Friday evening, on ESPN.com, the four-letter network posed the following question in one of their daily polls: "If Florida beats Ohio State and Michigan beats USC, which team should be ranked No. 1?"
(takes a deep breath before continuing....)
How in the world does this even make any sense? If there's anything we've learned from the Wolverines in their constant griping over not getting invited to the BCS Championship game is that they lost to the number one team in the nation. So if Florida BEATS Ohio State, how would Michigan then share the title? Are voters going to reward Michigan because they feel sorry for slighting them?
I thought the entire purpose of the B.C.S. was to have ONE game between the top two teams in the nation to determine a true champion.
Now I understand Michigan fans are bitter, their strongest argument they should contend being their only loss, but when both USC and then Florida jumped Michigan in the BCS standings the final few weeks of the season, they did so because of their impressive wins over ranked opponents, while Michigan remained idle, their final game of the season serving as a blemish.
Apparently 32% of the nation thinks Michigan should be the number one team in the nation if both Michigan and Florida win their bowl games. Someone please logically explain to me how the number three team in the nation could jump to number one by beating a number five, two-loss team (to unranked opponents), while the number two team in the nation by beating the only undefeated team in college football would not garner those number one votes.
Yeah, I saw that too and was thrown off by it until I thought about it for a minute. If Florida is number 2 in all the polls, then they will be number 1 if they beat OSU. Not to mention, Florida would have done the one thing Michigan didn't if they win. So I am confident there isn't anything to worry about and won't be any split this year.
I try not to pay too much attention to that. It's kind of like how LSU doesn't get respect for thier title and USC thinks they won. If Florida and Michigan both wins, Florida will be the BCS National Champs and Michigan may be the AP (opinion) poll Number one. My question is this, say Florida loses by one or in OT, do they drop in the polls? I believe it was also ESPN that said that there was no way USC would lose to UCLA. As you can see, they are not the know all of sports.
Well the reality is is that the AP is not part of the BCS system and I will bet if Florida wins and Michigan wins the AP votes Michigan AP champ. Who cares but Michigan and the AP voters that are all sport caster on ESPN, Fox and writers then they all can say next year defending National Champs Michigan all year long...They did the same thing in 03. When the AP did not get thier way they bolted from the BCS system. They are as bad as the Michigan fans that keep pissing and moaning.... I have a big bag of shut the #### up right here for them...
Last edited by bayoudog on December 18th at 8:12 AM.
As a UCLA Alum I don't have a dog in the BCS hunt but I'm glad Florida got in because I got sick to death of hearing Michigan fans whining by the thousands of posts. Good Luck
i have two blogs up I think may be worthy of comment. I'd appreciate it if you would be so kind to take a look when possible. "Spankin the ####" and "at the quarter pole: a gut checkfor the NBA playoff contenders"
I am a fan of the Michigan Wolverines who isnt whining Out Loud that is .Trust me ,I'm still ticked that Michigan had to share the title in 97 with Nebraska because of that same AP poll .Playoffs are needed .The Big Ten needs a conference championship. If they had one this year we wouldnt be having this conversation. Michigan would have been facing Florida for the National Championship .OSU is scared of Michigan.That's why Tressel abstained his vote didn't want to face Michigan again ,Even he knew what the outcome would be. GO BLUE !!!
What most Michigan fans just can't grasp is that even if Michigan won and their fans ran around sceaming we're number one.....the rest of us would feel even more cheated of having a clear cut national champion than we will without Michigan cause even Michigan beat OSU this time it would only mean you're 1-1. What does that achieve?
Dusty, What does that achieve ? National Championship. Duh !! If you actually read my post you'd realize I stated that the Big Ten needs a Conference Championship and overall Playoffs are necessary .
It's a different scenario this year than in 2003. In 2003, the AP already had USC #1 prior to the bowls. If Florida wins, they'll be national champs in the AP poll.
Texx: You're right, it was clearly UF's tougher schedule that gave them the nod. That and their conference championship.
