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- Thread starter CleveBucks
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Oh8ch;677488; said:
I'm glad that the AP also had Florida #2, even if it's only by 3 votes.
That way tOSU has the chance to become the first team to beat three #2 AP poll teams in the same season. Since years from now, so many articles will be written by AP writers using only AP poll info, that distinction would have been muddled if the AP didn't also make Florida #2.
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MightbeaBuck
with hat in hand
Yet another way Jim Tressel is better, not just as a coach, but as a person, than any other coach out there. And in this instance, most noticeably, Dr. Tom Osbourne.LA Times;677198; said:
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ABJ
Tressel doesn't vote in last coaches' poll
Unfair to participate, Ohio State coach says
Associated Press
COLUMBUS - Ohio State's Jim Tressel did not vote in this week's USA Today coaches' poll to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, a move the newspaper said could jeopardize his future in the selection process.
``We are disappointed with coach Tressel's decision, but our oversight role does not grant us authority to compel his participation,'' USA Today's managing editor for sports, Monte Lorell, said Sunday in a statement. ``The agreement with the American Football Coaches Association obligates the panel of coaches to disclose final regular season ballots, without exception.
``Coach Tressel's future involvement in the poll will be part of our annual review with AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff.''
Teaff, a former coach, said Tressel's decision was ``not something that we would like to have happen, but it's kind of an unusual circumstance.''
Until last year, the coaches' ballots were not made public. Now, the preseason and final regular-season ballots are released.
``It's just a tough situation,'' Teaff said.
The top-ranked Buckeyes (12-0) were awaiting Sunday's final Bowl Championship Series rankings -- based in part on the coaches' poll -- to determine who they play in the national championship game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
Florida finished No. 2 in the coaches' poll ahead of No. 3 Michigan.
``We are excited to play in the BCS title game against a tremendous opponent,'' Tressel said in a statement. ``After consultation with my director of athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate (in) the final poll.''
The decision by Tressel not to vote could be unprecedented. Mel Pulliam, AFCA executive director of marketing and development, said he couldn't recall a coach declining to vote in the coaches' poll -- for any reason.
The Gators were ranked fourth in last week's coaches' poll, and moved past the idle Wolverines after defeating Arkansas 38-28 Saturday night in the Southeastern Conference title game. USC, ranked second in last week's coaches' poll, fell to No. 7 after its 13-9 loss to UCLA.
Tressel doesn't vote in last coaches' poll
Unfair to participate, Ohio State coach says
Associated Press
COLUMBUS - Ohio State's Jim Tressel did not vote in this week's USA Today coaches' poll to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, a move the newspaper said could jeopardize his future in the selection process.
``We are disappointed with coach Tressel's decision, but our oversight role does not grant us authority to compel his participation,'' USA Today's managing editor for sports, Monte Lorell, said Sunday in a statement. ``The agreement with the American Football Coaches Association obligates the panel of coaches to disclose final regular season ballots, without exception.
``Coach Tressel's future involvement in the poll will be part of our annual review with AFCA Executive Director Grant Teaff.''
Teaff, a former coach, said Tressel's decision was ``not something that we would like to have happen, but it's kind of an unusual circumstance.''
Until last year, the coaches' ballots were not made public. Now, the preseason and final regular-season ballots are released.
``It's just a tough situation,'' Teaff said.
The top-ranked Buckeyes (12-0) were awaiting Sunday's final Bowl Championship Series rankings -- based in part on the coaches' poll -- to determine who they play in the national championship game on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
Florida finished No. 2 in the coaches' poll ahead of No. 3 Michigan.
``We are excited to play in the BCS title game against a tremendous opponent,'' Tressel said in a statement. ``After consultation with my director of athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate (in) the final poll.''
The decision by Tressel not to vote could be unprecedented. Mel Pulliam, AFCA executive director of marketing and development, said he couldn't recall a coach declining to vote in the coaches' poll -- for any reason.
The Gators were ranked fourth in last week's coaches' poll, and moved past the idle Wolverines after defeating Arkansas 38-28 Saturday night in the Southeastern Conference title game. USC, ranked second in last week's coaches' poll, fell to No. 7 after its 13-9 loss to UCLA.
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ABJ
Close BCS call sure to spur playoff talk
Florida edges Michigan as choice for opponent of Ohio State on Jan. 8
By Ralph D. Russo
Associated Press
Florida beat Michigan on Sunday in the only game that mattered.
The Gators, who lobbied hard for this victory, were picked to play No. 1 Ohio State for college football's national championship, ending any chance for the Wolverines to get the rematch they so desired and thought they deserved.
The close selection was sure to set off renewed calls to scrap the Bowl Championship Series and go to a playoff.
Southern California was a step away from the title game if only it had beaten UCLA on Saturday. Instead, the second-ranked Trojans were upset 13-9, dropping in the standings and clearing the way for Florida (12-1) or Michigan (11-1).
The Gators leapfrogged idle Michigan by winning the Southeastern Conference championship game, 38-28, over Arkansas.
``It's well deserved, and I'm proud of it,'' said Florida coach Urban Meyer of the Gators' selection.
The championship game is Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
Michigan's consolation prize is a Rose Bowl bid to play USC (10-2), a classic Big Ten vs. Pac-10 matchup of teams left to wonder what could have been.
In other bowls:
? Big 12 champion Oklahoma will meet unbeaten Boise State in the Fiesta on Jan. 1.
? Big East champion Louisville will play ACC champion Wake Forest in the Orange on Jan. 2.
? LSU will take Florida's spot in the Sugar and play Notre Dame on Jan. 3.
For the first time in the BCS's eight-year history, the championship matchup was a mystery heading into selection Sunday.
After the numbers were crunched, the margin between Florida and Michigan couldn't have been much closer. The Gators had a BCS average of .944. The Wolverines were at .934. They were tied in the computer rating, and Florida had a 38-point lead in the Harris poll and a 26-point advantage in the coaches' poll.
When the Wolverines ended their regular season with a 42-39 loss to the Buckeyes two weeks ago, they talked about getting another swing at their Big Ten rivals.
Michigan was left to wait and hope, but the other contenders still had games to play.
Florida made its final case by beating Arkansas, but second-year coach Meyer became very vocal about getting a chance to play Ohio State, especially when it appeared the Gators would be left out.
Losing only once in what's regarded as the nation's toughest conference and not playing for a national championship -- especially if Michigan got a mulligan -- was more than Meyer could take.
