Boom-thanks again for posting-I totally agree that the line is based on biased perception-it should be Clemson -2.5 but it never will be! After watching the Clemson/Auburn game in September, I realized the Clemson D was even better this year and it will bode well and force Hurts to go downfield where he is less effective....I agree-though they are obviously a elite program and defending champions. for some reason "the experts" do not consider them an Alabama which is fine for betting!.....
Alabama was a clear choice over Ohio State. It's laughable to hear the arguement that OSU's conference wins were so much better than Alabama's to excuse losing by 15 at home and 31 on the road to IOWA. The Big 10 was the only conference to not have an out of conference top 25 win. The Big 10 lost by a combined score of 69-0 in their last 2 playoff games. The Big 10 went 3-7 last year in bowls, 0-3 in games decided by 14 or more points.
The Big 10 has won 42% of their bowl games the last 5 years, 28% winning percentage in bowls games decided by 14 or more.
The Big 10 has won 39% of their bowl games the last 10 years, 23% winning percentage in bowl games decided by 14 or more.
The SEC has won 64% of their bowl games the last 5 years, 73% winning percentage in bowl games decided by 14 or more.
The SEC has won 64% of their bowl games the last 10 years, 72% winning percentage in bowl games decided by 14 or more.
Those numbers are more than just a small trend, it's reality. You can tell me previous years shouldn't matter, but what else do we have to go by? Schedules are made years in advance. Most teams will play 1 big out of conference game in September and then another in a bowl game. The Big 10 has been over rated for a decade. They are basically a 1 team conference (Ohio State). It's just crazy for me to hear that OSU deserved that 4th spot because of all their great conference wins. I agree that Bama's schedule wasn't great, but to me that FSU win was a really good win. There just aren't enough games played in college football to ever have a clear picture at the end of the regular season. A lot of years 1 team or conference is going to get the benefit of the doubt over another. It's easy for me to give bama(sec) the benefit of the doubt over osu(big 10).
. I don't care who you are....we will all disagree on who we " think " should be the top 4....and that's where this whole mess has started IMO. ESPN and alot of the talking heads say this one thing over and over.... I think Alabama is better. I think. I think Alabama is better.. I think.... you keep hearing it over and over. ...not based on what this team has proved or deserved....but by what they THINK.... It drives one of my favorite sayings of all time.....perception is reality. It doesn't have to be true.... You just have to make the sheep believe it. 
.... I'll do the same this year
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