If....!!!!!

[billybud]

When you have conference championships, it may be more common to have a great one loss team that did not win their conference.

I think that winning your conference/division is a useless construct. It is how good that you are.....as measured by who have you beaten, who have you lost to and how badly.

If there is a team that has a better SOS than Bama, has lost one or fewer games to a top ten team by a lesser margin, I say they have earned the right to play for it. I think that Bama's resume speaks for itself.

Rematches are not well loved. But this one would be a barn burner.

Anybody remember the "Fifth Quarter in the French Quarter"? In 1994, 10-1 FSU played 10-1 Florida to a tie in the last game of the season. The teams were then paired (for the first of two rematches in two years) in the Sugar Bowl...and the tie was played out.

Much like Bama and LSU who tied in regulation.

[RazorHawk]

There are a few sportscasters that are saying that if #3 Arkansas should beat #1 LSU, that Arkansas would remain #3 and just raise Alabama to #1 and LSU drop to #2. I cannot believe that this would possibly happen.

[Vileborg]

Yeah, when Tech lost to a top 10 team they dropped 10 spots and all was good. Now that they have worked their way back into the polls they are saying they don't belong in the top 5 at all. It seems this year they want to re-write all the precedents that have been set before and they'll get to watch as either Oklahoma St. or Va Tech end up in the National Championship if either win out. If Va Tech wins out they will have erased their loss, be 12-1 and probably ranked #2 in the BCS. If Oklahoma St. wins out the road is a lot clearer as a 11-1 Oklahoma St would easily jump two of the three SEC teams. The computers are enamored with Ok St. and seeing as they have played so many ranked teams I understand their fascination. I also understand they lost to unranked team and that is why they were dumped behind Tech.

In the past an early loss has been recoverable and there has always been redemption factor if the team was able to beat them later in the season. The precedent has always been that you have to win your conference to represent your conference. It has always been that if you lost to another team in question then you were out of the equation. This year because it is ESPN's golden child they want a rematch. They want to say that you aren't eliminated if you lose to another in the running. They argue you shouldn't need to win your conference. They need to take a flying leap.

[billybud]

It's the quality of the loss. When #1 and #2 play to a deadlock...that is a lot different than VT being blasted 23-3 by Clemson.

[Eric]

It's the quality of the loss. When #1 and #2 play to a deadlock...that is a lot different than VT being blasted 23-3 by Clemson.

Right, kind of like Michigan losing on the road to Ohio State by 3 points.

[billybud]

Yeah..Eric but that was in the always overrated Big Ten

[billybud]

The SEC rule was invoked in 2006...a 11-1 SEC team trumps a 11-1 Big Ten team.

And, considering that Florida trounced Ohio State 41-14, while USC beat Michigan by 14, it looks like the BCS got it right that year.

[donovan]

I still contemplating the "quality of loss." It seems to me this is a philosophy that has serious ramifications when applied outside the BCS pinball game.

Just a couple of examples

My dog died, but he was old, anyway vs My dog just got run over by a truck.

My wife ran away with my best friend vs my wife has perpetual headaches.

...and of course....If it were not for my slice vs I am just a crappy golfer.

[Eric]

The SEC rule was invoked in 2006...a 11-1 SEC team trumps a 11-1 Big Ten team.

And, considering that Florida trounced Ohio State 41-14, while USC beat Michigan by 14, it looks like the BCS got it right that year.

I guess that must mean Ohio State didn't deserve to be there since they got trounced, hence they weren't the number two team in the nation, therefore the BCS must have gotten it wrong.

[billybud]

Actually, Eric, it meant that those two Big Ten teams were overrated...

[billybud]

But...I see your point...they got Michigan not being in the NC game right...they got OSU wrong.

OSU's early win over 10 win Texas, gave them creds in the back end of the season.

[Spence]

But...I see your point...they got Michigan not being in the NC game right...they got OSU wrong.

OSU's early win over 10 win Texas, gave them creds in the back end of the season.

I guess if you can't beat them hire their coach.

[billybud]

Nah..Urban said that the rumor was just a rumor...he's not going to OSU.

[Spence]

Nah..Urban said that the rumor was just a rumor...he's not going to OSU.

We will see. I heard from a pretty reliable source that it was a done deal in August. He isn't my first choice because he hasn't ever proven he can recruit in the long term but he is the hand picked choice of Les Wexner and usually when he wants something he gets it. Also Earle Bruce has been particularly coy lately when talking about Urban. At least up until this point Ohio State has never been turned down when offering the head football coaching job.

When I was told this was a done deal I was told it would be announced at a bball game after the Michigan game. Now the rumor around town it that it will be announced at the Duke game next week. Everything I was told seems to be coming true the exact way I was told it would happen. I guess I will know in a week for sure. It hasn't been the best kept secret here. I also heard tonight that ESPN pulled Meyer from doing the game this week without giving a reason.

[WoVeU]

I fully expect Urban at OSU and I don't know diddly about nothing, inside or out.

For my 2 cents...

Ark lost to Bama, in Bama, week 4, Ark's first SEC game, and they had some early season injuries, and they run a much more complicated scheme (time in matters.)
Bama lost in their crib, they had their bite.

If Ark wins you have to look at the circular triad. And the losses favor Ark...most will stop at analyzing the loss alone. Bama and LSU lost at home, Ark on the road...nuff said!

And the NC isn't fully about the best 2 teams playing it out. With no playoff the other factor in the decision (not by all) is who didn't blow, who didn't get their bite? Not everybody, but that sentiment is growing! It is enough to be determinant...and ESPN is wearing more and more mud on thier face in regards to 1) The BCS, 2) The SEC, 3) The Old Boy Institutions.

If Ark wins you can punch their ticket! But there is a chance that Bama gets in too..but they better hand it to Auburn! They will be weighed against Ok St. and Va Tech. Ok State is out by virtue of the late loss to a sub par team (considered sub par...but I think they are being weighed by their history.) Va Tech lost convincingly at home, but it was their 1st ACC game. The problem with Va Tech is they have only beaten 1 currently ranked team Ga. Tech. Stanford has more wins against current ranked teams, but lost late. I think Bama will get the nod as clearly being a better resume than 3!

*An odd note, I think Houston's biggest problem is Boise. Boise was better when they set sail to bust up the BCS party...and Boise St is in front of them now to consume Cinderella votes that they might otherwise garner. And some would do it just to see Houston get beat and shut people up. (If Boise St. could swap years..they'd get in this time.)