Say hello to your 2005 BCS Champion...

[bigdad2]

MC - Amid all the bashing going on in this thread it's nice to see someone is able to remember what was originally posted. The fact remains that the recent trend of a team coming off a season having EXACTLY 5 losses is hard to overlook...

In regards to your statement on the 3 teams you listed:

1) Clemson will be an interesting team to watch in the ACC next year to see if they are able to build on the end of the year. No one gave them a chance in the bowl game against Tenn. and they dominated the 'Vols on both sides. While Whitehurst will be entering his Jr. season the team would be a prime candidate for this angle had they lost the Bowl game. Still 9-4 last year is something Bowden should improve on this year...

2) When putting Cal under the microscope I am not as high on this team as others. YES, they did beat VT but nearly gave the game away at the end and had the game gone to O.T. I believe the outcome would have been different. Tech's strength the past 8+ years has been special teams and this was the first game in recent memory that it failed them. YES, they also were the only team last year to beat USC but they then lost the following two games before ending the season winning 5 out of 6. Those other 4 wins... Arizona, ASU, Washington and Stanford. Not exactly top quality teams. Will Cal be able to continue the momentum they established at the end of the season or will they flounder in the middle of the Pac-10 again? We'll see...

3) Last year was a great example of how the smaller Mid-majors have the chips stacked against them. Few can argue that Miami(Oh) was not only the best football team beginning with Miami in the country but a legit top-8 team. They won 13 straight and SHOULD have been given an opportunity to show how it measured up against the Big Boys, rather than taking Louisville behind the woodshed. TCU, Boise St., and Utah also all had great seasons but until the BCS system changes these Mid-majors need to not only go undefeated in the regular season BUT have some luck on their side. Until that time there is NO value in any of the smaller schools winning the BCS title...

 

[Blackman]

BigDad - Agree 100% on your assessment of the mid majors. Miami Ohio is a perfect example of how biased the bowl system can be. Lose the first game of the year, dominate the rest of the season, play in one of the first bowl games of the season. I would have loved to see them play a team like Miami or FSU, and while they wouldn't have gotten a BCS bid, I still don't see any reason why they couldn't have played on January 1st. I think it's safe to say that they were better than a team like Cal, or Boston College, and in my opinion could have beaten teams like Florida or Tennessee if given the chance.

But until the system isn't completely money driven - the Miami Ohio's and Boise St's of the world will never get a shot at the big boys. There is the perception (true or not) that they won't fill the stadiums, sell t-shirts and create a buzz. I guess I'm in the minority - but I'd much rather see Miami O drop the hammer on a team on Jan 1 then have to watch Tennessee lay an egg vs Clemson, but obviously execs (and alumni of the big schools) don't see it the same way.

 

[Kdogg21]

I would imagine they would change the process w/ mid-majors as well. Northern Illinois had a terrific season as well, and got royally screwed, not even getting a bowl bid. To me, I would think having them in more bowl games would draw more fan interest. You know there is bound to be upsets down the line as it is in the NCAA B-ball tourney...

 

[Scott4USC]

I agree these mid majors are getting shafted. HOWEVER, it sucks for the big name programs to play them in the premier bowl games. It is a WIN WIN situation for a mid major to play a premier program. The premier program is in a LOSE LOSE situation playing Miami Ohio. For example lets use OU. If OU beats Miami Ohio in Jan. 1st game, "who cares." If OU loses to Miami Oh, THAT IS HUGE DEAL! In addition, the players and fans of OU could care less about playing Miami Oh. I certainly would not "pay" and travel across the country to watch USC play Miami Oh in a bowl game (unless it was for a NC). Also TV RATINGS would be down and so on.

What I think the mid major programs should do is take a page out of FRESNO ST BOOK. This last year Fresno St. played a tough OOC schedule.

@ Tenn
Oregon St.
@ OU
Portland St.

If Miami Ohio had that same OOC schedule and won, they would then deserve a better bowl game/opponent and maybe even shot at NC. Also a premier program would take them more seriously and want to play them in bowl game.

