It is really odd how college football gives the some power to the coaches to determine the structure of the post season. Can you imagine another sports league where this would be acceptable? What if the NFL coaches voted on wildcard teams [would Bill Belichick leave the Jets off his ballot]? It’s silly, but I guess no sillier than allowing members of the media to vote to determine the worthy team or the computer system. So the system it what it is and the college coaches had a major say in sending Florida to the big game. Here’s my take on some of the coaches and their votes (or lack thereof):
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Loose Rose Lips
LAS VEGAS, NV Who’s the chatter box out in Pasadena? As discussed here on MVictors, earlier this week a source from the Rose Bowl leaked that LSU was going to be selected for the game. Not mentioned in the release of this leak was all this assumed that USC beat UCLA of course, or that at least Florida wouldn’t pass Michigan. As discussed here, both of these events occurring was about 12% proposition. Well, it happened. I am certain that LSU fans made Rose Bowl plans/tickets on the news and this was validated by some angry LSU fans we ran into on the Bellagio casino floor.
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Reaction to Florida to BCS Title Game
Here’s my take on this mess. I feel bad for the Michigan players and coaches and it’s not right that they don’t have a clear shot at the national title. I do think there is some credence to have a representative from another conference play in the title game.
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50-50 Shot now, we’ll see
LAS VEGAS, NV USC falls to UCLA and now the major sources are projecting a Michigan-Ohio State rematch in Glendale. I give it a coin toss chance. I think some voters will upgrade Florida with a decent win in the SEC championship, but more on the fact that they are the SEC champion, and played a tough schedule. We’ll see.
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LSU to Rose Bowl? But Wait…
A report from MSNBC is stating that they’ve heard from insiders that the Rose Bowl will offer an at-large berth to LSU. This is good, in that we avoid a Michigan vs. Notre Dame rematch in the Rose Bowl. But… what if USC loses and Florida impresses over Arkansas in the SEC title game? That would leave USC as PAC-10 champ in the Rose Bowl vs. LSU, and potentially Florida and OSU in the BCS Championship if voters give the Gators enough juice. So with Sugar Bowl picking next because they lost their conference champ to Glendale (Florida), and they’d probably take Michigan. Then I believe they have the next pick of the at-large teams, which of course would be none other than the beloved….Fighting Irish of Notre Dame!
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Ivan the Terrible
Some excerpts from this week’s chat on ESPN.com with college football analyst Ivan Maisel: On USC vs. Michigan and the #2 BCS slot: Anthony (Troy, OH): Who would win in a match-up between Michigan and USC? In your opinion, isn’t it unfair to base rankings on what your ideal National Championship scenario is? I prefer to see what people truly think teams should be ranked. Ivan Maisel: That’s the way the system is supposed to work.
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19%: Michigan BCS Title Game Chances
SALINE, MI Except for a few moments at the end of the first half when they somehow nearly imploded on 3 straight drives, USC looked very strong in a decisive win over Notre Dame. With a win next week at UCLA in the Rose Bowl, USC will surely head to the BCS Championship in Glendale. If USC stumbles next week and Florida wins in the SEC Championship against Arkansas, Florida move into the title game. Given what I’m seeing, here’s the data points to get to the chances of Michigan getting to Glendale: – USC losing to UCLA next week – 30% (UCLA doesn’t look that bad) – Florida losing to Arkansas next week – 45% – Florida beating Arkanas, but it’s ugly and voters don’t advance Florida (55% to win, 33% of not passing Michigan). I come up with the following formula: = (CHANCE OF USC LOSS)*(CHANCE OF FLORIDA LOSS + CHANCE OF FLORIDA WIN BUT NOT PASSING MICHIGAN) = (.30)*[(.45)+(.55*.33)] = 19% (.1895) with no margin for error (these figures are prefect perfect) Other title hopes? Well, in theory you could have the unlikely scenario where Michigan dominates LSU or whomever they play in the Rose Bowl, USC and OSU play a stinker in the Glendale with USC sneaking by. The AP selects Michigan as their 2006-07 champion…
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‘The Game’, Onion-style
Ohio State Defeats Michigan 42-39 In Ultimately Meaningless Game COLUMBUS, OH—In what had been touted as a college-football matchup for the ages, the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines 42-39 Sunday in a game that, while exciting, ultimately made no real impact on the… Leave it to the Onion to cut right to it