Baylor, Big 12 politicking for College Football Playoff consideration

Back in October 2013, we took a look at how the College Football Playoff would have squared up had the selection committee been in place from 1998 to 2012. Our own Bill Connelly surmised that most years there would be a clear top three, with the fourth spot consistently in question.

Here we are, in the first year of the playoff. Alabama, Oregon and Florida State are essentially locks if they handle business in their conference title games. The fourth spot? Pretty wide open at the moment. Big 12 contenders TCU and Baylor are seen as the two major candidates (along with Ohio State), and Baylor athletic director Ian McCaw tried to make his school’s case Monday.

“The whole concept of a playoff is determining a champion on the field,” McCaw said. “If it’s on the merits of what was done on the field you would think if there’s already been a game it should weigh heavily.”

McCaw also advocated for an eight-team playoff, suggesting games played on Jan. 1, 8 and 15.

The Big 12 unveiled “One True Champion” as their slogan before this season, taking a dig at the other power five conferences -- all of whom have a championship game. Now the conference is stuck in a tricky situation, with a two-way tie for their “One True Champion,” so Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby attempted to explain.

TCU’s argument hinges on a stronger non-conference win (Minnesota, compared to Buffalo) and a better loss (Baylor, compared to West Virginia). Baylor’s argument hinges on a head-to-head victory. The Bears have an opportunity to impress the committee this week against Kansas State, while the Horned Frogs take on Iowa State.

Update: Baylor has now hired a PR firm to push its Playoff argument.