Miami Oh OOC schedule was.........

@Iowa
@Northwestern
@Colorado St.
Cincinnati

They did not play an "easy" OOC schedule, but if they played an OOC schedule like Fresno St. and won, that would have been huge deal. Schedule and beat the best, and you will get recognized no matter what conference you play.

Now people might bitch OOC schedule is too tough and others schdule/play easy OOC games. Its not fair. Well, USC always plays one of the toughest OOC schedules year in and year out. Take pride in playing the best and beating the best. Don't run away from it and take the easy route. That IMO is the best way for a mid major to "earn" respect. I respect Fresno St. (even though I hate their head coach who is very good BTW).

Did not help Miami Oh losing to the best opponent they faced all year 21-3.

Miami Oh final BCS SOS was ranked 68th. Not very good. If you take the final top 16 BCS teams, the worst SOS outside of Miami Oh was Tenn, they had SOS of 46. So NO, i would not replace Tenn with Miami Oh. NO WAY!!!! I agree it sucked watching Tenn. play Clemson (they play horrible), but Tenn deserved to be there.

All in all, I think Miami Oh. was very good team this year, but played in the bowl game they deserved.

 

[bigdad2]

Scott - it looks as though we must agree to disagree and I'm going to give you a "glimpse" of football within a Mid-major program as you have no point of reference. Having graduated in '00 from Miami I can tell you that hopefully the past 8 years of work by the athletic department are a direct result of the team's success the past year and in the future. Often time schedules are made YEARS in advance. For a long time Miami has been known as "The Giant Killers" in football which is both a positive and negative thing. In '95 Miami gave the only loss to Northwestern the year they went to the Rose Bowl while also playing at Michigan, although they lost that game in the 4th quarter. In '97 Miami played @VT for its HC game, which I attended in person, when they were #11 and won. The following year the first game of the season was @UNC, who was #12, and they won that game. In '98 Miami had one of its finest season going 10-1 and they had to watch as the same UNC team they beat in September was given the final slot for a bowl game over Miami. I had, and still to this day have, many close friends on the football team during those years and that was a harsh reality for fans, players and coaches alike. Basically the NCAA gave a pat on the back for a good season but said we didn't have the fan support to justify a bowl game so it should go to the team you beat instead. (UNC was 6-5 before the bowl game)

So, after that did Miami instead go the route of many other colleges and have "cupcake" schedules with the hopes of having a glowing record??? NO, instead they ATTEMPTED to schedule even better teams. The fact that they did have success now meant that teams didn't want to play them yet they still found teams that would. The past 5 years Miami has played @WV, @OSU (where they had a lead late in the game and SHOULD have won if not for the officials), @Michigan, @Iowa, @UNC, Iowa at home and then @LSU in '02. This past year while they may have played an "easy" OOC schedule to some they did something that is very rare which is win 3 consecutive road games in a row. I have not yet found the statistics but I can assure you it is a tiny percentage of teams who have accomplished this feat.

You believe Miami played in the bowl they deserved and I agree with you but for different reasons. I believe it shows how wrong the system is now and why it needs to be fixed. This is the ultimate Catch-22 within college sports especially for the teams who hope to build their programs. As the structure of college football is now set it is IMPOSSIBLE for a Mid-major team to get a chance to reach the summit of a NC. When the vote comes to restructure the BCS, presidents of the colleges have already said they will NOT vote for a playoff system. That means that each year we will continue to debate, "What might have been..." Having a playoff system where Mid-majors are included in some capacity takes out the "What if" factor and lets the debate end where it should... on the field!

Oh, and that also would have ended all the arguing about USC and LSU weeks ago...

 

[bigdad2]

Blackman - glad to see we think alike!

Kdogg21 - That is why the NCAA tournament is BY FAR the best playoff system in all of sports. Every March teams basically get a clean slate before the Conference Tournament. Teams know that if they win their tournament they are in the Big Dance and then are 6 games away from the title. I hope in my lifetime I get to see a #16 seed knock off a #1 seed, so long as it is not Duke, and make some noise!