He called for a playoff and suggested the BCS should be imploded if the SEC champ again was left out of the championship game -- the way undefeated Auburn was in 2004.
``It's an imperfect system,'' said Meyer of the BCS. ``If you want a true national championship, the only way to do it is on the field.''
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, however, is not in favor of a playoff.
``With a 12 game season, it would be next to impossible to have a 16-team playoff,'' he said Sunday. ``We'll continually improve the system. As you look at it over the past few years, it has gotten better and better.''
It's always something with the BCS. The system was created to make sure No. 1 and No. 2 played in the final game of the season, but rarely has there been a title game everybody agreed upon. If it's not too many unbeaten teams, which was the case in '04, when USC beat Oklahoma for the title, it's not enough, which has usually been the case. Last year, when USC and Texas were the only undefeateds, was an abberation.
``I think we will continue to talk about the format... to see if there isn't a different format to serve the game better,'' said Mike Slive, BCS coordinator and SEC commissioner.
This year, it worked out for the Gators, who can focus on winning their second national championship. The first came in 1996, when Steve Spurrier's Gators beat Florida State in the Sugar Bowl -- a rematch, coincidentally, of a November regular-season game won by the Seminoles.
Michigan had hoped for a similar scenario, but Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr chose not to publicly pitch for his team.
It's unclear whether that would have helped or whether Meyer swayed some poll voters. Maybe when faced with the possibility of a Michigan-Ohio State rematch, the voters, like Meyer, cringed.
Tressel decided not to get involved at all. He has a vote in the coaches poll, but abstained.
``After consultation with my director of athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate (in) the final poll,'' Tressel said in a statement.
Upon learning the Buckeyes would face Florida, Tressel praised his opponent.
``They have a great football team,'' he said. ``When you can win the SEC championship, you're a great football team.''
Instead of the 104th meeting between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes, Florida and Ohio State will play for the first time ever.
The Buckeyes have won four national titles, including the 2002 title under Tressel. Ohio State upset Miami 31-24 in an overtime classic at the Fiesta Bowl.
Last year, Ohio State beat Notre Dame 34-20 in the Fiesta Bowl, giving the country a taste of what was to come this season.
The Buckeyes have been No. 1 since the preseason. Led by Heisman Trophy front-runner Troy Smith, they've run roughshod over their competition. Only Michigan and Illinois have stayed within 17 points of Ohio State this season.
Senior quarterback Smith capped his season with four touchdown passes against the Wolverines. He finished with 30 touchdown passes and only five interceptions.
Florida seemed to struggle almost every week. The Gators won at Tennessee by one in September, and none of their past five victories have been by more than 10 points. The Gators mostly relied on their defense, a unit ranked 10th nationally in yards allowed and sixth in scoring.
Close BCS call sure to spur playoff talk
Florida edges Michigan as choice for opponent of Ohio State on Jan. 8
By Ralph D. Russo
Associated Press
Florida beat Michigan on Sunday in the only game that mattered.
The Gators, who lobbied hard for this victory, were picked to play No. 1 Ohio State for college football's national championship, ending any chance for the Wolverines to get the rematch they so desired and thought they deserved.
The close selection was sure to set off renewed calls to scrap the Bowl Championship Series and go to a playoff.
Southern California was a step away from the title game if only it had beaten UCLA on Saturday. Instead, the second-ranked Trojans were upset 13-9, dropping in the standings and clearing the way for Florida (12-1) or Michigan (11-1).
The Gators leapfrogged idle Michigan by winning the Southeastern Conference championship game, 38-28, over Arkansas.
``It's well deserved, and I'm proud of it,'' said Florida coach Urban Meyer of the Gators' selection.
The championship game is Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
Michigan's consolation prize is a Rose Bowl bid to play USC (10-2), a classic Big Ten vs. Pac-10 matchup of teams left to wonder what could have been.
In other bowls:
? Big 12 champion Oklahoma will meet unbeaten Boise State in the Fiesta on Jan. 1.
? Big East champion Louisville will play ACC champion Wake Forest in the Orange on Jan. 2.
? LSU will take Florida's spot in the Sugar and play Notre Dame on Jan. 3.
For the first time in the BCS's eight-year history, the championship matchup was a mystery heading into selection Sunday.
After the numbers were crunched, the margin between Florida and Michigan couldn't have been much closer. The Gators had a BCS average of .944. The Wolverines were at .934. They were tied in the computer rating, and Florida had a 38-point lead in the Harris poll and a 26-point advantage in the coaches' poll.
When the Wolverines ended their regular season with a 42-39 loss to the Buckeyes two weeks ago, they talked about getting another swing at their Big Ten rivals.
Michigan was left to wait and hope, but the other contenders still had games to play.
Florida made its final case by beating Arkansas, but second-year coach Meyer became very vocal about getting a chance to play Ohio State, especially when it appeared the Gators would be left out.
Losing only once in what's regarded as the nation's toughest conference and not playing for a national championship -- especially if Michigan got a mulligan -- was more than Meyer could take.
He called for a playoff and suggested the BCS should be imploded if the SEC champ again was left out of the championship game -- the way undefeated Auburn was in 2004.
``It's an imperfect system,'' said Meyer of the BCS. ``If you want a true national championship, the only way to do it is on the field.''
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, however, is not in favor of a playoff.
``With a 12 game season, it would be next to impossible to have a 16-team playoff,'' he said Sunday. ``We'll continually improve the system. As you look at it over the past few years, it has gotten better and better.''
It's always something with the BCS. The system was created to make sure No. 1 and No. 2 played in the final game of the season, but rarely has there been a title game everybody agreed upon. If it's not too many unbeaten teams, which was the case in '04, when USC beat Oklahoma for the title, it's not enough, which has usually been the case. Last year, when USC and Texas were the only undefeateds, was an abberation.
``I think we will continue to talk about the format... to see if there isn't a different format to serve the game better,'' said Mike Slive, BCS coordinator and SEC commissioner.
This year, it worked out for the Gators, who can focus on winning their second national championship. The first came in 1996, when Steve Spurrier's Gators beat Florida State in the Sugar Bowl -- a rematch, coincidentally, of a November regular-season game won by the Seminoles.
Michigan had hoped for a similar scenario, but Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr chose not to publicly pitch for his team.
It's unclear whether that would have helped or whether Meyer swayed some poll voters. Maybe when faced with the possibility of a Michigan-Ohio State rematch, the voters, like Meyer, cringed.
