Comments on: The Round Up http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/ Breaking Down The Politics Of The Most Prestigious Award In Sports Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:27:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ed Newman http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11419 Ed Newman Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:06:07 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11419 I am confused as to why Cincinnati was not chosen by HP to reach the BCS Championship. They're undefeated and have IMO a better shot of staying that way than UT and either Bama or UF. They've been nothing but impressive week after week. They have a few years of good play under their belt including a big east championship last year. I really don't see how they can be denied a trip to the NC game in favor of a 1-loss USC team. What would that say about the BCS system if that happened? I am confused as to why Cincinnati was not chosen by HP to reach the BCS Championship. They’re undefeated and have IMO a better shot of staying that way than UT and either Bama or UF. They’ve been nothing but impressive week after week. They have a few years of good play under their belt including a big east championship last year. I really don’t see how they can be denied a trip to the NC game in favor of a 1-loss USC team. What would that say about the BCS system if that happened?

]]> By: Jeff http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11415 Jeff Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:36:34 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11415 Starkweather - Cinci is fully legit, and I expect a great Orange Bowl between Cinci and GA Tech. I also think WVU matches up well with the top of the ACC, specifically GT, VPI and Miami... But Pitt? Pitt lost to NC State, one of the worst teams in the ACC. Starkweather –
Cinci is fully legit, and I expect a great Orange Bowl between Cinci and GA Tech. I also think WVU matches up well with the top of the ACC, specifically GT, VPI and Miami… But Pitt? Pitt lost to NC State, one of the worst teams in the ACC.

]]> By: gamedaytribe http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11414 gamedaytribe Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:59:57 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11414 Chris, Yep, firstly, I did see your post the other day and responded (rather late, had wandered away). I meant the "unthinkable" in the literary meaning of the word, not literal. It's usually taken to mean either highly improbable or highly undesirable, something that you wouldn't want to think about. Sepaking as a Duck fan, that's of course my world view, I really don't want to see the Ducks lose. The speculation here was of course, even if the Ducks lose, what needs to happen to get USC into the title game, as that seems to be HP's assumption. I'm thinking that's unlikely without a huge swing in the Coaches poll in the event that the unbeatens win out. Chris,

Yep, firstly, I did see your post the other day and responded (rather late, had wandered away).

I meant the “unthinkable” in the literary meaning of the word, not literal. It’s usually taken to mean either highly improbable or highly undesirable, something that you wouldn’t want to think about. Sepaking as a Duck fan, that’s of course my world view, I really don’t want to see the Ducks lose.

The speculation here was of course, even if the Ducks lose, what needs to happen to get USC into the title game, as that seems to be HP’s assumption.

I’m thinking that’s unlikely without a huge swing in the Coaches poll in the event that the unbeatens win out.

]]> By: Chris http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11413 Chris Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:53:28 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11413 Dear gamedaytribe: Please explain why you say that the Ducks losing to USC is "unthinkable"? Well, I have thought about it. And, I think that it is thinkable. It's a tough pick, but it's not like trying to calculate pi to the last digit. It is thinkable in the sense, that one can examine data and evalutate intagibles and then come to a reasonable conclusion. Remember, evaluting games turns on what you choose to focus on as the most important factors. So, if you're picking Oregon over USC, give us your analysis. (I did read your earlier analysis and commented several days ago that it seemed to me that you chose to ignor key factors.) College football is a regional game and people are emotional on all sides. I guess that's why it's fun. Chris Reno, NV Dear gamedaytribe:

Please explain why you say that the Ducks losing to USC is “unthinkable”?

Well, I have thought about it. And, I think that it is thinkable. It’s a tough pick, but it’s not like trying to calculate pi to the last digit.

It is thinkable in the sense, that one can examine data and evalutate intagibles and then come to a reasonable conclusion. Remember, evaluting games turns on what you choose to focus on as the most important factors.

So, if you’re picking Oregon over USC, give us your analysis. (I did read your earlier analysis and commented several days ago that it seemed to me that you chose to ignor key factors.)

College football is a regional game and people are emotional on all sides. I guess that’s why it’s fun.