 

[Scott4USC]

bigdad2

Very good write-up and I enjoyed reading it. Miami Oh does have my respect for the OOC opponents they have played and even beat. I do know many D1 programs will shy away from playing Miami Oh but I am pretty sure these same big D1 programs will play Miami Oh at home vs @Miami Oh. Not really fair but that is the way it is. So if I am Miami Oh, I would NOW START SCHEDULING TOUGH TOUGH OOC opponents. Tough as they can get. Here is why.

#1) Garner respect

#2) More fans/writers will know about them, increase popularity, they took huge step this last year in popularity. Too bad the QB did not stay, he could have taken your program to higher status.

#3) Improve SOS (helps in BCS pts and respect because AP and Coaches will see you play). Not many watch Mid Major games.

Playing a top 5 OOC schedule will get Maimi Oh into a NC game. It would have this year. There is no doubt Miami Oh would have to win out to go. So I disagree with you saying there is no chance of mid major making a NC game. They just have to play under tougher circumstances. As i stated before and many times, USC tries to play one of the tougher OOC schedules and they are not forced too. But USC gets away/home series where Miami Oh might get 2 away/1 home agreements. So it will be tougher.

I agree it is a shame there is no playoffs. Playoffs also would help out the mid majors in recruiting. Players are going to USC, OU, LSU etc... because they want to win NC.

I also think that there will be a playoff system in college football. In few years there will prob. be a 4-team system or just 1 extra game if necessary (like this year). Then after that maybe 8-team playoff.

If I had my choice, I would have an 8-team playoff under this format.

THESE CONFERENCE WINNERS GET AUTOMATIC BIDS
Pac 10
Big 10
SEC
ACC
Big 12

2-more teams (at-large) get selected using the BCS Format
For example, BCS ranks the top 30 teams, the 2 highest ranked BCS teams who did not win their conference gets to go to playoffs. Includes mid major teams.

Final slot goes to a mid-major team
For example, the highest rated BCS Mid-Major team. That will include all the conference teams who do not get an automatic winner. I included the BIG EAST as mid-major because the strong teams from big east went to the ACC.

After you get all 8-teams selected, you rank them 1-8 using the BCS format. First round 1 plays 8 and so on.

 

[Master Capper]

Scott:

I do agree with you on Southern Cal having a stellar recruiting class last year and this year but we all know how overrated those rankings are, I must disagree with you on your perception on the mid major programs. Your rationale that Miami of Ohio deserved to play in a minor bowl is out of whack, how can you rationalize that when teams such as Clemson (a 28 point loser to Wake) go to more lucrative bowls? Saying Miami lost to their toughest opponet makes no sense also, didnt USC lose to Cal on the road too? Why should USC be given more slack then Miami for a loss? As far as a Miami scheduling a tougher schedule, well thats easier said then done, how many teams will be willing to schedule a home and home with them? How many teams will want to bring them in as a Homecoming game after the upsets that MAC teams pulled this year? So whats your suggestion for them to play under tougher circumstances? As far as your comment that the bigger schools have nothing to play for if they would face Miami of Ohio in a bowl game, first of all I would hope they had pride, and I dont see teams like Duke saying we dont have anything to play for when they face Coppin State in the college basketball tourny. Like it or not the Mid Majors will have a much larger impact on the BCS within the next 3 years either the power conf's will see the writing on the wall or I believe that a legal challenge will be made through a class action law suit with the Mid majors prevailing. I also agree with you that So Cal should be the favorite to repeat this year, Pete Carrol has done a outstanding job.

 

[Scott4USC]

Master Capper

Nice post sorry i did not reply sooner, i must have over-looked it. Thanks for the USC recruiting props, and LSU is having a great class as well. Both programs look bright for the future with both coaches staying. Carroll has turned down 49ers (dream job) and Raiders and Saban turning down the NFL as well.

