National College Football Champions?

[Matt Fly]

Get rid of the SEC teams and BCS possibilities.

They played a soft schedule like Texas does, and having parity in conference doesn't make them a power house.

SEC has the same 6 teams over the years as whipping post, easy wins.

2 Mississippi colleges,

Vandy

Alabama

Ark

Kentucky

South CArolina

ARkansas.    Thats 8 teams that haven't been a real contender for years.

That leaves Georgia who almost got beat by Colorado at home 13-14,   Fla, Tenn, Auburn and LSU, the same teams beating up on each ohter every year.

The sec is tough, but not the best conf. and they don't test them selves by playing ohter power houses early.

When have these teams been a contender, serious contender for the sec championship.

Florida has 8 home games this year, and very soft non-conference schedule.

The only two teams that played anyone out of conference was Ark vs USC and Vandy vs Michigan.     No other non-conf. games meant anything, very weak.

Look at Fla. schedule, SOS is weak, yet they ranked them up high in BCS, no way they deserve that.

Matt.

[Catt]

Matt it's all about money not football  

That's why nobody but the fans want a playoff   ;D

The fans love football the colleges love money    :'(

[Dan:]

Matt, you think the SEC is overrated? They may have some weak teams, but they also have a ton of really good teams. LSU, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, you could possibly add USC and Arkansas (after the way they have played this year). Most of these teams have been ranked in the top 25 for most of the recent years. I really don't think any other conference has as many good teams as the SEC. MAYBE the Big 10, but that's a big MAYBE.

and jbfromtexas, we all thought the same thing about WV last year, that they had no wins over good opponents. And then they came and beat a solid Georgia team from the SEC (a team that was much better than this year's Georgia)

Brushpile, 3 TDs IS a spanking. And Texas beating those teams by 40+ points isn't really admirable considering the fact that they are teams like RICE....

[tallydude]

I just don't see anyone beating Ohio State this year. But a better question is "When will there be a playoff and a true National Champion?".

[jb_from_texas]

and jbfromtexas, we all thought the same thing about WV last year, that they had no wins over good opponents. And then they came and beat a solid Georgia team from the SEC (a team that was much better than this year's Georgia)quote]

matt fly is right.  no one has a very tough non conference schedule. but i have to admit though the sec is prob the best, just from the fact that the good teams in that onference are in fact good teams.

i still dont believe WV is that good.  that game with louisville was sloppy and the defense was non existent, from both teams.

im a homer and so i think texas deserves a shot as much as anyone from the sec.  but other than those sec teams (but not georgia) and michigan i dont think there are any other good matchups.

the thing about brushpile though...texas did what they were supposed to do to those weak teams.  WHIP them senseless.  Other than the Texas Tech game all of our other close games were to ranked teams. and those teams are STILL ranked, unlike Miami.

Texas has a few good things in their favor.  they lost early in the season and they lost to the #1 team, and they are still #1.  Give it to mack brown and OSU for scheduling each other.

[Catt]

Y'all ever play College Football Pick'em?

I do every year and this year I'm 122 of 148

[Matt Fly]

Tell me other than Arkansas who played an indicator game?   A game like OSU and UT played.  A game that could take you out of the national title hunt early in the season.       Arkansas is the only one from the sec.

Who has better non-conf. schedule than USC?   Ark.   Nebraska is not a Rice or Florida Atlantic, Notre Dame.

When the SEC plays some other teams to gauge the talent on, maybe I'll be a believer.

Have you physically looked at the SEC's non conference schedules?   Its a joke!

So just because they beat each other in the SEC means they are good.

Big XII moto, "WE EAT OUR OWN".    No excuse for the Big XII, KSU lost old coach, new coach at Okla St. U.    New coach at MIzzo and Colorado, and that happens when your coaches are successful and move on, or get fired.

Notre Dame plays a pretty tough schedule also.

Early in the year, I said WVU played soft schedule, well, it came back to haunt them also.      

I do agree that as long as money is involved, the fan won't get what we want.

Look at who Florida has played and then the teams they beat in the SEC and their non-conf. schedule.   Not impressed with all the SEC teams.

Matt.

[Dan:]

i don't see why the SEC needs to play non conf. games...their conference has the most good teams. other teams in other conferences may play out of conference more, but that doesn't mean their opponents are as good.

[jb_from_texas]

Matt Fly, are you referring to my post?  if so i see your point about "just because they are good and from the sec doesnt mean they have proven themselves."

i agree.  you're right.  they havent really played anyone outside their conference worth a flip.  course one would argue the big 12 non conference games have been weak.

i guess we will never know what conference is best till they start playing each other.

other than nebraska playing USC, Ark playing USC and Texas playing OSU there really hasnt been any indicator games, unless you believe WV and Louisville deserve their rankings.

best game plan....just keep winning.

[RiskKid.]

