You really can just pencil in Notre Dame and T Tech in the playoffs next year.

They both should go undefeated with those schedules.

As long as the current landscape is somewhat near what it is right now, the Tech's of the world, the Miami's of the world, and yes, even ND most of the time, have it right. Very manageable schedule, the committee values the conferences still as if they are close enough to each other to matter for CFP rankings, so Tech has an amazing easy path for the foreseeable future. It really reminds me back in the day of Florida State in the old ACC, before Miami and Va Tech joined, when they played basketball schools in conference, with Florida and Miami as their only potential losses each year to keep them for playing for a title.

TLDR--college football is not grounded in reality, but in $$$. And schools like Tech have the money and the conference to compete in very easily. They don't give a single eff that A&M, OU, and tu aren't around anymore. They will gladly take their chances in a playoff system where their talented bought roster isn't nearly as beaten up as the SEC or B1G schools are at this point in the season.

Onionman said:

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The Banned said:

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dcg4403 said:

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The Banned said:

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Normally the Big 12 champ has no business in the playoffs. At least Tech bought enough talent that they may be able to compete. It will be interesting how they adjust/handle first tough team they've seen all year when Oregon makes its through.

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I actually do think Tech is legit even with their questionable schedule.

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Probably so, but they also never got punched in the mouth because they play scrubs. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the other team puts up a fight

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They did get punched in the mouth by ASU.

But they claim that game doesn't count because their back-up QB was playing. Even though their back-up Qb not too shabby and their D gave up more yards to ASU than Miss St did vs ASU.

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And A&M lost to a UT team that got beat by Florida and went to OT against Kentucky and MSU.

You all want to judge Tech solely on one bad road loss that came a week after losing their star DL and QB. It happens. Bad losses happen. You almost lost at home to South Carolina.

Very few schools are going to ever go undefeated anymore. Tech's one loss this year was to last year's Big XII champ, on the road, a team that was one bad call away from beating UT in the quarterfinals of last year's CFP, and a team that publicly stated they had the Tech game circled on their calendar since last year because we beat them. They literally said they were planning for this one game the entire offseason.

It's not the worst loss ever experienced by a Top 10 team.

Onionman said:

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They did get punched in the mouth by ASU.

But they claim that game doesn't count because their back-up QB was playing. Even though their back-up Qb not too shabby and their D gave up more yards to ASU than Miss St did vs ASU.

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Nonsense.

First - the game absolutely counts. If it didn't Tech would be #2 or better. And ASU played a helluva game. It was a payback game from Tech beating them last year, among other things. Yeah, Tech's freshman backup QB was making his first start, and he played an awful game. Yes we had a couple of other starters out too. But that's football, and I fault Joey and crew for not bringing in a reliable backup for Morton in their portal grab. That was short-sighted, given especially how Morton has been banged up his whole career. Heck Tech's achilles heel going into the playoffs is Morton. If he goes down Tech is cooked. We needed a better plan.

But even then Tech lost by four points on a touchdown in the last 45 seconds of the game.

Tech played a bad game. ASU played a good one. Maybe you're old enough to remember Tech beating A&M in games where A&M was highly ranked, vastly more talented, and playing a Tech team that was just hoping to get bowl eligible? I remember those games. They were fun when Tech won them.

Tech lost one like that this year. It's college football. Texas lost one like that to Florida. Alabama lost one like that to FSU. Miami lost two like that. A&M lost one like that to Texas.

It happens.

Tech is the obvious winner of the new system. I would go back to the Big 12 in a heartbeat. Tech would be our biggest rival and we would have an easy path to the playoffs every season. Easy drive to multiple games within the state. Now we are stuck with Texas every season and we have already lost twice.

there are major advantages to being the big fish in a small pond in college athletics

we've seen it for decades in college basketball and college baseball

because all the selection committees are enamored by the loss column -- regardless of opponent

I enjoy every weekend being a playoff level game. We just need to consistently be good enough to win the games we're supposed to and make the playoffs every year.

5 SEC teams made the playoffs this year. We can be one of those 5 on a yearly basis if we continue our trajectory.

dcg4403 said:

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The Banned said:

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Normally the Big 12 champ has no business in the playoffs. At least Tech bought enough talent that they may be able to compete. It will be interesting how they adjust/handle first tough team they've seen all year when Oregon makes its through.

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I actually do think Tech is legit even with their questionable schedule.