I disagree with your statement about how overrated those recruiting rankings are. It has nothing to do with the rankings if your coaches evaluate talent themselves. I know USC staff and prob. LSU as well do their own evaluations and completely ignore the rankings. USC has offered ton of 3 star recruits over 4 star recruits they knew they could get. I agree there are busts, but it is more likely for a 3star recruit to be a bust than a 4 or 5star recruit. All in all, it all goes back to the coaching staff and how well they can recognize and develop the talent. Very important.

I think Clemson deserved the bowl bid over Miami Oh because Clemson won their last 4 games of the season in impressive fashion and beat the #8 team in the country FLORIDA ST. Impressive. Miami Oh lost to the best team they faced 21-3 (although it was their 1st game of the year). FSU is better than Iowa IMO. I also think finishing 3rd in the ACC is better than finishing #1 in the Mid American Conference. According to Sagarin conference ratings, ACC was the #1 conference while the Mid American was the 10th strongest conference. (sad).

Clemson played a SOS of 23 while Miami Oh played SOS of 72 according to Sagarin rankings. That is a huge difference IMO.

Why should USC be given more slack then Miami for a loss?

First of all, it was a SUPER YOUNG USC TEAM,

2nd USC lost @CAL in triple OT in a very exciting game where USC played bad for 2 quarters and it was only 4th game of year,

3rd, USC SOS was a lot tougher than Miami OH (despite so many teams tanking for USC and hurting their SOS),

4th USC scored over 42pts in all of their last 7 games while sitting out their starters in the 3rd and 4th quarters,

5th, USC average win this year was by more than 4 touchdowns, and that includes playing reserves on both offense and defense in 3rd and 4th quarters. I can't count on how many meaningless TD's USC gave up late in the games.

So whats your suggestion for them to play under tougher circumstances?

Miami Oh. will have to play these powerhouses on the road, 1 game series or 2 away 1 home series agreements. This is big disadvantage to Miami Oh, but this is def. a possible solution. Those programs who are afraid to play Miami Oh would schedule Miami Oh as long as it is not home and away series.

Premier programs and fans would only be excited to play Miami Oh in a bowl game if it was for a NC or in the playoffs.

 

[Blackman]

On a side note - Auburn had 5 losses last year, they could be as much of a contender next year as those other teams listed.


As for the Miami Ohio's of the world - I really think telling them to go schedule better out of conference teams is easier said than done. With the upsets the MAC has pulled, teams aren't going to want to bring them in, since it's not the automatic win of the past. Also, so much scheduling is done so far in the future it can't be reversed. I was a swimmer in Division I, and while it's obviously not anywhere close to the magnitude of college football, but when I was being recruited I was shown scheduling committments for the 4 years I would be on the team. In 1999 I knew who'd I'd be racing as a senior! Of course some of the teams backed out or changed dates, but I had the general idea of what was to come. So while Miami O might want to toughen their schedule now, their hands may be tied until 2008.

Scott, you make some good points about Clemson, and I understand why they would be a bowl bid over a team like Miami Ohio. I look at the Miami situation differently. Why couldn't they have played on New Years Eve? Did Southern Miss deserve a shot vs Utah more than Ohio did? Why the hell was Boston College playing Colorado St on New Years Eve? While I can agree to an extent that the MAC winner maybe shouldn't be in the Outback or Cotton Bowl, I don't see why they are sent to the GMAC bowl either. I believe that there is some status to playing in the later bowls, and why a Boise St vs Miami Ohio couldn't have played on December 31st or January 1st I'll never understand.

 

[Scott4USC]

Blackman

You might have missed what I wrote..........

Miami Oh. will have to play these powerhouses on the road, 1 game series or 2 away 1 home series agreements. This is big disadvantage to Miami Oh, but this is def. a possible solution. Those programs who are afraid to play Miami Oh would schedule Miami Oh as long as it is not home and away series.

Miami Oh will not get too many home and away agreements. "MOST" programs would agree too 2 things. I used Penn St. as an example.

