next Sunday’s CFP choices.
Oregon will undoubtedly receive the top seed if it prevails, and it will then play the winner of the No. 8 vs. No. 9 matchup, which as of last week would have been Georgia and Tennessee. In contrast, the No. 5 seed hosts the No. 12 seed, and the victor advances to play the No. 4 seed in a quarterfinal matchup in the Fiesta Bowl. That would have been Arizona State vs. Ohio State as of last week, with Boise State playing the victor.
Lanning views the bye as a significant benefit even as fans and talking heads argue over mythological brackets and, of course, the official one next week.
Who gives a damn? Lanning said, “Let’s go play football, put the ball out.” You face the person they placed in the bracket. Ultimately, in order to reach the end, you must win your games. It goes without saying that having more time to prepare for an opponent has advantages, and winning your conference championship game should also help. There is undoubtedly a significant benefit to moving one step closer to the ultimate objective.
Conference championship games also include the possibility that a team that didn’t even make it to its conference title game may enter the 12-team field, while a loser will be eliminated from the CFP completely due to another defeat. As Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said last month, that would discourage people from attending the event.
According to Penn State coach James Franklin, “I think everyone recognizes that we want to make sure that these playoff games do not become a penalty.” That has, I believe, been the subject of much discussion. The committee has a number of excellent football players who, in my opinion, are aware of that. Apart from that, though, I don’t have many issues or concerns right now because my whole attention is on positioning our squad to defeat Oregon. That’s actually what we’re concentrating on.
Everything else I’ll let the commissioners handle those. I’ll let the college football playoff committee handle those matters, and I believe that everyone is working toward the same objective: doing what’s best for college football and the student-athletes, bringing in the top 12 teams, and attempting to arrange things so that you earn your seed based on your performance over the course of the season and the body of work. We’ll have to wait and see. What I do know is that some individuals will not be pleased with whatever is chosen or whatever happens.
No. 4 Penn State (11-1, 8-1) vs. No. 1 Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten)
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When:
Saturday, Dec. 7
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Time:
5 p.m. PT
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Where:
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
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TV channel:
CBS
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Stream:
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