11/21/24
December 05, 2006
Tressel Skipped Final Coaches' Poll Vote: Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel chickened out of voting in the final USA Today football coaches' poll, which is made public, saying he wasn't going to give his next opponent extra incentive. "That's a bunch of sanctimonious bunk," said Texas Tech Coach Mike Leach.
The coaches poll is a bunch of bunk anyways (actually, it's like most polls in general). It's the same whether it's a bunch of coaches or writers, whatever. How can a coach, who spends all his time each week looking at one opponent, then, over a season, only really looks at a handful of opponents (most within their own conference only) be a good judge of who should be ranked nationwide? How can writers, most of whom only cover certain teams or leagues, accurately comment on where every team should be ranked? Then, we're all supposed to react to these polls like they're the gospel based on scientific fact? I don't buy it. More coaches should follow suit and not vote, because it's a ridiculous exercise.
posted by dyams at 08:41 AM on December 05, 2006
It's usually a grad assistant or someone in the SID office that fills out the ballot. They then show it to the coach to let him make any final adjustments. Once, when my wife was working in the SID office at Ohio State (between 1997 and 1999) as a student-athlete, the job got passed to her. She managed to pass it off to someone that wanted to do it and knew more about football than she did. Did I mention she's from Belgium and at the time didn't know anything about football? (Not that she really knows anything now, but after years with me, she's getting the hang of it.)
posted by cabuki at 08:53 AM on December 05, 2006
I really don't understand the furor over this. Not only is Tressel choosing to abstain from participating in a poll in which he has an above-average bias (in fact, this might be as ethical an action as he could have done), he's also just being a good American. People don't vote all the time. In fact, not voting in elections is one of the few things that is done by a genuine and unquestioned majority in every corner of this country. I'm only slightly kidding here. I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing in his position.
posted by chicobangs at 09:07 AM on December 05, 2006
Tressel shouldn't vote all season long if he isn't going to vote when there's public accountability at the end. Seems cheesy to me, but it's probably like Urban Meyer campaigning for the No. 2 ranking. The short-term PR hit you take is worth the long-term benefit of your action. These coaches are going to go for any edge they can get before the game.
posted by rcade at 09:14 AM on December 05, 2006
"Saturday was the first time I really got to watch Florida," said Franchione, a former Alabama coach. "And I watched the Michigan-Ohio State game. I voted (the Gators) No. 2 because I thought they might be better, and I know how difficult it is to survive that league. " Everyone BEGGED for the polls to have more weight than the computer rankings, and this is what you get out of it...a coach who has watched 2 games making a decision about which is the better team based on that.
posted by bdaddy at 09:39 AM on December 05, 2006
Heh. Great quote from Franchione. I'll be sure to keep that one in mind next time someone criticizes the computers. IMHO, if they're going to keep the BCS, they should throw the human polls out and re-allow margin of victory in the calculations.
posted by tieguy at 09:56 AM on December 05, 2006
If there is any integrity to the coaches poll, then everyone partcipating should take it seriously and partcipate whether the ballots are public or not. The conflict of interest that Tressel has is the same conflict he had all season. The difference is that there is accountability for the last game of the season.
posted by bperk at 10:18 AM on December 05, 2006
Tressel did what he thought was right, and who can blame him? Why should it appear that he would rather face one team or the other for the championship game, or even have a voice in deciding? Kudos to Tressel.
posted by mjkredliner at 10:21 AM on December 05, 2006
The correct answer would have been, of course, "None of your beeswax what I did with my vote. Next question."
posted by chicobangs at 11:13 AM on December 05, 2006
Why should it appear that he would rather face one team or the other for the championship game, or even have a voice in deciding? Exactly.
posted by dyams at 11:13 AM on December 05, 2006
Tressel knew before he became a pollster that this situation might arise. Why did he agree to participate if he wouldn't feel comfortable with his vote being used against him? A coach is not compelled to participate, he could have given a coach better able to take the heat the responsibility and/or privilege. These votes do count and they do help decide where teams are ranked and each coach should treat his vote with the importance that it deserves.
