Are pre-season polls good for college football? Many pundits are looking at today's TOP 25 and saying no. I say the polls are good for fans to debate, but bad for the game itself. Forget the problems with pre-season polls, what about in-season polls? Last season, Tresselgate proved that coaches rarely view the other teams, except those on their schedule, and they probably don't even complete the vote. Additionally, coaches naturally favor the teams in their league attempting to make their schedule seem more difficult. Of course the writers will claim they are objective, but their bias is too often revealed. Furthermore, the writers cannot watch all the games either, and their opinion is based on the highlights too.
Is there a major problem? Not really. The elite teams float to the top and generally stay there. If you have two losses, does it really matter that a team you beat which has two losses too is ranked ahead of you. No. It is definitely unfair though. I know I have said this over and over again, but it is the truth, the beauty of college football is every game matters. Lose one, you still have a chance. Lose two, your title hopes are finished. No other team sport can say the same.
I know what most people are thinking. The system is flawed because the polls are flawed, and subsequently, the BCS has only worked 3 out 9 times, 1999, 2002 and 2005. I agree, however, the problem is not really with the polls because there will always be a bias. The problem is not having the extra game to settle the debate on the field. The +1 solution will solve most of the ills of college football's method of crowning a champion. Seed the Top 4, have 1 play 4, 2 play 3 and the winners play for the BCS title. Sure, there will be a #5 team that probably deserved a chance to play, but generally, most teams not #1 or #2 have lost at least one game, if not two. Institute this system and most of the criticism about the polls will fade.
Saturday recap
Division 1
Queen should be proud, "Another One Bites the Dust," is a recurring theme in Division 1 this season. LSU escaped a tough home victory last week against Florida, but could not elude Kentucky on the road yesterday. In 3 OT, the Andre Woodson led Wildcats put a damper on the Bayou Tigers BCS Championship dreams, 43-37. While LSU should not drop far in the polls, their weaknesses are exposed. Good thing they have Auburn at home this weekend because loss #2 would be likely if the game were played at Jordan Hare.
Knowing the #1 spot was at stake did not help California at home against Oregon State last night. The Beavers played the spoiler two years in row beating the Bears 31-28 in what I would say had one of the craziest endings this season. Playing with 2nd string quarterback and red shirt freshman, Kevin Riley, the Bears drove the field in the last minute to set up a field goal to tie the game. Instead of kicking the field goal, Cal ran another play and Riley was tackled leaving no time left to attempt a field goal. STUPID, even for a back-up quarterback. With USC's lure slipping, Cal's chances are harder to make it to the title game.
LSU's and Cal's troubles turned into Ohio State's gains. The Buckeyes throttled Kent State 48-3 yesterday and sit in the driver's seat for the championship once again. There are critics who feel OSU's schedule is weak,the Big 10 is not very good this year and their #1 ranking is overrated. I agree, but if not the Buckeyes, then who? BC - please, who have the Eagles played? The ACC is worse than the Big 10 anyway. South Florida? I'll buy the argument with wins over Auburn and West Virginia, but those wins were hardly pretty. South Florida appears a little less balanced than the Buckeyes right now. I would give the Buckeyes a pass only because of Tressel and the defense, but the Bulls are definitely a tough team. Bottom line for this season, with five games to go, no game is safe so the Buckeyes better come prepared each week. I am on record as saying the defense will have a down game sometime this season - can the offense step up and deliver?
No other major surprises in Division 1 this weekend. Looking ahead, there are some interesting games next weekend...Auburn v LSU, Michigan v. Illinois, S. Fla v Rutgers (thurs), Fla v. Kentucky, Tenn v. Alabama. Sorry, USC/Notre Dame lacks flavor and Fla St v. Miami is for last place in the Florida League...how sad is that?
Embarrassments of the season
Nebraska - year four under Callahan is a disaster. The team once known for defense is a disgrace. A new regime may be necessary because Callahan looks lost.
Syracuse - year three under Robinson is pathetic. No progress at all. This proud program is defunct and needs an Act of God to resuscitate it.
Pittsburgh - year three under Wannstedt is awful. No progress and the defense (Wannstedt's specialty) is horrible.
Texas A&M - Fire Francione now. 25-23 after four seasons, two blowout bowl losses and no titles. The program is in decline with good talent.
Div 1AA
Southern Illinois #1 ranking lasted 1 week as Northern Iowa beat them 30-24. No shame in that loss considering Northern Iowa is highly ranked too. Besides, these two teams always win at home against each other. Expect both to be in the playoffs.
The other top 10 teams, North Dakota State, Massachusetts, Woford, JMU, Youngstown State, McNeese State won. Appalachian State and South Dakota State were idle. Unlike their big brother's division, the top 10 in 1AA is filled with the usual suspects and that should continue the rest of the season.
Division 2
No big surprises in Division 2 either, Grand Valley State won and looks to continue their domination of this division. Three ranked teams lost to other ranked teams. Delta (#7) beat Valdosta (#6), North Dakota (#2) lost to Nebraska Omaha (#5) and Carson-Newman (#10) lost to Catawba (#12). All of these teams should make the playoffs.
Division III
It is still Mount Union and the rest of the bunch. Wilmington, OH was the latest victim, 59-0. In two weeks, The Purple Raiders collide with my alma mater, Capital University, which should be a great OAC game. Capital has played Mt. Union closely the last few years. Perhaps the Crusaders can emerge victorious this season.
The top teams continued their winning ways, Wheaton, Mary-Hardin Baylor, UW Whitewater, St. Johns, St. John's Fisher, Wesley, Central and Washington and Jefferson all won decisively. All of these teams should make the playoffs - too bad Mt. Union will too.
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