Home
we had subs it was crazy

Primary links

  • About
    • $upport (lol)
    • Ethics
    • FAQ
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • MGoStore
  • MGoBoard
    • MGoBoard FAQ
    • Ticket spreadsheet
    • Michigan bar locator
    • Moderator Action Sticky
  • Useful Stuff
    • Depth Chart By Class
    • Unofficial Two Deep
    • 2013 Offer Board
    • Crude Bug Tracking System
    • Third Down Stats
    • Diaries, Windows Live Writer, And You
    • Michigan Future Schedules
    • User-Curated HOF
    • 2013 Recruiting Board
    • Where To Eat In Ann Arbor
Home Diaries mfan_in_ohio's blog

Navigation

  • Forums
  • Recent posts

User login

  • Create new account
  • Request new password

MGoElsewhere

  • @MGoBlog (Brian)
  • @aceanbender
  • @TomVH (Tom)
  • RSS Feed
  • iPhone App
  • Facebook profile
  • MGoKindle Store
  • mgo.licio.us
  • Brian @ TSB [Archive]
  • Brian @ AOL [Archive]
  • Sour Salty Bitter Sweet

Michigan Blogs

  • Big House Blog
  • Burgeoning Wolverine Star
  • Genuinely Sarcastic
  • Go Blue Michigan Wolverine
  • Holdin' The Rope
  • MGoFootball
  • MVictors
  • Maize 'n' Blue Nation
  • Maize 'n' Brew
  • Maize And Go Blue
  • Michigan Hockey Net
  • The Blog That Yost Built
  • The Hoover Street Rag
  • The M Block
  • The M Zone
  • The Wolverine Blog
  • Touch The Banner
  • UMGoBlog
  • UMHoops
  • UMTailgate
  • Wolverine Liberation Army

M On The Net

  • mgovideo
  • MGoBlue.com
  • Mike DeSimone
  • Recruiting Planet
  • The Wolverine
  • Go Blue Wolverine
  • Winged Helmet
  • UMGoBlue.com
  • MaizeRage.org
  • Puckhead
  • The M Den
  • True Blue Fan Forum

Big Ten Blogs

  • Illinois
    • A Lion Eye
    • Hail To The Orange
    • Illinois Baseball Report
    • Illinois Loyalty
  • Indiana
    • Inside The Hall
    • The Crimson Quarry
  • Iowa
    • Black Heart, Gold Pants
    • Fight For Iowa
  • Michigan State
    • The Only Colors
  • Minnesota
    • GopherHole.com
    • The Daily Gopher
    • I'm In Love With A Fringe Bowl Team
    • TNABACG
  • Nebraska
    • Big Red Network
    • Corn Nation
    • Husker Mike's Blasphemy
    • Husker Gameday
  • Northwestern
    • Sippin' On Purple
    • Lake The Posts
  • Notre Dame
    • The House Rock Built
    • One Foot Down
  • Ohio State
    • Eleven Warriors
    • Buckeye Commentary
    • Men of the Scarlet and Gray
    • Our Honor Defend
    • The Buckeye Nine
  • Penn State
    • Slow States
    • Black Shoe Diaries
    • Happy Valley Hardball
    • Penn State Clips
    • Linebacker U
    • Nittany White Out
  • Purdue
    • Boiled Sports
    • Hammer and Rails
  • Wisconsin
    • Bruce Ciskie

Links of Note

  • Baseball
    • Big Ten Hardball
    • College Baseball Today
    • The Baseball Zealot
    • The College Baseball Blog
  • Basketball
    • Ken Pomeroy
    • Basketball Prospectus
    • Midmajority
  • College Hockey
    • Chris Heisenberg
    • College Hockey Stats
    • Inside College Hockey
    • Michigan College Hockey
    • Hockey's Future
    • Sioux Sports
    • USCHO
    • Western College Hockey
    • CCHA
      • LSSU Hockey
      • Bronco Hockey Blog
  • Football
    • Smart Football
    • Every Day Should Be Saturday
    • Doctor Saturday
    • CFB Stats
    • Harold Stassen
    • NCAA D-I Stats Page
    • The Wizard Of Odds
  • General
    • Sports Central
  • Local Interest
    • The Ann Arbor Chronicle
    • Arborwiki
    • Arbor Update
    • Teeter Talk
    • Vacuum
  • Teams Of The D
    • Lions
      • Pride of Detroit
      • Fire Millen
    • Pistons
      • Detroit Bad Boys
      • Need4Sheed
    • Tigers
      • Roar Of The Tigers
      • The Detroit Tigers Weblog
      • The Daily Fungo
    • Red Wings
      • On The Wings
      • Behind The Jersey
      • Winging It In Motown
    • Michigan Sports Forum

Archive

  • May 2013 (53)
  • April 2013 (94)
  • March 2013 (104)
  • February 2013 (81)
  • January 2013 (93)
  • December 2012 (74)
  • November 2012 (142)
  • October 2012 (143)
  • September 2012 (107)
  • August 2012 (103)
  •  
  • 1 of 11
  • ››

Get Yer Tickets

Football Display Case

NFL Watches

Follow your favorite team with localtv-satellite.com: Click Here.