posted by bperk at 11:29 AM on December 05, 2006
The correct answer would have been, of course, "None of your beeswax what I did with my vote. Next question." How could he pull that off? The final vote is public.
posted by rcade at 11:39 AM on December 05, 2006
Tressel is a coward. He knew Michigan would beat Ohio State if played again. He knew a non-vote was a vote for Florida, a team he knows Ohio State will slaughter. I'm not sure who's worse, Tressel for cowardice or Meyer for whining like a baby.
posted by Buzzpop at 11:47 AM on December 05, 2006
Tressel is not a coward or chicken. You guys are out of hand. Tressel called USA Today and asked if he could split his vote. They said no. It is a conflict of interest for him to vote. Not that it matters Michigan fans, it wouldn't have helped you. The Game was even that close. TWO unforced turnover caused by Datish's hand brace. so it should have been 42-25. You guys never were driving to win or to tie. So shut your mouths and suck it up. You lost to the best team in college football and the National Champions. Florida is a joke.
posted by nicholasr87 at 12:23 PM on December 05, 2006
Tressel is a coward. He knew Michigan would beat Ohio State if played again. I'm guessing Michigan fan, and that you really didn't pay attention to the game, but rather are going by final score. Aside from leading 7-0, Michigan never led again during the game. In fact, in the 2nd half, only one time did Michigan have the ball with a chance to take the lead. They failed to move the ball and went 3 & out on that possession. Ohio State on it's next possession scored it's final TD. I'm not seeing how you can decisively say that Ohio State would lose to Michigan if they played again. I can't say Ohio State wouldn't lose, but of you really have no evidence that Ohio State would certainly lose if they played again.
posted by Jeffwa at 12:34 PM on December 05, 2006
'I know how difficult it is to survive that league.' Except, not this year. The coaches' poll is a ballot on reputation and media coverage and freshness of memory -- and this year, on 'who played after my regular season finished'. And Tressel should have voted for Boise State at no. 2, just to show it was a donkey ballot.
posted by etagloh at 12:45 PM on December 05, 2006
Assuming he would have had Michigan & Florida as #2 & #3 (either order), the difference of where he voted them would be 1 point. (24 points for 2nd, 23 points for 3rd.) Since 26 > 1, it's assured that his vote didn't matter for anything other than bulletin board material. I find it very hard to believe that the best motivation that Carr and/or Meyer could come up with was that the opposing coach voted for UM/UF as the #3 ranked team, not the #2 ranked team. Oh, the outrage! We have been wronged!
posted by bperk at 12:55 PM on December 05, 2006
Tressel is a coward. He knew Michigan would beat Ohio State if played again. He knew a non-vote was a vote for Florida, a team he knows Ohio State will slaughter. I'm not sure who's worse, Tressel for cowardice or Meyer for whining like a baby. Brilliant. Tressel is a coward. Spare us with this crap. If you need attention or responses this bad, you need to seek help elsewhere.
posted by dyams at 12:59 PM on December 05, 2006
He had a conflict of interest and if he voted Florida he'd have been accused of a bias or fear. I have no problem with him abstaining. ESPN radio had the suggestion that there ought to be a poll of people who are actually employed to watch football. To watch the games and all the teams and actually be able to make an educated decision about everything. I like this idea. The coaches poll is a joke, the Harris seems to be a bunch of buffoons according to what I hear of it, and the AP poll is better since it's media members, but also quite prone to regional bias. I'm a bigger fan of just not having polls at all. That way you don't worry about teams losing ground based on when they lost and all that stuff, or about teams vaulting another one on the last week after trailing them the whole time. Or about teams being ahead of another team simply because they were ranked higher before the season ever started and not because they're actually better. Etc. There's no need for these stupid polls, they should just get rid of them untill the end.
