[SeattleTree]

If "going to the playoff" is what matters to you, again, you ought to be rooting for UCLA over the 59ers:

1) because it increases the odds of winning the division
2) because it means, performance-wise, that Stanford beat a marginally better team rather than a marginally worse team last Thursday, which in turn means Stanford is more likely to beat the other teams on its schedule.

I've already explained why I want Cal to win tonight and why I think it helps Stanford's chances of making the playoff.  The ONLY way Stanford makes the playoff is if they win out, which by default means winning the division and winning the conference championship game.  I think even if Stanford does win out there's a chance they don't make the playoff.  I think the committee factors in how the team is playing to end the season, so three impressive wins (over a highly ranked Cal, highly ranked Notre Dame and a highly ranked Utah) would seem to give Stanford the best chance to close on a high note and impress the committee.  That's why I'll be cheering for each of those three teams to win out until Stanford plays (and hopefully beats) them.  Shoot for the stars, wim.  Shoot for the stars.

[SeattleTree]

If "going to the playoff" is what matters to you, again, you ought to be rooting for UCLA over the 59ers:

1) because it increases the odds of winning the division
2) because it means, performance-wise, that Stanford beat a marginally better team rather than a marginally worse team last Thursday, which in turn means Stanford is more likely to beat the other teams on its schedule.

I've already explained why I want Cal to win tonight and why I think it helps Stanford's chances of making the playoff.  The ONLY way Stanford makes the playoff is if they win out, which by default means winning the division and winning the conference championship game.  I think even if Stanford does win out there's a chance they don't make the playoff.  I think the committee factors in how the team is playing to end the season, so three impressive wins (over a highly ranked Cal, highly ranked Notre Dame and a highly ranked Utah) would seem to give Stanford the best chance to close on a high note and impress the committee.  That's why I'll be cheering for each of those three teams to win out until Stanford plays (and hopefully beats) them.  Shoot for the stars, wim.  Shoot for the stars.