Tressel decided not to get involved at all. He has a vote in the coaches poll, but abstained.
``After consultation with my director of athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate (in) the final poll,'' Tressel said in a statement.
Upon learning the Buckeyes would face Florida, Tressel praised his opponent.
``They have a great football team,'' he said. ``When you can win the SEC championship, you're a great football team.''
Instead of the 104th meeting between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes, Florida and Ohio State will play for the first time ever.
The Buckeyes have won four national titles, including the 2002 title under Tressel. Ohio State upset Miami 31-24 in an overtime classic at the Fiesta Bowl.
Last year, Ohio State beat Notre Dame 34-20 in the Fiesta Bowl, giving the country a taste of what was to come this season.
The Buckeyes have been No. 1 since the preseason. Led by Heisman Trophy front-runner Troy Smith, they've run roughshod over their competition. Only Michigan and Illinois have stayed within 17 points of Ohio State this season.
Senior quarterback Smith capped his season with four touchdown passes against the Wolverines. He finished with 30 touchdown passes and only five interceptions.
Florida seemed to struggle almost every week. The Gators won at Tennessee by one in September, and none of their past five victories have been by more than 10 points. The Gators mostly relied on their defense, a unit ranked 10th nationally in yards allowed and sixth in scoring.
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Gators' wins better than Wolverines'
J.P. Giglio, Staff Writer
Florida's victories (over LSU, at Tennessee and over Arkansas) are more impressive than Michigan's (at Notre Dame and over Wisconsin). You could argue Michigan's loss (at Ohio State) is more impressive than Florida's (at Auburn), but that's not how I rank the teams. Wins count, ifs and looks don't.I'm not sure why I'm one of the few people that has Auburn in front of LSU. They have the same record, and Auburn beat LSU. Maybe I'm missing something.
Oklahoma's the big mover this week, up to No. 7 from No. 13, after winning the Big 12 title. Great season for Bob Stoops, who pulled a Jim Grobe, of course with the benefit of superior recruits.
Which leads me to my national player of the year and coach of the year votes. Ohio State's Troy Smith is a no-brainer for the player. After Southern California's loss to UCLA, I'm going with Wake Forest's Grobe over Pete Carroll for the coach of the year.
Gators' wins better than Wolverines'
J.P. Giglio, Staff Writer
Florida's victories (over LSU, at Tennessee and over Arkansas) are more impressive than Michigan's (at Notre Dame and over Wisconsin). You could argue Michigan's loss (at Ohio State) is more impressive than Florida's (at Auburn), but that's not how I rank the teams. Wins count, ifs and looks don't.I'm not sure why I'm one of the few people that has Auburn in front of LSU. They have the same record, and Auburn beat LSU. Maybe I'm missing something.
Oklahoma's the big mover this week, up to No. 7 from No. 13, after winning the Big 12 title. Great season for Bob Stoops, who pulled a Jim Grobe, of course with the benefit of superior recruits.
Which leads me to my national player of the year and coach of the year votes. Ohio State's Troy Smith is a no-brainer for the player. After Southern California's loss to UCLA, I'm going with Wake Forest's Grobe over Pete Carroll for the coach of the year.
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[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]South would've been hot if BCS left it out in cold again[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Monday, December 04, 2006[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Huntsville Times [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Monday potpourri: Sometimes, the people and the computers involved in the perplexing Bowl Championship Series selection system get it right. Sometimes they don't. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]This time, they got it right. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]After UCLA's 13-9 upset of Southern California and Florida's 38-28 victory over Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, the Gators deserved the opportunity to play Ohio State for the national championship on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.[/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Remembering how an undefeated Auburn team was shut out of the BCS title game two years ago, however, many football fans across the South doubted Florida would overtake No. 2 Michigan in the final BCS poll. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]But by sundown on Sunday, justice had been served. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]As Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said on Sunday, any team that goes 11-1 in the regular season and then wins the SEC Championship Game deserves to be called a great team. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Tressel didn't bring up this point, but how would it have looked if the Big Ten champion, rather than playing the SEC champion, had been paired with the Big Ten runner-up in a rematch of a game played on the third Saturday in November? [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The South might've seceded from the Union for the second time. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Besides, rematches are seldom fair to the winner of the first game. Some of us are old enough to remember the famous 1959 Ole Miss-LSU game on Halloween night when Billy Cannon returned a punt 89 yards in the fourth quarter, giving the Tigers a 7-3 victory. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Unwisely, LSU agreed to a rematch in the Sugar Bowl a few weeks later. John Vaught's Rebels romped 21-0, and it wasn't that close.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Speaking of Tressel: Who can blame the Buckeyes coach for not voting in Sunday's final USA Today-Coaches poll? The man was in a no-win situation if there ever was one. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If he had voted Michigan No. 2, everybody would've said it was a case of one Big Ten coach snubbing the SEC to make his own league look good. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If he had voted Florida No. 2, everybody would've said it was a case of trying to duck the Wolverines, who lost by just three points in their earlier 1 vs. 2 showdown in Columbus. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Tressel must've figured he didn't need that sort of aggravation, and he's right. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Kudos to SEC commissioner Mike Slive and his staff for landing nine teams - three-fourths of the conference - in postseason bowl games, including two in the big-money BCS games. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The players, coaches and fans of one of those two teams wound up keenly disappointed, however, after UCLA knocked off USC for the first time in seven years. Instead of a glamorous trip to the Rose Bowl, LSU will wind up 60 miles down the road in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] The many friends of retired Army officer Gus Hergert Jr. (West Point class of 1950) will be pleased to know that he's on the mend after recent heart valve surgery. "It has been a tough go, but we've finally turned the corner,'' says his son, Gus Hergert III, once a familiar face on local and state television. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]South would've been hot if BCS left it out in cold again[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Monday, December 04, 2006[/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Huntsville Times [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Monday potpourri: Sometimes, the people and the computers involved in the perplexing Bowl Championship Series selection system get it right. Sometimes they don't. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]This time, they got it right. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]After UCLA's 13-9 upset of Southern California and Florida's 38-28 victory over Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, the Gators deserved the opportunity to play Ohio State for the national championship on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.