One of the big topics of discussion this past season was the change in how the clock would work during the course of the game. In the NCAA's never-ending attempt to shorten the length of games, the NCAA instituted some new rules regarding the play clock. The first rule is a 40/25-second play clock, similar to that of the NFL. At the end of every play, the 40-second clock starts. The prior rules incorporated a 25-second clock that did not start until the officials marked the ball ready for play. Additionally, after a player runs out of bounds and the ball is made ready to play, the game clock starts. Under the old rules, the game clock did not start until the ball was snapped. This rule does not apply in the final two minutes of a half.
While the goal of shortened games is admirable, many purists were fearful that the changes would inevitably lower the number of plays run during the course of the game. Thus, the fans would be shortchanged some football in exchange for appeasing television requirements.
I only saw one time last night in which a play didn't get off (South Carolina was forced to call a timeout) so I decided to see if there was any way to compare the length of the game and plays run. Unfortunately, there was only one rematch between teams that also played in 2007 (Oregon State/Stanford). So, with an incredibly small sample size based on a game that east coasters couldn't stay up to see, here are the results.
2007: Oregon State won 23-6 in Corvallis in a game that took 3 hours exactly. Oregon State passed 21 times and ran 44 times while Stanford passed 32 times and ran 25 times for a total of 122 plays from scrimmage (discounting kicks).
2008: Stanford won 36-28 in Stanford in a game that took 3 hours and 39 minutes. Oregon State passed 54 times and ran 28 times while Stanford passed 17 times and ran 48 times for a total of 147 plays from scrimmage (against discounting kicks).
As you can see, he number of plays actually increased over last year's game and so did the length of the game. There were several mitigating factors that likely caused the increased time. First, the 2008 game was on ESPN2 on the opening night of college football while the 2007 game was not televised anywhere (). With the plethora of commercials, in-game SportsCenter updates, and halftime shows, this could easily increase the length of the game. Additionally, the 2008 game had 71 passes while the 2007 game only had 53 passes. Thus, under the new rules, if there were numerous incomplete passes in the final two minutes of the game, that would account for additional play stoppage because the game clock would not start when the ball was ready to be put into play.
CollegeFootballHeaven hopes to have further analysis of this important rule change throughout the season, including more next week after more rematches.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Lessons from a DIII Coach?!?
It's probably not very often that I'll have the chance to crow about two of my favorite things in sports in the same CFH post, so sue me if I take advantage of a golden opportunity. In case it hasn't been clear from my earlier posts, I'm an unabashed fan of The Ohio State University Buckeyes and their venerable varsity football team. I make no bones about that and never will. And if you've read between the lines, you can probably hint at another point of pride: my alma mater Kenyon College ("Kenyon David"... um, pretty obvious now, eh?). Usually, those two worlds are pretty separate... until this past week.
On August 21, Coach Tressel packed 130 of his players, coaches, and training staff into 6 buses and headed east towards sleepy Gambier, Ohio. The target of their quest was Jim Steen- Kenyon's award winning championship swimming coach. Senator Sweater Vest had decided there was something to be learned from a man who had led his men's swimming and diving teams to 29 STRAIGHT national championships and the women to 22 of the last 25. You read that right, this little known coach has won a combined 51 total Division III national championships over the past three decades.
Okay, I hear you out there saying, "Who cares, it's swimming and how hard can it be to win a national championship in that sport... at the Division III level?!?" If you take that tact, you're missing the point. Not to mention a dunce for not recognizing the magnitude of that accomplishment.
Coach Tressel is a student of the game, in all its forms, and he sees the value in having his team- who have lost two straight BCS title games in embarassing fashion- learn from someone who has built a lasting program of greatness. A program that constantly deals with the highest expectations and finds a way to win again and again and again. Now, I just wish we could've seen that on the basketball court...
Aside from my admiration for Tressel's studious approach to winning, I also admire something else that won't make the meager press clippings that have accompanied this admittedly minor story. A few days after the dust settled and the Buckeyes were back in the friendly confines of the Jesse Owens center and the 'Shoe, a package came to the Kenyon AD... addressed not only to Mr. Steen but to the men of the Kenyon football team. It was full of 105 hand-written thank-you notes, one from every player that made the trip that day. No matter what side you fall on the great debates of CFB today- SEC vs. Big 10, playoffs, Tim Tebow's deal with the devil- you have to admit the inherent class in a move like that. Above and beyond the call of duty, in my book.
