CFN's Take: Blame the Big 12

[3 Seconds]

And welcome to the glitch in the system ... for the Big 12.

The BCS was designed to determine the two teams that deserve to play for the national title. It's not set up to be a conference tie-breaker before the regular season is over because the formula isn't complete.

The computer part of the formula is set up to take the entire season into account from the opening day through the final day, but the regular season and the conference titles still have to be played. The computers have now put Oklahoma No. 1 overall, and Texas No. 2, while the humans are split with Oklahoma beating out Texas by one lousy point (1,397 votes to 1,396) in the Coaches' Poll while the Harris has the Longhorns three and the Sooners four. So if you're a Texas fan, be angry at the computers, but blame your conference for the flip flop that kept your team out of the Big 12 title game.

Don't blame the BCS system for Texas not being in the Big 12 title. Again, this is not what the system is for. The system is set up to determine a national champion, and for the Big 12 to use it as a tie-breaker will cast a pall on the rest of the season.

The Top 25
- Expanded BCS Rankings

1. Alabama
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas
4. Florida
5. USC
6. Utah
7. Texas Tech
8. Penn State
9. Boise State
10. Ohio State
11. TCU
12. Ball State
13. Cincinnati
14. Oklahoma St
15. Georgia Tech
16. Georgia
17. Boston Coll.
18. BYU
19. Oregon
20. Missouri
21. Michigan St
22. Northwestern
23. Pitt
24. Florida State
15. Virginia Tech

Here's the problem. Oklahoma beat Chattanooga, one of the nation's worst FCS teams, 57-2 in the season opener. If you're just going by margin of victory in games against FBS teams, Oklahoma and Texas are almost dead even. If you count the game against Chattanooga in the overall formula, then the Texas strength of schedule is better than OU's. And, of course, Texas beat Oklahoma by ten.

So by almost all measures, Texas and OU are dead even in the statistical parts of the equation, Texas, again, played the stronger schedule, according to the NCAA, and the final score was 45-35 in the Red River Rivalry. However, three computers had Oklahoma No. 1 overall, two had the Sooners No. 2. Texas was ahead of OU in two computer formulas, but the question remains: how much will the computer formulas change after the final week? There are still several games to be played that will change up the computer part of the equation, but by that point, Oklahoma will have already played Missouri in the Big 12 title game and the damage will have been done.

Basically, here's what you need to know ...

1. The upsets didn't come. The Alabama - Florida winner in the SEC title game will play for the national title. Oklahoma will be in the title game if it beats Missouri, but ...

2. There's still hope for Texas. If Missouri beats Oklahoma, the possibility of USC moving up the No. 2 spot is almost zero. Everyone will feel bad for the Longhorns, and no one will have a problem putting them into the national championship game if the Sooners lose.


1. Alabama Score: 0.9713 Last Week: No. 1
The computers are liking Oklahoma more this week and don't seem to care about the the Tide anymore. Last week's No. 1 team moved down to No. 3 by the computers despite blowing out Auburn. It doesn't matter. Beat Florida, play for the national title.



2. Oklahoma Score: 0.9351 Last Week: No. 2
The computers gave the South to the Sooners. Last week the computers had Texas No. 2 and OU No. 3, this week it's OU No. 1 and Texas No. 2. All the Sooners now have to do is beat Missouri and they're playing for the national title.



3. Texas Score: 0.9223 Last Week: No. 2
This might be the biggest hosing in the history of the BCS system because there's no tangible argument for Oklahoma. Texas can always fall back on the 45-35 win in the Red River Rivalry. Now the Longhorns will have to watch two teams they beat by a combined score of 101 to 67 play for the Big 12 title.

 

[CWood97]

I have a solution to this whole mess. Why don't they just leave the B12 out of the equation and let a team that actually plays DEFENSE play in the title game?

 

[jhawksoon]

3 sec when does your crybaby attitude end? The BCS ranking was used because first 4 tiebreakers were deadlocked between Oklahoma and Texas. Oklahoma has looked like the better team since that game was played while Texas has lost a game. That was the difference. It's done, move on and enjoy watching the Fiesta Bowl which means about as much as the Gator, Alamo, or Sun Bowl.:sadwave:

 

[Whitt's End]

NO tangible argument for OU???

they beat:
Texas Tech 65-21 (#7 in your BCS rankings)
Ok St 61-41 in Still water (#14)
Big East champ Cincinnati 52-26 (#13)
TCU 35-10 (#11)

you can keep harping on UT-C, but is Florida Atlantic, UTEP, or Rice anything to shout about for strength of schedule?

i don't care either way b/t Texas or OU- i don't like either. i am sick of hearing people whining about Texas getting screwed. if OU hadn't beaten Tech in the first place, it's cut and dried Texas has nothing to complain about.

