By Hugh Falk, Pollspeak.com
This week and last week have been great examples of the power of the BCS. Too bad all that power is totally wasted and pointless this year. I'm referring to the Texas-Alabama situation. Texas is ranked No. 2 in both human components of the BCS (Coaches and Harris Interactive). However, Alabama has vaulted to No. 2 in the BCS on the strength of its computer scores. The Tide have an average computer ranking of two while the Longhorns only average four with the computers. This is a perfect demonstration of the BCS formula in action. It was put into place to help temper conference bias, preseason conjecture, etc. Unfortunately, since Alabama will be playing No. 1 Florida in a few weeks, nobody cares in the least. If Alabama were replaced with, say, an undefeated USC, this disagreement between the humans and computers would be headline material and the subject of heated debate. As it is, fans seem to be taking the situation in stride since it should all sort itself out on the field. However, it is still worth mentioning that the BCS is currently doing the job it was created to do...even if nobody is paying attention.
Towards the other end of the BCS, Cal checked into the top 25 with a strong push from the computers. Silicon respect jumped the Golden Bears from No. 29 & 30 in the human polls. On the other hand, the computers are like an albatross around Penn State's neck, dragging them down a couple of spots from No. 12 to No. 14. Two of the computers don't even have the Nittany Lions in the top 25.
We're No. -1
The following teams all received one, last-place vote in the AP: Nevada, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Boston College. On the bright side, that's still one more vote than Michigan State, FSU, Missouri, and Ball State received. Looking at the same week last year, 2009 is an improvement for Nevada, a push for Boston College, but a huge collapse for the others, which were all highly ranked in week 12 of 2008. Pat yourself on the back if you're not a Ball State alum, and you remembered that the Cardinals were ranked right up until the bowls last year.
On the topic of negative 1s:
Jay G. Tate is the one voter not to rank Iowa.
Scott Wolf is the one voter not to rank Penn State.
Craig James is the one voter to rank Oregon over Boise State.
Finally, I've been told that I tend to focus on the negatives. You could say that I'm a negative one. So I'll close with congratulations to all of the AP voters. Not a single voter ranked USC over Stanford this week. That must have been a very difficult choice for some...especially those toward the bottom of this list. Just look at the end of the list...at all the minus-ones.
Anne V
Cheryl Burke
Arizona Rattlers Cheerleaders
Biggest Retirements of 2010
Comments (43) Add A Comment
Bama is a wee bit better, for sure a great back, and still an average at best Quarterback.
Horns have a strong defense thats improving weekly, not much to say about our Quarterback, everyone has seen him in action. I dont think they can beat my Longhorns all things equal.
Bedias90
Vidor , TX
Total Comments (1137)
meant to say a wee bit better than they were LAST year,
Bedias90
Vidor , TX
Total Comments (1137)
Interesting matchup for sure, would bama's defense prevail? I think it would come down (of course) to pressuring Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley is a baller, but they haven't faced a defense as "heralded" as Alabama's, all year. May come down to the running game of the Horn's and their ability to stop Mark Ingram.
GatorFace
Austin , TX
Total Comments (43)
Well actually OU's defense is pretty damn good (6th nationally) and we beat them when our offense was still sputtering along. We'll also probably end up playing Nebraska (10th nationally) in the Big 12 championship so that should be another good test of our offense.
If Texas and Alabama win out it should make for a good championship.
TexLonghorn
Austin , TX
Total Comments (7)
I'm thinking if Texas wins out it'll be a good game whether Alabama or Florida win out. Actually, I thought last year's title game should have been Texas-Florida anyway...would be cool if it happened after all, even a year later.
richj44
Total Comments (234)
There's one very glaring point to make about Pollspeak's take on the lack of controversy concerning whether Texas or Alabama is second - that is the article's use of the word "Unfortunately" when describing how no one's really up in arms about it.
OMG, a lack of controversy! Maybe it's because anyone with a brain knows the SEC Championship game will resolve this particular issue. Nevertheless, to controversy-mongers such as those who wrote the article (and, frankly, every media pundit who uses controversy to boost his or her readership), the lack of controversy is "unfortunate."
My point is, the whole "BCS is broke and needs fixing" litany has been worked to death simply because it creates controversy. Any chance we can just enjoy the season, like we used to do even before the BCS, when sportswriters weren't so full of themselves?
X of Dallas
Total Comments (20)
I personally think Texas should be in the top two, but the fact is that the top three are all very good. Its fortunate that the Gators play Florida in the SEC Championship. This allows the top three to have control of their own destiny instead of just two teams having such control.
After Utah whipped Bama last year, though, its clear that the polls are not so precise. Thus, its unfortunate that TCU will likely be left out (as my Horns were last year and other years) since we can't really say with certainty that they aren't better than one of the top 3. This year, its working out well for us, but I still recognize that the system is so imperfect that the top four really should have a chance to settle it on the field. Of course, if TCU were allowed in a top 4 tournament, then someone will ask why not Cincinnati?