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In the trenches, they're undersized. And no one has asked the question, if their defense is so vaunted as the pundits say, how did ASU put up 400 yards and 26 points? 319 yards passing

Bag said:

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borrowed from OR

Is this a problem? Is this the future?

Maybe we just join the sun belt conference and go to the playoffs every year

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I know you're being facetious, but it doesn't work that way. As soon as you drop down, recruiting suffers, hiring coaches suffers, revenue drops - the whole domino effect kicks in.

Not sure this is even sustainable for Tech in the Big12

oneeyedag said:

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In the trenches, they're undersized. And no one has asked the question, if their defense is so vaunted as the pundits say, how did ASU put up 400 yards and 26 points? 319 yards passing

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ASU put up 400 yards because Leavitt had a career day, but more than that, Tech's offense couldn't stay on the field.

Tech was 6/16 on 3rd downs and had the ball a total of just under 23 minutes. That's a losing combination.

Tech is fine losing the time of possession stat because of the fast pace they play, but when you can't get a first down it's a problem. Credit ASU, sure... they played a great game. But that was the worst Tech offensive showing I have seen in a loooooooong time. I was calling for Tech's offensive coordinator to be fired at halftime. Because that's useful when grumpy fans opine on who should be fired mid-game. So I do it.

I would agree, btw, that Tech's o-line is undersized. Tech's defensive line is straight up dirty and will give any team in the nation fits.

Well, duh on my part. I always had it in my mind Tech would be in the CB with UGA SEC Champ in Sugar.

I guess Ohio State chose Cotton over Orange and that pushed technical to orange, given IU is #1 and in Rose Bowl.

Jarrin Jay said:

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Well, duh on my part. I always had it in my mind Tech would be in the CB with UGA SEC Champ in Sugar.

I guess Ohio State chose Cotton over Orange and that pushed technical to orange, given IU is #1 and in Rose Bowl.

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They did not choose, they were assigned. Putting Ohio St in the Orange risked Miami home advantage.

Logos Stick said:

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They did not choose, they were assigned. Putting Ohio St in the Orange risked Miami home advantage.

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This.

And in doing so, they gave Tech a 1700 mile trip and Oregon a 2500+ mile trip to Miami, and people will wonder why a quarterfinal game isn't sold out. I mean I hope it is, but I doubt that it will be.

WhataMaroon88 said:

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Why worry about Tech or their schedule? The playoff committee has seen the weak Big 12 for what it is and 2 years in a row only give the conference winner a spot. That's fine with me. They are in the same boat as the AAC basically.

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The ACC is in a much worse position by a mile, two bad teams played for the championship for crying out loud. Miami's best case scenario happened to fall from the sky. If these trends continue? I don't think the ACC survives this decade.

Skubalon said:

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The SEC has made its own mess.

Y'all do realize that in the final CFP poll - the one that matters - the only one that matters - there are 5 Big 12 teams ranked in the top 25. You realize that, right?

Now, you can argue, and I know you will, that a 4-8 SEC team is way better than at least 80% of those teams. Who knows. Maybe you're right. Doesn't matter.

You know why? Yes, of course you do. Because a 4-8 team doesn't belong in a national title discussion that is decided by a committee.

Until college football gets to a place where national titles are decided in the same way that NFL, NHL, NBA and MLB champions are decided - with conferences and division and clear rules for who is in and who is out, it's going to be this way. And SEC teams are going to beat each other up and out of playoff contention, while teams like Tech and Notre Dame can build up impressive records and get high level seedings year in and year out.

The best thing that has ever happened to Texas Tech footballl is for Texas, OU, and A&M to get out of the way.

The SEC has forgotten that even in a league with dominating talent top to bottom, only a few teams every year are going to reap the benefits of winning.

I don't blame A&M at all for leaving for the SEC when it did. I think it was a great choice, even though it made me personally sad. But UT and OU are going to regret joining the SEC. And until a super division forms up a proper NFL minor league, wealthy teams like Tech are going to reap the benefits.

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But it won't stay that way. The SEC has the gold and influence and will change the rules/conditions to fit the playoff to what the conference wants.

The SEC can and will do that. The big12 cannot.

Maximus of Tejas said:

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Tech is the obvious winner of the new system. I would go back to the Big 12 in a heartbeat. Tech would be our biggest rival and we would have an easy path to the playoffs every season. Easy drive to multiple games within the state. Now we are stuck with Texas every season and we have already lost twice.

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This is short sighted. The BIG/SEC will dictate the coming changes for college football and they'll bend it to their will. You will not want to be on the outside looking in when that happens.