posted by Bernreuther at 01:26 PM on December 05, 2006
Because I married a Michigander, you fans who can't take it that you got your asses beat both by Ohio State on the grid and Florida at the polls are putting me in the position of having to side with the wife. Your dumb-shit arguments are so far out that I hope Florida beats the crap out of Ohio State so that you and the wife will get a chance to learn that you don't know all there is to know, especially who beats who when. Then, I can take a side. Personally, and not being a Michigander I must say that I don't know everything, I believe Ohio State is the best in the country and that the argument is about who is the first loser. So far, Florida! OSU Over Florida, and it's the same. Florida over OSU, then it's OSU as the first loser. Suck it up and face it miserable people. Don't continue to make yourselves even more miserable by continuing your stance. Your football team is down there somewhere behind the first loser. I can't make it any more clear to you than that! I learned this last year when my alma mater's Longhorns were being sent out to be ground into the turf by a far superior team from USC. It is only fair that I share my experience in how to do what you must do.
posted by Bud Lang at 01:28 PM on December 05, 2006
What difference does it make? He would pick Michigan and they deserve it most. The BCS is all about giving SEC teams a chance as long as USC isnt already getting it. The only difference from playing Michigan, USC, or Florida is that we would beat Florida by the most. Tressel is no coward, he has scheduled Texas two years in a row and USC for next year. Voting should not be put on the coaches anyway.
posted by Clevelander32 at 02:20 PM on December 05, 2006
Bud Lang, congratulations on your marriage, but -- who the hell are you talking at?
posted by chicobangs at 02:51 PM on December 05, 2006
When a coach is playing in a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP game, he shouldn't be allowed to have any input into who his opponent should be. It's a conflict of interest. I support Tressel's decision. Also, if he would have voted for the team that didn't get into the game, he would be providing "bulletin board" material for the one who did.
posted by yay-yo at 04:13 PM on December 05, 2006
If Tressel chose to make this decision, it's his call, get off the guy's case. Personally, I think he made a very classy call to keep his opinion out of the polls this round, regardless of how little of a difference it made.
posted by boredom_08 at 04:43 PM on December 05, 2006
The only difference from playing Michigan, USC, or Florida is that we would beat Florida by the most. A shame we didn't know sooner that you were a member of the team, we might have asked your insight during the season. Our loss, to be sure.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 06:17 PM on December 05, 2006
God I hope USC beats Michigan. I am so tired of listening to this crap. Gotta quote The Nature Boy, Ric Flair here. "You wanna BE the Man, ya got to BEAT the Man." You had your shot and did not get it done. Your place, their place, whatever, 5 out of 6 you have lost. STFU.
posted by gradioc at 06:19 PM on December 05, 2006
I just can't wait until the whole things over with. I've never seen so much bickering over something as much as this BCS bullshit. And its not going to stop when the game is over either. I also have put my input about it, so I'm as much to blame as the next. When it first started it got to the point where it was kinda interesting. But now its got out of control.Kind of comical actually. It's finalized now.Ohio State vs Florida. Whoever wins is the National Champion. End of story. May the best team win.
posted by Ghastly1 at 06:50 PM on December 05, 2006
As for the Tressel thing. I don't think of him as a coward at all. If he decided not to vote thats his choice. And maybe a good one on his part. This way here noone can say who he prefered to play or not to play. Even though his vote may have been who he actually thought should be the #2 team,I'm sure some people would have thought differently. Who knows,maybe he did want a rematch with Michigan just to show everyone it wasn't a fluke they won the regular season game. I think he didn't vote not because he's a coward,maybe he just wanted to stay neutral on this whole mess.
posted by Ghastly1 at 07:13 PM on December 05, 2006
I'd just like to thank Mike Leach for trying to turn the younger set on to some of the most righteous jazz ever heard. Or is Sanctimonious Bunk not the guy I'm thinking of?
posted by wfrazerjr at 07:49 PM on December 05, 2006
He was damned either way. I don't get all the fuss about it.
posted by louisville_slugger at 08:45 PM on December 05, 2006
You got that right louisville.What is all the fuss?
posted by Ghastly1 at 09:10 PM on December 05, 2006
How Tressel would have voted would not have determined who his opponent was. The margin between Florida and Michigan in the coaches poll was 26 points. Assuming he would have had Michigan & Florida as #2 & #3 (either order), the difference of where he voted them would be 1 point. (24 points for 2nd, 23 points for 3rd.) Since 26 > 1, it's assured that his vote didn't matter for anything other than bulletin board material. I don't follow the polls as much. But this comment is interesting. If it is true then just what is all the fuss about Tressel not voting. I do believe Michigan is the better team over Florida. As an OSU fan I could care less who we play. OSU is the best team in the country & we will all see it soon. O H !