Site Search

Diaries

  • New
  • Popular
  • Hot
  • Does Expansion Actually Lead to More Recruits From a Certain Region?
    maizeonblueaction - 10 hours ago
  • Raiding the B1G-er Big Ten: Recruiting Prospects in Maryland and Rutgers Territory
    The Mathlete - 1 day ago
  • A Cynical Take on Why Expansion May be Dead for the Forseeable Future
    maizeonblueaction - 2 days ago
  • LIGHT IT UP, AGAIN. WALLPAPER
    jonvalk - 3 days ago
  • Using Rivals' Star Ratings To Look At Big Ten Football Recruiting: 2002-2013
    LSAClassOf2000 - 3 days ago
  •  
  • 1 of 4
  • ››
more
  • Using Rivals' Star Ratings To Look At Big Ten Football Recruiting: 2002-2013
    LSAClassOf2000 - 882 views
  • More Milford Men Than Michigan Men: Comparing the 11-12 and 12-13 Hockey Teams
    MGoBlueline - 779 views
  • UMich NFL draft history, Part III
    blueheron - 756 views
  • LIGHT IT UP, AGAIN. WALLPAPER
    jonvalk - 689 views
  • A Cynical Take on Why Expansion May be Dead for the Forseeable Future
    maizeonblueaction - 576 views
  •  
  • 1 of 2
  • ››
more
  • Big Ten Recruiting Rankings 4-30-13
    Ace - 81 comments
  • Using Rivals' Star Ratings To Look At Big Ten Football Recruiting: 2002-2013
    LSAClassOf2000 - 19 comments
  • LIGHT IT UP, AGAIN. WALLPAPER
    jonvalk - 17 comments
  • A Cynical Take on Why Expansion May be Dead for the Forseeable Future
    maizeonblueaction - 17 comments
  • Raiding the B1G-er Big Ten: Recruiting Prospects in Maryland and Rutgers Territory
    The Mathlete - 13 comments
  •  
  • 1 of 2
  • ››
more

MGoBoard

  • New
  • Recent
  • Hot
  • OT: Star Trek + Dilithium = Esplode…. Esplode clarity
    10 replies
  • OT - ND paid Charlie more than Brian Kelly in 2012
    21 replies
  • Softball SuperRegionals Open Thread
    22 replies
  • OT: ESPN hires Paul Finebaum
    34 replies
  • OT: Red Wings vs Hawks Game 4 Open Thread
    184 replies
  • Mark May Trolls Ohio State Again, Buckeyes Fans Let Him Have It On Twitter
    34 replies
  • Who should replace ND in a long-term series?
    133 replies
  • Baseball Eliminated from B1G
    19 replies
  • Denard, other rookies discuss Star Trek
    53 replies
  • Urbs and his obsession with butts
    51 replies
  • Very OT: The Hangover 3 *Thread May Contain Spoilers*
    57 replies
  • Scouting Report: Jabrill Peppers
    148 replies
  • Awesome Uniform Timeline on MVictors
    39 replies
  • Baby’s life saved with 3D printed device at C.S. Mott
    36 replies
  • OT: Mott Takeover
    15 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 7
  • ››
  • Mark May Trolls Ohio State Again, Buckeyes Fans Let Him Have It On Twitter
    34 replies
  • Denard, other rookies discuss Star Trek
    53 replies
  • OT: Star Trek + Dilithium = Esplode…. Esplode clarity
    9 replies
  • OT - ND paid Charlie more than Brian Kelly in 2012
    21 replies
  • OT: ESPN hires Paul Finebaum
    34 replies
  • OT? Graduatin' Season. Who had the Worst Commencement Speaker?
    141 replies
  • OT: Red Wings vs Hawks Game 4 Open Thread
    184 replies
  • Who should replace ND in a long-term series?
    133 replies
  • Urbs and his obsession with butts
    51 replies
  • Scouting Report: Jabrill Peppers
    148 replies
  • Very OT: The Hangover 3 *Thread May Contain Spoilers*
    57 replies
  • Softball SuperRegionals Open Thread
    22 replies
  • 5 star 2013 DT may not be enrolling at Notre Dame
    91 replies
  • Awesome Uniform Timeline on MVictors
    39 replies
  • ESPN's Luginbill Predicts Top 5 Impact Freshmen, includes Derrick Green
    71 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 7
  • ››
  • OT: Red Wings vs Hawks Game 3 Open Thread
    203 replies
  • OT: Red Wings vs Hawks Game 4 Open Thread
    184 replies
  • Scouting Report: Jabrill Peppers
    148 replies
  • OT - Official MGoBaby Thread (you got 'em, we want to see 'em)
    148 replies
  • How much do you really hate ohio?
    145 replies
  • OT? Graduatin' Season. Who had the Worst Commencement Speaker?
    141 replies
  • Who should replace ND in a long-term series?
    133 replies
  • Speight and TomVH on Peppers
    116 replies
  • OT: Red Wings @ Hawks Game 2 Open Thread
    114 replies
  • Prayers for Moore, Oklahoma
    112 replies
  • Alex Bars to Notre Dame
    96 replies
  • 5 star 2013 DT may not be enrolling at Notre Dame
    91 replies
  • OT: NBA Draft Lottery
    78 replies
  • ESPN 30 for 30 on the Bad Boys
    77 replies
  • Michigan Softball vs. Cal Open Thread
    75 replies
  •  
  • 1 of 7
  • ››

mgo.licio.us

  • This college baseball team is the best at postgame interviews

    national champs baby

    0 comments
  • Rounding up the latest in NCAA absurdities.

