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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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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Michigan Football Preview 2005
What you need to know about this squad SALINE, MICHIGAN AUGUST 18, 2005 Expectations are high once again for Michigan. Here’s this season’s look at the upcoming season and this team. Before Looking Ahead . . . – Any year with a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl berth can’t be look upon unfavorably. It was a great season. The Texas game in Pasadena was one of the all time greats. That said, the fact is the team lost 3 games, and easily could have lost five (Michigan State and Minnesota were squeakers at home). The lingering bad taste from the last four games is due to the inability of the defense to stop the run. M gave up nearly 275 yards on the ground in these games, and finding a cure for this is at the tip of the tongue of all of the preseason talk. Tickets – This year’s theme is ‘consecutive Big Ten championships’, featuring photos of old coaches, rings, etc., celebrating Michigan’s success in the conference. Michigan has won two straight championships and five in the last eight years. Replay of MSU game – The Michigan Ticket department did a good thing this year. For those who renewed their tickets using an ‘eCheck’, they supplied a free copy of the MSU 3OT game. I reviewed…
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Rose Bowl 2005: Texas Tops Michigan
Michigan falls short in classic battle in 2005 Rose Bowl ONEKAMA, MICHIGAN JANUARY 2, 2005 It was at times exciting, at times confusing – but there’s no doubt about it this was a classic. Texas kicked a wobbly, apparently deflected, field goal as last second ticked off to defeat the Wolverines. Certainly if the Wolverines could have put a hand on QB Vince Young, the outcome would have been different. What could have Michigan done better? They didn’t make too many mistakes, but here’s a few points to consider as Michigan comes home: – Stopping those QBs. It was the biggest fear of most fans and analysts coming into the game. Would Michigan be able to stop a mobile quarterback. Not only did Michigan not stop Vince Young, the problem seemed to get worse. Young made the Michigan defense look confused, if not foolish. Ohio State’s Troy Smith, and thankfully for one half, MSU’s Drew Stanton, torched Michigan this year. What is the deal? I thought Michigan had it figured out during the middle of the second half, but no. Big questions remain for the defense and coach Jim Herrmann next year as there’s little doubt that the Big Ten has taken notice. Sports talk radio in Ann Arbor (1050AM WTKA) and Detroit (1130AM WDFN and 1270AM) is calling for…
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Scalping Rose Bowl tickets in the air? Weak
ABOARD NW333, DECEMBER 31, 2003 During my flight to LA, a stewardess paced slowly through the aisles with two Rose Bowl tickets in her hand. She approach my row and I heard her ask if anyone wanted tickets to the game. A lady across my row raised her hand, excited, and the stewardess brought the tickets over. I took off my headphones and asked her what the story was. She said a guy up front was selling the tickets for $200 apiece. Checking out the tickets, I could see that they are in the Michigan section and that they were bought from the ticket office for $140, just like mine. So, someone up in first class just made a cool $120. Weak.
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Michigan National Championship Scenarios
You love it but it’s not going to happen. Or will it? SALINE, MI NOVEMBER 28, 2003 Here are the ways Michigan can still win at least a piece of the national championship: 1. Win Sugar Bowl. I don’t know what would is a tougher challenge, Michigan beating Oklahoma or Michigan getting to the Sugar Bowl. If USC and LSU both lose, there is a very good shot that Michigan would make it to the BCS championship game. Win, and Michigan will automatically be declared the national champion. Odds: 2%. 2. Win the Rose Bowl, AND… Yes, Michigan can still win the national championship if they play in the Rose Bowl. While the Sugar Bowl winner is automatically the ESPN/Coaches national champ, the Associated Press still votes after the bowls are complete. For this to be a reasonable assumption, a two-loss LSU, Georgia, or Tennessee would need to upset Oklahoma in the Sugar, and Michigan would need to take down USC in the Rose Bowl. If a one-loss USC makes it to the Sugar Bowl and wins, Michigan won’t get the AP vote. Odds: 4%.