posted by krex at 09:36 PM on December 05, 2006
It was them hanging chads in Florida that did Michigan in....
posted by mjkredliner at 10:03 PM on December 05, 2006
the florida coach whined his way into the champion ship game as usual the large concntration of teams in the south make this posiable. i have been following football since the late 50s and this has been an on going problem remember the year that notre dame pounded florida state and lost a late season game to bc on a last second field goal yet florida state was voted number one even though being whipped by notre dame who was number one untill the bc lost and had convincely beat florida state. lets see how the sec fares in the bowl games
posted by usmctet68 at 11:07 PM on December 05, 2006
Tressel copped out plain and simple. He should not have voted every week to abstain in the most important week. I am a USC fan and while the loss to the Bruins clouded things up- Tressel did the same. He should have sacked up and voted for Michigan at 2. His lack of doing so tells me he may have been scared to play them again. He knows first hand that Michigan played them tough and at his house. His absense of voting tells me he has a lack of confindence. He should have done the right thing and voted Michigan above Florida to prove his team really is number one- and had a chance to prove it on the field. Regardless they should take his voting rights away forever. Michigan fans should have a legit gripe if they crush the Trojans and Ohio State squeaks by Florida- regardless of wins and loses. Just my opinion. Another reason to have a Playoff system in place, although that was not his reasoning in not voting. COWARD!
posted by urall cloolis at 12:00 AM on December 06, 2006
And a side note: What the F**k is up with the NFL players saying they are from "THE Ohio State University"....is there another Ohio State University that I am not aware of? Any help would be appreciated.
posted by urall cloolis at 12:05 AM on December 06, 2006
The school is actually called The Ohio State University.
posted by edub1321 at 12:16 AM on December 06, 2006
So instead of OSU they should be called TOSU? Why the emphasis on on "THEE" (not The)...maybe I am missing something, please fill me in. Not trying to be an ass this time (like last time), just wondering. All State Universities are called "The State University of...
posted by urall cloolis at 12:17 AM on December 06, 2006
As for Tressel, it was the only move he could make. Whoever he puts at #3 makes for great bulletin board fodder if tOSU has to play them.
posted by edub1321 at 12:19 AM on December 06, 2006
So instead of actually picking his top 20 like he did all year he cops out on the last week of the season, so as not to make "bulletin board material". It sounds like a cop out in any fashion. All the coaches that were number one at the end of the season (and eligible to vote) before him voted when they were given the vote in his position, what makes Tressel the exception? Playing Michigan so tight (AT HIS HOME) should have made it a no brainer...no matter what anyone else thought, or the "bulletin board material".
posted by urall cloolis at 12:30 AM on December 06, 2006
If tOSU is truly number one- "Bulletin Board" material should not matter, they should be able to beat any team anytime, under most circumstances. But that is probably just my opinion. Thanks for the answers though edub. I do appreciate it.
posted by urall cloolis at 12:35 AM on December 06, 2006
Yeah, it was a cop out, no doubt. But it was the smart move (just like Meyer's campaigning), IMHO. Yeah, they look like the better team, but, when the little things matter so much (as in football), there just isn't any reason to give Florida any extra motivation.
posted by edub1321 at 01:17 AM on December 06, 2006
Ah, chicobangs, don't mind us cocky old former students of the current National Champion Texas Longhorns who like to rub it in when we find a sore loser or two, such as Michigan fans right now. And, thanks for the congrats. It's late, but you can make it up to us by coming to our 50th anniversary party in a few weeks.