    Patrick Hruby is doing God's work.

    0 comments
  • Cornell wrestler tops Michigan's Trey Burke for Sports Illustrated award | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

    first comment: "EVERY ATHLETE HAS ASPIRATIONS OF WINNING AND WE HAVE OUR FAVORITES BUT IT IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO OTHER STUDENTS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS, TOO!"

    0 comments
  • Burke hearing he'll go two through six in NBA draft

    stupid Pistons and their refusal to tank properly

    0 comments
  • 2013 NHL Draft Prospect: Andrew Copp

    rundown of Michigan's riser

    0 comments
  • Michigan's key returnee: Glenn Robinson

    needs moar usage

    0 comments
  • Former Arkansas QB Brandon Mitchell transferring to NC State

    so much for that

    0 comments
  • The B1G List: Ranking the State Fossils of the Big Ten

    This list is completely arbitrary and not a genuine analysis of the relative merits of state fossils.

    0 comments
  • Trey Burke turns to inner circle to prepare for NBA draft

    will be michigan's highest pick in a while

    2 comments
  • B1G assistant coach salaries on the rise

    money has to go somewhere

    0 comments
  • Tim Hardaway Jr. is motivated by his critics and doubters, and supremely confident in his ability

    I am only motivated by people who have no opinion about me.

    0 comments
  • Big Ten football procrastinates on parity-based scheduling, and nothing ever changes

    the just released schedules were a flat-out statement that the B10 doesn't believe SOS will matter in playoff selection

    1 comments
  • Michigan's Glenn Robinson III, Mitch McGary ranked inside top 20 on ESPN's 2014 draft board

    but I thought that draft was supposed to be incredibly loaded?

    1 comments
  • Tim Hardaway Jr. turning heads, viewed as a first-rounder by some teams, analyst says

    If you're gonna go please be in the first round.

    0 comments
  • Michigan-Ohio State once, Indiana-Purdue once? The Big Ten has to protect its hoops rivalries

    another delightful side effect of a 14 team conference

    0 comments
  •  
  • 1 of 2
  • ››
more

BCS Standings thread and rooting guide

By mfan_in_ohio — November 27th, 2011 at 8:53 PM — 54 comments
Filed under:
  • BCS Bowl hopes
  • football

So everyone seems to think that Michigan is going to face Houston in the Sugar Bowl.  Of course, in order for that to happen, Michigan has to finish in the top 14 of the final BCS standings.  The current BCS standings come out at 8:15 pm tonight.  This has been an overanalyzed topic on the MGoBoard, but there are some interesting and somewhat overlooked things that could happen next week to affect Michigan's BCS hopes.  The consensus round these parts has been that if LSU beats Georgia, we should be in the top 14 and thus selected to the Sugar Bowl.  However, even if that happens, there are some other teams that we should be concerned about:

1. Michigan State.  If they lose to Wisconsin in a close game, it is not unreasonable to think that they might stay above us.  Yes, they have 3 losses to our 2, but they beat us by two touchdowns.  They have moved up to 9th (barely) in the Coaches poll and are 11th in the Harris poll.  The computers have us (just) ahead of MSU, so if they drop to one spot ahead of us in the polls, the BCS rankings will probably have us ahead of them. For State to stay in the top 14, they'd have to only drop a couple of spots after a loss.  A State win in the B1G championship game, while deeply unsatisfying to my fandom, would actually benefit Michigan, as Wisconsin would almost definitely drop below us, and with MSU as one of our opponents, it would help our computer rankings.  It would still, however, make me nauseated.

2.  Baylor.  This is the one that really scares me.  The computers LOVE the Big 12.  Two of the computer rankings had Baylor 7th overall last week, even with losses to Kansas St. and Texas A&M.  My guess is that Baylor and Michigan will almost be exactly tied in this week's rankings, with Michigan having a slight edge.  The good news is that they might have dropped a little in the computer rankings, as their win over Texas Tech will not help them as much as South Carolina's win over Clemson, for example.  That same game helped Michigan to move in front of Clemson in several computer polls.  In any case, Baylor's game next weekend against Texas may decide Michigan's bowl fate.

3.  Oklahoma.  An Oklahoma win over Ok. St. keeps both in the  top 14.  I have no doubt that the Sugar Bowl would take us over the Cowboys, but we'd have to make the top 14 for that to matter.  An Oklahoma loss should drop them past Michigan in the human polls, but they were 6th in the computer polls last week.  A loss to Ok. St. (#2 in the computers last week) is not going to hurt them too much, and they'll probably stay in the top 10 in the computer rankings.  That means they'd have to drop to at least about 17th in the human polls to fall past Michigan.  I don't know if that will happen.

The overall math is this: We will be 16th in tonight's rankings.  We need two teams to drop past us with no teams moving ahead of us. (or three drop and one moves ahead of us.) We need the following to happen:

1. Georgia loss to LSU.  A Georgia win eliminates the Sugar Bowl slot.  Nobody, not even Mark Richt's mother, thinks this will happen. 