[/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Remembering how an undefeated Auburn team was shut out of the BCS title game two years ago, however, many football fans across the South doubted Florida would overtake No. 2 Michigan in the final BCS poll. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]But by sundown on Sunday, justice had been served. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]As Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said on Sunday, any team that goes 11-1 in the regular season and then wins the SEC Championship Game deserves to be called a great team. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Tressel didn't bring up this point, but how would it have looked if the Big Ten champion, rather than playing the SEC champion, had been paired with the Big Ten runner-up in a rematch of a game played on the third Saturday in November? [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The South might've seceded from the Union for the second time. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Besides, rematches are seldom fair to the winner of the first game. Some of us are old enough to remember the famous 1959 Ole Miss-LSU game on Halloween night when Billy Cannon returned a punt 89 yards in the fourth quarter, giving the Tigers a 7-3 victory. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Unwisely, LSU agreed to a rematch in the Sugar Bowl a few weeks later. John Vaught's Rebels romped 21-0, and it wasn't that close.[/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Speaking of Tressel: Who can blame the Buckeyes coach for not voting in Sunday's final USA Today-Coaches poll? The man was in a no-win situation if there ever was one. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If he had voted Michigan No. 2, everybody would've said it was a case of one Big Ten coach snubbing the SEC to make his own league look good. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]If he had voted Florida No. 2, everybody would've said it was a case of trying to duck the Wolverines, who lost by just three points in their earlier 1 vs. 2 showdown in Columbus. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Tressel must've figured he didn't need that sort of aggravation, and he's right. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Kudos to SEC commissioner Mike Slive and his staff for landing nine teams - three-fourths of the conference - in postseason bowl games, including two in the big-money BCS games. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The players, coaches and fans of one of those two teams wound up keenly disappointed, however, after UCLA knocked off USC for the first time in seven years. Instead of a glamorous trip to the Rose Bowl, LSU will wind up 60 miles down the road in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] The many friends of retired Army officer Gus Hergert Jr. (West Point class of 1950) will be pleased to know that he's on the mend after recent heart valve surgery. "It has been a tough go, but we've finally turned the corner,'' says his son, Gus Hergert III, once a familiar face on local and state television. [/FONT]
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It's another system failure
By Wendell Barnhouse
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
When it comes to flaws, the Bowl Championship Series never fails to provide.
Some years, it's a team losing its last game, but backing into the title matchup. Other years, it's the inability to separate fairly three undefeated teams from major conferences. The BCS has proven that no matter the checks and balances, things can get out of whack.
Sunday brought this year's final BCS standings. The headline news version: Florida will play Ohio State in this year's national championship game.
But the Gators got there thanks to a major swing in the human polls. (And while the Harris Poll is one-third of the BCS formula, there is absolutely no evidence that former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris was involved in the tallying.)
"It's an imperfect system. That's not gonna change. It's gonna be imperfect again next season."
Those words were spoken by Florida coach Urban Meyer, whose team benefited from the imperfect system.
The coaches' poll was short one ballot. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel declined to vote. Coaches' final ballots will be made public Monday in USA Today.
Tressel apparently decided that no matter how he voted -- Ohio State one, Florida two, Michigan three; Ohio State one, Michigan two, Florida three -- he'd be spending most of the week explaining himself.
"I thought it wasn't appropriate with the circumstances like they were," said Tressel, whose sweater vest might be made of Teflon. "We were in a unique situation and that it was a conflict of interest. It was the best thing for Ohio State that we didn't vote."
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr votes in the coaches' poll. Carr was asked about Tressel not voting.
"That was real slick," he said.
Coach Carr, would you not vote if you found yourself in a similar situation?
"No."
Just a note: Ohio State plays at Michigan next season. Get ready for a big time in The Big House. The rivalry would have been stoked by a rematch, but Tressel's decision not to vote will no doubt be a rallying cry for the Winged Helmets next November.
Carr and Meyer also have issues. Carr accused Meyer of campaigning for voters' votes. Carr declined to fan the flames Sunday. Meyer defended his comments -- paraphrased, Michigan had its shot, if there's a rematch, blow up the system.
"I was asked my opinion and I gave it," Meyer said. "It got twisted around and analyzed.
"I can understand why Jim decided not to vote. A year ago I was asked to vote in the poll. I declined. I'm never going to vote. It gets posted. We've got enough trouble with our biggest rivals without providing bulletin-board material."
What's wrong with the system this year, then? The coaches, the supposed experts about college football, don't want to vote because they don't want people to know how they voted.
Who can guess what went through the mind of the 170-plus voters in the coaches and Harris polls?
After USC lost, did most believe that Florida was the nation's second-best team?
Or did the voters rebel against the possibility of a rematch?
While Michigan went into the weekend No. 3 in both polls, not enough voters decided to move the Wolverines up to No. 2.
Michigan, like Florida, has one loss. That came in its final game, 42-39 at Ohio State.
There were seven voters in the Harris poll who had top-three combinations that didn't include Ohio State, Florida and Michigan.
Jim Walden voted Florida No. 1; Larry Keech and former Texas Tech President Robert Lawless voted Florida No. 5. Tim Neverett voted two-loss USC No. 3.
Those are the bright lights determining the national championship.
Not that anyone is listening, but more coaches are going to start clamoring for a playoff.
"There are questions that need to be raised each year, there are always issues," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "Until they play this thing off like most of the coaches want to do, you have to keep working to get as close to the truth as you can."
GOING BOWLING
Highlights of the 32 bowl games:
National championship game: Ohio St. vs. Florida, 7 p.m. Jan. 8, KDFW/4
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. Notre Dame,
7 p.m. Jan. 3, KDFW/4
Orange Bowl: Wake Forest vs.
Louisville, 7 p.m. Jan. 2, KDFW/4
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Boise State, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 1, KDFW/4
Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. USC, 4 p.m. Jan. 1, WFAA/8
Cotton Bowl: Auburn vs. Nebraska, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 1, KDFW/4
Armed Forces Bowl: Tulsa vs. Utah, 7 p.m. Dec. 23, ESPN
Poinsettia Bowl: TCU vs. Northern Illinois, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, ESPN2
It's another system failure
By Wendell Barnhouse
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
When it comes to flaws, the Bowl Championship Series never fails to provide.
Some years, it's a team losing its last game, but backing into the title matchup. Other years, it's the inability to separate fairly three undefeated teams from major conferences. The BCS has proven that no matter the checks and balances, things can get out of whack.
Sunday brought this year's final BCS standings. The headline news version: Florida will play Ohio State in this year's national championship game.
