Happy V-CP day! Final coaches' ballot to remain public

2009-11-13T13:25:17-05:00

2009-11-07T01:01:00-05:00

2009-11-12T19:32:31-05:00

The Wise Professor

Gainesville 628199

Yeah, except nobody outside of Norman thought ou had a chance against UF last year. They have a habit of losing bowl games; UT doesn't.I'd be happy to play 'Bama for the title next year; but this year, I want Florida.

38 Be careful what you wish for - in this case you are bound to get it. Florida knows how to win big games. 7639292

2009-11-13T13:25:17-05:00

LonghornAndrew

Magnolia 481061

Be careful what you wish for - in this case you are bound to get it. Florida knows how to win big games.

40 You're right; Texas has no idea how to win big games. Clearly the last three BCS bowls they've played in are no indicator (Ohio State, USC, Michigan, in case you're wondering). And I guess a 7-1 record in bowl games over the last eight years is misleading, too. And 4 out of 5 over Oklahoma on a neutral field. And 10+ wins over the last eleven years. I think perhaps Florida needs to worry about meeting a bowl-game opponent with a history of winning bowl games (as opposed to, say, Ohio State or Oklahoma over the last several years). 7648176

2009-11-12T12:40:23-05:00

Cane-One

Winter Haven 682489

" I hope they luck out and beat Florida so Texas can beat the tar out of them and dispel this pervasive myth of SEC supremacy."

36 It's going to take more than luck for Bama to whip UF and Texas can't handle either of them. I don't believe the SEC supremacy theory either but I do believe the best team in the nation currently resides in the SEC. Neither Texas or Bama has the capability of defensing UF. 7633028

2009-11-13T13:11:58-05:00

LonghornAndrew

Magnolia 481061

It's going to take more than luck for Bama to whip UF and Texas can't handle either of them. I don't believe the SEC supremacy theory either but I do believe the best team in the nation currently resides in the SEC. Neither Texas or Bama has the capability of defensing UF.

39 Have you seen Florida play? Good lord - they damn near lost to Arkansas at home. They have no passing game to speak of (and certainly not one built to contend with Earl Thomas and co. in the Longhorns secondary). Their O-line gave up, what, four sacks to Vanderbilt? Vander. Freaking. Bilt. Kindle / Houston / Acho1 / Acho2 will neuter Tebow. 7647913

2009-11-10T14:59:11-05:00

LonghornAndrew

Magnolia 481061

Sounds like similar logic as to why Oklahoma was going to kill the Gators last season.

33 Yeah, except nobody outside of Norman thought ou had a chance against UF last year. They have a habit of losing bowl games; UT doesn't. I'd be happy to play 'Bama for the title next year; but this year, I want Florida. 7607980

2009-11-12T19:32:31-05:00

The Wise Professor

Gainesville 628199

38 Be careful what you wish for - in this case you are bound to get it. Florida knows how to win big games. 7639292

2009-11-07T20:48:31-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/850/714/thumb/Alabama_Logo2.jpg 54 AL

Crimson Gods

Alabaster 851374

4 Mike Slive needs to be fired he is weak and stupid the SEC only exists because of BAMA. BAMA should seceded from the SEC and become independent like Notre Dame. That way BAMA can make its own rules. BAMA National Champs 2009 100% guaranteed 7577879

2009-11-12T19:29:10-05:00

The Wise Professor

Gainesville 628199

Mike Slive needs to be fired he is weak and stupid the SEC only exists because of BAMA. BAMA should seceded from the SEC and become independent like Notre Dame. That way BAMA can make its own rules. BAMA National Champs 2009 100% guaranteed

37 The record will show that BAMA is the second best team in SEC. This fact will be affirmed on Dec. 5, 2009. 7639281

2009-11-09T08:30:42-05:00

tcharles

San Antonio 583785

13 I guess I should have said Bama won't win with this lousy QB, not against a good team like Texas. Texas has a pretty stout defense too, maybe the best in the country, good special teams, good receivers (Shipley is getting a little of his own Heisman buz). And McCoy is a great quarterback who wins games for you. with McElroy AKA SUCKelroy you just hope he doesn't lose the game for you. Bama has a good running game and good defense. And they haven't made enough mistakes to lose yet. But they will lose, sooner or later. Their luck will run out. They should have lost to Tenn., a mediocre SEC team that lost to UCLA at home. They were one broken play and one horrible replay call away from losing to LSU, who hasn't impressed me at all. I hope they luck out and beat Florida so Texas can beat the tar out of them and dispel this pervasive myth of SEC supremacy. 7586239

2009-11-12T12:40:23-05:00

Cane-One

Winter Haven 682489

" I hope they luck out and beat Florida so Texas can beat the tar out of them and dispel this pervasive myth of SEC supremacy."

2009-11-10T08:17:02-05:00

LonghornAndrew

Magnolia 481061

So?.. you don't feel as confident about Texas beating Florida?