2.  The B1G loser to drop at least 4 spots in the human polls.  That should happen, but hope for a blowout either way (run it up, Bielema).

3a.  Texas beats Baylor.  A Baylor win probably puts them ahead of Michigan and leaves us at 15th in the BCS, which means we can't be selected over other eligible teams.

3b.  Oklahoma loses badly enough to Ok. St. that the human polls drop them to about 18th, allowing Michigan to slide ahead of them in the BCS. 

3c. UCLA beats Oregon. The Pac-12 championship game should be irrelevant, as UCLA won't beat Oregon, but if they do, Oregon should drop out of the top 15 in the BCS. That would be great, as it would pretty much lock up a spot in the top 14 for Michigan, and it would give the B1G a winnable Rose Bowl.  Go Bruins!

We also should hope that Virginia Tech beats Clemson.  A Clemson win is dangerous because it hurts us in the computer polls, and it gives a bowl game the opportunity to take Virginia Tech as an at-large instead of Michigan (unlikely, but possible).  I don't think Clemson overtakes Michigan in the human polls with three losses, but it would probably be close.

The BCS standings come out at 8:15.  What to watch for: the gap between Michigan and Baylor, and both teams' positions in the computer rankings.  I expect Michigan to be at almost exactly 0.400 overall (probably a little above), and Baylor to be just a little below 0.400.  If the gap is big enough, it could be hard for Baylor to overcome even with a win over Texas, especially if Baylor gets pushed down by other teams in the computer polls.  Last week the computers had them at 0.550; hopefully they have dropped from this spot.

Edit: There has been a lot of consternation in this thread and the others that have popped up tonight about Baylor.  Basically, the fear is that a Baylor win over Texas bumps them ahead of Michigan.  I should know, since I said it above.  Having seen the updated standings, I don't think it will happen.  A Baylor win is not going to help them in the human polls.  We all know that the voters have a tendency to "ladder" their votes, meaning that teams usually only drop when they lose, or if a team behind them has an impressive win.  Beating Texas is not that impressive; a lot of other teams have done it too.  So Baylor should stay two spots behind us in the human polls even with a win (assuming TCU beats a 2-9 UNLV team at home).  In the computer polls, Baylor can only move up about one spot (ahead of South Carolina) if Houston, Boise, Va. Tech and Oregon win (as they should).  The Michigan-Baylor gap is 0.04, which corresponds to exactly one spot on average between the three polls.  Since Baylor can't move up in the human polls, and can move up at most a spot and a half in the computers, that gap should only narrow to about half of what it is now.  Also, either Georgia or the B1G loser should drop between Michigan and Baylor in the human polls, which should increase the gap.  In short, I think the Baylor-Texas game shouldn't matter.  We should just need LSU to win, and the voters to drop the B1G loser below us.

 

  • mfan_in_ohio's blog
  • Login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
November 27th, 2011 at 8:58 PM | Southern Miss over Houston (Score:5 Normal)
Gobluegr
Joined: 07/07/2011
MGoPoints: 647

Southern Miss over Houston and Iowa State over K state would be nice.

Tremendous 2014 rankings

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:08 PM | Good point. (Score:3 Normal)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

I'm not 100% sure that the Houston loss would knock them out of the top 14 (although it probably will), but it certainly eliminates them from automatic qualifier status for the BCS.  It also opens up the possibility of  A K-State loss serves the same purpose as a Baylor loss, as it would pretty much clinch the top 14 for Michigan.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 1:30 AM | that's not going to happen.  (Score:1)
legacy_gt
Joined: 11/27/2011
MGoPoints: 3

that's not going to happen.  houston will blow out s miss

  • Login or register to post comments
December 3rd, 2011 at 2:52 PM | O RLY? (Score:1)
AAL
Joined: 07/10/2008
MGoPoints: 470

O RLY?

The Playbook  |  Twitter

  • Login or register to post comments
December 3rd, 2011 at 4:52 PM | I'll bet you $5 (Score:1)
Blueinsconsin
Joined: 08/24/2011
MGoPoints: 66

I'll bet you $5

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:15 PM | I'm afraid that Baylor is (Score:1)
winterblue75
winterblue75's picture
Joined: 09/05/2009
MGoPoints: 5266

I'm afraid that Baylor is going to be the death-knell to a Michigan BCS game. I don't see anyway Baylor loses to Texas, and they will pass UM. I hope I'm wrong.

Sincerely,

Cpt. Ass-Hat

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:27 PM | Too much of a Big 12 bias (Score:1)
Blarvey
Joined: 11/21/2011
MGoPoints: 182

Too much of a Big 12 bias if Baylor passes UM. Then who gets the at large? Baylor? TCU? Boisie State?