posted by Bud Lang at 07:25 AM on December 06, 2006
Don't mis-quote, he said that he did not feel it was fair to vote one way or the other. His team has already beaten one of the upstarts and they will crush Florida. It's time for all to see that the SEC is not the great power that ESPN's ex-players and coaches make it out to be. Tressel is a gentleman, unlike the jolly fat guy from Texas Tech, now there is a real top 5 program for ya, oh wait...has TT ever been in the top 10, let alone the top 5. Speak when spoken to and keep your comments to those that care about what you say. The people down at the doughnut shop! OSU and Coach Tressel serve the Buckeye State proud. Can't wait to see UM destroy USC. What will they have to say about the SEC when the Big10 finishes 1-2 in the country? GO BUCKS!!
posted by dbrown41 at 08:11 AM on December 06, 2006
"Tressel is a gentleman" Umm, yeah which is why he lied about one of his previous votes stating he voted Texas as #1 when he really voted his own team (which wasnt a bad vote)There's not much difference between that vote, which at the time had some pretty major National championship implications and the recent vote. The only thing that this proves is that his voting record puts him right up there with the Florida voters in the 2000 pres election. It pains me to say being a lifelong MSU spartan that UofM is the true #2. The rematch should have happened, but should have also meant the death of the current BCS system. Ive been a supporter of a playoff for sometime now and have said that the first time the BCS system gives us a rematch in the National championship game it should be no more (one of the reasons I was hoping for the rematch). Ive never been a fan of second chances in football, but when there are no other teams out there good enough to take that chance away under the current system you should get it. Beyond the 1,2 and 3's Im a fan of the game and just hope that Florida can play way above their potential and give all of us fans a good game. Unfortunately I have a feeling that on January 9th were all going to be here talking about how we would have rather seen tOSU vs. UofM #2. But wait...........that would mean Football is entertainment.
posted by 1trusparty at 01:24 PM on December 06, 2006
The coaches poll is easy... vote all the teams you play against high and all the ones you don't low. Gotta get that strength of schedule number up there somehow. Coaches should not have a poll they know their own team and whatever opponent they are playing that week. The only time they see any other teams is the highlights on Sportscenter.
posted by T.C. at 02:25 PM on December 06, 2006
Speak when spoken to and keep your comments to those that care about what you say. Irony, please pick up the white courtesy phone...Irony, you have a call on the white courtesy phone. UofM is the true #2. Every major college football poll in America disagrees with you. I'm sure you're right and they're wrong, though. Playing Michigan so tight (AT HIS HOME) What year did this happen? The OSU - UM game this year wasn't even close. If it wasn't for two bad shotgun snaps by a center with a broken hand, Michigan doesn't even close to within ten points. You lost. Get over it. the florida coach whined his way into the champion ship game as usual the large concntration of teams in the south make this posiable. i have been following football since the late 50s and this has been an on going problem remember the year that notre dame pounded florida state and lost a late season game to bc on a last second field goal yet florida state was voted number one even though being whipped by notre dame who was number one untill the bc lost and had convincely beat florida state. lets see how the sec fares in the bowl games Worst. Post. Ever. I'd also like to go on record right now as saying that while I do believe that Ohio State is very probably the best team in America, this constant badgering of Florida as some worthless collection of bums is wrong and just plain ignorant. If you know anything about football, college football in particular, then you know that the SEC is indeed one of the toughest conferences in America, a meatgrinder that often kills its best teams because of the in-conference play. Find me a conference that has more teams in the AP poll, the BCS poll, the Coaches poll, anywhere. You can't. Your team didn't make it; your team couldn't even win their own conference; your team has already come up short against OSU. Acting like a spoiled child and disparaging a quality team that's played winning ball all year long in a very difficult conference just makes you look like a punk. For God's sake, stop acting like whining curs and be happy with the fact that you'll (likely) finish in the top five in the nation, ahead of 98% of the college football squads in America.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 02:36 PM on December 06, 2006