But the Gators got there thanks to a major swing in the human polls. (And while the Harris Poll is one-third of the BCS formula, there is absolutely no evidence that former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris was involved in the tallying.)
"It's an imperfect system. That's not gonna change. It's gonna be imperfect again next season."
Those words were spoken by Florida coach Urban Meyer, whose team benefited from the imperfect system.
The coaches' poll was short one ballot. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel declined to vote. Coaches' final ballots will be made public Monday in USA Today.
Tressel apparently decided that no matter how he voted -- Ohio State one, Florida two, Michigan three; Ohio State one, Michigan two, Florida three -- he'd be spending most of the week explaining himself.
"I thought it wasn't appropriate with the circumstances like they were," said Tressel, whose sweater vest might be made of Teflon. "We were in a unique situation and that it was a conflict of interest. It was the best thing for Ohio State that we didn't vote."
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr votes in the coaches' poll. Carr was asked about Tressel not voting.
"That was real slick," he said.
Coach Carr, would you not vote if you found yourself in a similar situation?
"No."
Just a note: Ohio State plays at Michigan next season. Get ready for a big time in The Big House. The rivalry would have been stoked by a rematch, but Tressel's decision not to vote will no doubt be a rallying cry for the Winged Helmets next November.
Carr and Meyer also have issues. Carr accused Meyer of campaigning for voters' votes. Carr declined to fan the flames Sunday. Meyer defended his comments -- paraphrased, Michigan had its shot, if there's a rematch, blow up the system.
"I was asked my opinion and I gave it," Meyer said. "It got twisted around and analyzed.
"I can understand why Jim decided not to vote. A year ago I was asked to vote in the poll. I declined. I'm never going to vote. It gets posted. We've got enough trouble with our biggest rivals without providing bulletin-board material."
What's wrong with the system this year, then? The coaches, the supposed experts about college football, don't want to vote because they don't want people to know how they voted.
Who can guess what went through the mind of the 170-plus voters in the coaches and Harris polls?
After USC lost, did most believe that Florida was the nation's second-best team?
Or did the voters rebel against the possibility of a rematch?
While Michigan went into the weekend No. 3 in both polls, not enough voters decided to move the Wolverines up to No. 2.
Michigan, like Florida, has one loss. That came in its final game, 42-39 at Ohio State.
There were seven voters in the Harris poll who had top-three combinations that didn't include Ohio State, Florida and Michigan.
Jim Walden voted Florida No. 1; Larry Keech and former Texas Tech President Robert Lawless voted Florida No. 5. Tim Neverett voted two-loss USC No. 3.
Those are the bright lights determining the national championship.
Not that anyone is listening, but more coaches are going to start clamoring for a playoff.
"There are questions that need to be raised each year, there are always issues," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "Until they play this thing off like most of the coaches want to do, you have to keep working to get as close to the truth as you can."
GOING BOWLING
Highlights of the 32 bowl games:
National championship game: Ohio St. vs. Florida, 7 p.m. Jan. 8, KDFW/4
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. Notre Dame,
7 p.m. Jan. 3, KDFW/4
Orange Bowl: Wake Forest vs.
Louisville, 7 p.m. Jan. 2, KDFW/4
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Boise State, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 1, KDFW/4
Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. USC, 4 p.m. Jan. 1, WFAA/8
Cotton Bowl: Auburn vs. Nebraska, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 1, KDFW/4
Armed Forces Bowl: Tulsa vs. Utah, 7 p.m. Dec. 23, ESPN
Poinsettia Bowl: TCU vs. Northern Illinois, 7 p.m. Dec. 19, ESPN2
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Tressel makes sure not to insult upcoming foe
Buckeyes coach doesn't cast his ballot that is used as part of the BCS formula.
By Doug Harris
Staff Writer
Monday, December 04, 2006
COLUMBUS ? The beleaguered Bowl Championship Series didn't need any more controversy, but Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel created some by opting not to give his weekly input for the final standings.
Tressel has a vote in the USA Today coaches poll ? which makes up one-third of the BCS formula ? but didn't want to cast a ballot that might determine the Buckeyes' foe in the national title game.
"We have so much respect for the University of Michigan and the University of Florida, and obviously, those are the two people that had a chance to be in the final game," Tressel said. "I didn't think it was appropriate to cast a ballot one way or another. Those are two great teams, and we would have relished playing either. But I didn't think it was appropriate to participate in that."
Told that USA Today was unhappy with the decision, Tressel quipped, "Maybe they'll fire me as a pollster."
The No. 1 Buckeyes (12-0) will be bidding for their second national title in five years when they face Florida (12-1) in the BCS championship Jan. 8. The Gators last won a national crown in 1996 and are experiencing a revival under second-year coach Urban Meyer.
While legions of OSU fans seemed universally opposed to a rematch with Michigan, the Buckeyes professed to be indifferent.
"From my standpoint, it didn't really matter who we played ? it just mattered that we controlled our destiny," OSU quarterback Troy Smith said. "Florida is an athletic team all the way around. And I'm a very, very huge fan of (quarterback) Chris Leak. I hope to get to meet him."
Meyer had been stumping for a clash with the Buckeyes, and he's getting his wish.
"They're the consensus No. 1 team in America," Meyer said. "I've not seen them much, but I know some of their coaches and players. And they're worthy of that No. 1 rating."
Tressel makes sure not to insult upcoming foe
Buckeyes coach doesn't cast his ballot that is used as part of the BCS formula.
By Doug Harris
Staff Writer
Monday, December 04, 2006
COLUMBUS ? The beleaguered Bowl Championship Series didn't need any more controversy, but Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel created some by opting not to give his weekly input for the final standings.
Tressel has a vote in the USA Today coaches poll ? which makes up one-third of the BCS formula ? but didn't want to cast a ballot that might determine the Buckeyes' foe in the national title game.
"We have so much respect for the University of Michigan and the University of Florida, and obviously, those are the two people that had a chance to be in the final game," Tressel said. "I didn't think it was appropriate to cast a ballot one way or another. Those are two great teams, and we would have relished playing either. But I didn't think it was appropriate to participate in that."
Told that USA Today was unhappy with the decision, Tressel quipped, "Maybe they'll fire me as a pollster."
The No. 1 Buckeyes (12-0) will be bidding for their second national title in five years when they face Florida (12-1) in the BCS championship Jan. 8. The Gators last won a national crown in 1996 and are experiencing a revival under second-year coach Urban Meyer.