Interesting......I haven't checked the other SEC schedules but my Volunteers played Cal this year and did pretty well. We will play them again next year. We have played Notre Dame 4 times in the past 10 years. We have NC State and UCLA (in the same year) scheduled in two years. Oregon is down the road some. Add that to rivalry games every year with Georgia, Florida, Alabama, rotate Auburn and LSU in alternating years.

I think it would be pretty hard to come up with anything much tougher than that.

[RiskKid.]

Another point to consider in college scheduling is that it is done years in advance and teams are scheduling now for 2009 and 2010. Not picking on the Buckeyes but as an example what may be a great Ohio State team now could be very mediocre in 2 to 3 years.

[Catt]

Matt it's all about money, they all have a cream puff non conference schedules

Granted Texas got stuck playing Ohio State early but would you be complaining had they won?

USC does all that bragging about a win streak when they don't play any one period. Two years ago the played Oklahoma because they knew if the had played Auburn they loose. They claimed to be co-champions with LSU when there is no longer such a thing; the BCS is the only recognized championship.

They all don't want a playoff because some 2 or 3 lose team could win it all costing them money.

[Matt Fly]

Interesting......I haven't checked the other SEC schedules but my Volunteers played Cal this year and did pretty well. We will play them again next year. We have played Notre Dame 4 times in the past 10 years. We have NC State and UCLA (in the same year) scheduled in two years. Oregon is down the road some. Add that to rivalry games every year with Georgia, Florida, Alabama, rotate Auburn and LSU in alternating years.

I think it would be pretty hard to come up with anything much tougher than that.

Risk Kid,   I knew that, spaced it out, but thats two teams out of the top 5 or 6 and Arkansas was predicted to be non-contender as normal, they are surprise to every one.    

Also, with the BCS, alot of teams know what must be done to get the BCS points, thus, that is why Texas schedules Ohio ST a few years back, for the BCS points, look at USC over the past few years, they have put them selves into a position in the BCS polls by non-conference games, the only problem is to win them and they did for the most part as seen by their record.

Florida just got back to playing one of their in state rivals, not sure whether it is miamii or Fl. St.

Again 8 teams have been basic whipping post for years in the SEC, and that leaves the 4 teams to beat up on each other.

Why did Auburn go undefeated and not get a piece of the pie a few years ago?

SOS, strength of schedule.

Florida is BCS ranked 4th, and they will have had 8 home games out of 12, there only loss was a road game....... Georgia played in Jacksonville and that is supposed to be home for Georgia, I don't think so.

I wanta see Florida play Michigan or some other possible top 10 out of their conference to see how they do.

First off schedules are written years in advance, so the teams who want a shot at being elite and BCS bound will have to play tougher schedule.

Boise State has great record, and been very good, but gets no respect for not playing larger schools.

Utah ST with Alex Smith got no respect BCS wise for not playing anyone, the same for TCU a few years ago.

You can be undefeated and not play the right teams now days and not get the points.

So Texas didn't get stuck, they arranged the schedule for strength of Schedule and BCS points.

You never know whos gonna be strong when the games are scheduled, but Big XII has been playing Pac 10 teams, some times they are good and other times they are so so.     UCLA was tough last year and so so this year, look what happened to OU vs Oregon.

Colleges that want or seek the National Title as in years past, can no longer get it done by past program experience,  ie......the Elite programs may be ranked by AP and so on, but the Computer doesn't see them as Elite, and Strength of Schedule is very key in recognizing strong programs.

matt.

[Catt]

Matt Fly

In 2005 Pete Carroll & others partitioned the BCS to remove strength of schedule out of the computers.

They won and it has been removed   >

The only true way is a playoff system    8-)

[BassKing813]

Well, the big question is upon us. Who will be the National College Football Champions and win the biggest BCS Bowl?

A lot of names come to mind for me, but I've got to stick with my home state, West Virginia. If you didn't watch #5 West Virginia take on Maryland last night on ESPN, you missed a good game. West Virginia scored 28 points in the first quarter! I mean, the first quarter!!! Steve Slaton had over 200 yds. rushing, and WVU held Maryland to a 45-24 victory.

WVU will at least be a contender, and may have a heisman hopeful.

I hope your WV team is ready for my USF Bulls in two weeks.

[Fishing Doug]

If Louisville wins tonight and goes undefeated, there is going to be a lot of controversy.  There are a handful of one loss teams:TX, Florida, etc that I think deserve to play in the championship game that will not due to the 1 loss.

College football is one of my favorite sports...but they have a jacked up postseason.....I don't think this issue will be resolved until there is a playoff system-I am not holding my breath.

biased choice: Texas should play in the champ game after they beat Nebraska for the Big 12 Championship....

[Matt Fly]

Strength of Schedule may not be tabulated, but quality wins should have some value in voting in AP and so on.

I think as I tried to show one conference, the SEC, how basically 4 teams have been contending over the years, and they each usually give each other a loss.