Sure, class doesn't always translate to wins, but I have to say that I like how the stars are aligning this year. OSU definitely has a TON to prove this year, and this is more of a feel-good story than anything else. But it's scores some points in my book... I hope they can do the same to the tune of about 55 against YSU on Saturday!
On August 21, Coach Tressel packed 130 of his players, coaches, and training staff into 6 buses and headed east towards sleepy Gambier, Ohio. The target of their quest was Jim Steen- Kenyon's award winning championship swimming coach. Senator Sweater Vest had decided there was something to be learned from a man who had led his men's swimming and diving teams to 29 STRAIGHT national championships and the women to 22 of the last 25. You read that right, this little known coach has won a combined 51 total Division III national championships over the past three decades.
Okay, I hear you out there saying, "Who cares, it's swimming and how hard can it be to win a national championship in that sport... at the Division III level?!?" If you take that tact, you're missing the point. Not to mention a dunce for not recognizing the magnitude of that accomplishment.
Coach Tressel is a student of the game, in all its forms, and he sees the value in having his team- who have lost two straight BCS title games in embarassing fashion- learn from someone who has built a lasting program of greatness. A program that constantly deals with the highest expectations and finds a way to win again and again and again. Now, I just wish we could've seen that on the basketball court...
Aside from my admiration for Tressel's studious approach to winning, I also admire something else that won't make the meager press clippings that have accompanied this admittedly minor story. A few days after the dust settled and the Buckeyes were back in the friendly confines of the Jesse Owens center and the 'Shoe, a package came to the Kenyon AD... addressed not only to Mr. Steen but to the men of the Kenyon football team. It was full of 105 hand-written thank-you notes, one from every player that made the trip that day. No matter what side you fall on the great debates of CFB today- SEC vs. Big 10, playoffs, Tim Tebow's deal with the devil- you have to admit the inherent class in a move like that. Above and beyond the call of duty, in my book.
Sure, class doesn't always translate to wins, but I have to say that I like how the stars are aligning this year. OSU definitely has a TON to prove this year, and this is more of a feel-good story than anything else. But it's scores some points in my book... I hope they can do the same to the tune of about 55 against YSU on Saturday!
Monday, August 18, 2008
CBS SEC schedule leaked
Via the very fine blog Saturdays in the South (source), CBS apparently shit the bed and released their entire schedule early.
09/13 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Georgia @ South Carolina (CBS HD)
09/20 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Florida @ Tennessee (CBS HD)
09/27 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Tennessee @ Auburn (CBS HD)
10/04 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Florida @ Arkansas or Kentucky @ Alabama (CBS HD)
10/11 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Tennessee @ Georgia (CBS HD)
10/11 - 7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. LSU @ Florida (CBS HD)
10/18 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. LSU @ South Carolina (CBS HD)
10/25 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Georgia @ LSU (CBS HD)
11/01 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Georgia-Florida (CBS HD)
11/08 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Alabama @ LSU or Georgia @ Kentucky (CBS HD)
11/15 - 3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Notre Dame @ Navy (CBS HD)
11/15 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. South Carolina @ Florida or Georgia @ Auburn (CBS HD)
11/22 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Ole Miss @ LSU or Tennessee @ Vanderbilt or Arkansas @ Mississippi St. (CBS HD)
11/28 - 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. LSU @ Arkansas (CBS HD)
11/29 - 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Georgia Tech @ Georgia (CBS HD)
11/29 - 2:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Auburn @ Alabama (CBS HD)
12/06 - 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Army @ Navy (CBS HD)
12/06 - 3:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. SEC Championship
1) I really wish that Tebow guy would get some airtime. Am I going to have to go to Lincoln Financial to see this guy? What...every f'ing Florida game is on CBS....nevermind
2) Why the F U # K does the Army-Navy games start at 11 a.m.? Does CBS hate America or do they just not like the armed services because those are the only two possible choices.
2A) Better yet, how is the ND-Navy game only going to take 30 minutes?
3) CBS better hope like hell that UGA doesn't fall on their face or they are going to be stuck.
4) South Carolina is getting too much run.
5) How much does it suck to be Mississippi State? Nice year last year but your own network thinks you are going to suck again. K, THX, BYE
6) My early take, feel free to make plans with your significant other on October 4 because those are some crappy games.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Urban Revitalization
What happens when Urban Meyer learns of a player's problem (and by problem I mean firing an AK-47 when someone pisses you off). He kicks them off the team...and then reinstates them after an anger management class. Stay classy, Gators.