While legions of OSU fans seemed universally opposed to a rematch with Michigan, the Buckeyes professed to be indifferent.
"From my standpoint, it didn't really matter who we played ? it just mattered that we controlled our destiny," OSU quarterback Troy Smith said. "Florida is an athletic team all the way around. And I'm a very, very huge fan of (quarterback) Chris Leak. I hope to get to meet him."
Meyer had been stumping for a clash with the Buckeyes, and he's getting his wish.
"They're the consensus No. 1 team in America," Meyer said. "I've not seen them much, but I know some of their coaches and players. And they're worthy of that No. 1 rating."
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Chicago Sun Times
Abstention could get Tressel 'fired'
December 4, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's Jim Tressel did not vote in this week's USA Today coaches poll to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, a move the newspaper said could jeopardize his future in the selection process. ''We are disappointed with coach Tressel's decision, but our oversight role does not grant us authority to compel his participation,'' Monte Lorell, USA Today's managing editor for sports, said in a statement Sunday. ''Coach Tressel's future involvement in the poll will be part of our annual review with [American Football Coaches Association] executive director Grant Teaff.''
Told Sunday night that USA Today was unhappy with him, Tressel acted surprised.
''Maybe they'll fire me as a pollster,'' he said, half-joking.
Tressel said he didn't feel right putting Ohio State in the middle of the decision of who it is supposed to play for the national title.
''I have so much respect for both Michigan and Florida,'' he said. ''I didn't think it was appropriate that Ohio State would cast a ballot one way or the other.''
Michigan's Lloyd Carr, also a member of the coaches poll, said there was no scenario in which he would choose not to vote. On Tressel's abstention, Carr said: ''I thought it was real slick.''
Teaff said Tressel's decision was ''not something that we would like to have happen, but it's kind of an unusual circumstance.''
''It's just a tough situation,'' Teaff said.
Abstention could get Tressel 'fired'
December 4, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's Jim Tressel did not vote in this week's USA Today coaches poll to avoid the perception of a conflict of interest, a move the newspaper said could jeopardize his future in the selection process. ''We are disappointed with coach Tressel's decision, but our oversight role does not grant us authority to compel his participation,'' Monte Lorell, USA Today's managing editor for sports, said in a statement Sunday. ''Coach Tressel's future involvement in the poll will be part of our annual review with [American Football Coaches Association] executive director Grant Teaff.''
Told Sunday night that USA Today was unhappy with him, Tressel acted surprised.
''Maybe they'll fire me as a pollster,'' he said, half-joking.
Tressel said he didn't feel right putting Ohio State in the middle of the decision of who it is supposed to play for the national title.
''I have so much respect for both Michigan and Florida,'' he said. ''I didn't think it was appropriate that Ohio State would cast a ballot one way or the other.''
Michigan's Lloyd Carr, also a member of the coaches poll, said there was no scenario in which he would choose not to vote. On Tressel's abstention, Carr said: ''I thought it was real slick.''
Teaff said Tressel's decision was ''not something that we would like to have happen, but it's kind of an unusual circumstance.''
''It's just a tough situation,'' Teaff said.
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MITCH ALBOM: U-M wronged by BCS voters
December 4, 2006
BY MITCH ALBOM
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
Michigan vs. USC in Rose Bowl; see more on 1D
The system stinks.
That's the only conclusion we can agree upon. All else is chaos. Did Michigan get jobbed? Sure it did. There is no way, in a logical world, that a big time, second-ranked team, whose only loss is by three points to the top-ranked team, should fall behind anyone with at least one defeat in a poll. Anyone. Southern Cal. Florida. Anyone.
Instead, it happened twice in the past two weeks. First, USC beat Notre Dame, and a wave of hype, forced logic and selective memory made voters forget that USC struggled often this season and blew a game to mediocre Oregon State -- and instead they leapfrogged USC over Michigan for the No. 2 spot. The USC Trojans are the strongest contender! Look at them!
Then, over the weekend, USC was exposed, losing to unranked UCLA, and, oops, guess the hype was wrong. So instead of restoring No. 3 Michigan to where it belonged, a new wave of hype, forced logic and selective memory made voters leapfrog the Florida Gators over the Wolverines and into the national championship game next month. Hey, they're the strongest contender! Just look at them!
You can spin this thing any way you want. It was strictly about fresh versus familiar. In the end, Ohio State will play Florida on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz., because people with votes want to see that game more than they want to see a rematch of Michigan-Ohio State. This was all about the line of thinking that says: "Give someone else a chance."
But if the system were about giving everyone a chance, they wouldn't call it a poll, they'd call it a donkey ride.
So much babbling
Which is not to say there hasn't been some donkey-like behavior. Consider Urban Meyer, the braying coach of the Gators. When asked by ESPN about Michigan on Saturday night, Meyer said: "They had their shot."
Thank you, Judge.
Meyer is not only rude, he's confused. Nowhere in the Bowl Championship Series system is "having their shot" supposed to determine anything. The system is supposed to rank teams, not manipulate them. It's supposed to set up a national championship game, not cast it.
Ask yourself this question: If we were in the fifth week of the season, and Michigan and Ohio State had played their game and were idle -- do you think Florida would have jumped up two spots to wedge between them by beating eighth-ranked Arkansas?
I don't.
In the final BCS tally, Michigan and Florida tied in the computer rankings, but the Gators finished No. 2 because they passed the Wolverines in the USA Today coaches and Harris Interactive polls. How did they pass 'em? Because numerous voters flip-flopped.
The truth is, Meyer is wrong. Michigan didn't have its shot. Not at a national championship game -- which is all the BCS is supposed to determine. And now it won't get its shot. Why? Because Florida is somehow a superior choice since it doesn't play in the same conference as Ohio State?
Meyer acts as if the SEC is Broadway and all the other conferences are summer stock. He talks as if you have to survive germ-warfare to win an SEC game (conveniently excusing his close scores against some lesser teams) while suggesting that other conference champs should be blowing out their opponents.
Hey, if Ohio State is as great as everyone says it is, and most of its victories are against the same Big Ten teams Michigan faces, why does it work FOR the Buckeyes and against the Wolverines?
That's fair?
"Florida belongs," Meyer told reporters Saturday night. "The other team had a shot. We went 12-1, and I think the country wants to see the Southeastern Conference champion against the Big Ten champion."
