NCAA College Football Playoffs

 The NCAA has expanded the College Football Playoffs. The previous format consisted of  the top 4 teams based on the rankings of the College Football Playoffs selection committee. The CFP will adjust the process and award the top spots to the power 4 conference champions. After those teams are desinated one thru 5,7 more teams will be selected and ranked from 6 to 12.

The higher seed will host the lower seed and have home field advantage.The top 4 teams will recieve a bye as the remaining 8 will be matched with the higher seed playing the lowest. If the team that is slotted at 5 did not finish in the top 12 final ranking of the season,they will drop to the 12 seed. The next round the yop 4 seeds will be asign to a bowl game that there is a historic connection. For example,the Big Ten confrence champion would be designated to the Rose Bowl.After this quarterfinal round,a final four will remain with the winners meeting for the National Championship  on January 20,2025.

If this format were in place in 2023,Florida State would have the 5th seed and played Oklahoma.Georgia would have a home game against Penn State. Ohio State would have played Ole Miss. Oregon would have squared off against Missouri. Nased on how each of these teams performed in bowl games I have the following teams advancing. Oklahoma and Georgia would advance easily. Oregon would move on while the Ole Miss and Buckeyes would be a toss up.The Big Ten would have 5 teams in the playoffs. The Big 12 would have 3 while the SEC would 4. Noticeably absent is the ACC. With the restructuring of several conferences and the dismantling of the Pac 12,expect the power teams to get the top players via recruiting and the transfer portal. 

While the new playoff format will create excitement and generate revenue,there are some consequences.The departures of USC, UCLA,Oregon and Washington, has essentially ended the Pac-12 as a power conference. The NCAA by laws allows the Pac-12 a two year grace period to have at least 8team based on the departures. The mid major conferences  must go undefeated to merit consideration for the playoffs. teams.As a result,the power conferences will be reluctant to play against mid major schools. This will hamper the mid major programs from landing the best recruits. The playoffs will allow more exposure to the NCAA College football players.More exposure and opportunities to have Names,Image and Likeness (NIL) deals.

Enjoy this clip about the new format.

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Sweet Sixteen

The Sweet Sixteen is set. Not exactly how I envisioned it. But that is the beauty of the tournament. Let's look ar the matchups and try to get an Elite Eight.

Gonzaga beats Creighton: Gonzaga is the most explosive team and have scored over 80 points in both of their games. Creighton does not have enough firepower and must play exceptional just to hang around. Bulldogs -13.5 and 158.

Oregon over USC: Oregon controled Iowa and never let them in the game. I expect the same again when they play the Trojans. Should be a high scoring game. Ducks -2.5 and 139.

Alabama destroys UCLA: Alabama is the 2nd best team in the tournament right now. They will shoot exceptional from distance. Bruins run out of the gym. Bama -6 and 145.5

Michigan defeats Florida State: Michigan is deeper and more talented. They wear State down in a close game early and pull away late. Wolverines -3 and 143.5.

Houston over Syracuse: Houston will solve the Cuse zone and dominate the glass. Defensively sound enoughto hold Buddy Bonheim under 20 points. He has to get 25 or more for Orangeman to stay in it. Cougars -6 and 140.5.

Loyala Chicago beats Oregon State: Loyala control the tempo and wins this game. I can't go against Sister Jean after she prdicted the win over Illinois. Pac 10 have been impressive but styles dictate a Ramblers win. Ramblers -6.5 and 125.

Oral Roberts upsets Arkansas: The high powered Golden Eagles continue their impressive run and defeat the Razorbacks. Oral Roberts +11 and 159.

Baylor over Villanova. Nova is tournament ready and surprise me to get this far without Collin Gillespie. Baylor is too strong and will wear the Wildcats out. Bears -6.5 and 140.5.

