Is winning the conference title really worth it in the long run?

[Hornzup01]

I came across a thread on a Georgia forum where the OP pointed out something interesting: last year, every team that won their conference ended up losing in the quarterfinals. Oregon lost to fOSU, Georgia lost to ND, Boise State lost to Penn State, and Arizona lost to Texas.

Maybe taking that extra week off kills momentum at such a crucial point in the postseason? Or maybe last year was just a weird one-off—not sure, it was the first season with the 12-team playoff.

Either way, it’ll be nice to flex that we won the SEC in our second season. But that datapoint (small as it is) does make you wonder: is it actually better to miss the conference or even lose it just to keep momentum rolling?

Thoughts? 🤘🏾

 

[LonghornFan4Ever]

It’s the same argument people make about getting a top seed in the NFL - rest vs rust.  I think last year was an anomaly and Texas gets to the national title game last season if they had beaten Georgia in the SEC championship.  The extra week of rest would’ve helped them more than playing an extra postseason game.  Being on the other side of the bracket means they would’ve faced Notre Dame, then Penn State, and instead of Ohio State in the Final Four, you get them in the national championship game.

[Hashtag]

I, for one, would prefer a national championship over a conference championship.

[4thandFive]

I get the argument, but I can’t get on board with the idea to not shoot for an SEC Championship every year.

[Joe Naural]

Play to Win!!! Screw losing!  
 

we are Texas
 

 

 

[ArizonaLonghorn]

9 hours ago, Hornzup01 said:

I came across a thread on a Georgia forum where the OP pointed out something interesting: last year, every team that won their conference ended up losing in the quarterfinals. Oregon lost to fOSU, Georgia lost to ND, Boise State lost to Penn State, and Arizona lost to Texas.

Thoughts? 🤘🏾

Could have been an anomaly given that Arizona State and Boise State were only in because of the since-ditched rule about 4 conference champs getting byes.  And both were solid underdogs in those games.

Georgia lost their starting QB coming in to this game, I think Stockton was making his first start.  So they had an excuse.  And Oregon - well ok, good point.  Bad luck facing a rematch against a buzz saw OSU in-conference rival?  But yeah, they looked bad.  Sorry Joe Z

Let's wait until after this year's CFP, when the top four seeds get the byes, and see if it holds up again?  I would expect the (actual) top four seeds to do better this year, but maybe you are right.  We'll see.

[LonghornFan4Ever]

1 hour ago, Hashtag said:

I, for one, would prefer a national championship over a conference championship.

I'm sure OU football from 2001 to 2020 and Ohio State football Texas softball this past athletic season would agree with you.