I was just thinking "hey this playoff stuff might really not help us (ksu that is) very much at all". Realistically, the only way the Cats make such a playoff is to be undefeated. The SEC method of scheduling will almost assuredly produce at least 2 teams with only one loss and such teams will more than likely be ranked higher than us in any RPI/BCS ranking system. This year might be an outlier, but in principle the SEC will almost always gaurantee themselves 2 spots (the conference winner and the runner up in either [OR BOTH!?] divisions). The runner up won't get that second loss to knock them down. I have ashamedly not kept up with playoff talks, but I assume there is not a rule to prevent multiple teams from one conference from entering correct? This was the whole reason the SEC was very happy to have a playoffs which avoids the more than two team rule from the BCS.
I know that going undefeated is the only surefire way to get a spot, but even in the scenario where all teams have one loss or more (imagine if ND has lost), I don't think the Cats get in (no matter who we lost to). If we lost to the second best team it would cost us our most quality win. But I could (likely?) be wrong.
What think you? The playoffs are not going to benefit the Big12 at all unless it can get to 12+ teams and we implement scheduling where you only play one good team a year (blech I hate this). Roundrobin is the most fun for fans, but an unbalanced schedule will help the Big12 get teams in the playoffs and pad the polls.