In addition look at techs 2026 schedule. They have one road game in Texas. That conference is spread out across the country because it's literally made up of rejects and outcasts that couldn't get in the BIG\SEC

A. G. Pennypacker said:

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Bag said:

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borrowed from OR

Is this a problem? Is this the future?

Maybe we just join the sun belt conference and go to the playoffs every year

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I know you're being facetious, but it doesn't work that way. As soon as you drop down, recruiting suffers, hiring coaches suffers, revenue drops - the whole domino effect kicks in.

Not sure this is even sustainable for Tech in the Big12

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IMO, it is very sustainable they have the golden egg and no real competition, they are about to go on a 10 year run with 7+ big 12 titles and several deep playoff runs

Tramp96 said:

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Onionman said:

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The Banned said:

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dcg4403 said:

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The Banned said:

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Normally the Big 12 champ has no business in the playoffs. At least Tech bought enough talent that they may be able to compete. It will be interesting how they adjust/handle first tough team they've seen all year when Oregon makes its through.

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I actually do think Tech is legit even with their questionable schedule.

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Probably so, but they also never got punched in the mouth because they play scrubs. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the other team puts up a fight

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They did get punched in the mouth by ASU.

But they claim that game doesn't count because their back-up QB was playing. Even though their back-up Qb not too shabby and their D gave up more yards to ASU than Miss St did vs ASU.

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And A&M lost to a UT team that got beat by Florida and went to OT against Kentucky and MSU.

You all want to judge Tech solely on one bad road loss that came a week after losing their star DL and QB. It happens. Bad losses happen. You almost lost at home to South Carolina.

Very few schools are going to ever go undefeated anymore. Tech's one loss this year was to last year's Big XII champ, on the road, a team that was one bad call away from beating UT in the quarterfinals of last year's CFP, and a team that publicly stated they had the Tech game circled on their calendar since last year because we beat them. They literally said they were planning for this one game the entire offseason.

It's not the worst loss ever experienced by a Top 10 team.

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Wow, nice to filter out the Tech fans here. You are so sensitive about Tech's loss.

I simply answered a question when someone said they have not been punched in the mouth. That is false. Tech did get punched in the mouth. They lost a game just like A&M did. And I would argue to a much weaker opponent. Texas went undefeated at home this year and was clearly much better at home than on the road. That same ASU team had already been beat at home by Miss St.

Bag said:

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A. G. Pennypacker said:

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Bag said:

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borrowed from OR

Is this a problem? Is this the future?

Maybe we just join the sun belt conference and go to the playoffs every year

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I know you're being facetious, but it doesn't work that way. As soon as you drop down, recruiting suffers, hiring coaches suffers, revenue drops - the whole domino effect kicks in.

Not sure this is even sustainable for Tech in the Big12

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IMO, it is very sustainable they have the golden egg and no real competition, they are about to go on a 10 year run with 7+ big 12 titles and several deep playoff runs

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"Deep playoff runs"

Scientific said:

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WhataMaroon88 said:

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Why worry about Tech or their schedule? The playoff committee has seen the weak Big 12 for what it is and 2 years in a row only give the conference winner a spot. That's fine with me. They are in the same boat as the AAC basically.

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The ACC is in a much worse position by a mile, two bad teams played for the championship for crying out loud. Miami's best case scenario happened to fall from the sky. If these trends continue? I don't think the ACC survives this decade.

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I agree with you. ACC is in bad shape. I was talking about the Big 12 on par with the AAC as far as only their conference winner making it. American Athletic Conference, which looks to be the 5th best conferences most years.

Bag said:

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borrowed from OR

Is this a problem? Is this the future?

Maybe we just join the sun belt conference and go to the playoffs every year

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What a joke

Teslag said:

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"Deep playoff runs"

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Tech is most likely playing the #3 team from the B1G, fifth ranked Oregon in the quarterfinals. A&M is playing the tenth ranked sympathy pick from the ACC in the first round.

Care to define what constitutes a "deep playoff run" before the games start?

Skubalon said:

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Teslag said:

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"Deep playoff runs"

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Tech is most likely playing the #3 team from the B1G, fifth ranked Oregon in the quarterfinals. A&M is playing the tenth ranked sympathy pick from the ACC in the first round.

Care to define what constitutes a "deep playoff run" before the games start?

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well, they currently have a fastpass for a playoff bye each year.

Don't worry, many other members of Big 12 will have easy schedules as well. So when all is said and done Big 12 will end up having just as many teams ranked as the SEC.