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:34 PM | A Big 12 team. (Score:1)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

If Oklahoma stays in the top 14, and Michigan isn't there, they'll get a BCS bowl.  Failing that, I think Kansas State would have the next shot at the Sugar Bowl. 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 10:09 PM | I hope so too. (Score:1)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

My hope is that the Baylor win over Texas doesn't do anything for them in the human polls, since TCU is the only team between us and Baylor, and TCU plays a horrible UNLV team on Saturday.  The computer polls don't give them a lot of room to move up.  South Carolina is just ahead of Baylor, so I think Baylor will move ahead of them.  The next two computer spots up are Oregon and Virginia Tech, who should both win next week.  The two above that are Boise State and Houston, who should also win next week.  I think Baylor can only move up one computer spot.  My hope is that the B1G loser and/or Georgia drop below Michigan but ahead of Baylor.  That would make it virtually impossible for Baylor to get ahead of Michigan.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 11:46 PM | Rg3 has concussion from last week (Score:1)
bouje13
Joined: 11/27/2010
MGoPoints: 573

And is iffy iffy to play. Does that help?

He only got the job because he's a Michigan Man not because he was the best.  Is that what Michigan is all about?  You do the best, you get the job.  This MM meme is crap.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 11:43 AM | I'm not an expert, buuuuut, (Score:1)
LandonC
Joined: 07/24/2008
MGoPoints: 1998

I'm not an expert, buuuuut, I'd say that helps a lot.  Also, that would make me sad.  He's had a great year, and I honestly think he should win the Heisman, which would be almost impossible if he doesn't play.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:22 PM | so...... (Score:1)
Michigan Stadiu...
Joined: 07/28/2010
MGoPoints: 232

we have to root for state......ew.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:38 PM | Not quite (Score:1)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

The best scenario for M is a Wisconsin blowout win.  That will drop Michigan State significantly in the human polls.  Also, they are very close to Michigan in all of the computer rankings, so a MSU loss not only hurts them, it also boosts Michigan. 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:56 PM | UM is one spot behind (Score:1)
Blarvey
Joined: 11/21/2011
MGoPoints: 182

UM is one spot behind Wisconsin and three below MSU. The poll gaps is a little bigger. Couldn't it be possible that MSU can lose, especially a close game, and still be ranked ahead of UM?

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:58 PM | It is possible (Score:1)
MGoSoftball
MGoSoftball's picture
Joined: 10/18/2010
MGoPoints: 3602

but not likely.  Human voters hate late season losses.  They are close to us in the computer so a big drop in human polls will drop them.

From the Red Cedar Message Board:  "God hates us."  Yes He does Lil Bro, yes he does.  Everyone hates you.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 1:05 PM | Not possible (Score:2)
whitedawg
Joined: 07/08/2008
MGoPoints: 704

Every major ranking, including the BCS, has every 2-loss AQ team ahead of every 3-loss AQ team (also, every 1-loss AQ team is ahead of every 2-loss AQ team).  There is no way the human voters would rank a 3-loss MSU ahead of a 2-loss Michigan.  The computers used to be more objective, but various outcries and tweaks over the years have basically ensured that the BCS can't rank a 3-loss team ahead of a 2-loss team.  Thus, I feel very confident that the loser of the B1G Championship, whether MSU or Wisconsin, will be below Michigan in the BCS rankings.

Also, I find it very strange that Michigan is the lowest-ranked 2-loss team.  In my opinion, the following teams are ranked ahead of Michigan without a compelling reason:

  • Kansas State: only win over a ranked team was by 1 point over 8-3 Baylor, at home.  Lost by 41 to Oklahoma.
  • South Carolina: only win over a ranked team was over 9-3 Clemson, at home.  Lost by  16 to Arkansas, the only other ranked team on their schedule.
  • Georgia: did not beat a single ranked team.  Lost at home to Boise State and South Carolina.  Beat bad teams Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Kentucky by 9 points or less.
  • Oklahoma: wins over ranked teams Kansas State (9-2) and Florida State (8-4).  Lost to 8-3 Baylor and 5-7 Texas Tech.
  • Arkansas: only win over a ranked team is over 10-2 South Carolina.  Got blown out by LSU and Alabama, although we can't fault them for that.

Michigan's only win over a ranked team was the Nebraska blowout, but we don't have any really bad losses (MSU is top-15, and Iowa was a nailbiter to a bowl team).  We have a really similar profile to these other teams, but are ranked below them for some reason.

I think this is due to two things: preseason ranking bias and SEC bias.  We were unranked in the preseason, and human voters stupidly have a problem "jumping" teams over each other if they have similar records.  However, it should be obvious that preseason rankings should have no bearing on polls 12 games later.  Also, I think the annual bias toward SEC strength of schedule is largely unwarranted this year.  There's no doubt that LSU and Alabama have looked more impressive than any other teams in the country, but after that, there's not a lot of other good teams in the SEC (Arkansas may be, but they haven't really shown it against anybody good).  This is particularly infuriating when a team like Georgia gets a "SEC bump" despite being lucky enough to miss the two heavyweights.  Can anyone really look at Georgia's schedule and say it's significantly tougher than Michigan's?

