National Championship Idea - Won't Work This Year, But ...
Vijay Ramanujan
If there is one team which has a better record than every other team in
the country, than they would be declared national champions by the NCAA.
Only 2 Criterion for them to meet.
1) At least 1 win over a ranked team. (Ranked at the time of the game?
Ranked before the bowls?)
2) At least six wins over Div 1-A teams.
If they don't meet the requirements, let them fall back to the polls.
Yes, somewhere along the line some pathetic team will beat six Div 1-A
weaklings and six other teams and be national champs, but that's the way
it is. It's better to beat a creampuff than lose to a powerhouse after
all.
Christopher Scurlock
Why won't it work this year? What about when there is not one team with the
best record? You are right, case in point: BYU deserved the title in 1984.
Jeff Billman
>In a previous article, jbi...@bgsuvax.bgsu.edu (Jeff Billman) says:
>>Technically, they could beat *5* weaklings, 1 marginally good team
>>(ranked, after all...) & six others. If that team were to take a
>>page from Bowling Green's mens basketball schedule, though, I wonder
>>if anyone could give the nat'l championship to a team with victories
>>over such names as Findlay and Defiance (no offense to fans of those
>>schools- Findlay, in fact, has a pretty good football program).
>I don't think there is any comparison here. Every game in football is
>precious, and it's hard to find an excuse for a I-A program scheduling I-AA.
It wasn't so much a comparison as an example of what teams a cop-out
football program could schedule. I agree- basketball's a different
story. But we're talking football, and any I-A team that would schedule
Findlay would have a tough time winning nat'l respect even with
the 12-0 = national title rule.
>I kind of liked having Findlay early on the schedule. It's a big deal for
>Findlay, and a tune up for Bowling Green (even though Bowling Green has
>managed to lose this game once in a while). And Bowling Green still schedules
>Big 10 teams that, if they can beat, should add to their crediblity. They
>beat Michigan State two years in a row, remember.
My thoughts- Scheduling as many of those teams (Findlay, Defiance, Detroit
Mercy) as Bowling Green does harms BG's Div I credibility. I believe 3
or 4 non-Div. I schools are on the schedule this year. I'd rather see
weak Div. I schools on the schedule, even if it means more travelling.
But I'm off-topic, so I digress...
>The way Alabama's playing now, it would be a fairly close game this year. I
>wouldn't sell short what Bowling Green is capable of two years from now. I
>can't find any reason to think they won't continue to improve. The winning has
>got to help recruiting, and Ryan Henry's back next year.
Agreed. I put the disclaimer in to appease the SEC woofers. Fact is,
Bowling Green can fit in any conference in the nation right now, coming
up with a .500 record at worst. Bowling Green has earned the upper-half
ranking most polls have given it these last four years. As long as
Blackney stays (and I have a hunch he will for a while), Bowling Green
can't help but improve.
And that recruiting thing almost makes you want to root *against* Ohio
State... :-)
>Part of this is a 'Bama flame, though. They have managed to play down to
>every team they have played this year.
I've noticed. Symptom of a mere rebuilding, or has the program given up
striving for the success of 1992?
>Do you have 1995 and 1996 Bowling Green schedules? I'm *very* curious. . .
Indeed I do, as well as non-conference opponents for '97 & '98. They
were included in the Homecoming game program last week. Unfortunately,
you caught me w/o them at the moment- I'll have to post them later. I
will tell you the 'Bama game is Aug. 31, 1996 at Alabama (Which stadium?
I don't know.) Also, Penn State is on the schedule for '98. [!] It
seems we're at least scheduling like a winner. [grin]
>There won't be a Vegas Bowl. From what I've seen posted, Big West officials
>are trying to set something up in Reno, which will still have a Big West team
>next year.
I've heard rumors, but I don't think anything's official yet. Did Las
Vegas C of C pull support of the Vegas Bowl? Again, I heard rumors this
was the case, but I never learned if this indeed happened.
>I'd like to see some kind of escape clause in the MAC-Big West contract
>that would allow an 11-0 Nevada or Bowling Green, with a win or two over
>solid teams, to accept an invitation to another bowl game.
I think double-locked bowl games are a bad idea. And that goes for the
Rose Bowl, too. I understand the justification for MAC vs. Big West-
otherwise, the victor of a hard-fought MAC race would be (quite literally)
left out in the cold come December. But I hate seeing games like the
Vegas Bowl get less national media attention than Div. I-AA quarterfinal
games. I truly believe that the best of both conferences deserve to be
Div. I-A, and I'd like to see a bowl system that reflects that instead of
a bowl game that seems more of a consolation prize to the participants
for trying to stay in Div. I-A. It's time both conferences had the
courage to set up their own open-ended bowl games. In the long run, this
could prove the answer to the no-respect problem.
>Granted, this would be bad for the Vegas-Reno-Whatever Bowl.
So be it. Then again, a Bowling Green team that beat Louisville in a
12-0 Liberty Bowl-winning season would be an excellent draw the following
year should they go 10-1 and qualify for the Nevada (?) Bowl.