Wish there was more cross conf games during the season.

I used to like watching bowl games to see who the best conferences are but now they are a farce with all the opt outs.

Auburn and Miss St both went 1-7 against SEC competition.

Yet somehow both were 1-0 against Big 12 competition.

Elmer Dobkins said:

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2 of your 3 OOC games are against FCS schools and your "marquee" OOC games is a realignment leftover that won 2 games this season. The Big-12 is already super weak, and they play their last 5 conference games at home. This is embarrassing, even for tceh.

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Look closer, Conference games were all TBA for game times/dates

soleta27 said:

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Go look at Notre Dames 26 schedule. Their crying is pathetic

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If you go look at Notre Dame message boards, vast majority are upset with the 2026 schedule, and are all angry with the former AD for setting up the weak 2025-2026 schedules (and in general, disneyifying Notre Dame).

But the new AD has rectified that. Go take a look at the 2028 and beyond schedules.

Nd fans accept that the schedule this year was fairly weak. Don't lump them in with Texas Tech.

ND's schedule has also suffered in recent years due to some of your favorite west coast rivals (USC and Stanford) sucking royally. USC was at least respectable this year but they have been mediocre at best for several years now and Stanford has been just awful for years.

Bag said:

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dcg4403 said:

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The Banned said:

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Normally the Big 12 champ has no business in the playoffs. At least Tech bought enough talent that they may be able to compete. It will be interesting how they adjust/handle first tough team they've seen all year when Oregon makes its through.

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I actually do think Tech is legit even with their questionable schedule.

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I dont disagree, but any average SEC team would be 12-0 w this schedule

Tenn
Vandy
Texas
A&M
OU
Alabama
Georgia
LSU
Mizzou
on and on and on


tech has lucked in to a league where they have no natural predators, they are going to run this show for the next decade

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I'm sure you all saw the tweet...

"All it took for Texas Tech to win the Big 12 was for Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas and OU to leave it."

Skubalon said:

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Teslag said:

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"Deep playoff runs"

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Tech is most likely playing the #3 team from the B1G, fifth ranked Oregon in the quarterfinals. A&M is playing the tenth ranked sympathy pick from the ACC in the first round.

Care to define what constitutes a "deep playoff run" before the games start?

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Winning two or three games

No we don't troll

Bag said:

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Skubalon said:

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Teslag said:

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"Deep playoff runs"

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Tech is most likely playing the #3 team from the B1G, fifth ranked Oregon in the quarterfinals. A&M is playing the tenth ranked sympathy pick from the ACC in the first round.

Care to define what constitutes a "deep playoff run" before the games start?

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well, they currently have a fastpass for a playoff bye each year.

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I don't think the BIG/SEC will allow that much longer and they make the rules.

There's also no guarantee the 12 team format with byes survives after this year

Bluecat_Aggie94 said:

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"All it took for Texas Tech to win the Big 12 was for Nebraska, Colorado, Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas and OU to leave it."

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I'm not at all happy with Tech's non-conference schedule. It was pathetic. The conference schedule is out of our control, and Tech wound up playing and skull dragging 3 of the other 4 Big 12 teams that finished the year ranked. Arizona would likely have suffered the same fate, but it doesn't matter.

But for what it's worth, I watched a full day of football last Saturday. Every game. And I didn't see scores for Nebraska, Colorado (who is still in the Big 12, btw), Missouri, A&M, Texas or OU go scrolling by.

Maybe I was having a nap or something.

Skubalon said:

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The SEC has made its own mess.

Y'all do realize that in the final CFP poll - the one that matters - the only one that matters - there are 5 Big 12 teams ranked in the top 25. You realize that, right?

Now, you can argue, and I know you will, that a 4-8 SEC team is way better than at least 80% of those teams. Who knows. Maybe you're right. Doesn't matter.

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Show me who Arizona and Houston beat that warrants being top 25?

They are only top 25 because they play in a G7 conference and the two conferences with actual talent cannibalize each other. Even still, they arent worthy of being ranked. They were moved up to justify the Tech/BYU spots.. two teams who also haven't beaten a single quality team.

Yes, Auburn would have won the Big 12. You haven't faced a defense even half as good as Auburn's all year. You could barely move the ball on 2* mormons.. you would get crushed by Auburn and Florida.

Teslag said:

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Skubalon said:

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Care to define what constitutes a "deep playoff run" before the games start?

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Winning two or three games

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Okay. Sounds good to me.