Now, anyone who’s been on here for awhile knows that I feel like the SEC tends to be very overrated. That, and I really don’t like Urban Myer much at all. He’s the Brian Billick of college football, an offensive genius whose offenses are constantly being bailed out by the defense and special teams. However the outcome today that Florida should play Ohio State is really the only decision that could have been made. And here’s why
- The Big 10, outside of the top 3 (maybe even only 2) teams sucked much #### this season. The SEC wasn’t as good as it normally is, but it was still worlds better than the Big 10. The only good teams Michigan beat were fraudulently ranked Wisconsin and Notre Dame teams. Hell, the biggest fraud may be Ohio State because they only played Michigan and Texas all season, but at least they didn’t lose. On the other hand Florida beat LSU, Tennessee, and Arkansas, and only lost to Auburn because Chris Leak is a ####.
- Florida may not have been impressive in, well, any of their wins. But to any Michigan fan screaming that I have 6 words: Ball State by 8 at home. No excuses, that's pitiful
- Michigan had its chance. Yes I know people are tired of hearing that, but it’s true. If Michigan would have had another chance at Ohio State it would have been tantamount to the NFL saying “You know, the Steelers and Colts played a great playoff game, they should play again in the Super Bowl!!”
- Michigan against Ohio State was not as close as the score may indicate. Ohio State committed 3 turnovers, 2 of which were not forced by Michigan (i.e. a bad snap), and it still took a last minute score to get Michigan within 3 points.
- No matter what Lloyd Carr says there are only 2 factions who will say Michigan deserved a shot at OSU more than Florida. 1) Michigan fans, and 2) Hypocritical journalists who would have screamed “Florida got robbed” if Michigan would have gotten the NC shot. That’s it, that’s the list.
- Michigan plays OSU again, beats them, split national champion. It would have happened I’m fairly sure, although obviously I have no way to prove it.
Again, as much as I have ragged on the SEC and Urban Myer even I can see through the B(C)S and know that Florida deserved the shot way more than. There really is no debate
Good post and good points. I know we might never hear the end of this one, at least until next year's BCS standings where someone feels left out again, but your points help the situation. I'm glad to finally hear someone other than me bring up the Ball State game.
I have to say you are right this time Travis. Right about Ball State and right about the journalists who would have spun it either way no matter who was chosen. Michigan had its chance and blew it as did USC. It's FL turn now. I bet they win.
Travis-To me, all the BCS BS is rhetoric of little value, since a simple, four team playoff would solve the problem nearly every year. Having said that, I'm going ot comment on a few things you wrote.
Your first point comparing the Big 10 & SEC-Pure speculation. Sure, some teams may look better 'on paper,' but we all know how far that gets you. But if you're conviced the SEC is better, I can't really argue that, since we'll never know unless the two conferences play each other.
Your " . .Steelers and Colts played a great playoff game . . ." remark. First of all, who plays who is determined by results. It's cut and dried. That's the general idea of a playoff, and I don't think anyone would say they should play again in the Super Bowl. Some say that about Michigan and Ohio State, granted. but the BCS and NFL playoff systems are apples and oranges.
And finally, I don't know why people insist on saying the OSU-Michigan game was not as close as the score indicated. If Ohio State committed three turnovers, and two on their own, as you point out, perhaps the Buckeyes really aren't that much better, are they? If they were, why are they committing turnovers "on their own" as you mentioned? You could throw around ifs all day on that game and most others. IF Chad Henne doesn't miss an open receiver running down the sideline twice, at least one of those goes for a TD. (I won't mention the irony of Henne missing the throws "on his own"). And IF Michigan doesn't commit a personal foul late in the game and give OSU a first down instead of a fourth down, do the Buckeyes even win
Like I said, all of this is even more reason we need a playoff. Not eight or 16 teams like so many people mention. Just four. 1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3 and the winners play. It's too simple for the NCAA to grasp, I guess. For instance, this year you'd probably have Ohio State vs. whoever four is, I don't know offhand, and Michigan vs. Florida. The winners play. Then the only controversy we'd have is whether a team like Boise State should be in there. I would much rather have to deal with that controversy than this BCS BS.
all that matters is that MIchigan scheduled cupcakes and escaped against a scrub. i supported Mich against USC - they sucked balls all season. they scheduled cupcakes and nearly fell to 3 of them. Florida marched thru a solid conference, even if they did struggle. dont let the NCAA.org strength of schedule rating fool anyone, if you use the baskeball system, Michigans strength of schedule was weeeeeak. just like USC. in the NCAA football system, cincinatti ranks higher than the trojans.
either way they got it right. i agree with travis for the first time ever, i think. i did think about you as the Big East choked death the last few weeks, tho. Force Notre Dame to join the Big East and increase the competition level. of couse, i bet rutgers, Lville and WVU would just give ND 3 losses...
