Commissioner open to reviewing the current divisional format

[Aerial]

@rider01.1

…f game. This was before the crossover rules. Now the team routinely crossing over often has a better record than the second place team they must go to for the playoff game.I say the CFL spent too many decades NOT doing anything about this. Then when they did, they put a tiny bandaid on a large wound that is now bleeding out . It may be too late to save the CFL now but at least they are trying.

Are you alluding to Montreal keeping Alexander out more, meaning he was ready to go a few weeks ago but knew they were going to make the playoffs anyway but let’s just keep him on the sidelines and heal ‘more and more’ sort of thing? I think that’s what you’re getting at? If so, the current format is as you allude to “too easy”. And yes, that’s a problem for the league from a perceptual basis. But isn’t that also what the Blue Jays just did with Bichette down the stretch in their division the last couple of weeks in a manner of speaking? Hey, I’m not comparing exactly, fishes and turtles, yes but a bit of comparisons maybe…

[StillHavingFun]

@cflisthebest

before they do this, these teams need to all become better at being competitive with the West.

can’t have a repeat every season of 1 team having a winning record or the talk of a cross over every season.

Believe the east used to be really bad at waiting for NFL castoffs before they got serious about playing football. If so, was that system motivated by money matters? They certainly put together some strong teams to finish the season. Believe they have changed their ways to some extent.

[StillHavingFun]

@Aerial

… I think that’s what you’re getting at? If so, the current format is as you allude to “too easy”. And yes, that’s a problem for the league from a perceptual basis. But isn’t that also what the Blue Jays just did with Bichette down the stretch in their division the last couple of weeks in a manner of speaking? Hey, I’m not comparing exactly, fishes and turtles, yes but a bit of comparisons maybe…

Montreal played it smart with Alexander. Would they have waited as long if the RBs and Argos were a bit stronger earlier? Would like to think so but???

[Tigereye]

@rider01.1

…f game. This was before the crossover rules. Now the team routinely crossing over often has a better record than the second place team they must go to for the playoff game.I say the CFL spent too many decades NOT doing anything about this. Then when they did, they put a tiny bandaid on a large wound that is now bleeding out . It may be too late to save the CFL now but at least they are trying.

For those interested, here are the stats for the 28 years since the crossover was put in place.

There have been 17 years with no crossovers and 11 years with crossovers. There has been five times the crossover team has had a better record than the second place time of the other division. This happened in 2018 by 1 game, 2017 by 2 games, 2016 by 3 games, 2008 by 2 games and 2003 by 2 games. Yes, I tend to be a bit of a data geek, lol

[rider01.1]

@StillHavingFun

Believe the east used to be really bad at waiting for NFL castoffs before they got serious about playing football. If so, was that system motivated by money matters? They certainly put together some strong teams to finish the season. Believe they have changed their ways to some extent.

Yup when they also overpaid for that talent with cash they got from the West teams in equalization payments

[Crash]

I don’t think you can point to any east team and say they aren’t trying to win, or aren’t trying to get better because they’re essentially guaranteed a playoff spot. I think it’s just more a matter of chance.

I agree with the one division but the idea that teams are purposely not trying to get better is a stretch IMO.

Ottawa has been trying but spinning their wheels for years, Hamilton has tried since Kent Austin to field a winner and Toronto has routinely been accused of buying their team through free agency.

[IllinoisGuy]

@Tigereye

…e stats for the 28 years since the crossover was put in place.There have been 17 years with no crossovers and 11 years with crossovers. There has been five times the crossover team has had a better record than the second place time of the other division. This happened in 2018 by 1 game, 2017 by 2 games, 2016 by 3 games, 2008 by 2 games and 2003 by 2 games. Yes, I tend to be a bit of a data geek, lol

I’m a data geek too!
I wonder if it’s ever happened, or been close to happening, that the fifth place team in the west had a better record than the second best team in the east.
It’s extremely unlikely, but possible, that Edmonton could top Montréal’s record.

[Aqualung1]

@Tigereye

…e stats for the 28 years since the crossover was put in place.There have been 17 years with no crossovers and 11 years with crossovers. There has been five times the crossover team has had a better record than the second place time of the other division. This happened in 2018 by 1 game, 2017 by 2 games, 2016 by 3 games, 2008 by 2 games and 2003 by 2 games. Yes, I tend to be a bit of a data

I think the crossover teams have all been from the west right? An eastern team would have to have a 4th place team with a better record than a 3rd place western team, which l don’t believe has ever happened. Am l right about this?