Ron: I highly doubt that Tressel abstained from voting because he's scared to face Michigan again. Let's be real. Personally I thought it was the right move. He probably knew that UF was going to be voted number two in the BCS and didn't want to vote Michigan number two and give the Gators any bulletin board material. Nor did he want to vote the Gators number two and go against his own conference. It was a no-win situation for him. The problem with incorporating a conference championship game into the Big Ten is two-fold. First of all, you'll need to add another team. Second, you'll have to put OSU and Michigan in the same division so that they play every year, but that means only one can win that division, a la Florida or Tennessee.
Dustylaker: I think that's the best point. A rematch is a no-win situation for college football regardless of the outcome. If OSU played Michigan and Michigan won, they'd be 1-1 and people would be crying for a split with other outsiders begging for the chance. If OSU wins that rematch, again noone else had a shot to knock them off.
I am so sick of hearing from Michigan fans!!! SHUT UP!!!! You lost and you had no division title it was yours for the taking and you could not get it done. And now the if are coming out. First of all you have to get by USC which is no small task, second you have to hope Florida beats OSU again no small task. Michigan fix you own coaching #### before you start the if's. OSU and Florida are in the title game there will not be a split decision if Florida beats OSU, Florida is the champ. get over your selves and grow up.
Now Florida every one is comparing this to the last time OSU was in a title game. One super team and then the underdog. There is a difference OSU is not Miami we have a TEAM and not just stars. This is 2 TEAMS going up against each other, not one team and a bunch of stars. If Florida want to win they will have to try to out run OSU and as much as you all want to say that is easy slow down These 2 teams are very even in the speed department. so there goes you advantage, and do not start the coach argument yours is good but ours is better and you know it. How many national championships does Meyers have? I do not know but Tressle Has 5. enuff said.
The same type of question was asked in the 10 Burning Questions article a few days ago.
8. If Michigan stomps USC and Florida wins an ugly title game, will anyone really believe Florida is the best team in the country? Yes. People in Gainesville. Elsewhere, no. Florida won two games by one point, including a squeaker over South Carolina in the Swamp that required a blocked field goal on the game's final play. The Gators also had three wins by a single score, including decidedly unimpressive efforts against Vanderbilt and Florida State.
I love how only Gators are dumb enough to believe that we belong in this game...
OSU will be UF's 10th bowl bound opponent on it's schedule. I believe that is more than Michigan & OSU combined.
Last edited by GatorReality on December 19th at 10:59 AM.
Just remember those are the so called experts. What do they know really? Can anyone tell me when the last time they were right?
I have been saying all year that if Florida can get through that schedule then they deserve to be in the title game. And I am an OSU fan!! But with that said you team is very young and in a game as big as this is that something you realy want? a lot of young players going out there and trying to win with a million flash bulbs going off? The Bucks have been dealing with this pressure all year and only know are the Gators starting to get it. These things have to be looked at, do you not agree?
mcsrr: The Gators are not as young as you might think. High profile guys like Tebow and Harvin are freshmen, but Leak, Dallas Baker, Jemalle Cornelius, Earl Everett, Reggie Lewis, Ray McDonald and Deshawn Wynn are all prime time players and are ALL seniors.
Ryan Smith, Brandon Siler, Reggie Nelson, Jarvin Moss, Tony Joiner and Tate Casey all are juniors. So there's plenty of experience on this team.
GatorReality: There's no denying Leak has made some boneheaded plays this season, but he's also been responsible, under Meyer's tutelage, for some key game-winning drives.
Last edited by ReverendRhythm on December 19th at 8:04 PM.
Gatorreality you are right .Only Gainsville will believe you are Number One . Rev, You are right scared may have been too strong a word . His vote is his too use and lately OSU has owned U of M .With another team in the conference U of M would have enough teams to have a conference Championship and the Gators would be in Pasadena. I have a right to be upset with the outcome. Being Idle cost U of M an opportunity that many have said was already lost on October 18th . Not only am I a Wolverine fan ,I'm also a S.F. Giant and 49er fan so wait till next year seems to be my mantra . I'm new to blogging and I guess I'm not used to the High testosterone reaction to my having an opinion. Go Blue !!!