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:25 PM |  That's bullshit that a (Score:3 Normal)
Gorgeous Borges
Joined: 10/07/2011
MGoPoints: 680

 That's bullshit that a 3-loss Baylor could be ranked over a 2-loss Michigan. We're Michigan. We don't get ranked behind teams that have more losses than we do.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:35 PM | minor omission: (Score:5 Normal)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

You left out a Fergodsakes in there somewhere.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:30 PM | Michigan 0.431, Baylor 0.391. (Score:4 Normal)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

The gap is a little bigger than I thought it would be.  The computers must have really liked Michigan's win over Ohio.  Remember that Baylor's strength is driven by the computers, and it's hard for them to go much higher in some of those polls.  A Baylor win might not be enough to push them ahead of Michigan if it doesn't push them up in the human polls. 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:34 PM | Michigan just came in at 16. (Score:2)
triangle_M
triangle_M's picture
Joined: 03/09/2011
MGoPoints: 1615

Michigan just came in at 16.  Dropped 1 rank with this weekend's win.  Watched it on ESPN just now.  So annoying.

 


And when we play as a team, when the old season is over, you and I know it’s going to be Michigan again. Michigan!

 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:36 PM | I must be the only one who (Score:2)
spoid_kills
spoid_kills's picture
Joined: 01/17/2009
MGoPoints: 105

I must be the only one who thinks Georgia actually has a shot of upsetting LSU.  What happens to the NCG if that happens?

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:43 PM | They change jersey color. (Score:1)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

Well, not really, since LSU wears white for all of its games anyway.  I think it would end up with Alabama #1, LSU #2.  LSU's schedule strength is so outstanding that even with a loss to Georgia, they still have a way better resume than Oklahoma State, who lost to unranked Iowa State, or Stanford, who lost at home to a team (Oregon) that LSU beat by two touchdowns. 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:39 PM | Who gave this guy a diary (Score:-1 Overrated)
mgoblueben
mgoblueben's picture
Joined: 06/23/2011
MGoPoints: 156

Where in the world are you getting these numbers!?!? No one has ok st that high nor oklahoma that high.  Any 3 loss team is going to be below us.  Georgia loss will make our bid to the sugar bowl concrete. Really what computer polls are you referring to b/c the bcs official computer polls are seriously far from what youre reporting.  

Those Who Stay Will Be Champions

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:45 PM | From here: (Score:1)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

http://espn.go.com/college-football/bcs?week=13

Look at the computer polls.  Oklahoma State was 2nd last week in 5 out of 7 computer polls.  They were #1 in those polls before they lost to Iowa State.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 10:02 PM | New standings are now up (Score:1)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

http://espn.go.com/college-football/bcs?week=14

Ok. State is now slightly below Alabama in the computers.  Both have some 2nds and some 3rds, but Alabama has more 2nds.  Of note: Baylor is now 13th in the computers to Michigan's 15th, with Georgia 14th.  A win over Texas would boost them one or two spots, probably.  A Baylor win takes them no higher than 12th in the computers unless Oregon or Virginia Tech (tied for 10th) lose.  A Georgia loss bumps Michigan up one, but the B1G winner will probably jump us (and maybe Baylor as well).  So worst case, we are three spots behind Baylor in the computers.  If we can stay two spots ahead of them in the human polls, we should be ok.  Right now, TCU holds that buffer spot, so it would help us if they beat UNLV next weekend.  Since UNLV is 2-9, I'm not worried. 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:52 PM | Computer polls vs BCS standings (Score:3 Normal)
MH20
MH20's picture
Joined: 10/30/2008
MGoPoints: 7575

It's clear you don't understand the difference between the actual BCS standings (as in, the comprehensive shakedown of the three involved polls) and the computer polls that make up a third of the BCS standings.

"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."

- Jack Handey

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:40 PM | Oregon vs MSU (Score:1)
Mat
Mat's picture
Joined: 07/02/2008
MGoPoints: 1506

Why would MSU (ranked 14) stay ahead of us with a loss while Oregon (ranked 10) fall out of the top 15th with a loss? 

Human voters are going to see 3 losses and drop them, but if they both lose, Oregon is going to be above MSU.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 9:52 PM | Not exactly the same loss. (Score:5 Normal)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

Oregon would be losing to a 6-6 UCLA team that just lost to USC 50-0.  That's bad.  Michigan State would be losing to a 10-2, top 15 Wisconsin team that will be playing on Jan. 2nd whether they win or lose.  Losing to UCLA is equivalent at this point to losing to Purdue.  That should drop Oregon a whole bunch, especially since they will have two losses in the last three weeks.  Also, I was talking about the human polls, where Michigan State is ranked 9th and 11th.  I don't think a close loss will be enough for MSU, since we should beat them in the computers, but I wouldn't be surprised if the voters at least keep MSU ahead of us based on the head-to-head, and the fact that MSU had to play an extra game against a highly ranked team.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 10:05 PM | Root for LSU (Score:4 Normal)
kyeblue
Joined: 09/18/2009
MGoPoints: 105

The loser of the BIG championship will fall below, as long as LSU beat Georgia, we will be in top 14. 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 10:33 PM | Bravo sir..thank you for (Score:4 Normal)
MichiganMan_24_
Joined: 12/31/2008
MGoPoints: 909

Bravo sir..thank you for translating the BCS into English for me.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 11:07 PM | He is mistaken (Score:2 Normal)
WolverineBlue
WolverineBlue's picture
Joined: 01/09/2010
MGoPoints: 551

That rule (top 18 if only one top 14 from conference) only comes into play if there are fewer than 10 eligible teams, which will not be the case. So Michigan does need to finish in top 14. Odds are they will.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 11:12 PM | As usual, ESPN is (Score:4 Normal)
Zone Left
Zone Left's picture
Joined: 07/03/2008
MGoPoints: 13967

As usual, ESPN is wrong:

 

If fewer than 10 teams are eligible for selection, then the Bowls can select as an at-large team any Football Bowl Subdivision team that is bowl-eligible, has won at least nine regular-season games and is among the top 18 teams in the final BCS Standings subject to the two-team limit noted above and also subject to the following: (1) if any conference has two or more teams in the top 14, then two of those teams must be selected and (2) from the teams ranked 15-18, a bowl can select only a team from a conference that has fewer than two teams in the top 14.

