By Adam Abramson
Well, it’s finally done. All the upsets and surprises have finally told us what it will all mean.
I had a five hour drive to think about everything that transpired this weekend and here’s what I came up with:
- Kansas getting in over Missouri is a joke. Nebraska plays for the championship in 2001 despite getting roasted by Colorado in the regular season finale, yet Mizzou beats Kansas and is snubbed by the Jayhawks for a spot in the BCS. Kansas’ strength of schedule is among the worst in the country. Kansas has 0 wins over ANY school receiving a vote in the final AP poll. Missouri is ahead of Kansas in the BCS. Missouri was No. 1 just three days ago. I really just don’t understand.
- I know where I went to school, but why has Virginia Tech’s name not even come up in the discussion? Everyone is talking about an Oklahoma snub, but Tech is ranked higher in the BCS? Tech is actually the No. 1 team, according to the computers. If you don’t recognize the computers, then you’re ignoring one of the most important parts of the BCS system that has become a huge joke.
- Initial thoughts on the championship game: Ohio State has regressed from last year. The SEC is as good as it was last year. If LSU represents its conference the way Florida did (and the two have had very similar seasons), then the national title game will be over with 38 minutes remaining. Ohio State is not the No. 1 team in the country. They’re No. 1 by default, and that’s a shame. Here are teams that are better: Oklahoma, USC, Virginia Tech and Georgia. Oh, and LSU.
- Hawaii is no Boise State. I know I said I would give respect to the Warriors if they beat the Broncos, but I just can’t. Before I say why, the AP voter who gave Hawaii a first-place vote should have to stand atop a totem pole for 2 days, ala Ace Ventura 2, because he’s ridiculous. Here are some of Hawaii’s wins: La Tech (5-7) by 1, San Jose State (5-7) by 7, Fresno State (8-4) by 7, Nevada (6-6) by 2, Washington (4-9) by 7. Those teams are a combined 28-33 and they won those games by a combined 24 points. If Georgia doesn’t demoralize Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, I’m going to be filled with rage.
- It just dawned on me: There are no BCS games I really care about. The game that most intrigues me from Xs and Os will be Oklahoma-West Virginia. LSU-Ohio State will be watchable only because it’s for the national title. This lineup just bums me out. I’ll probably still go to the Orange Bowl, though. Do Kansas football fans even travel? Why didn’t WVU and VT play in the OB? Were they afraid of riots in Miami?
- Speaking of West Virginia, no Mountaineer is ever allowed to use the term “Chokies” again when talking smack to a Virginia Tech fan. BNG, I know how painful Saturday night must have been. That was a tough game to watch while on the radio, I’ll say that much. But much of what happened Saturday night happened against South Florida. Neutralize Steve Slaton, create a turnover, injure Pat White and dedicate yourself to the run. Pitt running back LaSean McCoy ran like a man that night, even when the referees made some interesting calls…Either way, just the latest casualty of the No. 2 ranking this year.
I’ll stop there for now. I’m not really sure what else there is to say. I do think the non-computer polls proved themselves as power rankings weeks 1-13. When the final poll rolls around, it’s as if the pollsters put on a different hat and line up the stars accordingly to achieve the bowl games they most want to see. It’s really the only way to explain all the movement we’ve seen the last two weeks.
If I come up with more thoughts, I’ll just go ahead and post them here and there. It’s Heisman week, so we’ll get that talk going and next week I’ll do All-American teams.
Comments (4)
Kansas?!?! (In the Jim Mora "playoffs?!" voice).
There are 3 non-BCS games that I am more interested in than the other BCS games not involving Virginia Tech: Clemson/Auburn, Florida State/Kentucky and Michigan/Florida. Those are big name match-ups. Games like UGA/Hawaii and USC/Illinois don't exactly get me jacked up for what should be the best teams playing each other. If I wasn't a huge Tech fan, I'd think VT/Kansas was a snoozer as well. Sometimes the system works, this year, it has failed.
My year-end conclusions:
The BCS System: Yikes.
West Virginia Football: HAHA.
Pittsburgh defeating West Virginia gave the BCS/Orange Bowl a gift; the opportunity to match two teams with a bitter past against each other. Revive the "Battle for the Black Diamond Trophy" and certainly bring a sell-out crowd to Miami. Not to mention, the TV ratings for a VT vs. WVU showdown would have been great.
This would have been the most highly anticipated BCS game of the year, but what do that powers-that-be decide to do? Bring in a non-deserving Kansas team to play a game no one will watch because of something to do with history of the former Big 8 conference in the Orange Bowl. I would have gone to see Virginia Tech play West Virginia, but with this match-up, I'll save my money and watch from home.
I thought it was disgusting that not ONCE did I hear the name "Virginia Tech" come up during all the BCS Game selection. But it looked like the hokie fans in Jacksonville were setting themselves up for dissappointment when they threw oranges on the field saturday.
While I wasn't upset that VT got the Orange Bowl, I was upset they didn't even get the slightest knod during all the discussion!
Adam, you have nooooo idea how painful it was. I had flown to Florida for a long weekend because I felt I needed a break. As I posted on your wonderful blog last week, I'd have been worried if Pitt were 0-10. In my experience, this game is like no other. Sure there are other big rivalries, OSU - Mich, Auburn - Alabama, Kansas - Mizzou, Texas - Texas A&M, etc... but few have the venom and personal attacks between fans that this one does.
Even watching the game from paradise, amid 85 degree temps, I still was devastated by the result.
If you only knew how many calls, emails and taunts I've received from Pitt fans over the last few days, they're relentless.
The worst part is that WVU had Pitt on the ropes recruiting wise, and they let them off the hook.
There's a sidebar to this you might enjoy. WVU had invited Sadler and Hall, two huge recruits from Gateway HS in Pittsburgh, down for the game. There have been reports that while on a WVU visit, they made there way down to the field after the game to congratulate Wanny after the game and then joined the Pitt players in celebration. Talk about salt into the wound.