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20080801/NEWS/364774624/1016&title=Wilson_returning_to_Gators
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20080801/NEWS/364774624/1016&title=Wilson_returning_to_Gators
Friday, August 1, 2008
Good analysis
Wow....William Outstanding. I am very impressed with the indepth analysis.
Things that standout on the coaches poll....
1) I still don't buy Oklahoma. Big 12 should be improved. Texas and Colt 45 should be a slightly better team. Texas Tech...every year...they have offense but no defense. And they won't nut up against A&M or Texas. Missouri....fluke.
2) No Miami or Florida State in the top 20. One of those teams will end up in the top 20...most likely Florida State. Can't trust the ACC.
3) Penn State will have more arrests than wins this year!
4) JoePa will have more diaper changes during halftime than wins this year!
5) 3 of top 6 are SEC schools. Not bad. But doesn't mean a thing.
6) Noel Devine will blow up this year. Kid is sick. Especially playing in the Big East. Joke conference. Almost as week as the Pac 10.
7) Like I said, the winner of the USC/Ohio State game will play the winner of the Florida/Georgia game. Mark it down.
8) These polls are as worthless as Bobby Bowden's bedpan.
Things that standout on the coaches poll....
1) I still don't buy Oklahoma. Big 12 should be improved. Texas and Colt 45 should be a slightly better team. Texas Tech...every year...they have offense but no defense. And they won't nut up against A&M or Texas. Missouri....fluke.
2) No Miami or Florida State in the top 20. One of those teams will end up in the top 20...most likely Florida State. Can't trust the ACC.
3) Penn State will have more arrests than wins this year!
4) JoePa will have more diaper changes during halftime than wins this year!
5) 3 of top 6 are SEC schools. Not bad. But doesn't mean a thing.
6) Noel Devine will blow up this year. Kid is sick. Especially playing in the Big East. Joke conference. Almost as week as the Pac 10.
7) Like I said, the winner of the USC/Ohio State game will play the winner of the Florida/Georgia game. Mark it down.
8) These polls are as worthless as Bobby Bowden's bedpan.
Now, lets analyze the coaches that vote
Green means good choice, Red means bad choice
The USA TODAY Board of Coaches is made up of 61 head coaches at Division I-A institutions. All are members of the American Football Coaches Association. This season's board:
Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech (good guy, knowledgeable)
Mike Bellotti, Oregon (ditto)
Bret Bielema, Wisconsin (young, but if you make jokes about being single while coaching in D-I, you are alright in my book)
Bobby Bowden, Florida State (he doesn't even know what his own team does, let alone a different team)
Tommy Bowden, Clemson (he's disqualified due to his dad)
Art Briles, Baylor (I think Art may be a wee bit too busy to worry about other teams)
Mack Brown, Texas (its like hating khakis, how do you hate someone that bland)
Neil Callaway, Alabama-Birmingham (UAB plays everyone in the Top 25 so he should know a thing or two)
Gene Chizik, Iowa State (not really restoring the non-existent glory)
Mario Cristobal, Florida International (I think I booked a flight on Florida International)
Sylvester Croom, Mississippi State (obvious pick)
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State (best Big 10 coach in Michigan)
Butch Davis, North Carolina (good coach, probably a dick in real life)
Todd Dodge, North Texas (disqualified due to Unneccessary Roughness)
Randy Edsall, Connecticut (built a program)
Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee (whatever Fred Thompson wants, Fred Thompson gets)
Jeff Genyk, Eastern Michigan (honestly, I have no idea who this dude is)
Turner Gill, Buffalo (solid season last year)
Joe Glenn, Wyoming (sure, why not. The name just sounds Wyoming-like doesn't it?)
Todd Graham, Tulsa (guess who voted for Tulsa!)