For goodness' sake! Stop making OSU the instant winner here. Didn't UCLA vs. USC just show us that the most talented team doesn't always win? Talent-wise, I do believe that Michigan is the most talented team. But the Florida schedule was undoubtedly way tougher than the Michigan schedule. I don't understand this SEC bashing and would appreciate it if anyone would care to explain. Sure the perennial powerhouses aren't as strong this year, but the conference certainly has become way more competitive among itself with the traditional bottom-schools becoming more competitive. The only common opponent between Michigan and Florida was Vanderbilt, which Michigan played in the beginning of the year (27-7) and Florida played late-year (25-19). While the score indicates a better game by Michigan, take into account that Michigan was at home and Florida away. Also take into account that Vandy was starting a new quarterback for the first time in a very hostile environment in the game versus Michigan. Thus I don't consider it a big surprise that the Vandy offense would have made strides during the season in developing their offense that would have made a game against Michigan closer. And lastly, Vandy was the #6 team in the SEC East. The #6 in the Big Ten is a woeful Minnesota team that hardly got by North Dakota State at home. South Carolina, second to last in the SEC East, beat a Top-25 opponent. Not even Wisconsin can claim that (though I do not dispute their ability, but do dispute their strength of schedule). And outside of a widely-accepted as overrated Notre Dame team, Wisconsin was Michigan's biggest win. So while talent-wise, Michigan can very well be argued for as better than Florida, they suffered from their conference not truly testing them. And I will agree wholeheartedly with the OSU-Michigan score not being nearly as close as the scoreboard said. Florida, meanwhile, scraped by most of their games. But these games were mostly against teams that truly offer a legitimate challenge and can very well swing the upset if you don't come to play. What this tells me is that Florida is better suited to keep up with good opposition week-in and week-out. That said, I believe both Michigan and Florida are capable of being OSU, and think the instant crown as OSU being dominant is a display of ignorance. I'll grant OSU the odds, but upsets aren't hard to come by when both teams are extremely talented. As for Florida over Michigan, I'll base that decision on the former having proved more during the season despite the latter appearing more talented. Lastly, regarding Tressel: I see absolutely nothing wrong with what he did. If he felt an above-average bias (if he had picked Florida #2 and Michigan #3, this forum would have likely bashed him for wanting to play "the weaker team" and conversely if #2 was Michigan, certainly some people would argue he's just voting for his conference and not on objectivity) then he shouldn't have to vote. I see this as people trying to make something out of nothing.
posted by PublicUrinal at 03:42 PM on December 06, 2006
AMEN! I do not think a wiser and more complete post has ever been seen on SpoFi. Thank you PublicUrinal.
posted by edub1321 at 04:08 PM on December 06, 2006
THE Ohio State University -- (http://www.terradaily.com/images/ohio-state-university-osu-logo-bg.jpg) Started by Heisman winner Eddie George to show off his Buckeye pride which was spread to all the other Buckeyes in the NFL. I can't wait until The Ohio State University is the first team to beat not 1, not 2, but 3 number 2 teams in a single season, has the best BCS record and undefeated in it, is the FIRST team to have a perfect 1.00 ranking with the FIRST victory over Florida. Great year for Buckeye Nation! btw UCLAs win was not at all a surprise to me. They barely beat them with Leinart, Bush, and White. Why would they without?
posted by nicholasr87 at 04:17 PM on December 06, 2006
I have to admit, as a die-hard Michigan fan, it really doesn't matter who plays Ohio State (no, I won't call them THE Ohio State University ... that's gay). That took some of the burn out of the BCS decision. They are really that good. Scary good. To possibly lose two consecutive games to them would have been like really bad dry heaves. Next year is Michigan's year.
posted by smithnyiu at 04:42 PM on December 06, 2006
The final Coaches' Poll (Flash) where you can look at each ballot. Didn't see it posted elsewhere, ignore if it was.
posted by bargle at 04:50 PM on December 06, 2006
I thought Miami was going to crush their opponent in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.
posted by SummersEve at 05:09 PM on December 06, 2006
The final Coaches' Poll (Flash) where you can look at each ballot. Didn't see it posted elsewhere, ignore if it was. NICE! If you look carefully you can see how politics play into each coaches vote. All the teams that they have played will be ranked highly, while those they didn't are not.
posted by yay-yo at 07:01 PM on December 06, 2006
btw UCLAs win was not at all a surprise to me, They barely beat them with Leinart, Bush, and White. Yep, just barely. UCLA's furious rally in the 4th had 'em on the ropes.