16 As a long-time UT fan (the real UT - not the funky orange one in Tennessee), I will admit that 'Horns fans in general would much rather play UF - but not for the reasons 'Bama fans think (i.e. because we're shaking in our boots at the fat of playing Ingram and the fat guy on defense). Rather, we want to be the ones to knock off an undefeated, three-peat attempting, Jesus-quarterbacked Florida team and shut the freaking "Hey! The SEC's not a one-trick pony! It's depth! All the teams are just so strong!" morons the hell up. That having been said, we'll take 'Bama, if need be. I've either been to or watched all of the UT games this year, and I've watched all of the 'Bama and UF games that have been on TV, and I can say without hesitation, neither of those teams stands much of a chance against Texas. Sorry, but the SEC is living on their historical reputation this year. I think they're going to have a pretty shoddy bowl record when it's all said and done. 7599926

2009-11-11T01:27:44-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/462/825/thumb/utband_T.jpg 71 VA

UT '71

Potomac Falls 463265

As a long-time UT fan (the real UT - not the funky orange one in Tennessee)...

35 Well... as an alumnus and "longer-time" UT Fan (the first UT... by about 89 years) we have a little football history ourselves... and the color is "Big Orange" and it is far from "funky"! Oh yes... we are the "Volunteer State"... a nickname due to the large number of Tennesseans who volunteered for duty in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Texas Revolution (most notably the Battle of the Alamo) and especially the Mexican-American War. We "Remember the Alamo" as well as any Texan... :-) 7613817

2009-11-10T15:03:34-05:00

ironoxide

Mobile 564882

34 LonghornAndrew, I've already said I think Texas has played better than any of the top 3 the past 3 weeks. However, you can't look at this from a static position. I could pick through numbers and make them say what I want. But that's simply not my point; my point is different teams matchup better against different people, and Texas had better become more balanced to put up big numbers on Bama or FL. The same is true for Bama and FL to compete. The Big three this year are not balanced enough to put up big numbers against stiff defenses. Just look at those hard earned 16 points against OK. 7608089

2009-11-10T14:14:03-05:00

124

D-Gator

Denver 810275

ironoxide - Since we share no common opponents, let's look at the numbers. 'Bama has played 9 games against teams whose scoring offenses average out to #55 nationally. UT has played 9 games whose scoring offenses average out to #60 nationally. Roughly even, but I'll give a very slight nod to UT's defense, which is ranked #1 vs. 'Bama's #4.Offensively, though, is where the separation occurs. 'Bama is ranked #29 in scoring offense; UT is ranked #3. The question then becomes, is the #3-ranked scoring offense - a full 52 spots higher than your average opponent to date - likely to score more "points-above-your-average" than the #29-ranked offense is against our defense? (Sorry, I know that's a mouthful, but I couldn't think of a clearer way to say it.) I think on a neutral field, the advantage goes to Texas - which has both a better defense and a much better offense.I realize we're both homers, and we're both wearing rose-colored glasses (pun definitely intended); but I also think most people not living in SEC country would give the nod to UT. It's probably a pick-em game in Vegas.

31 Sounds like similar logic as to why Oklahoma was going to kill the Gators last season. 7607067

2009-11-10T14:59:11-05:00

LonghornAndrew

Magnolia 481061

Sounds like similar logic as to why Oklahoma was going to kill the Gators last season.

2009-11-10T08:17:02-05:00

LonghornAndrew

Magnolia 481061

So?.. you don't feel as confident about Texas beating Florida?

2009-11-10T14:51:20-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/234/159/thumb/Ralph_Leprechaun.jpg 346 TX

The_Guvnah

Austin 234479

I will admit that 'Horns fans in general would much rather play UF - but not for the reasons 'Bama fans think (i.e. because we're shaking in our boots at the fat of playing Ingram and the fat guy on defense). Rather, we want to be the ones to knock off an undefeated, three-peat attempting, Jesus-quarterbacked Florida team and shut the freaking "Hey! The SEC's not a one-trick pony! It's depth! All the teams are just so strong!" morons the hell up.

32 BINGO! You can still find Texas fans today that chafe at being slighted by the college football world in 2005. The three-year USC parade culminating with the 2005 USC Best Team EVAR! hooplah... Reggie Bush robbing Vince Young of his Heisman... Will Ferrel's smarmy pre-game schtick. [img]http://tinyurl.com/yhsoz3p[/img] [i]Hey Ferrel... I WANT THAT RENT MONEY![/i] There's been a similar feel recently with all of the Tebow worship and Florida's decently strong 3-year run. [img]http://tinyurl.com/y9zb9dn[/img] [i]Yeah, that's right. I said decent[/i] It would be sweet as hell to see Colt secure not only his own place over Tebow, but Vince's as well, by putting to rest these [b]ridiculous[/b] "Tebow best college QB ever" slanders. There's nothing a Texas fan loves more than delivering some comeuppance, and Alabama already got it's comeuppance last year. Give us the Gators! 7607844