Jim Grobe, Wake Forest (obviously a good coach)
Dan Hawkins, Colorado (you start your son, you don't vote)
Pat Hill, Fresno State (what a football coach should be like - except for the poor records)
Butch Jones, Central Michigan (best football coach in Michigan - Sorry Dantonio)
Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville (U-G-L-Y year last year)
Mike Leach, Texas Tech (jackass personified)
Jim Leavitt, South Florida (also built a program)
Rocky Long, New Mexico (worth it just for the name alone - I guess Dirk Diggler was already taken)
Bill Lynch, Indiana (on probation - lets see how he does this year)
Doug Martin, Kent State (is it me or are there a lot of MAC coaches on here)
Urban Meyer, Florida (obvious)
Les Miles, LSU (dickhead but obvious)
Shane Montgomery, Miami (Ohio) (ANOTHER MAC COACH??? WTF)
Hal Mumme, New Mexico State (um...no)
Rick Neuheisel, UCLA (too gambley)
Tom O'Brien, North Carolina State (hardcore, good coach)
George O'Leary, Central Florida (too liey)
Gary Patterson, TCU (too underachievery)
Bo Pelini, Nebraska (he earned it, now prove it)
Chris Petersen, Boise State (too nice, everyone can't be #1 Chris)
Gary Pinkel, Missouri (complete jackass but he had a good year)
Mike Price, Texas-El Paso (seems like he probably goes to bad strip clubs)
Mark Richt, Georgia (obvious)
Mike Riley, Oregon State (super nice guy but he gets to stay on)
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan (yeah, he's out)
Greg Schiano, Rutgers (obvious)
Howard Schnellenberger, Florida Atlantic (great choice...in 1983)
Mark Snyder, Marshall (nope, he has f'ed up Marshall)
Frank Solich, Ohio (worthy even though its another f'ing MAC coach)
Steve Spurrier, South Carolina (nope, b/c he didn't vote for Duke)
Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee (I will actually let this one go b/c MTSU is good every couple of years)
Jeff Tedford, California (take that tree sitters)
Joe Tiller, Purdue (farewell tour so he can vote)
Bob Toledo, Tulane (not a chance in hell after running UCLA into the ground)
Dick Tomey, San Jose State (definitely deserves it)
Jim Tressel, Ohio State (obvious)
Tommy Tuberville, Auburn (don't bitch since you get a vote)
Charlie Weis, Notre Dame (no, no, no, no)
Kyle Whittingham, Utah (gonna be a hot name very soon)
Tyrone Willingham, Washington (nope, sorry Ty)
Ron Zook, Illinois (yes, for comedic relief)
The USA TODAY Board of Coaches is made up of 61 head coaches at Division I-A institutions. All are members of the American Football Coaches Association. This season's board:
Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech (good guy, knowledgeable)
Mike Bellotti, Oregon (ditto)
Bret Bielema, Wisconsin (young, but if you make jokes about being single while coaching in D-I, you are alright in my book)
Bobby Bowden, Florida State (he doesn't even know what his own team does, let alone a different team)
Tommy Bowden, Clemson (he's disqualified due to his dad)
Art Briles, Baylor (I think Art may be a wee bit too busy to worry about other teams)
Mack Brown, Texas (its like hating khakis, how do you hate someone that bland)
Neil Callaway, Alabama-Birmingham (UAB plays everyone in the Top 25 so he should know a thing or two)
Gene Chizik, Iowa State (not really restoring the non-existent glory)
Mario Cristobal, Florida International (I think I booked a flight on Florida International)
Sylvester Croom, Mississippi State (obvious pick)
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State (best Big 10 coach in Michigan)
Butch Davis, North Carolina (good coach, probably a dick in real life)
Todd Dodge, North Texas (disqualified due to Unneccessary Roughness)
Randy Edsall, Connecticut (built a program)
Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee (whatever Fred Thompson wants, Fred Thompson gets)
Jeff Genyk, Eastern Michigan (honestly, I have no idea who this dude is)
Turner Gill, Buffalo (solid season last year)
Joe Glenn, Wyoming (sure, why not. The name just sounds Wyoming-like doesn't it?)
Todd Graham, Tulsa (guess who voted for Tulsa!)
