11/05/24
December 31, 2006
Rose Bowl wilts while title hopes push up daisies.: Once upon a time the Rose Bowl was the goal. This year it's a classic match-up of Michigan against USC, but the game seems "like a consolation prize," writes Art Spander.
posted by commander cody to football at 03:00 AM - 21 comments
Really? I saw USC vs. Texas last year, and that game had a whole lot of Aura. Long live the BCS.
posted by antwan at 06:29 AM on December 31, 2006
If Michigan stomps all over USC (and I think they will) then they deserve half of the National Title, no matter what happens in the Joke Bowl in Glendale. Sorry cody but that's not happening. Especially if Ohio State wins. I can see no justification for giving Michigan half of the title in that situation. Just a reminder, try not to editorialize on the FPP.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:02 AM on December 31, 2006
My hope is that the bowls will become devalued to the point that a playoff system is accepted by the conferences. Sporting News Radio is doing fictitious playoff games, and yesterday the playoffs began with No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 8 Boise State. The college playoffs would be Super Bowl-huge.
posted by rcade at 07:11 AM on December 31, 2006
I hate the BCS and agree with the playoff argument, but I'm not about to say this Rose Bowl isn't a good match-up or a disappointment. Sounds like Mr. Spander isn't arguing for playoffs, but is instead getting nostalgic about the good ol' days. Would you rather Ohio State play USC in the Rose Bowl while Florida goes to the Sugar Bowl? Because that's what we'd be watching if the BCS hadn't "rearranged the furniture." Would OSU vs. USC in the Rose Bowl really have more meaning than this game?
posted by SummersEve at 08:18 AM on December 31, 2006
I agree, SummersEve. Being a Michigan fan all of my life, the Rose Bowl was the Holy Grail for the U of M. I do miss the good ol' days when the Rose Bowl was the ultimate bowl game to be in, but not enough to go back to those days. The only thing I like about the BCS system right now is that it is stirring up discussion for a playoff system, which I've always wanted. You have to take it out of the hands of the "human bias" and the computers, and put it in to the hands of the players. That, to me, is the only true way to determine a National Champion. When was the last time you heard an NFL fan complain that his team had been slighted by the polls?
posted by wingnut4life at 09:09 AM on December 31, 2006
As usual, the Commander is correct.I too hope Meeshigan stomps USC and Florida squeaks by OSU. It might lead to a co-championship. And,whats wrong with keeping the national championship"mythical"?
posted by sickleguy at 10:01 AM on December 31, 2006
There is no way there is going to be a split championship. If Florida beats OSU, they beat the team Michigan lost to, so no split. If OSU wins, well, they already beat Michigan. No split. It isn't going to happen. I'd like the controversy, just so it'd provide a greater push for a playoff, but it isn't happening.
posted by apoch at 10:08 AM on December 31, 2006
Just a reminder, try not to editorialize on the FPP. I think it's okay when the source of the editorial comments come from the editorial column that the post links to. CC didn't put any personal feelings in the post text.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 11:05 AM on December 31, 2006
Commander, yer my boy and all, but you're crazy. No matter who wins between OSU and UF, no matter who wins between UM and USC, you're not getting a piece of anything. You could, however, still finish #2 or #3 in the nation with a Rose Bowl victory, which is a damn good season for anybody. You had your shot at the title and lost. Done deal. Get on with your life, man, I can't stand to see you like this.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 11:13 AM on December 31, 2006
TBH, you're probably right that the best U of M will end up is #2, but if the OSU/Florida game is an OSU blowout, and U of M stomps USC, it certainly strengthens the argument that the Wolverines should have had another shot at a neutral site. Pittsburgh didn't go undefeated last year, but do any of the teams that beat them have a valid claim that the Steelers aren't the NFL champs? Of course not. Sure, that's because the Steelers won out in the playoffs, which the BCS certainly bears no resemblance to, but the point is still valid. One road loss to the concensus "best" team in the country shouldn't eliminate you from the title hunt. As a Michigan fan, part of me hopes that CC is right. The other part feels like a piece of the title that way would be like a smoking hot kiss...from your own sister. Likely to make you feel a little queasy for all time.
posted by ctal1999 at 11:45 AM on December 31, 2006
This is an interesting column from the Detroit News. In summary, it says that the winner of the Rose Bowl has an excellent shot at being the preseason number one next year. While preseason rankings don't mean much, I think it helps elevate a team's status in the eyes of voters if they've been number one over the course of a whole season. I think it's okay when the source of the editorial comments come from the editorial column that the post links to. I think the FPP was edited by the powers that be. I have no problem with the new version.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 12:05 PM on December 31, 2006
That would make so much more sense! Gotcha.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 12:09 PM on December 31, 2006
I agree with YYM. I think the winner of the Rose Bowl could and should be preseason #1. Ohio State is losing too many good players to maintain their #1 ranking into next season. And no split title. Sorry. Even if the Gators beat the Bucks (doubtful) and Michigan beats USC, Michigan doesn't become co-champs. Even though I'm not a Michigan fan, I will be rooting for them against USC!