2009-11-10T11:45:08-05:00

LonghornAndrew

Magnolia 481061

30 ironoxide - Since we share no common opponents, let's look at the numbers. 'Bama has played 9 games against teams whose scoring offenses average out to #55 nationally. UT has played 9 games whose scoring offenses average out to #60 nationally. Roughly even, but I'll give a very slight nod to UT's defense, which is ranked #1 vs. 'Bama's #4. Offensively, though, is where the separation occurs. 'Bama is ranked #29 in scoring offense; UT is ranked #3. The question then becomes, is the #3-ranked scoring offense - a full 52 spots higher than your average opponent to date - likely to score more "points-above-your-average" than the #29-ranked offense is against our defense? (Sorry, I know that's a mouthful, but I couldn't think of a clearer way to say it.) I think on a neutral field, the advantage goes to Texas - which has both a better defense and a much better offense. I realize we're both homers, and we're both wearing rose-colored glasses (pun definitely intended); but I also think most people not living in SEC country would give the nod to UT. It's probably a pick-em game in Vegas. 7604074

2009-11-10T14:14:03-05:00

124

D-Gator

Denver 810275

31 Sounds like similar logic as to why Oklahoma was going to kill the Gators last season. 7607067

<div class="photo_container image_right"> <div class="photo"><img src="http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/writers/cory_mccartney/01/30/sc.recruiting/t1_spurrier.jpg" alt="Double Click to select a Photo" width="298" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;">Now we'll always know how high Spurrier ranked Duke.::AP</div> </div> It's a joyous day here at From Scrimmage. The American Football Coaches Association has caved and decided to release the final coaches poll ballots of each season in perpetuity. I'd like to think <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/08/25/coaches-ballots/index.html" target="_blank">my public records campaign</a> - which netted a few ballots - had a little something to do with this victory, but in reality, I was just a minor annoyance. I have a pretty good idea how the AFCA's board of trustees was convinced to reconsider its decision to keep all ballots private beginning with the 2010 season, but I'll explain that later. First, I'd like to thank the AFCA. Thanks, AFCA, for understanding that these are challenging times in the publishing industry. I'm not sure if you read Time Inc.'s third-quarter report or the story in the New York Times, but my company is trying to trim its budget to keep profit margins high. We appreciate the fact that we don't have to drag schools into court to make coaches release their ballots. You saved us quite a bit in legal fees. Because legal action was the next step. Sure, you had us beat in New Mexico, where the open records law wasn't really on our side. But we would have cleaned your clock in Florida, and our chances were pretty good in Ohio, too. By the time our attorneys were finished, so many coaches would have dropped out of the poll for fear of their ballots becoming public every week that you would have had trouble recruiting a decent sample size. So thank you for that. The Time Inc. bean counters salute you. Now, onto the real reason the AFCA caved. I have no inside sources here - believe it or not, the folks at the AFCA are not big fans of mine - but this is how I imagine it happened: Deep inside a hollowed-out volcano in the middle of the Pacific, AFCA executive director Grant Teaff steps out of an elevator. He enters a grand control room with a giant mahogany table at its center. At the table sit the commissioners of the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC in chairs made from the skin of baby seals. SEC commissioner Mike Slive rises and speaks. Slive: Coach Teaff, thanks for coming. Can we offer you a drink? Perhaps a glass of iced tea or some Colombian coffee? The tuxedoed gentlemen you see are the associate commissioners of the WAC and Sun Belt. They're here to cater to your every whim. Lately, we've all been drinking a delightful cocktail made with the tears of non-BCS players whose teams went 12-0 and still played in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. You really should try it. The 2008 TCU is an especially good vintage. Teaff: No, thanks. I'd just as soon discuss this coaches' poll thing. Slive: OK, Coach. Well, we'd like you to reveal the final ballots. The public already considers us an evil cartel, and we figure it might engender some goodwill if we were a little bit transparent about how we distribute multimillion-dollar payouts to mostly public universities. So if you'd like to continue as part of the BCS, you'll reveal those final ballots forever. Teaff: Well, we consulted with Gallup, and they told us the poll would be better if we kept the ballots secret. We figured we shouldn't argue with the people who gave us "Dewey Defeats Truman." Slive: I see. If you'd like to continue as part of the BCS, you'll reveal those final ballots forever. Teaff: But if we release those ballots, people will see that a lot of our coaches grossly inflate the rankings of fellow conference members or use the poll to settle old scores with coaches they hate. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany: Grant, I think what Mike is trying to say is this: If you'd like to continue as part of the BCS, you'll reveal those final ballots forever. Teaff: C'mon guys. Most of my coaches are millionaire employees of taxpayer-funded institutions. They don't need that kind of scrutiny. Big East commissioner John Marinatto: Look, I know I'm new around here, but let me give this a shot. Coach, you can tell people whatever you want. You can even put out a <a href="http://www.afca.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9300&ATCLID=204828450" target="_blank">press release that makes it sound as if this was your idea</a>. But if you'd like to continue as part of the BCS, you'll reveal those final ballots forever. Teaff: So, as I was saying, we've decided to keep releasing those final ballots. Slive: That's excellent. I'm so glad the AFCA has given this issue the thorough consideration it deserves. Now, Grant, if you'd like to stick around, the Boise State game is on. We can all watch and discuss how if the Broncos keep playing really hard, they might wind up in a BCS bowl game even if TCU also goes undefeated. All six commissioners: A-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! 85361 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/245/899/thumb/staples_andy2.jpg 34

Andy Staples

246219