Jim Grobe, Wake Forest (obviously a good coach)
Dan Hawkins, Colorado (you start your son, you don't vote)
Pat Hill, Fresno State (what a football coach should be like - except for the poor records)
Butch Jones, Central Michigan (best football coach in Michigan - Sorry Dantonio)
Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville (U-G-L-Y year last year)
Mike Leach, Texas Tech (jackass personified)
Jim Leavitt, South Florida (also built a program)
Rocky Long, New Mexico (worth it just for the name alone - I guess Dirk Diggler was already taken)
Bill Lynch, Indiana (on probation - lets see how he does this year)
Doug Martin, Kent State (is it me or are there a lot of MAC coaches on here)
Urban Meyer, Florida (obvious)
Les Miles, LSU (dickhead but obvious)
Shane Montgomery, Miami (Ohio) (ANOTHER MAC COACH??? WTF)
Hal Mumme, New Mexico State (um...no)
Rick Neuheisel, UCLA (too gambley)
Tom O'Brien, North Carolina State (hardcore, good coach)
George O'Leary, Central Florida (too liey)
Gary Patterson, TCU (too underachievery)
Bo Pelini, Nebraska (he earned it, now prove it)
Chris Petersen, Boise State (too nice, everyone can't be #1 Chris)
Gary Pinkel, Missouri (complete jackass but he had a good year)
Mike Price, Texas-El Paso (seems like he probably goes to bad strip clubs)
Mark Richt, Georgia (obvious)
Mike Riley, Oregon State (super nice guy but he gets to stay on)
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan (yeah, he's out)
Greg Schiano, Rutgers (obvious)
Howard Schnellenberger, Florida Atlantic (great choice...in 1983)
Mark Snyder, Marshall (nope, he has f'ed up Marshall)
Frank Solich, Ohio (worthy even though its another f'ing MAC coach)
Steve Spurrier, South Carolina (nope, b/c he didn't vote for Duke)
Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee (I will actually let this one go b/c MTSU is good every couple of years)
Jeff Tedford, California (take that tree sitters)
Joe Tiller, Purdue (farewell tour so he can vote)
Bob Toledo, Tulane (not a chance in hell after running UCLA into the ground)
Dick Tomey, San Jose State (definitely deserves it)
Jim Tressel, Ohio State (obvious)
Tommy Tuberville, Auburn (don't bitch since you get a vote)
Charlie Weis, Notre Dame (no, no, no, no)
Kyle Whittingham, Utah (gonna be a hot name very soon)
Tyrone Willingham, Washington (nope, sorry Ty)
Ron Zook, Illinois (yes, for comedic relief)
Coaches Poll is out and like Lance Bass - it is gay
So, here's the poll. Feel free to take a minute to read it over.
USA Today preseason coaches' poll top 15
Rank, team, '07 record (first place votes), final '07 rank
1. Georgia 11-2 (22), 3
2. Southern California 11-2 (14), 2
3. Ohio State 11-2 (14), 4
4. Oklahoma 11-3 (3), 8
5. Florida 9-4 (5), 16
6. LSU 12-2 (3), 1
7. Missouri 12-2, 5
8. West Virginia 11-2, 6
9. Clemson 9-4, 22
10. Texas 10-3, 10
11. Auburn 9-4, 14t
12. Wisconsin 9-4, 21
13. Kansas 12-1, 7
14. Texas Tech 9-4, 23
15. Virginia Tech 11-3, 9
16. Arizona State 10-3, 13
17. Brigham Young 11-2, 14t
18. Tennessee 10-4, 12
19. Illinois 9-4, 18
20. Oregon 9-4, 24
21. South Florida 9-4, NR
22. Penn State 9-4, 25
23. Wake Forest 9-4, NR
24. Michigan, 9-4, 19
25. Fresno State , 9-4, NR
Others Receiving votes: Alabama (7-6) 83; South Carolina (6-6) 64; Utah (9-4) 60; Florida State (7-6) 53; Rutgers (8-5) 53; Boston College (11-3) 47; California (7-6) 41; Pittsburgh (5-7) 34; Boise State (10-3) 25; Oregon State (9-4) 23; Nebraska (5-7) 17; Cincinnati (10-3) 13; Virginia (9-4) 12; Connecticut (9-4) 9; Michigan State (7-6) 9; Mississippi State (8-5) 6; Kentucky (8-5) 5; Notre Dame (3-9) 5; TCU (8-5) 5; Maryland (6-7) 4; North Carolina (4-8) 3; Texas A&M (7-6) 3; UCLA (6-7) 3; Central Florida (10-4) 2; Georgia Tech (7-6) 2; Louisville (6-6) 2; Arizona (5-7) 1; Colorado (6-7) 1; Oklahoma State (7-6) 1; Tulsa (10-4) 1.
Anything jump out at you? It should have, dumbass. That's right, no votes for Duke. Where the hell is Duke? Spurrier ALWAYS throws a bone to the Dookies in the first poll but he didn't this year. Does he hate the regime change because Cutcliff is a better game coach? This is the most intriguing aspect to me because it is obscure and only true fans of the sport even know this.