If expansion of the pool to 18 teams does not result in 10 teams eligible for selection, then the pool shall be expanded by blocks of 4 teams until 10 eligible teams are available subject to the two-team limit noted above and also subject to the following: (1) if any conference has two or more teams in the top 14, then two of those teams must be selected and (2) from the teams ranked 15 or lower, a bowl can select only a team from a conference that has fewer than two teams in the top 14.

http://www.bcsfootball.org/news/story?id=4819597
 
There will be enough eligible teams in the Top-14. Schlabach can't do basic research.

It's all John Navarre's fault.

 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 8:45 AM | Something about 2 or fewer losses (Score:1)
maizenbluenc
maizenbluenc's picture
Joined: 07/21/2009
MGoPoints: 2678

I was listening to ESPN radio as they went through bcs scenarios, and there was something in there about 2 or fewer losses. Looking at the rankings either MSU or Wisconsin will have three, and if OSU beats Oklahoma or LSU beats Georgia that creates another 3 loss team. (I guess there is Iowa States vs K-State or UCLA vs Oregon as well, but those are long shots.

As we all know from our experience in '06, it ain't over until the voters gang up and fix the obvious deficiencies, and that doesn't happen until next week.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 11:03 PM |   Boise will get in as a (Score:1)
Zone Left
Zone Left's picture
Joined: 07/03/2008
MGoPoints: 13967

 

Boise will get in as a second non-AQ before K-State. The Wildcats have zero draw.

We're lucky nine of the next eleven teams above us play on Saturday and that the non-AQ teams are most highly ranked. Houston has a pretty decent shot at losing to Southern Miss and will fall like a stone if they lose.

K-State could lose to Iowa State. Georgia should lose. MSU or Wisconsin will lose (hopefully by many points).

This wouldn't be a problem if margin of victory was taken into account. Sagarin's Predictor has us at #9. We're understanding why non-traditional powers hate the system. Starting out of the rankings gives teams with the same record a serious penalty.

It's all John Navarre's fault.

 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 1:33 AM | Mid majors (Score:1)
funkywolve
Joined: 10/08/2008
MGoPoints: 1948

Pretty sure if you're a mid major you have to win your conference to get into the BCS.  Boise St did not win the Mountain West.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 12:00 PM | Mid-Major BCS (Score:2)
Lionsfan
Lionsfan's picture
Joined: 06/03/2011
MGoPoints: 3908

That situation only applies for mid-majors to be an automatic qualifier. Boise is eligible because they are Top-14 and ranked ahead of the Big East. But just because they're eligible doesn't mean they're going

If you're doing nothing, how do you know when you're finished?

StraightDave owes me a steak dinner

  • Login or register to post comments
November 27th, 2011 at 11:28 PM | It's still pretty simple and probable (Score:2 Normal)
AMazinBlue
AMazinBlue's picture
Joined: 10/12/2008
MGoPoints: 2250

Look, LSU is going to dismantle Georgia, book it.  That's one.  Clemson isn't going to beat VT.  That's two.  Wisconsin isn't going to let MSU beat them on a neutral field and embarass Bielema again.  Wisconsin beat MSU by at least 14 and we're in.  Oklahoma may also very well lose to Okie State.

There are enough possibilities that are fairly likely that I think we're in.  UNLESS, the replay official from Saturday(and Iowa) has anything to say about it.

 

What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve and...Those Who Stay WILL Be Champions.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 12:35 AM | F-ing hell. I thought I could just sit and enjoy the victory. (Score:1)
UMgradMSUdad
UMgradMSUdad's picture
Joined: 07/02/2011
MGoPoints: 1958

Now I have to worry about next weekend's games and polls, some of which make no sense at all.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 3:22 PM | Look on the bright side. (Score:2)
mfan_in_ohio
Joined: 01/26/2009
MGoPoints: 1904

If we get bumped out of the BCS, then Ohio gets bumped out of the New Year's bowls and into the Meinecke Car Care of Texas Bowl.  Or, possibly, Pizza Pizza vs. the other Ohio.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 12:49 AM | Thinking UCLA will lose to (Score:1)
freernnur5
Joined: 03/28/2011
MGoPoints: 452

Thinking UCLA will lose to Oregon, let alone score on them is a pipedream. I am a UCLA fan as I am from the area (and despise USC) and watching last night's game was just painful. IIRC the announcers mentioned that UCLA losing in the Pac 12 Championship Game would make them bowl game ineligible because it would make them 6-7.

But yea fat chance in hell they beat Oregon. Neuheisel needs to be fired.