Chris
Reno, NV

]]> By: starkweather http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11412 starkweather Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:45:54 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11412 Is the criteria for conference strength entirely based on the number of bowl bids? I'd take West Virginia, Cincinnati and Pitt over pretty much anyone in the ACC yet the Big East is dead last. Interesting. I don't disagree that the top teams are all in danger of losing but I'd like to know where you think they'll trip up. And USC does seem particularly likely to slip up, especially if the Pac 10 is so strong. Is the criteria for conference strength entirely based on the number of bowl bids? I’d take West Virginia, Cincinnati and Pitt over pretty much anyone in the ACC yet the Big East is dead last. Interesting. I don’t disagree that the top teams are all in danger of losing but I’d like to know where you think they’ll trip up. And USC does seem particularly likely to slip up, especially if the Pac 10 is so strong.

]]> By: gamedaytribe http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11411 gamedaytribe Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:45:32 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11411 While I agree with your rating of the PAC 10 as the best conference in college football this year, I don't see how USC makes it to the title game. Even if the unthinkable should happen and the Ducks lose to USC this Saturday, a whole lot of other shuffling needs to happen for USC to rise to the BCS final. What happens if all the current undefeated teams win through (barring the ones who might play each other)? At that point, it's not going to be the computer polls and the SOS that matters as much as movement in the coaches poll - currently an unknown dynamic. I don't think SOS will allow USC to rise to the BCS final without some serious dissing of the unbeatens by coaches. But of course, I have no idea if that's a valid opinion to hold or not. Would appreciate someone with insight into this sharing their thoughts... While I agree with your rating of the PAC 10 as the best conference in college football this year, I don’t see how USC makes it to the title game.

Even if the unthinkable should happen and the Ducks lose to USC this Saturday, a whole lot of other shuffling needs to happen for USC to rise to the BCS final.

What happens if all the current undefeated teams win through (barring the ones who might play each other)?

At that point, it’s not going to be the computer polls and the SOS that matters as much as movement in the coaches poll – currently an unknown dynamic. I don’t think SOS will allow USC to rise to the BCS final without some serious dissing of the unbeatens by coaches.

But of course, I have no idea if that’s a valid opinion to hold or not. Would appreciate someone with insight into this sharing their thoughts…

]]> By: eric manry http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11410 eric manry Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:45:00 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11410 I usually think you are on point. BUT are you smoking CRACK. USC in the championship? Sure it could happen but the odds are long! You think OSU has a better chance of beating UT than Oregon beating USC? Vegas doesn't agree with you and neither do I. I have USC going down this weekend with Texas winning by double digits.... I usually think you are on point. BUT are you smoking CRACK.

USC in the championship? Sure it could happen but the odds are long! You think OSU has a better chance of beating UT than Oregon beating USC?

Vegas doesn’t agree with you and neither do I.

I have USC going down this weekend with Texas winning by double digits….

]]> By: Leland http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11409 Leland Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:43:51 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11409 Also, how can USC get into the NC game when Texas is going to beat Oklahoma State this weekend? Also, how can USC get into the NC game when Texas is going to beat Oklahoma State this weekend?

]]> By: Old Ducker http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11408 Old Ducker Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:07:50 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11408 While I would love a Florida vs BSU matchup, there is no way USC is getting to the mnc game after they lose at Autzen this saturday. While I would love a Florida vs BSU matchup, there is no way USC is getting to the mnc game after they lose at Autzen this saturday.

]]> By: Biondo http://heismanpundit.com/2009/10/28/the-round-up-11/comment-page-1/#comment-11407 Biondo Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:28:34 +0000 http://heismanpundit.com/?p=3460#comment-11407 When will the Pac 10 get its Sports Illustrated cover? Are you joking? Do you really think after going 14-16 in non-conference games during the regular season last year, a month of decent results--what are they, 20-8, with a 7-6 record against BCS teams, and two more losses to Notre Dame looming--it means they should be proclaimed the best conference in the land? Keep dreaming, bud. When will the Pac 10 get its Sports Illustrated cover? Are you joking?

Do you really think after going 14-16 in non-conference games during the regular season last year, a month of decent results–what are they, 20-8, with a 7-6 record against BCS teams, and two more losses to Notre Dame looming–it means they should be proclaimed the best conference in the land? Keep dreaming, bud.

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