Also, despite what some dumbasses say, these polls do matter. This is 1/3 of the BCS standings and starting out high is always a good idea so you don't have to wade through the crap that resides in the 15-25 range.
Other interesting points/predictions:
(1)The winner of the USC/OSU game is going to be #1 on September 14th.
(2) West Virginia is ranked pretty high for having a new coach and reports that they are going to rely on Pat White's arm more often this year.
(3) Clemson will rise up the rankings only to fail spectacularly against a poor team.
(4) Coaches apparently believe that Texas Tech will follow through with the promise for better defense.
(5) BYU and Utah should be reversed.
(6) Arizona State is way overrated. I don't care if they do beat UGA, they were fraud last year.
(7) Michigan is 24...really...stop laughing. Lets see...new coach...lost a ton of starters...new system...no players for the new system...yeah, sounds like a recipe for the 24th best football team.
(8) Notre Dame will finish the year in the Top 15, everyone will be blowing Charlie Weis, no one will mention the weak ass schedule, and I will want to light myself on fire because of it.
USA Today preseason coaches' poll top 15
Rank, team, '07 record (first place votes), final '07 rank
1. Georgia 11-2 (22), 3
2. Southern California 11-2 (14), 2
3. Ohio State 11-2 (14), 4
4. Oklahoma 11-3 (3), 8
5. Florida 9-4 (5), 16
6. LSU 12-2 (3), 1
7. Missouri 12-2, 5
8. West Virginia 11-2, 6
9. Clemson 9-4, 22
10. Texas 10-3, 10
11. Auburn 9-4, 14t
12. Wisconsin 9-4, 21
13. Kansas 12-1, 7
14. Texas Tech 9-4, 23
15. Virginia Tech 11-3, 9
16. Arizona State 10-3, 13
17. Brigham Young 11-2, 14t
18. Tennessee 10-4, 12
19. Illinois 9-4, 18
20. Oregon 9-4, 24
21. South Florida 9-4, NR
22. Penn State 9-4, 25
23. Wake Forest 9-4, NR
24. Michigan, 9-4, 19
25. Fresno State , 9-4, NR
Others Receiving votes: Alabama (7-6) 83; South Carolina (6-6) 64; Utah (9-4) 60; Florida State (7-6) 53; Rutgers (8-5) 53; Boston College (11-3) 47; California (7-6) 41; Pittsburgh (5-7) 34; Boise State (10-3) 25; Oregon State (9-4) 23; Nebraska (5-7) 17; Cincinnati (10-3) 13; Virginia (9-4) 12; Connecticut (9-4) 9; Michigan State (7-6) 9; Mississippi State (8-5) 6; Kentucky (8-5) 5; Notre Dame (3-9) 5; TCU (8-5) 5; Maryland (6-7) 4; North Carolina (4-8) 3; Texas A&M (7-6) 3; UCLA (6-7) 3; Central Florida (10-4) 2; Georgia Tech (7-6) 2; Louisville (6-6) 2; Arizona (5-7) 1; Colorado (6-7) 1; Oklahoma State (7-6) 1; Tulsa (10-4) 1.
Anything jump out at you? It should have, dumbass. That's right, no votes for Duke. Where the hell is Duke? Spurrier ALWAYS throws a bone to the Dookies in the first poll but he didn't this year. Does he hate the regime change because Cutcliff is a better game coach? This is the most intriguing aspect to me because it is obscure and only true fans of the sport even know this.
Also, despite what some dumbasses say, these polls do matter. This is 1/3 of the BCS standings and starting out high is always a good idea so you don't have to wade through the crap that resides in the 15-25 range.
Other interesting points/predictions:
(1)The winner of the USC/OSU game is going to be #1 on September 14th.
(2) West Virginia is ranked pretty high for having a new coach and reports that they are going to rely on Pat White's arm more often this year.
(3) Clemson will rise up the rankings only to fail spectacularly against a poor team.
(4) Coaches apparently believe that Texas Tech will follow through with the promise for better defense.
(5) BYU and Utah should be reversed.
(6) Arizona State is way overrated. I don't care if they do beat UGA, they were fraud last year.
(7) Michigan is 24...really...stop laughing. Lets see...new coach...lost a ton of starters...new system...no players for the new system...yeah, sounds like a recipe for the 24th best football team.
(8) Notre Dame will finish the year in the Top 15, everyone will be blowing Charlie Weis, no one will mention the weak ass schedule, and I will want to light myself on fire because of it.
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