College Football Playoffs - Tom Osborne and Craig Bohl see things differently

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knapplc

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Craig Bohl knows this much: The Football Championship Subdivision playoff model works just fine, thank you, and a playoff likely would work in the Football Bowl Subdivision, he said.


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Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne said last week he is concerned an extended playoff might negatively impact participants' academics and exact too much of a physical toll.

Bohl has great respect for Osborne — Bohl modeled his NDSU program after the powerhouse Osborne built at Nebraska as its head coach.

However, Bohl essentially shoots down Osborne's concerns.

North Dakota State's team grade-point average is the highest it has been in five years, he said. He also pointed out his team was in the midst of final exams the week it defeated Georgia Southern in the semifinals. Even so, the Bison held the Eagles to 186 rushing yards after the Eagles dented Alabama for 302 earlier in the season.

"Football players are awfully resilient," Bohl said. "I don't think we're asking too much of them."
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Lots more from the interview HERE. Bohl raises several good points, and dispels many false notions about what a playoff would mean in the upper division. It's a compelling argument, and from a guy who spent a fair amount of time in FBS before going to FCS, he's got the experience to know which system is best.

Sometimes, listening to Osborne, I wonder where he's getting his information. And whose back he's got in this debate.

 
It's going to be a long offseason.

I saw Bohl was going to be interviewed a few days ago and my first thought was "Who gives a crap what Craig Bohl thinks?" after reading, simply for thoroughness that's still where I am at. Other then being Sipple's friend I don't see how Bohl or any other D2 coach should have a say (or is relevant to) the discussion, especially one that pretty well sucked at the D1 level, and wouldn't even be on the radar here (still) if he wasn't a couple states away and always eager to talk to his old pal reporter in big city Lincoln.

 
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redblooded said:
It's going to be a long offseason.

I saw Bohl was going to be interviewed a few days ago and my first thought was "Who gives a crap what Craig Bohl thinks?" after reading, simply for thoroughness that's still where I am at. Other then being Sipple's friend I don't see how Bohl or any other D2 coach should have a say (or is relevant to) the discussion, especially one that pretty well sucked at the D1 level, and wouldn't even be on the radar here (still) if he wasn't a couple states away and always eager to talk to his old pal reporter in big city Lincoln.
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Bohl's opinion on the subject is tremendously relevant, having gone from D1A to a playoff setup. Yeah, he sucked as a DC here, but he's a damned good HC. Some guys just need to find their correct niche. Callahan is a horrible HC, but thrives as an Assistant. His opinion would have merit, too.

Being buddies with Sipple doesn't make Bohl's opinion less valid. It's irrelevant, actually.

 
Being a long time play-off proponent....................the fact that Bohl agrees with me makes me think he is pretty smart............... :rolleyes:

 
I was aware that FCS only played 11 regular season games but unaware that they don't have any bye weeks during the regular season. If you make the playoffs and are seeded anywhere from 1-16, you have two weeks off before your first playoff game. Seeds 17-20 start playoffs the following weekend after regular season ends. If you make the finals, you have two weeks off to prepare for the game. So essentially those teams that are lucky enough to be seeded 1-16 are able to go home for Thanksgiving and spend time with their families since regular season ends the weekend before Thanksgiving. If you make the finals, you still get to go home and spend Christmas with family since the semifinal games are played the weekend before Christmas. That kind of sets up nicely for student-athletes for the sake of the holidays.

 
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We are never going to see a playoff system as extensive as FCS. They have so many teams because they have no bowl system to reward "good" seasons. College basketball has no bowl system to reward "good" seasons. FBS College football? The bowls are never going away. There is just too much money involved for certain beneficiaries to do away with them. I also feel there is just no room for any more than an 8 team playoff, but it is very necessary for no less than 4. It just needs to be settled on the field one way or another.

The academics and health reasons are just excuses for trying to save the current $$$ system. I know Osborne cites these reasons but I think they are bogus reasons in an effort to look out for our best interests as a member of a big time conference financially, I understand that. But to say as highly trained and fit these players couldnt so much as squeeze out one to 2 more games a year is hogwash. Academics? How many days of classes to players miss for road trips during the season? And we're only talking about one to 2 at the most extra games.

 
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Would Bohl still be in favor of the playoff had his team went undefeated in the regular season and lost to a 4 loss team in the 3rd round?

 
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