I’ve been making an attempt to determine one thing recently: Why is school soccer the one sport the place folks spend all the postseason complaining concerning the postseason?
After which my colleague Joe Rexrode wrote an excellent column and hit the nail on the pinnacle: “We used to argue, now we complain.” We lastly acquired what we wished throughout all these years of arguing over cut up nationwide champions and undefeated groups getting omitted, so apparently we wanted one thing else to be indignant about.
And by “one thing,” I imply “all the things.”
Why has there been such resistance to the identical playoff system utilized in each different school sport the place all convention champions earn a bid and the committee chooses at-large groups and seeds the sphere? What can be so horrible a few 24-team subject with the highest eight receiving byes? This might keep away from litigation by giving each college, regardless of convention affiliation, an goal path to the Playoff and after the primary week we might have a robust subject of groups who had earned their spot. — D.D.
Congratulations on being the one reader who, within the wake of the Tulane and JMU blowouts, proposes we add MORE G5 groups.
We are able to agree that’s by no means going to occur, however your query will get on the elementary rigidity that’s actually distinctive to main school soccer. It’s our fixation with ensuring solely the perfect groups compete for the nationwide championship.
In practically each NCAA-operated postseason, it’s implicitly understood that the aim is to placed on a very nationwide match the place each college begins the season with an outlined path to the championship. March Insanity is a first-rate instance, and so is each decrease degree of soccer. But, the School Soccer Playoff is successfully run by the ability conferences, not the NCAA, they usually haven’t any incentive to be magnanimous.
On prime of that, even these conferences aren’t aligned on what entry ought to appear to be. Going again to the negotiation of the four-team CFP format within the early 2010s, the group was cut up between these (primarily Large Ten commissioner Jim Delany) who felt that the sphere must be solely reserved for convention champions and others (primarily SEC commissioner Mike Slive) who insisted it’s merely the 4 “greatest” groups. The compromise was a range committee that would decide whoever it wished, however give a bonus to convention champions. (Which not often occurred.)
Flash ahead a decade, once we assumed the subsequent step can be eight groups. Nearly all of the general public assumed the sphere would encompass the Energy 5 champions, the highest G5 champion and two at-large bids. Nevertheless, the SEC was by no means going to conform to a format with fewer open spots than the earlier one. Twelve was the compromise to reward convention champs whereas additionally growing the variety of at-large berths.
Nevertheless, all of that was agreed to proper earlier than realignment mania wiped one energy convention off the map and supersized the others.
The basic takeaway from 2025 shouldn’t be, “Why are we nonetheless together with G5 groups?” however somewhat, “Why are we nonetheless prioritizing convention championships when the standings are virtually fully arbitrary?” I’m not simply referring to the ACC, whose champion, Duke, was arguably its fifth- or sixth-best group. It’s attainable Texas A&M was solely the fifth- or sixth-best group within the SEC, however it completed tied for first, and No. 7 within the nation, as a result of it drew a comically mild convention schedule.
I’ve seen many feedback to the impact of: “They need to simply decide the highest 12 groups.” I might love that. So would SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. In the meantime, Large Ten commissioner Tony Petitti is proposing the precise reverse: a 24-team subject the place greater than two-thirds of the entrants are auto qualifiers. The ACC and Large 12 are understandably open to that as a result of they’d be assured 4 berths even when these groups aren’t ranked anyplace close to the Prime 25.
What’s extra vital to you? Ensuring solely the “greatest” groups, as determined subjectively, compete for the nationwide championship? Or, guaranteeing there are a minimum of some goal entry factors and all conferences are represented?
The G5 won’t ever measure up. Why doesn’t the P4 separate from the FBS now and be executed with it? — G M M.
There must be a Group of 6 Natty and a P4 Natty. Extra even matchups and extra soccer. Looks as if a win/win. — Jason H.
This entire episode has virtually redefined the time period “prisoner of the second.” Did everybody have the “Severance” process executed, and now their 2025 innie has no recollection of their outie’s life earlier than it?
This was undeniably not a super 12 months for 2 G5 groups, as no group in these conferences actually distinguished itself. Simply final 12 months, nevertheless, Boise State was a legit top-10 group. Two years earlier than that, the identical Tulane program that acquired shellacked at Ole Miss final weekend beat Caleb Williams-led USC in a New Yr’s Six bowl. And the 12 months earlier than that, Cincinnati made the four-team Playoff. Besides apparently, no G5/G6 group is ever going to do any of that once more.
So, let’s play out these solutions. The P4 conferences say: Let’s finish the charade. We’re taking part in a special sport than these guys. In order that they both deem half the groups ineligible for the CFP, as Jason suggests, or, as G M M. suggests, they lastly elevate soccer out from beneath the NCAA umbrella and type a completely new entity.
Properly, the “P4” is actually simply the Large Ten and SEC now with regards to CFP decision-making. What makes you assume they might cease there? Ten Large Ten or SEC groups completed increased than ACC champion Clemson in 2024, and 2025 ACC champion Duke was unranked. If the aim is to get the 12 greatest groups, why do they should hold the ACC round? And the Large 12 faculties drag down their TV scores. May as effectively eliminate them, too. Substitute Oregon-Texas Tech with Oregon-Texas and money these checks.