posted by lil'red at 05:28 PM on December 31, 2006
I don't see Michigan getting a share of the title with a win no matter what happens between OSU and Florida. However, I do want to counter the pro-UM sentiment: GO USC!
posted by billsaysthis at 07:24 PM on December 31, 2006
Are we all watching the same teams?No way no how Michigan Romps Stomps or is even in the Game v USC. Michigan is average at best and the whole country will once again see an over-rated and hyped team get dismantled just like thoose AWESOME SOONERS did 2 years ago.So when both OHIO ST and MICHIGaN lose,we will once again see how weak these teams really are.Just ask who did these Powerhouses play this year compared to the Gators & Trojans?Be serious..over-rated..stomp who?If you didn't notice the past five years of recruiting SC is building a dynasty... so take your best shot because we will not see The Wolves again for a long time except in Traveller's Dust! Enjoy your moments at the Rose Bowl..It will be over before you know what happened...Ask Stoopes..He'll school ya. FIGHT ON!!!!
posted by TommyT at 09:50 PM on December 31, 2006
Welcome to Sportsfilter, TommyT. Obviously we are not watching the same teams. It's obvious that you're a USC fan, good for you. And it's also obvious that you haven't seen too many OSU or Michigan games this year, either. Just ask who did these Powerhouses play this year compared to the Gators & Trojans? Well, if you look at the strength of schedule (pdf), all four teams (Florida, OSU, USC, Michigan) rank in the top 30 out of 119 teams. The lowest team would be OSU coming in at 26th. Michigan is ranked second, and Southern Cal is fourth. It should be a good game. Good luck.
posted by wingnut4life at 10:52 PM on December 31, 2006
A playoff system can be accomplished in the span of time that the current bowl season covers. A playoff system featuring the top 8 teams should require 3 weeks to decide the national champion. The early bowls can be used for the 1/8, 2/7, 3/6, 4/5 matchups, with two of the New Year Day bowls featuring the national semi-final matchups. The national championship game can be played on January 8th, as now. In a playoff system, four of the now near meaningless pre-Christmas bowl games (the ones played December 14-24) will actually mean something and draw huge revenue and television interest. Higher ranked teams coming into the tournament would get more time between games, if there is some conflict between games dates - in all liklihood, top teams will have less that one week more than their second round opponent to prepare, in the worst case. If rankings go to form, all teams meeting in the national semi-final should have roughly the same amount of time to prepare, sans maybe a day or two. The big bowls that happen on New Year Day can alternate between hosting the national semi-finals and the natonal championship game on a rotating basis. It is difficult for me to understand why university presidents oppose a well designed playoff system that involves many of the current bowls. The lesser bowls can still invite teams outside of the top 8 top play, if they are not chosen as a tournament site. The system will get the college championship decided by the start of the second week of January and only interfere with the first week of professional playoffs, but many Pro fans are not active college fans, those that are are likely to watch all games that they can watch.
posted by Cave_Man at 04:53 PM on January 01, 2007
"It is difficult for me to understand why university presidents oppose a well designed playoff system that involves many of the current bowls. The lesser bowls can still invite teams outside of the top 8 top play, if they are not chosen as a tournament site. The system will get the college championship decided by the start of the second week of January and only interfere with the first week of professional playoffs, but many Pro fans are not active college fans, those that are are likely to watch all games that they can watch." One word - MONEY.
posted by usroute17 at 05:29 PM on January 01, 2007
MORE GAMES = MORE MONEY
posted by urall cloolis at 06:35 PM on January 01, 2007
FIGHT ON! What a great game. Of course I am a USC fan, but I think that this is a good reference for a playoff system. I do not think the result would have been as one-sided if Michigan hadn't had such a long layoff between games. A long break between games is not an advantage. If a playoff system were in place teams stay sharper and have less down time or just practice play. I would not be surprised if Ohio State does not look as sharp as it had been earlier. That being said, I still think (as of now) that OSU or TOSU is still clearly the number one team. IF OSU loses, which I doubt, the debate will begin and a playoff system may have even more ammunition. I am sure the BCS is hoping for a OSU blowout of UF.
posted by urall cloolis at 08:21 PM on January 01, 2007
If Michigan stomps all over USC (and I think they will) then they deserve half of the National Title, no matter what happens in the Joke Bowl in Glendale.