Michigan isnt not playing in the title because Jim Tressel didnt vote (his vote wouldnt have been enough), Florida played a conference game, or Florida played a tough schedule. The reason that Michigan isnt in the Championship is because no one outside of the Big-10 wanted to see the Big-10 get all of the BCS $$ from the game. You cant make the #2 team the #3 team when they havent played and then turn around and make the team that is #4 the #2 when your #2 from the week before loses. It was a bunch of BS and if it happened to any other team from another conference they would be screaming too. Newsflash for Michigan fans... No one cares that you want a rematch after you have already lost. No one else would get a rematch either.
It's funny that everyone thinks that Florida doesn't belong even though the Coaches and the AP voted Florida second. Flypig is right, this is a dead horse. Why can't anybody admit that two great teams are going to play each other? The Gators are just as capable of beating OSU as OSU is of beating the Gators.
Reverend: You wouldn't have to put OSU and Mich in the same division. They could still play every year, a la Florida-LSU. That would give the potential EVERY YEAR for a rematch!!! Michigan fans would LOVE that. Of course, try convincing Charlie "Cheeseburger" Weis to join the Big Televen. Throw in a Wendy's combo meal, maybe?
mcsrr8: Are you really going to count Tressel's 4 National Championships at Youngstown State? Puh-leez. If that's the case, Meyer has 12 National Championships. Six as a little league coach, four in the Utah National Putt-Putt Championships, and two in his son's under-8 soccer league in Ashtabula.
But, let's take a look at Tressel's lone DivisionI NC in 2002. Fact is: THEY DIDN'T EVEN DESERVE TO BE THERE. Why? Let's look at the numbers:
They beat an unranked Cincinatti (7-7, NR) team 23-19. A come-from-behind victory (hereto abbreviated as CFB--you will see a lot of those), scoring a TD with 3:44 left in the game.
Next, against unranked Wisconsin (8-6, NR), another CFB victory, scoring the game winner with 9:59 left.
Followed by an 11-point victory against perennial powerhouse Northwestern (3-9, NR).
How about another CFB victory against Purdue (7-6, NR)? A touchdown with a mere 96 ticks left on the clock saved that one for a 10-6 victory. What a high-scoring, barn-burning affair.
Penn State (9-4, #10, #10), you ask? Yup, another CFB 13-7 victory, which was a home game for the Buckeyes. At least the Nittany Lions finished in the top 10 that year (barely).
con't
Last edited by HarryBalzac on December 20th at 9:18 AM.
Now, how about the Game of the Century (insert laughter here). OSU-Michigan (10-3, #12,#11). A final of 14-9. Yet another CFB victory with a touchdown with 4:55 left on the clock.
So, you see, Ohio State didn't even DESERVE to be in the title game. They barely beat mediocre teams with come-from-behind victories. Barely eked out wins. Late in the game. Coming from behind.
Sound familiar? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
Only Buckeye fans were dumb enough to think they belonged in that 2002 title game. Both Georgia and Iowa were much better teams, finishing with only one loss in the regular season. The fact of the matter is, those two teams couldn't get it done. Georgia's lone blemish in 2002? The mighty Gators. And Iowa? Iowa State (7-7, NR), 36-31. D'OH! Surely the voters should have overlooked a 5-point loss, so early in the season in September, and given the nod to Iowa.
But, they couldn't. Ohio State did what it needed to do that year. They ran the table and got into the game.
Three things could have happened this year to avoid this whole debate (and start an even uglier one). Louisville "could have" beaten Rutgers to go undefeated. Michigan "should have" beaten Ohio State. LSU "would have" beaten Florida.
These things, alas, didn't happen. So, enough with the "should-haves" and "couldof's" and "woulda's". What's done is done. Florida, deservedly so, will be playing Ohio State for the National Championship.
Urban Meyer's lucky 13th.
Last edited by HarryBalzac on December 20th at 9:52 AM.
Points taken HarrySatchel. To quote an old pal of mine out of Missouri, killer of women, children, and pretty much anything that has walked or crawled.....