Its very easy to see when you look at Kentucky's win loss against teams.    I haven't looked, but would suspect that in a ten year period, UK would not have a 2-8 record over the top 4 teams in conference and the same could be said about the other whipping posts.

I would say they have parity within the conf. but the only way I see a clear cut top 10 team is to play another top 10 team in another conf.

Years past, you could coast, now I think you must take a chance, look at OSU last year, we beat them on the road in their house, that pretty much put us in the drivers seat.

OSU did the same this year, the down fall is, if you lose, you put your self in a deep hole in trying to climb back up the BCS rankings.

I love my horns, and also think UT is not the same UT that played OSU the 2nd game of the season.

I still think USC vs OSU is the game that should be played if OSU beats UM solid,

that means USC must win out, with non-conf. wins over Arkansas, Nebraska, and soon to play Notre Dame.

You have no control over injuries or how tough your conf. will be this year, on paper, it looks tough, but things happen during the season that you never have control over in your conf.

If Rutgers wins out, they have quality wins over Illinois, Louisville and UWV, is a 33-0 win over the Illini quality?    Just who have UL and UWV played,   Miami is not the same team of years past.

Would it be enough for Rutgers to go undefeated and get into the NCS game?

I'll root for the underdogs to get it done because they haven't ever had a cinderella year like this for decades.

Gonna be interesting going into Dec.

Hookem

Matt.

[Troutfisher]

I hope your WV team is ready for my USF Bulls in two weeks.  

Sorry, I had to step in the other room and laugh.  

I still think USC vs OSU is the game that should be played if OSU beats UM solid,

that means USC must win out, with non-conf. wins over Arkansas, Nebraska, and soon to play Notre Dame.

That's looking like the National Championship for me.

[Chris at Tech]

You guys seriously think USC can still play for the championship with a loss to a really bad team???  No chance.  If they lost to a top 25 team, MAYBE.  But as it is...no way.

I just hope freakin' Notre Dame doesn't back into a spot in the Championship game.  I've been praying for their second loss so I can watch ESPN Gameday just once without hearing a 45 minute ND segment.

[Matt Fly]

A loss is a loss.   Who else, if we are looking at one loss teams have played a tougher schedule out of conference?

Florida?    Tenn?    Texas,   Mich, if they lose,  Lousiville, UWV?

Who played the tougher non conference games?  

OU should be looked at with one loss also.    There true loss would be TX.

And they would have been ranked a lot higher when they played, so does TX get credit, no.

Auburn, what quality wins do they have out of conf?

The risk of having a tough out of conf. schedule can take you out of the title chase, but is rewarding when you run the tables.

Pac 10 may be having down year or just parity, but USC didn't control that aspect of the season, but did have control over quality non conf. schools.    I see USC rising if they keep winning.

USC vs Cal with be big jump for either, specially if cal wins, their only loss at this time would be to Tenn on the road.

Matt.

[Hula Popper]

There are to many Texas fans on this forum.  ;D

[Catt]

If it come down to Ohio State and a one loss team that team should be Texas/Florida because they lost to a ranked teams. To lose to an unranked team like USC did, proves how weak they are, they are paper hero's, they build outstanding stats playing no one.

Texas lost to the #1 ranked team in the nation Ohio State and Florida lost to the #4 ranked the on the nation Auburn. USC lost to Oregon State who is 6-3!    

I still say it will be Louisville vs Ohio State with Louisville winning   8-)

[Catt]

Ok I'll admit it first Louisville lost  

So that kicks in Texas/Florida, I believe Texas is a better team, Florida is lucky to only have just one loss.

[Matt Fly]

Trust me Catt, this isn't about TX, and I'm not a USC fan at all.   But they played Arkansas, whos only loss is to USC, they played Nebraska who will probably be the Big XII north Champ and was ranked like #17 when they played USC,  then they will play Notre Dame.

Most teams would suffer a loss on one of those three games.    They get to play CAl, UCLA and NOtre Dame, and if they win, they aren't dropping, their going up, up, and up.

Strength of Schedule couldn't be better coming into Dec for USC.

How about the Scarlet Knights.       I wished they would win out, no matter what rankings they get, I hape they run the tables on all remaining games.

They showed they are very soldi team, too bad they don't have more quality games to be played other than UWV.     Pitt, UL, and UWV isn't gonna be enough to get it done.   But KUDOS to Rutgers.

Matt.

Matt

[Catt]

USC is toast; they lost to an unranked team, & will most likely lose again.

I repeat again there is no strength of schedule in the BCS computer like there were a couple of years ago. When the BSC first started all this information was feed into I think it was 10 or 12 computers, the computers decided who was to be ranked where. Part of this information was strength of schedule, this was based on a team's opponents, their win loses record, and the opponent's opponents win lose record. Strength of schedule is why LSU jumped USC and played Oklahoma for the title, with out strength of schedule USC played Oklahoma instead of Auburn. If remember correctly Oklahoma did not win their conference championship.