Quick! To the Hindenpeter!

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 1:34 AM | One other game (Score:1)
funkywolve
Joined: 10/08/2008
MGoPoints: 1948

Kansas St plays Iowa St.  An Iowa St win would allow Michigan to move past KState.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 2:21 AM | In Summary (Score:1)
Mat
Mat's picture
Joined: 07/02/2008
MGoPoints: 1506

Probably Necessary:

  • LSU over Georgia
  • OK State over Oklahoma

Plan B:

  • SMU over Houston
  • ISU over KSU

Potentially useful but probably irrelevant:

  • Texas over Baylor
  • UCLA over Oregon
  • MSU over Wisc
  • VaTech over Clemson

 

correct?

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 2:59 AM | with extra cherries on top (Score:1)
Tacopants
Tacopants's picture
Joined: 07/06/2008
MGoPoints: 2242

Blowouts wanted in:

#1. OK State's favor over Oklahoma.

#2. B1G CG for either side, with MSU benefitting Michigan slightly more

#3. LSU favor over Georgia

 

Sadly though, we missed out on the big opportunities to root against teams.  ND over Stanford would have been nice to have, as would have TTU over Baylor.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 8:49 AM | I don't get it (Score:1)
Wolverrrrrrroudy
Joined: 11/30/2010
MGoPoints: 160

Oklahoma St. had a late season loss to an unranked team, why are they so high.  Stanford has one loss to Oregon, a top 10 team.  It seems that this year in particular the old standards don't apply, late loss (especially to an unranked team) behind the other one loss teams who have only lost to a ranked team.

WolverRoudy

  • Login or register to post comments
November 29th, 2011 at 7:15 PM | OU (Score:1)
uminks
uminks's picture
Joined: 11/10/2009
MGoPoints: 1441

OU lost twice to un-ranked teams.  And all the high ranked teams they played early in the season are no longer ranked.  The BCS computers has some crazy algorithms for ranking big 12 teams high. Even if OU loses they will probably be ranked ahead of us with 3 losses, may be in the human poles they may drop only a few spots behind  us...but in the final BCS poll OU may be ranked higher?

It will suck if LSU, OSU and WI all win and we are still not ranked 14th!

expect the best

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 11:24 AM | Only MSU or Wisconsin needs to lose (Score:1)
BS Preacher
BS Preacher's picture
Joined: 11/21/2011
MGoPoints: 13

According to this ESPN article

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/54347/oklahoma-state-making-strides

In order to be eligible to be selected as at At-Large team for a BCS bowl, a team needs to either finish in the Top 14.  However, if only one team from that conference finished in the Top 14 then a team only has to finish in the Top 18.  Since the loser of the Sparty Wisonsin game will almost certainly fall out of the Top 14 (unless perhaps it is a very very close game) then we will be eligible to be selected ... Thus advancing to the Sugar Bowl.  The point is, we don't even need to root for Sparty (Thank God).  With the standings exactly as they are, we have already qualified ... even if Baylor jumps us.    

Hold me closer tiny dancer!

Phi Delta Theta

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 11:30 AM | Or not .. (Score:1)
BS Preacher
BS Preacher's picture
Joined: 11/21/2011
MGoPoints: 13

Just saw that several others have posted that Schlabach is wrong about finishing in the Top 18.  Guess we do have some rooting to do.  How could he f*** that up this badly?  There is no way for him to equivocate what he wrote?  Is he just flat out wrong or is there some way that he could be "mistaken?"

Hold me closer tiny dancer!

Phi Delta Theta

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 11:28 AM | A 3-loss state team will not (Score:1)
Mengin06
Mengin06's picture
Joined: 02/02/2011
MGoPoints: 129

A 3-loss state team will not be ranked ahead of Michigan. I guarentee it. I think it's perfectly fine to root for Wisconsin in that game.

As long as Georgia loses to LSU we'll be fine.

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 12:16 PM | I tend to agree with ^^^^ (Score:1)
Lampuki22
Joined: 09/16/2009
MGoPoints: 766

Also, if you look at their two losses, MSU was essentially blown out by two teams we beat--one in a route (Nebraska).  That doesn't make up for their sound beating of us at home, but if they get beaten by two touchdowns at the hands of Wisconsin on a neutral field I think that voters will struggle to put them ahead of us at this stage in the season.   Wiscy and MSU both travel well enough to make them an attractive name for any bowl.  It's out of our hands and BCS bid over MSU would be a nice way to end the season but I can live with our 10-2 virtual miracle this year.

 

  • Login or register to post comments
November 28th, 2011 at 4:44 PM | Sugar Bowl Odds? (Score:1)
UAUM
UAUM's picture
Joined: 11/03/2010
MGoPoints: 1021

 

Mathlete, if you're reading this, do you have any statistical predictions on M's chances of getting to the Sugar Bowl (i.e., Georgia loosing, MSU winning, etc.)?

Many thanks again!

 

 

Your MGoLawyer in Columbus.  Unabashedly representing the interests of Wolverines all across enemy territory and now back hoMe.

  • Login or register to post comments
  • 1
  • 2
  • next ›
  • last »
Powered by Pressflow, an open source content management system
Theme provided by Roopletheme; sidebars adapted from Chris Murphy.