This is not a vent board or any other kind of therapy. Before you hit the POST button, ask yourself if your contribution will add to the level of discussion going on.

Important notes on articles:

• Please do not copy entire articles into your post; rather, provide links to them.. We are now links-only for ALL Internet publications. If only a small portion of the article pertains to your post, Fair Use allows you to copy those one or two paragraphs, provided you cite the author's name and the publication for which he writes. Otherwise, put a link in the HTTP Link box.
• Even if you're copying a reference to an article, provide a link to the page from which the article came. We're trying to cut down on duplicate topics, and the posting process will check the link to your article to see if it's already being discussed on this board. At the very least, you'll save yourself some grief on the boards.
• If your first reaction after reading the article you're going to share is the author is uninformed / stupid / a jerk / all of the above, it's not worth sharing with anyone. Not every article needs to be discussed. The more the hair-pulling articles are discussed (e.g. ESPN Page 2), the more the authors will write hair-pulling articles.

Post being replied to

Playoff scenarios seem straightforward by garbageplate

ND needs two of the following four to happen:

1. Bama loses to UGA;
2. Oklahoma State loses to Baylor (assuming that they'd pass ND with a win);
3. Cincinnati loses to Houston;
4. Michigan loses to Iowa.

Bama losing is the most likely scenario. Cincinnati has the benefit of playing at home and Iowa is unlikely to generate enough offense to hang with Michigan (although the letdown factor could come into play).

As for Oklahoma State, I'd imagine that they will be about a 6-7 point favorite against Baylor. Oklahoma State won the first game in Stillwater, but this will be a neutral site game (and, as with Michigan, perhaps a letdown is in play). Hopefully Baylor's starting QB, who's missed the last two games, will return next week.

I don't think a two loss Alabama team would pass ND after today's struggle against Auburn, but who knows? I suppose a two loss Ohio State or Michigan could theoretically beat out ND as well.