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This discussion is relevant.  If Stanford had zero chance of getting in the CFP, then Shaw will perhaps use a conservative strategy to win the championship and go as comfortably as possible to the Rose Bowl.  But if there is a 50% (seems high, but it is just a number here) chance that the team might get into the CFP with a big victory but only 5% with a squeeker, then he might be a little less conservative.

If it were the case that our chances of making the CFP don't change as long as we win by 1 or 30, then I'd expect a conservative game.  But, if we win by 5 and don't make the CFP when we might have if we won by 20, I suspect there will be a lot of second-guessing on this board.

So, before the game happens,  I'd like to see people give their measured opinion of whether the win is enough and we should play just to win, or whether it is right to risk the Rose Bowl in order to get a higher percentage chance of the CFP.  Remember, the Florida-Alabama game will be over possibly before the kick off.  The UNC-Clemson game starts a bit after ours, as does Michigan State-Iowa.  (Maybe this should be a different topic, with a poll.)

Also, for those of you that post your guesses at the CCG score, you may want to consider what Shaw's strategy will be.  He might just surprise you.  I can't see him saying that winning the CCG was the first priority, and I can see him saying that he has no control over how the committee votes (but that isn't true, since he can influence the score of the CCG).  But I can't see him saying that Stanford is comfortable just winning the CCG, when the CFP is still possible.

I think going for a big win also improves McCaffrey's chances of records and recognition.  Shaw might just take off the gloves in this one.    If I were a betting man, ...

[M T]

This discussion is relevant.  If Stanford had zero chance of getting in the CFP, then Shaw will perhaps use a conservative strategy to win the championship and go as comfortably as possible to the Rose Bowl.  But if there is a 50% (seems high, but it is just a number here) chance that the team might get into the CFP with a big victory but only 5% with a squeeker, then he might be a little less conservative.

If it were the case that our chances of making the CFP don't change as long as we win by 1 or 30, then I'd expect a conservative game.  But, if we win by 5 and don't make the CFP when we might have if we won by 20, I suspect there will be a lot of second-guessing on this board.

So, before the game happens,  I'd like to see people give their measured opinion of whether the win is enough and we should play just to win, or whether it is right to risk the Rose Bowl in order to get a higher percentage chance of the CFP.  Remember, the Florida-Alabama game will be over possibly before the kick off.  The UNC-Clemson game starts a bit after ours, as does Michigan State-Iowa.  (Maybe this should be a different topic, with a poll.)

Also, for those of you that post your guesses at the CCG score, you may want to consider what Shaw's strategy will be.  He might just surprise you.  I can't see him saying that winning the CCG was the first priority, and I can see him saying that he has no control over how the committee votes (but that isn't true, since he can influence the score of the CCG).  But I can't see him saying that Stanford is comfortable just winning the CCG, when the CFP is still possible.

I think going for a big win also improves McCaffrey's chances of records and recognition.  Shaw might just take off the gloves in this one.    If I were a betting man, ...