It appears now we have a alternative. We are able to sit by means of a few bummer blowouts in December, or we are able to flip the game right into a gated neighborhood to guard the highest 2 %.
Tulane was dominated by Ole Miss on this 12 months’s Playoff, however three years in the past, it beat USC within the Cotton Bowl. (Wes Hale / Getty Photos)
Hello, Stew. At what level does Jim Harbaugh begin taking some warmth for the mess at Michigan? Sherrone Moore is the third coach or staffer in a brief interval that was behaving in an inappropriate method and fired. Harbaugh employed all these guys. The Moore years really feel like an extension of him, however he doesn’t appear to be getting any of the blame for the mess he left. — Steph
Earlier than answering, let’s acknowledge that as a lot as all of us like to dunk on Connor Stalions, he, not like Matt Weiss and Moore, was by no means accused of a real-life crime. Simply an NCAA crime that now appears trite in comparison with being accused of stealing ladies’s school athletes’ personal movies and images (Weiss) or stalking and breaking and getting into (Moore). Nonetheless, I get that it suits a bigger sample.
Harbaugh’s Michigan legacy already felt fairly icky to anybody who doesn’t put on maize and blue. But, on Monday, interim coach Biff Poggi — who was beforehand on Harbaugh’s employees for the 2021 and ’22 Large Ten title seasons — turned the primary in his interior circle to say it out loud. “It has been 5 years of, let’s simply name it what it’s, a malfunctioning group the place there’s one thing yearly,” Poggi mentioned.
That five-year timeframe — versus simply Moore’s two seasons in cost — was fairly the truth examine. No extra glossing over “hamburger gate” and sign-stealing and deleted texts — to not point out a co-offensive coordinator getting indicted by the feds — simply because Harbaugh delivered a nationwide championship. The extra you peel again the curtain, the extra it seems Michigan soccer was a cesspool that gained regardless of itself.
It could be unreasonable to counsel Harbaugh ought to have identified when he employed Weiss from the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 that he allegedly was already hacking into ladies’s accounts, or that Moore, whom Harbaugh employed as tight ends coach in 2018, would interact in a bootleg relationship 5 years later. I’ll even give him the advantage of the doubt that few coaches would have taken a lot time to vet a low-level staffer like Stalions.
Nevertheless, the truth that Harbaugh himself overtly flouted guidelines and loved such blanket enabling from his bosses most likely didn’t encourage a mannequin tradition. “If I’m named the (everlasting) coach … there will probably be large self-examination of what occurs within the constructing, and you’ll anticipate loads of adjustments,” mentioned Poggi.
I’ll give Harbaugh credit score for this: For all of the alleged dysfunction amongst his employees, you not often hear a peep about something untoward by his gamers. If something, these Large Ten title groups have been peppered with acclaimed leaders akin to Blake Corum, Aidan Hutchinson and Mike Sainristil. These guys deserve much more credit score at this time than they did then for thriving at Michigan.
Will the NCAA ever put any guidelines on the switch portal so we don’t see a participant going to a special college yearly? Or are they scared to get sued for all of it? — Jeff H.
C’mon man, attempt to sustain. They already acquired sued. They already misplaced (a preliminary injunction ruling). That’s how we acquired right here.
The excellent news is that faculties have give you an answer: Putting punitive buyout clauses in gamers’ NIL contracts in the event that they switch earlier than they’re up. These are completely ironclad and may by no means be challenged.
Simply ask Georgia.
A&M and OU followers must be glad about their seasons, which exceeded most expectations going into the 12 months. However the two groups wish to win nationwide championships, and their Playoff video games confirmed they aren’t fairly at that degree but. In case you’re the one in cost for every, do you stick to Marcel Reed and John Mateer, respectively, or convey an actual competitors into the room for subsequent 12 months? — Aaron H.
That’s a extra difficult query than one may assume, due to cash.
Among the many questions:
Had been these guys on single-year offers or multi-year offers? If it’s the latter, then it might must be a mutual choice to half methods.
In the event that they’re free brokers, then what quantity is their agent looking for for subsequent season? Is it greater than they have been already making, and in that case, does it match their anticipated worth primarily based on seasons the place they have been stars at occasions (Reed extra so than Mateer) however floundered of their greatest video games down the stretch?
And if you happen to do select to maneuver on, is there another person on the market who’s an apparent improve at a gettable value? If not, is there somebody with higher worth who isn’t as confirmed however has a better upside?
That’s for them to resolve.
Although if I have been Texas A&M, I’d be comfy with Reed as my man. Sure, his 12 interceptions (together with 4 within the losses to Texas and Miami) have been regarding. Nevertheless, he’s come by means of in large spots a number of occasions, from his breakout recreation towards LSU final season to throwing for 360 yards and successful at Notre Dame to the wild comeback towards South Carolina. And this was solely his third season in school, so nonetheless ample room for development.