Well, it's nice to have Lord Meyer tell us what we want to see. Apparently "the country," in his view, doesn't include huge parts of the Midwest. His first name may be Urban, but it should be Parochial.
Yes, people can say the same thing about Michigan fans. And in Florida they probably are.
Before Sunday night, the Gators were No. 2 once before -- in the poll of Oct. 8 -- and they promptly lost. The Wolverines were No. 2 for almost a month.
Michigan, having not touched a football in two weeks, has to wonder why it was dropped -- while Florida was vaulted. Michigan has to wonder how losing on the road to the only team ranked ahead of it -- and losing by three points -- is somehow less worthy than Florida losing by 10 points to Auburn, a team not even in the final Top 10.
Playoff system needed
And with that, another rankings mess mars a college football season. Michigan's Lloyd Carr, who was far more graceful than Meyer, optimistically called it, on his TV show, "a great controversy."
But controversies are rarely great. And college kids are supposed to study math, not be victimized by it. Yes, the Wolverines will go to a Rose Bowl and there is nothing bad about that. But there is a reason sports that determine things by voting -- figure skating, gymnastics -- continually result in anger, bitterness and missed chances.
And it is why this system remains a joke, while the obvious solution keeps getting ignored.
I'll say it again. Add two games. Both on the same day. A four-team playoff. You take the Nos. 1-4 ranked teams and let them prove who belongs on the field for the championship.
Under that system, this year, Michigan would play Florida. And Meyer actually would have to coach his team past Carr's, instead of trying to do it with his mouth.
Such a playoff would only affect four schools each year. It could be done using two existing bowls. As for when do you schedule it? Well, considering the national championship this year is more than seven weeks after Ohio State's last on-field appearance ... I'm guessing they can find some time.
But don't hold your breath. It won't happen -- at least not soon. Instead, exhale that sigh that has been sighed for so many years in so many places since rankings were used in lieu of actual on-field battles. It was a popularity contest, in the end, what people wanted to see. And the new, exciting orange beat the same old maize and blue.
And if you're wondering what that has to do with football, you are not alone.
MITCH ALBOM: U-M wronged by BCS voters
December 4, 2006
BY MITCH ALBOM
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
Michigan vs. USC in Rose Bowl; see more on 1D
- ? BCS Championship: Ohio State vs. Florida.
? Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. Southern Cal.
? Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame vs. LSU.
? Orange Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Louisville.
? Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Boise State.
? Motor City Bowl: Central Michigan vs. Middle Tennessee St.
- Here is what readers said on freep.com about the final BCS standings that left Michigan out of the national title game in favor of Florida:
? Why can virtually every other sport have a system of playoff games to determine a true champion, when college athletics is "stuck in the muck" of a totally broken system of biases and computer mumbo-jumbo.
? Florida played a stunningly tough schedule, lost a poorly officiated game at Auburn, and won their conference. In this joke of a system that determines a mythical national champion, it's the right decision to match these two teams, two champions, representing the two best conferences.
? Adversity will be the mother of focus and determination come 2007. Watch out pretenders! There aint gonna be no questions next year. Put Florida on the schedule and invite Gary Danielson.
? I hope they put in a larger scoreboard in the desert, because Ohio State may put up triple digits on Florida's terrible defense. When all is said and done, it will be pretty clear that Florida had no business in the BSC title game. Urban Meyer may want to stop his campaigning next time. How about coming up to play a game in Ann Arbor next year?
? It's sad that the wolverines get punished for finishing their schedule before everyone else, which is the ONLY reason that Florida is going to Arizona to get their butts handed to them
? How on earth can you punish a team for not playing for two weeks by having teams leap frog them. Why? Because their loss came late in the year rather than earlier? Because they are in a position to possibly play OSU twice and are being punished for already playing them? The BCS should have pushed U of M down lower in the poll if they did not intend them to play for the National Championship in the first place. The whole thing stinks.
? Michigan had their chance to go to the national championship game, and they lost. Get over it, and be happy that you are going to the Rose Bowl, which is a great bowl game. The Big Ten (or big 2, small 9) was awful this year, and tends to be an overrated conference anyways.
? Florida got what they wanted now the SEC will get what it deserves: the gators laying an egg in the wake of this absurdity and next year when this controversy rises again the BCS will again look past this overrated SEC conference to a team that actually can play and has proven it time and time again. At least the SEC won't be stinking up the Rose Bowl.
? I'll be cheering for Boise St. Then I'd like to see what happens should OSU lose. One undefeated team and no national championship, now that should be a crime.
? I gotta give it to Urban Meyer, he knows how to plead his case. Maybe he should become a politician instead of a football coach.
? We have all seen Urban's real side. He is a cry baby and everyone knows it. He has ruined any respect Florida may have had.
? I was sure it would end up in UM's favor, boy was I wrong. I never thought I would say this but, "Go Buckeyes!!!"
The system stinks.
That's the only conclusion we can agree upon. All else is chaos. Did Michigan get jobbed? Sure it did. There is no way, in a logical world, that a big time, second-ranked team, whose only loss is by three points to the top-ranked team, should fall behind anyone with at least one defeat in a poll. Anyone. Southern Cal. Florida. Anyone.
Instead, it happened twice in the past two weeks. First, USC beat Notre Dame, and a wave of hype, forced logic and selective memory made voters forget that USC struggled often this season and blew a game to mediocre Oregon State -- and instead they leapfrogged USC over Michigan for the No. 2 spot. The USC Trojans are the strongest contender! Look at them!
Then, over the weekend, USC was exposed, losing to unranked UCLA, and, oops, guess the hype was wrong. So instead of restoring No. 3 Michigan to where it belonged, a new wave of hype, forced logic and selective memory made voters leapfrog the Florida Gators over the Wolverines and into the national championship game next month. Hey, they're the strongest contender! Just look at them!
You can spin this thing any way you want. It was strictly about fresh versus familiar. In the end, Ohio State will play Florida on Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz., because people with votes want to see that game more than they want to see a rematch of Michigan-Ohio State. This was all about the line of thinking that says: "Give someone else a chance."
But if the system were about giving everyone a chance, they wouldn't call it a poll, they'd call it a donkey ride.
So much babbling
Which is not to say there hasn't been some donkey-like behavior. Consider Urban Meyer, the braying coach of the Gators. When asked by ESPN about Michigan on Saturday night, Meyer said: "They had their shot."
Thank you, Judge.