--
Jeff Billman jbi...@bgsuvax.bgsu.edu Bowling Green State Univ.
**************************************************************************
Stupid Infomercial Quote: "Walking on broken glass is like life... it's
not fun if you don't know how to do it correctly."
Jeff Billman
[...]
>1) At least 1 win over a ranked team. (Ranked at the time of the game?
>Ranked before the bowls?)
>2) At least six wins over Div 1-A teams.
>If they don't meet the requirements, let them fall back to the polls.
>Yes, somewhere along the line some pathetic team will beat six Div 1-A
>weaklings and six other teams and be national champs, [...]
Technically, they could beat *5* weaklings, 1 marginally good team
(ranked, after all...) & six others. If that team were to take a
page from Bowling Green's mens basketball schedule, though, I wonder
if anyone could give the nat'l championship to a team with victories
over such names as Findlay and Defiance (no offense to fans of those
schools- Findlay, in fact, has a pretty good football program).
But I do like the idea. It gives teams in the Big West & MAC a fighting
chance at the national (mythical) title. BTW- With Bowling Green playing
Alabama in '96, do you think (in the wildly hypothetical scenario that they
might actually *beat* a 'Bama team enjoying an otherwise good season :-) )
that Bowling Green could get a first place ranking the old-fashioned way if
they go 12-0? Keep in mind BG would still be locked in the Vegas Bowl for
'96 (assuming there still is a Vegas Bowl then!), so Alabama will probably be
their only tough opponent if the shape of college football is what it
has been. BYU all over again... :-)
John Kohlstrand
In a previous article, jbi...@bgsuvax.bgsu.edu (Jeff Billman) says:
>>Yes, somewhere along the line some pathetic team will beat six Div 1-A
>>weaklings and six other teams and be national champs, [...]
>
>Technically, they could beat *5* weaklings, 1 marginally good team
>(ranked, after all...) & six others. If that team were to take a
>page from Bowling Green's mens basketball schedule, though, I wonder
>if anyone could give the nat'l championship to a team with victories
>over such names as Findlay and Defiance (no offense to fans of those
>schools- Findlay, in fact, has a pretty good football program).
I don't think there is any comparison here. Every game in football is
precious, and it's hard to find an excuse for a I-A program scheduling I-AA.
But in basketball, you get 23 or 28 games. There is room for one or two
98-pound weaklings. Everyone starts their schedule with a couple -- Big
10 teams are playing MAC teams, MAC teams are playing small colleges.
I kind of liked having Findlay early on the schedule. It's a big deal for
Findlay, and a tune up for Bowling Green (even though Bowling Green has
managed to lose this game once in a while). And Bowling Green still schedules
Big 10 teams that, if they can beat, should add to their crediblity. They
beat Michigan State two years in a row, remember.
>
>But I do like the idea. It gives teams in the Big West & MAC a fighting
>chance at the national (mythical) title. BTW- With Bowling Green playing
>Alabama in '96, do you think (in the wildly hypothetical scenario that they
>might actually *beat* a 'Bama team enjoying an otherwise good season :-) )
>that Bowling Green could get a first place ranking the old-fashioned way if
The way Alabama's playing now, it would be a fairly close game this year. I
wouldn't sell short what Bowling Green is capable of two years from now. I
can't find any reason to think they won't continue to improve. The winning has
got to help recruiting, and Ryan Henry's back next year.
Part of this is a 'Bama flame, though. They have managed to play down to
every team they have played this year.
Do you have 1995 and 1996 Bowling Green schedules? I'm *very* curious. . .
>they go 12-0? Keep in mind BG would still be locked in the Vegas Bowl for
>'96 (assuming there still is a Vegas Bowl then!), so Alabama will probably be
>their only tough opponent if the shape of college football is what it
>has been. BYU all over again... :-)
There won't be a Vegas Bowl. From what I've seen posted, Big West officials
are trying to set something up in Reno, which will still have a Big West team
next year.
I'd like to see some kind of escape clause in the MAC-Big West contract
that would allow an 11-0 Nevada or Bowling Green, with a win or two over
solid teams, to accept an invitation to another bowl game.
Granted, this would be bad for the Vegas-Reno-Whatever Bowl. But a chance
to beat a team in another bowl game would add to these two league's
credibility. East Carolina or Louisville will probably end up in the
Liberty Bowl. Picture Bowling Green in that game. That would be a good game
that would help the MAC's image, if only a bit.
>--
>Jeff Billman jbi...@bgsuvax.bgsu.edu Bowling Green State Univ.
>**************************************************************************
>Stupid Infomercial Quote: "Walking on broken glass is like life... it's
>not fun if you don't know how to do it correctly."
>
--
BOWLING GREEN FALCONS NC State 20, BG 15 BG 38, Cincinnati 0
91 Cal Bowl: BG 28, Fresno St 21 BG 45, Akron 0 BG 32, Ohio 0
92 Vegas Bowl: BG 35, Nevada 34 BG 59, Navy 21
94: 5-1, 3-0 MAC BG 30, E Mich 13
John Kohlstrand
In a previous article, jbi...@bgsuvax.bgsu.edu (Jeff Billman) says:
>My thoughts- Scheduling as many of those teams (Findlay, Defiance, Detroit
>Mercy) as Bowling Green does harms BG's Div I credibility. I believe 3
>or 4 non-Div. I schools are on the schedule this year. I'd rather see
>weak Div. I schools on the schedule, even if it means more travelling.
