I like the fact that SOS was a consideration this year in seeding or the playoffs. A team should be rewarded for being successful against a stronger schedule, The operative word here is "being successful".
This season, Maxpreps was used for seeding purposes and it was a mess, due to teams with lower records getting into the playoffs. There's no reason a 1-10 team or 4-7 or 3-8 should be in the playoffs. You may have the occasional upset, but not usually.
Yet, I like the fact SOS plays a part. Teams shouldn't be rewarded with a cupcake schedule.
Here's my wish list for what I'd like to see. Some won't happen and some could. How likely? I don't know, but it could.
First, at the 4A and 4AA level, I'd like to see east and west eliminated and just line the teams up from top to bottom, regardless of geographics. This, more than likely won't happen.
Second, regarding split conferences, I see where in some instances, they're needed. But, I think a minimum won/loss record of say 5-5 should be instituted before a team makes the playoffs. Could happen.
Third, I like the idea of conference champs getting automatic berths in the playoffs. They should be rewarded. I also like the idea of the top finishers in a conference getting rewarded for a good season. Use conference finish and won/loss record here.
Fourth, all conferences aren't created equal. We saw that last night with North Meck going to Richmond and getting a big win on the road. So, once the playoff participants are determined. SOS should come into play.
Seed the conference champs according to SOS, regardless of record. Though no conference champ should be seeded below an at large team.
For the at large teams, seed according to strength of schedule regardless of record. The minimum won'loss record standard would be in place. If a team goes 11-0 with a weak schedule and a team goes 9-2 with a tougher schedule, the team with 2 losses shouldn't necessarily be penalized. Of course, they'll possibly have two losses playing that tougher schedule, but could very well be 11-0 with that same weaker schedule.
The key to accepting using SOS for seeding regardless of record, is the difference between a poll and rating mentality. A poll mentality says team A is 11-0. They have fewer losses and should be ranked ahead of team B with 2 losses. Not necessarily. It depends on who those 2 losses were against. With a rating mentality, one understands that.
One complaint is non-conference schedules are already in place, some for two years. I understand that. Play those schedules, tweak the system, then when those c ontracts are up, schedule different teams. Of course, this could be easier said than done. Others with more knowledge of the process would need to address this.
But, I'd like to see SOS continue to play a part for playoff seeding.
This season, Maxpreps was used for seeding purposes and it was a mess, due to teams with lower records getting into the playoffs. There's no reason a 1-10 team or 4-7 or 3-8 should be in the playoffs. You may have the occasional upset, but not usually.
Yet, I like the fact SOS plays a part. Teams shouldn't be rewarded with a cupcake schedule.
Here's my wish list for what I'd like to see. Some won't happen and some could. How likely? I don't know, but it could.
First, at the 4A and 4AA level, I'd like to see east and west eliminated and just line the teams up from top to bottom, regardless of geographics. This, more than likely won't happen.
Second, regarding split conferences, I see where in some instances, they're needed. But, I think a minimum won/loss record of say 5-5 should be instituted before a team makes the playoffs. Could happen.
Third, I like the idea of conference champs getting automatic berths in the playoffs. They should be rewarded. I also like the idea of the top finishers in a conference getting rewarded for a good season. Use conference finish and won/loss record here.
Fourth, all conferences aren't created equal. We saw that last night with North Meck going to Richmond and getting a big win on the road. So, once the playoff participants are determined. SOS should come into play.
Seed the conference champs according to SOS, regardless of record. Though no conference champ should be seeded below an at large team.
For the at large teams, seed according to strength of schedule regardless of record. The minimum won'loss record standard would be in place. If a team goes 11-0 with a weak schedule and a team goes 9-2 with a tougher schedule, the team with 2 losses shouldn't necessarily be penalized. Of course, they'll possibly have two losses playing that tougher schedule, but could very well be 11-0 with that same weaker schedule.
The key to accepting using SOS for seeding regardless of record, is the difference between a poll and rating mentality. A poll mentality says team A is 11-0. They have fewer losses and should be ranked ahead of team B with 2 losses. Not necessarily. It depends on who those 2 losses were against. With a rating mentality, one understands that.
One complaint is non-conference schedules are already in place, some for two years. I understand that. Play those schedules, tweak the system, then when those c ontracts are up, schedule different teams. Of course, this could be easier said than done. Others with more knowledge of the process would need to address this.
But, I'd like to see SOS continue to play a part for playoff seeding.