Nice post Travis, but factually untrue. As of Sunday, December 3rd...here are the rankings and strength of schedule from Mike Greenfields College ranking web site: http://teamrankings.com/ncf/
Team Rank v.Top 10 v. 11-25 v. 26-40
1. Ohio State 61.7 1-0 2-0 2-0
2. Michigan 56.5 1-1 2-0 1-0
3. USC 51.8 2-0 4-2 3-0
4. Florida 51.1 2-0 1-1 3-0
5. LSU 50.3 1-1 2-1 1-0
So through the smoke and mirrors, even USC is STILL more deserving of a shot at ohio state than Florida.
I'm not exactly sure who Mike Greenfield is or why I should care what his rankings say, but playing 4 teams in the current top 25 and beating 3 of them and only losing by 1 to the other sure beats playing 2 fraud top 25 teams and no one else. I'm assuming the game against the 1-AA team doesn't help matters, but the only difference between a 1-AA team and Ball State is the QB (Who will be the next Ben Roethlisberger-type by the way, but that's another story). Although again I will say they (Michigan) still had a better schedule than did Ohio State, but OSU didn't lose.
And really, I'm not thinking "Gee, if Ohio State commited 3 turnovers maybe they aren't that much better than Michigan" I'm thinking "Gee, if Ohio State actually plays well they win by 20 points." I can't imagine Michigan playing any better than they did on that day, outside of some defensive things, but OSU can play much, much better
I honestly don't know who should be #2. I like Florida b/c they had a much togher schedule and made it through with only 1 loss. Meanwhile Michigan only lost to #1 Ohio State. I think 1of the factors is Michigan has not played for 2 weeks, so their actions have been missing. I agree with you on your points about Florida though. Michigan had its shot and lost. Let Florida have a stab at it. I don't know, it just seemed like there was a very large gap inbetween Michigan's & Florida's BCS percentages, that FLorida overcame somehow. How about I just hate the BCS completely and totally. Like Lou Holtz said," We can justify all day long why Florida should be in the title game, but there is no way to justify why Michigan is not." We have a clear cut #1 seed but #2 is a circus. How about a playoff please?
Florida is the right choice, but I disagree on the split national champion.
If you lose to a team on the road, then beat them with bigger stakes on a neutral field who in their right mind would not give more weight to the latter victory? Ummm, no one.
I just wish someone who voted for Florida could give us a reason why Michigan isn't going...
That #### about Michigan didn't win the Big 10 is a joke...
what if there was a Big 10 championship game
and Michigan beat Ohio st.... then waht???
or what if Arkansas
beat Florida???
would Arkansas play for the title???
I don't think so...
and lets look at these "quality wins" Florida got...
They beat Tennesse @ Tenn. by 1 pt and they have 3 losses...Arkansas beat them by 17...
and they had to block a field goal and an extra point in the closing minutes to beat South Carolina @ home...SC is ranked like #40 and has 5 losses...
and as far as the SEC title game...
without that #### Fish fumbling the punt it the endzone for a Florida touchdown they probably don't win that game...
the momentum totally shifted and it just killed Arkansas...
up 17-0...then down 21-17...Florida was scared and about to choke like USC...but Arkansas choked first...
and this is Arkansas...
imagine what Ohio st will do to them...
come on...really...
2/3 of the country think Michigan would beat Florida in a game...
If tee-bow is any good Florida and Michigan might play next year for the title!!!
The only loss Michigan had was by 3 points to OSU @ Ohio...and they won every other game by 7 or more points...no squeek by 1 point victories...
how the hell do you get leap frogged 2 weeks in a row without playing a game???
If Florida is better...then before the SEC game they should have been #3...
It wasn't a blow out so what changed???
Voters just didn't want a rematch...
Last edited by Intimidator317 on December 4th at 5:37 PM.
Chris Leak is a #### a! But thats not an excuss for losing. Mabye it's the bonehead coach who put him in to begin with. I know the system is flawed, but it is designed to put the 2 best teams in the Championship. And as long as were are running under the BCS, MIchigan should ALWAYS be going and Florida watching on TV. Let's face it:
Just stopping by to give my favorite critic some props! Good post...I see your focusing on the BCS since your Steelers are in the dumper. Glad to see your still bloggin along though...it's gonna be a great summer with Biggio closing in on 3,000. Miss me? (:
I'm Travis. I'm a born and raised Pittsburgher, although I'm only now starting to pick up the accent. Like many Pittsburghers I can pick out which famous people are from Pittsburgh (especially athletes, cuz outside of Michael Keaton that's about it around here) and mention it to anyone I think doesn't know. Which usually results in a "Um, who the hell cares?" I'm a fan of all Pittsburgh teams, and the Penguins are probably my favorite, mostly because they're the only team that's won anything since I've been alive (1981). (Update, Steelers won the Super Bowl, duh) Other hobbies include movies, TV, travel, and general milling around.