@PSU

or

@PSU
@PSU
@Miami Ohio

Not many programs will agree too....

@PSU
@Miami Oh

You stated the reasons why many programs would not agree to a home/away series. I know it is not fair but it also is not fair to major program to play Miami Ohio on even slate. Nothing to gain but a lot to lose. Penn St. would much rather schedule Alabama vs Miami Oh. Losing to Alabama is more respectful than Miami Oh.

I don't see why they are sent to the GMAC bowl either. I believe that there is some status to playing in the later bowls, and why a Boise St vs Miami Ohio couldn't have played on December 31st or January 1st I'll never understand.

I agree with you on that.

 

[bigdad2]

Blackman - I have to agree with you on Auburn as they might sneak up on people like LSU this year. Many will have LSU, Florida and Georgia as the favorites in the SEC ...


Just happened to see that Miami's next two season openers look like this:

2004- @Michigan
2005- @OSU

I haven't seen the rest of the schedule in either year but they are playing the "Big Boys" once again. Too bad "Big Ben" didn't stay around as the opener this year with him on the team would've been fun to see. It looks like I'll be out in Columbus for a full week in 2005 with OSU's first two games against Miami and Texas.

 

[bigdad2]

Without Vick the Hokies have NO chance to even think of a BCS game, competing with the ACC Big Boys and have any value for the Championship...



February 19, 3:15 PM ET


Associated Press
BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick was arrested Tuesday and accused of serving alcohol to three underage girls in his apartment and having sex with a 15-year-old girl.


Vick, the 19-year-old brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback and former Hokies star Michael Vick, faces four misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He's free on a $2,500 bond.


He could face up to four years in jail.


Vick's roommates, Hokies tailback Mike Imoh and wide receiver Brenden Hill, were charged with three misdemeanors for allegedly serving the girls alcohol last month. Both also were arrested Tuesday and released after posting the same bond, authorities said.


The charges stem from a gathering at the apartment the players share.


According to an affidavit, the girls told police they were given vodka and rum to drink while at the apartment on Jan. 27, and that a roommate of Vick took pictures of them as they "danced and stripped from their clothing." At some point, the affidavit said, two girls claimed Vick had sex with their 15-year-old friend in his bedroom.


State law allows a person who has consensual sex with a child 15 or older to be charged with a misdemeanor. Convictions for contributing to the delinquency of a minor are punishable by a maximum of 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine for each count.


There also could be sanctions from the university.


Under the school's Comprehensive Action Plan governing the conduct of its athletes, players are not automatically suspended from a team for misdemeanor charges. But a conviction would trigger a review by athletic director Jim Weaver.


He would determine the severity of the sanctions to be levied against the athlete, ranging from suspension for a given time to dismissal from the team.


Weaver said Tuesday night he plans to let the case run its legal course.


"I'm going to operate within the guidelines of the Comprehensive Action Plan," he said when reached at home by The Roanoke Times. "I'm not commenting before the legal system takes its action."


Vick's attorney, Marc Long, and Imoh's attorney, Christopher Tuck, declined comment. Hill has no attorney of record.


Vick, a redshirt freshman last season, saw extensive playing time in the second half of the season, sharing duties with starting quarterback Bryan Randall. Hokies coach Frank Beamer planned to use both quarterbacks again next season.


Imoh, a junior, was one of the nation's top kick returners. Hill, a redshirt sophomore, was a high school teammate of Vick's.

 

[Blackman]

Thanks for the article - he's such a huge part of the Va Tech plan for the next few years, this could be tough to overcome. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[bigdad2]

HUGE mistake on my part for overlooking Auburn for this year. They fit into this system and looking back should have been a better choice than Oregon. Both MU and Oregon were long-shots but I did believe that UVA had a shot at the BCS. Interesting to see how this plays out for Auburn as they will have my support to keep this trend going. Also, I will list ALL teams which fit this trend at the end of the Bowl Season. From there we can debate on which are the strongest plays...