posted by mjkredliner at 11:55 PM on December 06, 2006
vote all the teams you play against high and all the ones you don't low. Gotta get that strength of schedule number up there somehow. Ding ding ding, we have a winner, and as yay-yo notes, that's what happened. With the exception being that you apparently don't vote up your traditional rival when you're #1. Look, the SEC is the SEC, but to pick up on PublicUrinal's great comment, there have been matchups on Florida's schedule where it feels as if coaches voted on reputation over performance. From this story:
Florida played 10 bowl teams and beat nine, including road wins against Tennessee and Florida State, neutral site wins against Georgia and Arkansas and home victories against LSU and Alabama. The Gators lone loss? At Auburn, 27-17.That summary papers over so many cracks. FSU was rubbish this year, and plays in the Bowl of Nuts or whatever consolation bowl. UGA was pretty crappy too, and it still managed to get also-ran votes in the coaches' polls, especially from fellow SEC coaches. (SoS calling...) Anyway, if Michigan fans are sore losers, then OSU fans here come across as sorer winners.
posted by etagloh at 12:22 AM on December 07, 2006
He wanted to make a ststement that he is ready to play anybody. Like you decide we 'll play them!
posted by The Tribster at 04:16 AM on December 07, 2006
I wonder if Florida would have jumped ahead of Mich in the final poll if USC beats UCLA? Fla was ranked below Mich going into the final poll. Lots of political agendas out there to keep the Big 10 from having an assured national championship and reaping the financial rewards that come with playing in the big game. I am an Ohio State fan and believe Coach Tressel should have voted for his conferance. Every other Big 10 coach voted for Mich as the #2 team. I have great respect for the job Coach Tressel has done and believe in retrospect he might feel that he made a mistake by not voting. Oh well, we all make mistakes sometimmes in our lives. I saw on ESPN that the Vegas odds for a Fla vs Mich game would have Mich as a 7 point favorite. When USC lost, I was hoping that the voters and the BCS polls would put the 2 best teams on the field to decide it all. Was it Fla's 13th game that put them over the top? Is that fair? Mich only loss was to the #1 team in the country on the road by 3 pts.. Fla lost to Auburn on the road by 10 pts. and how do you justify Auburn leaping in the polls in the final week. I guess the voters and the BCS had to somehow justify putting Fla in the #2 slot. The best game out there will not be replayed this year. Too bad, I really wanted to see the Buckeyes beat Mich twice in one year!!
posted by ozzie17 at 08:02 AM on December 07, 2006
What is with the sonnet comments? They drive me insane.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 10:40 AM on December 07, 2006
Every other Big 10 coach voted for Mich as the #2 team. Nope, not Zook. After the games of Nov. 11, USC jumped from 7th in the BCS to 3rd. Florida stayed at #4. That is where Florida got screwed. Otherwise they would have been 3rd when UM lost to OSU and would have moved up to 2nd then. I blame USC for any confusion. This is pretty simple, since the first week of the BCS standings, every team who was in front of Florida has lost at least once. (except for OSU)
posted by tselson at 11:25 AM on December 07, 2006
Do a google search for "overrated" and see the second hit on the list.
posted by Bill Lumbergh at 01:08 PM on December 07, 2006
Do a google search for "overrated" and see the second hit on the list. That's bullshit.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:32 PM on December 13, 2006
Wow, that opening sentence is atrocious: Most of his coaching brethren in the Big 12 sympathized with Ohio State's Jim Tressel , who abstained from voting in the final USA Today football coaches' poll. But...Jim Tressel ISN'T a coach in the Big 12... Texas Tech coach Mike Leach did not. Ahhhh, OK, silly me. I should have just looked to the second sentence to find the subject of the first sentence. That's logical, right?? Some McClatchy editor is stealing money. All it takes is adding one word and a comma to rewrite the sentence correctly: "While most of his coaching brethren in the Big 12 sympathized with Ohio State's Jim Tressel, who abstained from voting in the final USA Today football coaches' poll, Texas Tech coach Mike Leach did not." /rant