JHendo

December 4th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^

And they lost that extra game.  For years everyone in the B1G has been complaining that we didn't have a conference championship game that gave us a little bit more recognition by having us play one week later in the season like other conferences.  Now that we finally have gotten a championship game, have we all forgotten that this extra game only helps out if you win it?  No matter how you slice it, a loss is a loss.

BlowGoo

December 4th, 2011 at 2:05 PM ^

And if, given the opportunity to make a statement to a national audience, they had WON that game, then they would have had the boost in stature, the elevation in standing, that they would have earned in demonstrating they were a team that does not lose when facing a decent team. And they would have demonstrated the attractiveness of seeing what other high profile teams they could beat, if given the chance.

But they didn't win. They had their national spotlight opportunity, and they lost.

Now they have the opportunity to demonstrate sophistication, class, and grace in looking forward to a non-BCS bowl, and pride in what they've accomplished.

Gee, I wonder what they're going to do with that opportunity?

The Baughz

December 4th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^

No those teams turned out to be not so good. FSU and Auburn proved to be way overrated. They did beat Va Tech at home and then again last night, which was very impressive. They also got smacked by S. Carolina who has no offense. With all that being said, I do like Clemson, they are fun to watch. Just a little inconsistent tho. 

brandanomano

December 4th, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^

Can somebody kindly tell me how the polls work with BCS rankings? This is confusing as shit to me. I know that all we need at this point is to be ranked 14th in the BCS, but how do they determine the BCS rankings?

Picktown GoBlue

December 4th, 2011 at 2:31 PM ^

1/3 of (percent of total votes you get in Coaches Poll)

1/3 of (percent of total votes you get in Harris Poll)

1/3 of (sum of the middle 4 computer polls divided by 100 - drop the highest and the lowest scores, where you get 25 points for 1st, 24 pts. for 2nd, etc.) - this is, in essence, percent of computer poll points

It does not matter what position number you are in the human polls, only how many votes you get.  But there is a correlation between these values :*).

PurpleStuff

December 4th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^

The Trojans eeked out wins over Minnesota (2 points), Utah (blocked game tying field goal on last play), and Arizona (7 points), in addition to pissing away a late lead against ASU.  Since the halfway point they have been a totally different team though, smoking ND (in South Bend), Cal, Washington, and assorted Pac12 chumps, winning at Oregon, and taking Stanford to triple OT.

michfan4borw

December 4th, 2011 at 2:36 PM ^

Published post-loss to Wisconsin: And, according to Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins, it's not.

"Michigan sat home tonight on the couch and watched us," the senior said shortly after the 42-39 defeat. "We played our hearts out — you saw it. I don't see how you get punished for playing and someone else gets to sit on the couch and get what they want.

"If this is the way the system is, I guess it's a broken system." 

 

Way I see it, there were numerous benefits and costs to restructing the conference into divisions.  Michigan's pairing with OSU ensures that both teams will face tougher schedules year in and year out.  MSU's guaranteed to play Indiana.  I like how Kirk cries about teh system but would likely sing a different tune had he won; he'd be praising how the system gets the correct result.  Meanwhile, Hoke and teams 132 and 133 continue to work. 

Wine Country W…

December 4th, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^

. . . but residual MSU anger might better be directed against OSU.  If Tressel had confessed his sins at the first opportunity last season, MSU likely would have ended the season in Pasadena, as it had the head-to-head tie-breaker with Wisky in a scenario where OSU vacated all wins.  That makes Dantonio's stubborn loyalty to Tressel all the more perplexing.  His so-called friend and mentor screwed him. 

WolverineHistorian

December 4th, 2011 at 2:50 PM ^

Don't you just love Kurt Cousins' logic?  You get praise for winning but you shouldn't get penalized for losing. 

If that were the case, why even play the game? 

Bo's teams in the early 70's were consistently 10 win squads ranked in the top 5.  Yet 5 of those teams stayed home on the couch while watching teams ranked below them play in bowl games because the Big Ten had the Rose Bowl or no bowl rule.  It could be alot worse, Kurt.  At least you'll still get to play in a bowl game. 

HAIL-YEA

December 4th, 2011 at 3:21 PM ^

turrible sparty logic is. I guess after we lost to them we should just cancel the rest of the season because nothing else should matter. Ignore the fact that you had a chance to win the conference and goto the RB, there should be no loser in that game I guess. It is really simple...3 losses means your out.

Its not some huge conspiracy. If you had beaten ND or NU then you would still be in the bcs picture. If MSU was eligable then Georgia and Oklahoma would still be eligable and they would still get left out. The constant whining by MSU players, coaches, and fans is pathetic. They whine Hoke won coach of the year..they whine UofM gets a BCS bowl..they whine Gholston got suspended and blame it on the UofM media and the B1G comish out to get them..they whine that the refs called the running into the kicker. I swear I can't turn on sports radio in this area without hearing MSU slappy hosts bashing UofM for MSU's failures.