"deserves ain't got nothin to do with it"
Ohio State SHOULD have lost to Illinois too, so Illinois SHOULD probably play Florida for the title. I don't know who deserves what as far as bowl games, and no one can determine that definitively thanks to the current system. I do know that I deserve a break or an end to this pointless debate.
Here is what I do know...
Florida is playing Ohio State in the National Championship Game on January 8th in Gelndale,AZ
Here is what I think will happen....
Ohio State will win the game by at least 14 points.
Here is what I deserve....
50 yard-line seats with two hot women who want to buy me unlimited quantities of beer.
GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!
Last edited by pete_nice on December 20th at 10:07 AM.
All I have to say is that I am a Gators fan, I have always been a Gators fan, and I will forever be a Gators fan. Now, that I have gotten that out of the way, we all know that the BCS is a joke. There is no way that people should be allowed to VOTE on who should be number 1. The fact of the matter is when teams play and destroy teams that are essentially nobodys and then play a GOOD game and lose and can still be ranked #1 then that should let everyone know that this is a money issue. It is totally fixed. College football should be like Pro football. There should be playoffs and THEN a "super"bowl. Ok, ok maybe I'm being just a bit far fetched, but I have been watching sports for almost 30 years and college football just keeps getting worse. Sorry guys.
Harry I hate to disagree with you but how many teams that year were undefeated???? 2 OSU and Miami, so they did belong there. The big TEN is a tougher conference than you SEC boys think. I know I know you all have the toughest conference in America. Good then you should not be up set when The Big TEN Ohio State Buckeye beat you this year.
And yes I am going to count the 4 Youngstown state titles because that is a very tough division and they have a play off system that works!
Also do not quote me the schedule when you have DII schools on yours!! At least everyone one that schedule is a D-I team! Now next year we have a D-II But you see the Buckeyes have a reason, The school is state owned and as such they have rights to tell them to play a team like that. But florida went and had to look out of state. They went to Carolina! If a team puts that type of school on there willing lee then they deserve all the #### from the other fans. And I HATE the other fans!!!1
Do you know why florida had to play a DII school anybody? Because (fill in the blank) BIG 10 school declined as did (fill in the blank) Big East School and (fill in the blank) ACC school. Yes folks each conference team DECLINED to play Florida at night in the SWAMP. Don't blame Florida if those other conferences chickened out... Thats the problem the SEC faces with other conferences will not play SEC schools at night.... cowards...
Last edited by bayoudog on December 21st at 12:28 PM.
The National Championship game is supposed to be played between the 2 best teams in the country. It has nothing to do with who did, or did not, win their conference (Hey dumb#@*, obviously if the 2 best teams come from the same conference only 1 of them can be conference winners)nor whether someone already "had their shot". I guess that argument only works when it bebefits the state of Florida because it sure did not seem to work back when Florida and FSU had their rematch game..... As to the question of what happens if Michigan did beat OSU in Glendale - Michigan gets the nod. What you get in these bowl games (unless you are from the state of Florida or California) is a neutral game site. Michigan lost to OSU at OSU. Winning at a neutral site "breaks" the the tie. Bottom-line is that a playoff system truly is the only way to crown an undisbuted National Champion, but isn't all the controversy and opinions what makes college football great? OH yeah - How many teams from the SEC ranked in the top 10 at the end of the regular season?? Big 10 posted 3.
Ed,
the state of Ohio tells the state run schools to put some games on there schedule. That is not justifing that is stating the facts. Carolina is not in the state of Florida last time I checked. And I would like to know what Big TEN schools were asked to play Florida. If anyone has that info I would be intrested to see it.
Wolves1,
Man you have a great bowl game and you are still talking about not being in the title game?
I think you game is going to be one of the best this year. look at you team and who you are going up against the teams are very even as far as talent and if you win and can keep hart you will come out #1 next year.