[Tigereye]

@IllinoisGuy

…I’m a data geek too! I wonder if it’s ever happened, or been close to happening, that the fifth place team in the west had a better record than the second best team in the east.It’s extremely unlikely, but possible, that Edmonton could top Montréal’s record.

Oh no, now I’m going to go back and look again

[Tigereye]

@Aqualung1

I think the crossover teams have all been from the west right? An eastern team would have to have a 4th place team with a better record than a 3rd place western team, which l don’t believe has ever happened. Am l right about this?

Yes, crossover teams have always been from the west. There was almost an east crossover in 2001.

[Aqualung1]

@Tigereye

Yes, crossover teams have always been from the west. There was almost an east crossover in 2001.

Thanks

[cflisthebest]

@IllinoisGuy

…I’m a data geek too! I wonder if it’s ever happened, or been close to happening, that the fifth place team in the west had a better record than the second best team in the east.It’s extremely unlikely, but possible, that Edmonton could top Montréal’s record.

Possibly in the '80s. There might have been a season where the fifth place team was better but I don’t know for sure

[HfxTC]

@Jon

…the commisioner. it’s the job of the commish to do what is best for the league, not just any one club or in this case 4 Eastern clubs.There isn’t any logical argument to be made that I have heard to continue an arbitrary milky way based geographical playoff system. Teams should earn their playoff spot and playoff seeding and home games for the playoffs via regular season play. How can that be wrong?

If you want to believe that any of the Eastern team governors are stoopid and would vote against their own interests fill your boots.

[BomberJunkie]

More data geeks welcome @Tigereye!
Its always better to have benchmark figures to compare the league Y2Y.

And I always welcome more data geeks to come save my occasional excel misadventures.

[Tigereye]

@IllinoisGuy

…I’m a data geek too! I wonder if it’s ever happened, or been close to happening, that the fifth place team in the west had a better record than the second best team in the east.It’s extremely unlikely, but possible, that Edmonton could top Montréal’s record.

It did happen, in 2018. Both the Lions and the Elks (Eskimos) finished with 9 wins but Lions held the season series. Hamilton held second place in the east with 8 wins. B.C. crossed over and played Hamilton in the eastern semi-final losing 48-8.

Hereis something interesting I found when going through the search. The CFL has reversed all the scores for the 1999 season, showing wins as losses and vice versa. It shows both Calgary and Hamilton losing their semi-final games, going forward and losing their final games and then playing in the Grey Cup. They did record the Grey Cup game score correctly

[IllinoisGuy]

@Tigereye

…ilton in the eastern semi-final losing 48-8.Hereis something interesting I found when going through the search. The CFL has reversed all the scores for the 1999 season, showing wins as losses and vice versa. It shows both Calgary and Hamilton losing their semi-final games, going forward and losing their final games and then playing in the Grey Cup. They did record the Greyl Cup game score correctly

but also

[cflisthebest]

@HfxTC

If you want to believe that any of the Eastern team governors are stoopid and would vote against their own interests fill your boots.

only a miracle would convince..

[EZ_Football]

@HfxTC

If you want to believe that any of the Eastern team governors are stoopid and would vote against their own interests fill your boots.

Revenue sharing. What’s good for the entire league (4 wildcards from any division) SHOULD be good for the individual teams…including the ones that don’t make the playoffs.

[obs]

@GridironGirl

…whether it offers the best format for postseason setup.

Post-season. Meaning the divisions would still be in play during the regular season, but in the playoffs, the six teams would be seeded by total points.

I’m okay with that. It’s more consistent than having a crossover.

You would lose the East vs West Grey Cup, but I’ve never been a fan of “cheering for the division that your favourite team is on”. As a BC Lions fan, I hate all the other (good) West teams, so why would I cheer for them to win?

[Jon]

@obs

…ll be in play during the regular season, but in the playoffs, the six teams would be seeded by total points.I’m okay with that. It’s more consistent than having a crossover.You would lose the East vs West Grey Cup, but I’ve never been a fan of “cheering for the division that your favourite team is on”. As a BC Lions fan, I hate all the other (good) West teams, so why would I cheer for them to win?

I think your opinion is the majority opinion. It’s the only fair way to run a 9 team league where 6 teams make the playoffs. Make every team earn it.

Right now the league uses a geographical approach that may of may not reward the appropriate teams. May as well add in climate and measure which CFL city has the most wind on a given day and award them first place. Just as fair.