Meyer is not only rude, he's confused. Nowhere in the Bowl Championship Series system is "having their shot" supposed to determine anything. The system is supposed to rank teams, not manipulate them. It's supposed to set up a national championship game, not cast it.
Ask yourself this question: If we were in the fifth week of the season, and Michigan and Ohio State had played their game and were idle -- do you think Florida would have jumped up two spots to wedge between them by beating eighth-ranked Arkansas?
I don't.
In the final BCS tally, Michigan and Florida tied in the computer rankings, but the Gators finished No. 2 because they passed the Wolverines in the USA Today coaches and Harris Interactive polls. How did they pass 'em? Because numerous voters flip-flopped.
The truth is, Meyer is wrong. Michigan didn't have its shot. Not at a national championship game -- which is all the BCS is supposed to determine. And now it won't get its shot. Why? Because Florida is somehow a superior choice since it doesn't play in the same conference as Ohio State?
Meyer acts as if the SEC is Broadway and all the other conferences are summer stock. He talks as if you have to survive germ-warfare to win an SEC game (conveniently excusing his close scores against some lesser teams) while suggesting that other conference champs should be blowing out their opponents.
Hey, if Ohio State is as great as everyone says it is, and most of its victories are against the same Big Ten teams Michigan faces, why does it work FOR the Buckeyes and against the Wolverines?
That's fair?
"Florida belongs," Meyer told reporters Saturday night. "The other team had a shot. We went 12-1, and I think the country wants to see the Southeastern Conference champion against the Big Ten champion."
Well, it's nice to have Lord Meyer tell us what we want to see. Apparently "the country," in his view, doesn't include huge parts of the Midwest. His first name may be Urban, but it should be Parochial.
Yes, people can say the same thing about Michigan fans. And in Florida they probably are.
Before Sunday night, the Gators were No. 2 once before -- in the poll of Oct. 8 -- and they promptly lost. The Wolverines were No. 2 for almost a month.
Michigan, having not touched a football in two weeks, has to wonder why it was dropped -- while Florida was vaulted. Michigan has to wonder how losing on the road to the only team ranked ahead of it -- and losing by three points -- is somehow less worthy than Florida losing by 10 points to Auburn, a team not even in the final Top 10.
Playoff system needed
And with that, another rankings mess mars a college football season. Michigan's Lloyd Carr, who was far more graceful than Meyer, optimistically called it, on his TV show, "a great controversy."
But controversies are rarely great. And college kids are supposed to study math, not be victimized by it. Yes, the Wolverines will go to a Rose Bowl and there is nothing bad about that. But there is a reason sports that determine things by voting -- figure skating, gymnastics -- continually result in anger, bitterness and missed chances.
And it is why this system remains a joke, while the obvious solution keeps getting ignored.
I'll say it again. Add two games. Both on the same day. A four-team playoff. You take the Nos. 1-4 ranked teams and let them prove who belongs on the field for the championship.
Under that system, this year, Michigan would play Florida. And Meyer actually would have to coach his team past Carr's, instead of trying to do it with his mouth.
Such a playoff would only affect four schools each year. It could be done using two existing bowls. As for when do you schedule it? Well, considering the national championship this year is more than seven weeks after Ohio State's last on-field appearance ... I'm guessing they can find some time.
But don't hold your breath. It won't happen -- at least not soon. Instead, exhale that sigh that has been sighed for so many years in so many places since rankings were used in lieu of actual on-field battles. It was a popularity contest, in the end, what people wanted to see. And the new, exciting orange beat the same old maize and blue.
And if you're wondering what that has to do with football, you are not alone.
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Dispatch
Tressel declines vote in coaches poll
Monday, December 04, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
And Jim Tressel wonders why people think he has a future in politics.
The Ohio State coach abstained from making his final vote yesterday in the USA Today coaches poll, which makes up one-third of the formula that determined his team?s opponent in the national title game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
He said he considered Florida and Michigan equal. The Gators ended up No. 2 and will meet OSU in the title game.
"I have so much respect for Michigan and Florida," Tressel said. "I just didn?t think it was appropriate that Ohio State would cast a ballot one way or the other. Those are two great teams and we would?ve relished playing either. The respect I have for Michigan and Florida made it impossible in my mind."
The abstention upset USA Today managing editor for sports Monte Lorell.
"We are disappointed with coach Tressel?s decision, but our oversight role does not grant us authority to compel his participation," Lorell said in a statement to the Associated Press. "Coach Tressel?s future involvement in the poll will be part of our annual review with (American Football Coaches Association) executive director Grant Teaff."
Teaff did not return a call.
Told the USA Today people were upset, Tressel said, "They are? Upset at me? OK, maybe they?ll fire me as a pollster."
Tressel said he called poll officials yesterday morning and was told he could not split his vote.
His vote would not have made a difference in the standings. Assuming he voted the teams second and third, the difference in point totals would have been miniscule.
But it certainly didn?t sound like it pleased Michigan coach Lloyd Carr.
"Well, I thought it was real slick," Carr said.
Tressel declines vote in coaches poll
Monday, December 04, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
And Jim Tressel wonders why people think he has a future in politics.
The Ohio State coach abstained from making his final vote yesterday in the USA Today coaches poll, which makes up one-third of the formula that determined his team?s opponent in the national title game Jan. 8 in Glendale, Ariz.
He said he considered Florida and Michigan equal. The Gators ended up No. 2 and will meet OSU in the title game.
"I have so much respect for Michigan and Florida," Tressel said. "I just didn?t think it was appropriate that Ohio State would cast a ballot one way or the other. Those are two great teams and we would?ve relished playing either. The respect I have for Michigan and Florida made it impossible in my mind."
The abstention upset USA Today managing editor for sports Monte Lorell.
"We are disappointed with coach Tressel?s decision, but our oversight role does not grant us authority to compel his participation," Lorell said in a statement to the Associated Press. "Coach Tressel?s future involvement in the poll will be part of our annual review with (American Football Coaches Association) executive director Grant Teaff."
Teaff did not return a call.
Told the USA Today people were upset, Tressel said, "They are? Upset at me? OK, maybe they?ll fire me as a pollster."
Tressel said he called poll officials yesterday morning and was told he could not split his vote.
His vote would not have made a difference in the standings. Assuming he voted the teams second and third, the difference in point totals would have been miniscule.
But it certainly didn?t sound like it pleased Michigan coach Lloyd Carr.
"Well, I thought it was real slick," Carr said.
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