When the polls come out tomorrow, it's likely that not a single top 25 team is on Boise States Schedule. VT looked good, but they just lost to James Madison. If Boise's claim to a BCS shot is an undefeated WAC season and boasting of a win over VT and (possibly Oregon State) -- will their schedule get in the way of a BCS title shot?
If Boise were in a good conference in which they played teams worth a damn on consistent basis give them a better chance at making it?
Granted, Boise only has one game under their belt, but in defense they currently rank in the lower half of all Div-I teams. They allowed 30 points and 314 yards and sit between Eastern Michigan and UAB. Alabama has played two games, allowing 3/229 pg. Oregon defense is 6.5/220 pg. It's important to note that James Madison held Tech to 235/16 (more impressive showing vs Boise). Offensively, Boise sits in the middle of the pack. Houston and Oregon sit at top 1 and 2. Oregon is averaging 60 points a game and 584 yards to Boise's 33/383.
That is absolutely the case... but I think that is a failure of the BCS more than a failure of the team that BSU can put on the field. Wouldn't it suck if Gonzaga weren't eligible to win the NCAA basketball championship because they don't play in the PAC-10? Ed O.
Totally different. In hoops you have 30-35 games and a handful of OOC games. It's much easier to clearly define who belongs based on season results. In football, dozens of teams end the season with 1-3 losses. SOS has to factor based on the limited amount of games and the size group of teams with similar results. If a WAC team goes undefeated and failed to play any legit OOC team, they shouldn't be allowed in the BCS. The same could be said of Independents who might schedule mostly Div-II teams and easy opponents to simply pad the W/L. It's the way the system works. Is it unfair? Possibly. Could a team do something about it? Yup - attempt to change conferences, schedule a tough OOC schedule, etc. Personally, I think Boise is good. They aren't top 5. Not even top 10 in my book. If they blow out Oregon State...let's talk again.
They need to do so because of the BCS. If there were a playoff it would be MUCH less of a factor. The BCS also gives automatic berths to teams irrespective of how good they are based merely on the conference they're in. It's simply not realistic for schools to change at the drop of a hat. Football is important, but it's one of many sports at schools, and even if a school changes JUST for football, it can take years to make that adjustment. BSU is doing everything it can--changing conferences, scheduling prominent schools (Oregon, Va Tech) to open their seasons. And it's still not enough. Either BSU is one of the best schools in the nation or its not. It's too bad that the BCS doesn't allow teams to show it on the field. Ed O.
I totally support a playoff system. But, if what we have, for now, is working within the BCS system, then I say teams like Boise don't deserve a birth based on a weak schedule and unimpressive wins -- IF -- Boise continues the current course. Can't believe Tech's loss to JM.
0-2 V-Tech? 0-2 V-Tech? I'd rather talk reality with someone who isn't adverse to respecting the opinions of others. You know, someone like you. Remember last year when ESPN, fans and the like were actually talking about a TCU or Boise State vs Cincinnati NC? Then Cinci played Florida which resulted in a blood-bath? So, we get a TCU/Boise matchup which turns into a good ballgame. Yet, the only legit or ranked team Boise beat that year was Oregon while TCU goes through BYU and Utah. This year a team like Florida plays four to five top 25 teams. Alabama plays six teams ranked as the best 25 (or better) in the nation. THEY actually earn their way to a BCS. Boise State, as the rankings sit today, don't have a SINGLE team ranked as a top 25 team. Not one. You wanna dance in the big show? Earn it. I respect and value your opinion. In fact, I often trust your insight more than my own when it comes to sports. One isn't going to have many friends if they think they are right all the time, and I certainly don't. Regardless, I don't like the approach that any team that can go undefeated automatically earns a BCS bid. With that approach, there is nothing stopping the Independents and teams like Boise from seeking a weak schedule in return for the big BCS payday. The BCS is a reward for those who earn it. Boise doesn't appear to be earning it this season. JMHO.
That's cool and all, but you CAN answer my question... VaTech could win the ACC (who else is there? Miami, perhaps, but the rest of the conference looks particularly soft) and their 0-2 record right now wouldn't stop them from getting into the BCS as an automatic birth. Meanwhile, BSU could go undefeated and NOT make the BCS in spite of having defeated VaTech. Would that be fair? Ed O.
It is highly unlikely and won't happen. If it does, it's somewhat unfair. How many ranked teams with VA Tech have to beat to get there, compared to Boise? The system isn't perfect and I've already stated I support playoffs, over the BCS system. However, every AD knows the importance of SOS within the current system. Boise also knows they are WAC and need to do a bit better than ZERO top 25 teams on their schedule. That said, with your approach, an Independent could schedule one single worthy/tough opponent, then a bunch of weak OOC teams and Div-II teams, and if they can get by that one team and that team goes on to win their conference, they should automatically get a BCS bid? Nope. SOS has to be factored because of the vast differences between schools/size/conferences/etc.