University of Detroit-Mercy (or UDM, as they call themselves) plays in a
fairly solid conference called the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. I
think Xavier is in the same conference, and I remember watching UDM beat
Xavier in the tournament last year on ESPN.
>
>But I'm off-topic, so I digress...
No doubt :-)
>
>
>Agreed. I put the disclaimer in to appease the SEC woofers. Fact is,
>Bowling Green can fit in any conference in the nation right now, coming
>up with a .500 record at worst. Bowling Green has earned the upper-half
I wonder. I think they could beat one or two teams in any conference. But
when I see what Purdue did to Ball State and Toledo...
Bowling Green is the Big West champion, obviously, if they play there. In
the WAC, Pac-10 or ACC, they are maybe .500. They are capable of knocking off
three or more teams in the Big-10, Big East and SWC, but those would be
tough conferences. Same probably goes for the Big 8. Bowling Green could
win this new conference (Tulane, Cincinnati, et al).
That's what I think anyway. I could be underestimating the Falcons. But its
so hard to really guage their strength. The only non-conference opponent
they've had from another conference was North Carolina State.
>ranking most polls have given it these last four years. As long as
Have they ever broken the top 25 during these years? I'm wondering (a)
what the highest BG has done in a poll lately and (b) if a MAC team has ever
been ranked higher than Ohio State.
>Blackney stays (and I have a hunch he will for a while), Bowling Green
>can't help but improve.
Agreed. But what gives you this hunch? I'd really like have some evidence
that he would stay.
>
>And that recruiting thing almost makes you want to root *against* Ohio
>State... :-)
The only thing keeping me rooting for them is the fact that, if they do
too poorly, they may try to steal Blackney.
My other half wants the Bucks to lose, badly. I'd *love* to see Bowling Green
get more votes in the polls than Ohio State. I work at a newspaper near
Cleveland, and the ugly stepchild treatment they give to the entire MAC is
just galling.
If Bowling Green beats Toledo and Michigan State beats Ohio State ... who
knows?
>
>
>>Do you have 1995 and 1996 Bowling Green schedules? I'm *very* curious. . .
>
>Indeed I do, as well as non-conference opponents for '97 & '98. They
>were included in the Homecoming game program last week. Unfortunately,
>you caught me w/o them at the moment- I'll have to post them later. I
>will tell you the 'Bama game is Aug. 31, 1996 at Alabama (Which stadium?
Ooops. That's the first game of the year. It sure would be nice if Bowling
Green could tune up against a Kent or Akron first :-)
I'm curious about the schedule, because I think Bowling Green is going to
knock off one of these teams soon, and I want to be there. When it happens,
I'll meet you at the goalpost. :-)
>I don't know.) Also, Penn State is on the schedule for '98. [!] It
>seems we're at least scheduling like a winner. [grin]
It got really ugly, the last time Bowling Green went to Happy Valley. I think
it was 1987 or 1988, and I think one team scored 70 points <gulp>.
>>I'd like to see some kind of escape clause in the MAC-Big West contract
>>that would allow an 11-0 Nevada or Bowling Green, with a win or two over
>>solid teams, to accept an invitation to another bowl game.
>
>I think double-locked bowl games are a bad idea. And that goes for the
>Rose Bowl, too. I understand the justification for MAC vs. Big West-
>otherwise, the victor of a hard-fought MAC race would be (quite literally)
>left out in the cold come December. But I hate seeing games like the
I sure wouldn't want to see the MAC champion bowlless, either.
>Vegas Bowl get less national media attention than Div. I-AA quarterfinal
>games. I truly believe that the best of both conferences deserve to be
>Div. I-A, and I'd like to see a bowl system that reflects that instead of
>a bowl game that seems more of a consolation prize to the participants
>for trying to stay in Div. I-A. It's time both conferences had the
>courage to set up their own open-ended bowl games. In the long run, this
>could prove the answer to the no-respect problem.
This is actually a good idea. Maybe the MAC could bring the Cherry Bowl back
from the dead.
Remember that? They only played two of them; both were at the Pontiac
Silverdome. I think Michigan State beat Army in the first one.
On the other hand, would MAC players practice as hard if they knew that the
prize at the end of the MAC season was a trip to *Detroit* and not *Vegas*
:-)
I wonder if a MAC bowl alliance with the new, six-team conference being set
up would add some credibility to the MAC.
>
>>Granted, this would be bad for the Vegas-Reno-Whatever Bowl.
>
>So be it. Then again, a Bowling Green team that beat Louisville in a
>12-0 Liberty Bowl-winning season would be an excellent draw the following
>year should they go 10-1 and qualify for the Nevada (?) Bowl.
At the very least, maybe ABC would show a Bowling Green score during the
halftime show before they show Ivy League scores. :-(