No respect. Unfair. We need a playoff system. Save your breath, Bronco fans.
The newest AP polls were released on Sunday and Boise State, who previously found themselves safely tucked behind Ohio State and Alabama, was migrated over by the Oregon Ducks. "How can this happen" Bronco fans ask themselves. "We haven't lost a game. We knocked off our two tough early tests in Virginia Tech and Oregon State. We just offered up New Mexico State as a sacrificial offering on Saturday night. Nothing unimpressive so far and we actually drop a spot?"
That's the nature of the beast when you play in an inferior conference. WAC vs. Pac10? That's the equivalent of putting a featherweight and a heavyweight in the same ring. Let's take a quick look at the two teams' respective opponents, Stanford and New Mexico St and a few of their statistical ranks:
Passing yards: 29th, 101st
Rushing yards: 23rd, 96th
Points per game: 4th, 118th
Points allowed per game: 45th, 119th
All of these rankings come after Saturday's games, which means Stanfords numbers took a huge hit after the Ducks romped them. Even a look at this should make it evident why Oregon jumped Boise State. The voters will reward teams with tougher games, which will doom Boise State once again.
Boise State will need serious help if it wants to even sniff the idea of a national championship appearance. After Albama thrashed Florida, the SEC appears theirs to hold. In a watered down Big 10, Ohio State will go as far as Terelle Pryor's arms and legs carry them. Oregon faces a few major tests left, but they appear to possess the tools to capture the Pac 10 crown. And of course, Boise State must look over its shoulder too. TCU remains undefeated, plays in a stronger conference, and their non-conference victory over Baylor looks stronger than Boise's win over Virginia Tech (each team played, and beat, Oregon State which cancels out). Don't overlook Nebraska either, who could find themselves in the Big 12 Championship, which may carry enough weight to pass over Boise as well.
Don't protest too hard, Boise. No amount of whining and complaining will change the fact that you play in an inferior conference and suffer as a result. Pray that Virginia Tech wins the ACC and that one of the teams in front of you slips up, otherwise you will find yourself, once again, on the outside looking in at the National Championship.
Strength of schedule so far...BSU: 38, Oregon: 57 (according to USAToday.com)
ReplyDeleteBSU has lost 1 game since 06 and beat top 15 Oregon teams in 08 (in Eugene) and 09. And BSU was pre-ranked higher as they actually won their BCS bowl.
Oregon has played 2 BAD teams so far this season (New Mexico (0-5) and Portland State), and Tennessee is not a great team going through a coaching change. Boise State has had a more impressive start to the season along with a harder schedule, so far.
Put Boise State on a neutral field with Oregon right now, no doubt the Broncos win. Heck, put them in Autzen and they'd probably win since they did that 2 years ago.
Okay, first of all, past events hold no bearing on future meetings. So the fact that BSU beat Oregon in 2008 in Autzen and last year in Boise do not make a difference. 2010 teams do not equal to 2009 and 2008 teams.
ReplyDeleteSecond, sure if you look at USA Today says the SOS is, it looks better for BSU. But if one actually looks at the schedules I would argue Oregon has had the harder schedule. New Mexico and Portland State cancel out with New Mexico State and Wyoming. Beating VaTech in week 1 was impressive...in week 1 before they lost to James Madison. Beating Stanford is a much better victory than that. Top of the Pac10 > Top of the ACC. Destroying a Tennessee team that is clearly capable of playing after blowing a game they should have won against LSU looks alot better now, despite their 2-3 record. Arizona State is much better than their 2-3 record as well, with a game they absolutely should have won against Wisconsin and playing OSU close, which is supposed to be BSU other marquee victory? Ha, good one.
Let's check back in a week or two to see what the almighty SOS says then.
Oregon > Boise State. Book it.
Put Boise State on a neutral field with Oregon right now, "no doubt that the Broncos win"? Listen, I think arguments can be made both ways as to whether the Ducks have played a tougher schedule so far than the Broncos, but if you think there's "no doubt" that ANY team in the country (including 'Bama) would beat the Ducks on a neutral field right now, I'll have some of whatever you're smoking.
ReplyDeletePete, the Big 10 ain't all that watered down. The only elite team is Ohio State, but Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Wisco, and even Northwestern have all been pretty solid this year. I'd be very surprised if Ohio State rolled through their conference schedule with no losses.