 

[3 Seconds]

3 sec when does your crybaby attitude end? The BCS ranking was used because first 4 tiebreakers were deadlocked between Oklahoma and Texas. Oklahoma has looked like the better team since that game was played while Texas has lost a game. That was the difference. It's done, move on and enjoy watching the Fiesta Bowl which means about as much as the Gator, Alamo, or Sun Bowl.:sadwave:

I didnt write this moron. Its from an independent college football news sources.

Just relaying the info...

 

[bjfinste]

i am sick of hearing people whining about Texas getting screwed. if OU hadn't beaten Tech in the first place, it's cut and dried Texas has nothing to complain about.

Or if Texas hadn't lost to Tech. Texas is no more deserving of having a place in that game than Oklahoma OR Texas Tech, and yet their fans are whining like a spot in that game is their birthright. Tech got fucked just as bad as Texas did.

 

[owtkast3]

Its the same ole story in College Football if you are going to lose make sure it is early because if you lose late you are screwed. Period. They reward the teams playing better at the end of the year. I dont think anyone can dispute Okla has been playing the better football over the past month.

Who is to say that if Florida beats Alabama in a close game that ALabama doesnt deserve a rematch. The same theory was tested about OSU-Mich a few years back when Fla. backed into the game and it left Michigan out after losing a close game to #1 OSU. My point being why is Alabama a team that has held #1 for awhile now going to get fucked if they lose a close battle with Florida?

The whole thing sucks in my opinion. The object should be to let the teams fight it out not have some computer or some nitwit voting on their opinion.

 

[jhawksoon]

I find it unbelievable that Texas fans just totally discount Texas Tech from the argument. It's as if they feel like Tech is totally undeserving of going to the championship game. First of all Tech beat Texas so how do they feel that Tech is less of a team than they are when the whole Texas argument is head to head. Secondly if OU would have lost to Oklahoma St., then Tech would have gone to the championship game. Thirdly, the reason Texas fans discount Tech is because their BCS ranking is lower than OU and Texas. Well the same system they are using to discount Tech put OU in the championship game. Deal with it Longhorn fans, it is done. All three teams have an argument. There will always be two teams left out in a three way tie.

 

[owtkast3]

I have a solution to this whole mess. Why don't they just leave the B12 out of the equation and let a team that actually plays DEFENSE play in the title game?

So you have to play great defense to play in the title game?? The last 4 championship games have had an average of 68 pts between the two teams. That sounds like great offense is a better recipe than a great defense.

 

[3 Seconds]

I have a solution to this whole mess. Why don't they just leave the B12 out of the equation and let a team that actually plays DEFENSE play in the title game?

Does the Big 10 play defense?

Is not the object of the game to score points? If you can score more than your opponent what does it matter?

Last few Rose Bowls that the Big 10 rep has been apart of have given up a whole lot of points.

49 to USC in 08
32 to USC in 07
38 to Texas in 05
34 to Washington in 01

Lets not even get to when the Big 10 has a team in the NC where they have given up 38 & 41 pts. Being outscored by a combined score of 79-38.

Is that the DEFENSE you were speaking of??

:shrug:

 

[CWood97]

Does the Big 10 play defense?

Is not the object of the game to score points? If you can score more than your opponent what does it matter?

Last few Rose Bowls that the Big 10 rep has been apart of have given up a whole lot of points.

49 to USC in 08
32 to USC in 07
38 to Texas in 05
34 to Washington in 01

Lets not even get to when the Big 10 has a team in the NC where they have given up 38 & 41 pts. Being outscored by a combined score of 79-38.

Is that the DEFENSE you were speaking of??

:shrug:

Not sure where I mentioned the Big Ten above, but I can't find it. The Big Ten is down and has been down for some time now.