I’m extra ambivalent about Mateer. For one factor, I do know he was one of many highest-paid QBs within the nation this season, making a reported $3 million. His efficiency didn’t come near matching that. In his protection, he was off to an excellent begin earlier than his thumb harm, and will effectively get again there now that he has time to heal. Additionally, he was carrying the burden of serving as OU’s virtually complete run recreation.
Keep in mind, although, Mateer adopted OC Ben Arbuckle from Washington State, so Arbuckle will most likely stay loyal to Mateer. Possibly if GM Jim Nagy can improve that backfield, it’ll take some strain off his QB. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t harm OU to usher in a youthful, cheaper man who may step in if the wedding proves irreparable.
Hello, Stew: Why is Joey McGuire getting zero credit score for this season? Each time Texas Tech is introduced up, it’s adopted with, “and their $25 million roster.” However final 12 months, Ohio State was reported to be spending fairly near the identical quantity ($20 million) and Ryan Day acquired nothing however reward for successful a nationwide title with little point out of spending. — Nameless
Oh, I recall that $20 million quantity following Ohio State right through the Playoff. McGuire additionally has not but gained the nationwide title. He has not even coached a CFP recreation but.
Nonetheless, I’d agree it’s an uncommon scenario. Billionaire booster Cody Campbell’s identify is arguably extra recognizable than McGuire’s. GM James Blanchard will get loads of reward, too. It’s much less a slight towards McGuire and extra the product of Campbell and Blanchard being so public about promoting how a lot they’re spending and on whom. Whereas clearly an intentional technique to ship a message that Tech, a member of the often-overlooked Large 12, is taking part in in the identical sandbox because the SEC and Large Ten, there’s no query it has at occasions overshadowed the on-field product.
Texas Tech’s fourth-year coach has his share of admirers inside his occupation. In Bruce Feldman’s Playoff Confidential survey, McGuire was certainly one of simply 4 coaches who acquired votes for “greatest coach within the Playoff.” Granted, it was solely 4 % of the panel, however that’s nonetheless 4 % greater than Day acquired. But, I’m undecided most followers exterior of the Large 12 would acknowledge McGuire if he walked into their lounge. That’s nothing towards him; he coaches in a convention that’s a lot much less watched and fewer revered than the Large Ten or SEC.
Nonetheless, many individuals will probably be watching the Texas Tech-Oregon quarterfinal. Notice that the fifth-seeded Geese, not the fourth-seeded Pink Raiders, are the slight favorites on this recreation. That mirrors the hesitation a number of of us have a few Large 12 program with no observe file earlier than this season. That is McGuire and his program’s likelihood to beat a nationally revered foe and show they’re extra than simply their payroll.
In spite of everything, Oregon’s is probably going as excessive, if not increased. The college simply doesn’t promote it.
Joey McGuire has Texas Tech on the verge of the primary top-10 end in class historical past. (Ron Jenkins/ Getty Photos)
The impression of Indiana’s lack of defensive finish Stephen Daley after the Large Ten championship recreation is flying beneath the radar. This would appear to create a large threat to the Hoosiers’ protection after dropping authentic starter Kellen Wyatt. What are IU’s choices to mitigate this loss, and how much defensive downgrade can we anticipate? — Jamie
It’s positively a priority.
You could recall early within the season, I initially mentioned Indiana may by no means win a nationwide championship as a result of it couldn’t stockpile depth like the same old prime packages. After a lot backlash, after which after the Hoosiers trucked Oregon, I backtracked. But, now we could discover out if my preliminary intuition was right. All as a result of Daley injured himself whereas leaping to high-five somebody within the stands after the Large Ten title recreation.
Indiana’s D-line was super all season, even after dropping Maryland switch Wyatt, a profession 35-game starter, in Week 8. The Hoosiers had 39 sacks, tied for No. 6 nationally, and 112 (!) tackles for loss, second solely to Oklahoma. Although Daley, a Kent State switch, didn’t formally enter the beginning lineup till Wyatt went down, he led the group with 19 of these TFLs.
Indiana nonetheless has 2024 sack chief Mikail Kamara on the opposite edge, and first-team All-Large Ten inside Tyrique Tucker. Curt Cignetti is taking part in coy on how they’ll exchange Daley, however the obvious candidate is sophomore Daniel Ndukwe, who hasn’t performed a lot however acquired some reps when Kamara was banged up. Or they may rotate in different younger gamers.
I’m not significantly anxious about Indiana’s protection towards Alabama, as a result of the Tide’s offense is one-dimensional. Even when the Hoosiers don’t get heavy strain on Ty Simpson, IU has first-team All-Large Ten DBs D’Angelo Ponds and Louis Moore defending Alabama’s receivers. Daley’s loss, nevertheless, may catch as much as the Hoosiers within the later rounds, particularly towards Oregon’s multi-dimensional offense or in a rematch with Ohio State.
Are you gonna do journalism and look into the CFP committee corruption? Or are you a hack? — Moby
How have you learnt I’m not?
I already demanded Ivan Maisel hand over his tax returns. I spent a part of my weekend combing by means of Wesley Partitions’ social media. And I dispatched an intern to poke by means of Mark Dantonio’s rubbish.
With that: Glad holidays, everybody! Benefit from the bowls.