Texas LHorn
Total Comments (2)
I personally think Texas should be in the top two, but the fact is that the top three are all very good. Its fortunate that the Gators play Florida in the SEC Championship. This allows the top three to have control of their own destiny instead of just two teams having such control.
After Utah whipped Bama last year, though, its clear that the polls are not so precise. Thus, its unfortunate that TCU will likely be left out (as my Horns were last year and other years) since we can't really say with certainty that they aren't better than one of the top 3. This year, its working out well for us, but I still recognize that the system is so imperfect that the top four really should have a chance to settle it on the field. Of course, if TCU were allowed in a top 4 tournament, then someone will ask why not Cincinnati?
Texas LHorn
Total Comments (2)
actually they have oklahomas defense is good if not better the top teams in sec
ABfuture
Humble , TX
Total Comments (619)
Or not.
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&rpt=IA_teamscordef& ;site=org&div=IA&dest=O
http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2009&rpt=IA_teamtotdef& site=org&div=IA&dest=O
Although admittedly there's not much real difference between #1 and #6, they're both going to be good defenses. Still, Oklahoma is behind both Florida and Alabama in total defense and scoring defense.
richj44
Total Comments (234)
The top 4 or top 6 bottom line is the only right thing to do is dump the BCS crap for a playoff. You are absolutely right, if it was USC or Ohio State or Cincinnati or anyone from a third conference we would be facing yet another Armageddon. The fact that two of the top three will face each other before the final BCS standing is merely happenstance and it doesn't provide justice for team like TCU and Cincinnati. I remember like it was yesterday all the pundits proclaiming USC the best team ever to walk on a field 5 years ago before Vince Young proved they were human. The only way to know for sure is play the game. I keep hearing that a playoff won't insure that the best team will be crowned but that is conjecture. I would argue that the best team is the one who remains standing at the end by definition. End of Story, Period.
simscasa
Total Comments (1)
Texas v. Alabama? Interesting matchup - too bad we may never know. Gators are being written off too quickly. Gators defend as well as Tennessee if not better. Take away Ingram and make Jones beat them - won't happen. And Florida can score when it needs to. Gators match up better than Alabama vs. Texas anyway. If Texas is as good as advertised, the Longhorns could get up 2 or 3 scores quick on Alabama and Alabama would have no answer. Same thing could happen with Florida, but Florida at least has the potential to come back - if Addazio wakes up between now and then and draws up some ball plays.
CvGator
Total Comments (18)
Everyone wants to talk about the great SEC defenses, and rightfully so, but they play a little D down in Austin too. Of the 3, Texas sports the most explosive offense and its not close. It will be a very entertaining game regardless of who comes out of the SEC. TCU is actually the most balanced team of the unbeatens ranking 4 in total O and D.
I really hope TCU gets a chance to play the SEC runner-up in the Sugar Bowl, but that is a longshot at best. The Fiesta or Orange will snap them up before the Sugar gets to pick.
At this point all the undefeated teams have done all they can do. Win all their games. I happen to think TCU and Texas have been more impressive of late. Texas controls its destiny for the "national championship" game, TCU does not. That's the tragedy. If they got a chance to show their stuff against the SEC runner-up perhaps they could start next season in the top 5 and have a realistic chance at the "title."
Suicidaire
Total Comments (93)
Go ahead and say it everybody. The National Championship game will be played in Atlanta! You know you want to say it. SEC has been the man of CF for the last 30 years.
sportsaddict5142
Total Comments (5)
OU's defense may not be statistically as good as Bama's or Florida's, but throw in the rivalry factor...not to mention the eyeball test on October 17th...and the Sooner's played FEROCIOUS D against Texas. Rankings schmankings...that was a defensive bloodbath in the RRR this year!
JoeT63
Fishers , IN
Total Comments (6)
Hey, sportsaddict5142, I guess you missed that AL/UT game last January. And since FL and their coaches poll voters wanted no part of Texas last year and voted TX down in order to play OU, I guess we will never know. You are probably one of those who said that USC would destroy those over-rated horns in 2005...You'd better get ready for quite a suprise in January; I've got my plane ticket to LA; how about you?
Hornsdude
Beaumont , TX
Total Comments (3)
hope to see this game, but don't sleep on the Huskers...
TCU over Bama for the title
3chapman
Total Comments (2)
"Its fortunate that the Gators play Florida in the SEC Championship. " - Texas LHorn
Just so you know - the Gators are Florida. The University of Alabama, a.k.a. the Crimson Tide, will be playing the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship Game. And the Tide Nation would be honored to play your Texas Team for the National Championship. What a classy matchup! Roll Tide!
Granpa49
Vernon , AL
Total Comments (2)
Alabama doesn't care who they play...they will beat Florida handily because they don't have the guns they had last year....Texas vs Alabama would be a classic...look for Joe Namath to be there talking about how he scored (has photo to prove it) but was called down at the one yard line...should be a great game!
aman3361
Total Comments (2)
Whoever voted Georgia for the top 25 is an idiot.
Georgia Tech…
Rome , GA
Total Comments (3408)
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