I do know the one thing that distinguishes USC, Florida and Alabama from the B12 sisters is that each of these three teams has a defense that doesn't resemble a wet paper towel. I say give USC the shot at the SEC champ and let the B12 pissing contest play out in one of the also ran bowls.

 

[3 Seconds]

Not sure where I mentioned the Big Ten above, but I can't find it. The Big Ten is down and has been down for some time now.

I do know the one thing that distinguishes USC, Florida and Alabama from the B12 sisters is that each of these three teams has a defense that doesn't resemble a wet paper towel. I say give USC the shot at the SEC champ and let the B12 pissing contest play out in one of the also ran bowls.

So you are saying Texas doesnt play D?

Since they are in the conference that is just balls to the walls offense what does it say that they only give up 18.5 pts per game & 323 yards per game.

Is that not impressive to you? At the very least you would have to admit Texas plays D.

Just to note OU gives up 25pts per & 360 yards per

:shrug:

 

[jhawksoon]

There you go again 3 secs, oops I mean Mack Brown, whining again about Oklahoma. Boo freaking hoo. Since you're into stats, as of a couple of weeks ago, and I'm sure it hasn't changed, OU has actually been outscored on avg. in the second half. That's because they have blown most opponents out and they shut it down in the second half. No offense and second team players= a lot of unnecessary points being scored by the opponents which also turns into Texas fans pointing towards a little stat to whine about how they should be in the Big XII title game.

 

[jhawksoon]

I do agree with 3 secs. in the fact that how can you say that a league doesn't play any defense when they have the most high powered offenses in the country from top to bottom. I guess we will just have to see during the bowls how good these offenses and defenses in the Big XII are.

 

[CWood97]

Is that not impressive to you? At the very least you would have to admit Texas plays D.

I will admit Texas plays D at a higher level than OU and Texas Tech, as at least they can stop the run. However, in the three of the four games where they played a team with a competent passing attack, they gave up 35, 31 and 39 points.

 

[3 Seconds]

I will admit Texas plays D at a higher level than OU and Texas Tech, as at least they can stop the run. However, in the three of the four games where they played a team with a competent passing attack, they gave up 35, 31 and 39 points.

Competent wouldnt be the word to describe those passing attacks. Elite would be more fitting. Those are 3 of the top passing attacks in the nation.

Also in the Mizzou game that 31 is misleading. UT was up 35-3 @ half...

 

[rusty]

Competent wouldnt be the word to describe those passing attacks. Elite would be more fitting. Those are 3 of the top passing attacks in the nation.

Also in the Mizzou game that 31 is misleading. UT was up 35-3 @ half...

Finesse is what the big 12 is built on nothing else.
What was the final in Sat. late game 61-40 or something.Please.Oaklahoma would be embarressed in a national championship game between either Florida or Alabame.

Texas would give a better showing,but think still lose.3 if im wrong ill admit.Just think the top teams in the big 12 need a quality D to be considerd legit.

 

[mw]

I find it unbelievable that Texas fans just totally discount Texas Tech from the argument. ... the reason Texas fans discount Tech is because their BCS ranking is lower than OU and Texas. Well the same system they are using to discount Tech put OU in the championship game.

Exactly.

You know who screwed Texas? The Big 12 when it put together that insane schedule.

 

[3 Seconds]

Finesse is what the big 12 is built on nothing else.
What was the final in Sat. late game 61-40 or something.Please.Oaklahoma would be embarressed in a national championship game between either Florida or Alabame.

Texas would give a better showing,but think still lose.3 if im wrong ill admit.Just think the top teams in the big 12 need a quality D to be considerd legit.

We are going to find out shortly. Maybe, maybe not.

I do know that UT is not built on finesse. That D is solid. Miller, Kindle, Orakpo, Muckelroy, Babino are not finesse.

UT has to have the youngest secondary of any secondary in D1.

As long as Colt comes back this team is going to be even better next year.

 

[rusty]

We are going to find out shortly. Maybe, maybe not.

I do know that UT is not built on finesse. That D is solid. Miller, Kindle, Orakpo, Muckelroy, Babino are not finesse.

UT has to have the youngest secondary of any secondary in D1.

As long as Colt comes back this team is going to be even better next year.

I know you follow them.I havent seen them play hardly at all this year.I know this much Oak. is no way deserving of a number 2.Also think Mizzou gives em a run for the money.