My bracket that I selected prior to the tournament needs wins from Baylor, Houston,Gonzaga, Alabama and Arkansas to stay in the hunt. In making my selections, I looked at how the teams are playing now. If you view the entire remaining teams as a reseed then it is easier to evaluate the field. When you get to the Elite Eight I would look at the higher seeded team winning in each game. So they will be one or wo more upsets left before the Final Four.  To quote Jay Z, "Choose One".

Hopefully your teams will be on to the next one and meet in the Elite Eight. Follow me on Twitter where I discuss #sportsbetting and #gaming entertainment.  Check out my articles in Bettors Insider and in the January edition of Igaming player. 

This Month in Sports Betting and Sports Business

I have changed the time period for this post to include news and information from the G2E 2019. The college world is addressing the sports betting landscape by not allowing students to wager on their school teams. Every school has not adopted this practice but all are looking at what steps should be taken to protect the student athlete. For now, all have held fast to the NCAA standard that was in place prior to the Supreme Court overturning PASPA. This article from the New York Times goes into more detail.

G2E takeaways for me continue to be pushing innovation, provide content and make your operation appeal to your customer. A strong mobile app is imperative. A great social experience that makes being in the sports book comparable to going to a movie. I could wait and see it in my home but that would lack the exciting of seeing the movie in a packed house. Add 5G capability and high definition resolution viewing and you have something worth leaving home for. 

Executive Panel includes Gary Bettman Matt King,Greg Carlin and Joe Asher

Partnerships with professional sports teams are ways to heighten brand recognition of the sports business. Casinos know the gaming operations and have the customer base. The teams have the data and the venues. The synergy in the collaboration can be reap tremendous marketing opportunities that go beyond sports betting.

The Nerd Street Gamers have enter into a major agreement with Five Below to bring esports into the retail store chain. The strategy is to have the esports centers in stores near high schools and middle schools. This is the innovation I referred to earlier. Kudos to Wayne Kimmel and John Fazio.

The Bet on Sports America is on my agenda for 2020. It should also be on yours. My latest video that addresses Sports Betting is here.

March Madness is Crazy!!

 

I love this time of year. College basketball on television all day long into the late evening. Great match ups between teams that would never play against each other ordinarily. A one seed vs. a 16 is like David against Goliath. David can only win with divine intervention. The domination of a 2 vs. a 15 is not as prevalent. The 15 has pulled off an upset in the past. Ask Duke.

 

What I don't care for is the speculation of the last 4 in, last 4 out. The selection committee has to explain why certain teams were not selected. So to spend energy wondering who will get in and who will be left out a month before is a waste to me. No disrespect to ESPN and Joe Lunardi.

LAS VEGAS in the NIGHT

The best place to watch the tournament is in Las Vegas. If you can get a seat at the sports book. you are in a gambler paradise all day. The games start at 9:00am their time. You have to be up early but it's worth it. Some books let you reserve an area for your group for a fee.

 

 

MGM GRAND

I 'm not thrilled that some novice may be in line in front of me and not know how to bet. This is why they have parlay cards dude. Make your wagers the night before. You can do me a favor and be in line after me.

 

I am enamoured with the parity that the tournament has. Any game that is a match up from 4-12 thru 7-8 has a chance to win. This is straight up. If you are in Vegas, you may want to look at a money line bet if you like the underdog. Look at teams that have upper classmen and go seven or eight deep. The experience will prevail if the game is close.

What really makes me mad is I 'm not going to Las Vegas this year. 1st time in last 6 years, I 'm missing round one. If they had sports betting in New Jersey, this would be a mute point. I could ride down to Atlantic City or use a sports betting mobile app to pick my winners. But since I can't, I must resort to picking against other people. I'll be in a bracket pool that I won't win because someone will pick a 13 seed that will go to the elite eight. I will have that same team exiting in the 1st round. Then the block pool for the championship game will be won by someone who doesn't even follow college basketball. Another 20 bucks donated to someone I hardly know.

    Have you notice the range of emotions I have displayed writing this?  I'll close with a video.

                                         That why March Madness is CRAZY!!!


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