Rev - Everyone seems to agree that OSU is the # 1 team in the country going into the Bowls - The controversy comes when we decide who is #2. Maybe this is a little to basic for some, but Michigan's only loss was by 3 points at OSU. Who did Florida's one loss come from? Michigan was ranked #2 after their loss to OSU, but then were jumped in consecutive weeks by USC and Florida when Michigan did not even play. While I feel that both OSU and Michigan will win their respective bowl games and end up #1 and #2 in the end, I can not help but feel that the ranking decisions are more political than ever. Most seem to be coming up reasons why Michigan should not have received the Title game shot (Did not win their conference, already had their shot, etc.), when I believe if it were the other way around, most would be coming up with reasons why Florida should. Many like to discount the Big 10 as an "also ran" conference to the almightly SEC, but both postd 3 teams to the final Top 10 rankings this year. Is it that far-fetched that the Big 10 have the top 2 teams in the land, or is it only the SEC that is capable of that?
Wolves: They're no denying politics played a role, as it has in the past and will continue to do in the future. But if Michigan is basing the fact on whether they should play in the championship game on their 3-point loss to OSU, that's not a valid enough argument. Or at least the voters didn't think so. They looked at the entire season and determined based on several factors that Florida was a more deserving team.
As a Michigan diehard and a Big Ten fan I'll say this...Florida was not serious when looking for that extra game , because the only thing that stops the Big Ten from playing anyone is the Home-and-Home. Sure The Swamp is intimidating especially at night, but try having the Gators come to THE BIG HOUSE, or THE HORSESHOE, or HAPPY VALLEY, or even MADISON. Thats more than a hundred thousand fans no matter what time of day or night the game is played. And for all those who dont know...the Michigan-Ohio State game is going to take place every year no matter how the conference schedule falls because if we dont match up then both schools will schedule each other as a non-conference game... (check the facts). One last thing I would like to know why in the state of Florida do all the big schools run from each other by being seperate conferences(except for the raiding of the ACC last year). Around the country the powerhouses from the same state are in the same conference for the most part. Examples:California(USC, CAL, UCLA, Stanford..ok not a powerhouse but still D-1) Texas(Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, Texas Tech) even the states with out that many good schools play in the same conference ie: Oregon/Oregon State, Oklahoma/Oklahoma state, Michigan/Michigan State, Alabama/Auburn, But until Last year Florida, Florida State and Miami were in three different conferences. Tell me that aint a well though out ploy to sneak someone in the national title hunt every year. Im outta here with one last shot Michigan will play anybody, anywhere, at any time, as long as we get a Home-and-Home.
Last edited by BigBobe on December 29th at 9:07 AM.
Bobe: I can't speak to Florida's efforts at seeking out a division one school for the added game.
But when Florida State and Miami decided not to join the SEC in favor of the ACC and Big East, they received a bunch of criticism locally from Gator fans. It's clear they didn't want to take the losses that come with playing Tennessee, Auburn, Florida and LSU every year. I mean, let's be real. They can't even hang with Wake Forest these days.
I'm glad we can stop discussing whether Michigan will get an AP championship. Nice Game Lloyd Carr. Losing to OSU and in your bowl game 3 years in a row is truly impressive.
I guess we can replace all the Michigan BS with the "BS du jour" of Boise State deserves a shot.
Let's nip this in the bud... UF had the 18 toughest schedule (based on Sagarin), OSU the 40th and BSU the 100th. An undefeated mid-major with a SOS in the top 50% maybe would be qualified to play but DEFINITELY NOT the 100th toughest schedule.
The USA was only suckered into one stupid mid major NC when BYU beat a 6-5 Michigan team in the Holiday Bowl. Yet another reason to hate Michigan.
Yup, I wanna hear from all those guys who said this game was gonna prove Big Ten(11?) dominance over the SEC once and for all!
Face it, top to bottom the SEC is the toughest. They pay both sides of the ball and if your using Vandy to prove your points about SEC weakness your gonna get fooled.
So, come on be men...you wanted all us SEC homers to shut up and face reality. Now, we want you to have your slice of humble pie for your arrogance.
It's not all your fault though. You just can't watch games and see the good teams. You just listen to the hype and a biased press.
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
