Sunday, November 26, 2006
Getting Hosed Again By Trojans
Looking at this from as much distance as possible, I don’t know how USC can jump ahead of Michigan in the most recent AP and USA Today poll. Yes, I am more fan than outsider, but let’s take a look at the situation strictly from cold, hard facts.
Michigan had one loss, a 3-point loss to the Number 1 team all season, while USC also had one loss, a 2-point loss at Oregon State, which did not even finish in the Top 25. The teams had one common opponent in Notre Dame. While it’s true that USC gave the Fighting Irish a real pasting last night, they did so at home, winning by 20. However, Michigan also gave Notre Dame a good spanking, beating them by 26 AT South Bend. Which win is more impressive: a win by 26 points on the road or 20 at home?
There are those who say the Pac 10 is a stronger conference and therefore Michigan’s in-conference wins mean less. The pollsters don’t agree. The Pac 10 has two teams in the Top 25, No 2 USC – disputed, mind you – and No. 21 California. The Big 10 has three teams in the Top 7 with a combined record of 34-2. While both conferences had fairly weak non-conference schedules, the Big 10 still won 41 out of 52 games, a 79 percent winning percentage. The Pac 10 had far fewer games outside of their conference but still won 23 of 31 games – a 74 percent winning percentage. Once again, the edge goes to the Big 10.
I will grant that USC had quality wins over Arkansas and Nebraska and a final strong win over Notre Dame, but they looked pretty weak during a four-week string of three close wins over Washington State, Washington and Arizona and then a loss at Oregon State. Michigan was never seriously challenged in any win with the exception of a 7-point win at Penn State – once ranked 15th in the country.
Slade441 attempts to make good points but doesn’t have the research to back up his arguments as are displayed in this intelligently written report. He does make sense in one of his recent posts of keeping the old-fashion bowl game schedule, which would have pit Michigan against USC in the Rose Bowl. That is the only way to really settle which team is better and then the winner of that game would end up playing a one-game playoff against, presumably, Ohio State to determine the national champ. I would be in favor of that.
While I expect Michigan to get hosed in the near-term rankings, I do think they will end up ranked Number 2 following USC’s humiliating defeat in the Fiesta Bowl against the Buckeyes. I just may end up getting the last laugh on this.
Of course this isn't the first time USC snuck ahead of Michigan. Who could ever forget the cheating Charles White in his fake touchdown during the 1977 Rose Bowl? There can be nobody alive who doesn't remember that, right?
Michigan had one loss, a 3-point loss to the Number 1 team all season, while USC also had one loss, a 2-point loss at Oregon State, which did not even finish in the Top 25. The teams had one common opponent in Notre Dame. While it’s true that USC gave the Fighting Irish a real pasting last night, they did so at home, winning by 20. However, Michigan also gave Notre Dame a good spanking, beating them by 26 AT South Bend. Which win is more impressive: a win by 26 points on the road or 20 at home?
There are those who say the Pac 10 is a stronger conference and therefore Michigan’s in-conference wins mean less. The pollsters don’t agree. The Pac 10 has two teams in the Top 25, No 2 USC – disputed, mind you – and No. 21 California. The Big 10 has three teams in the Top 7 with a combined record of 34-2. While both conferences had fairly weak non-conference schedules, the Big 10 still won 41 out of 52 games, a 79 percent winning percentage. The Pac 10 had far fewer games outside of their conference but still won 23 of 31 games – a 74 percent winning percentage. Once again, the edge goes to the Big 10.
I will grant that USC had quality wins over Arkansas and Nebraska and a final strong win over Notre Dame, but they looked pretty weak during a four-week string of three close wins over Washington State, Washington and Arizona and then a loss at Oregon State. Michigan was never seriously challenged in any win with the exception of a 7-point win at Penn State – once ranked 15th in the country.
Slade441 attempts to make good points but doesn’t have the research to back up his arguments as are displayed in this intelligently written report. He does make sense in one of his recent posts of keeping the old-fashion bowl game schedule, which would have pit Michigan against USC in the Rose Bowl. That is the only way to really settle which team is better and then the winner of that game would end up playing a one-game playoff against, presumably, Ohio State to determine the national champ. I would be in favor of that.
While I expect Michigan to get hosed in the near-term rankings, I do think they will end up ranked Number 2 following USC’s humiliating defeat in the Fiesta Bowl against the Buckeyes. I just may end up getting the last laugh on this.
Of course this isn't the first time USC snuck ahead of Michigan. Who could ever forget the cheating Charles White in his fake touchdown during the 1977 Rose Bowl? There can be nobody alive who doesn't remember that, right?
# posted by Laz @ 1:57 PM 
Comments:
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After some quick research and hopefully I didn’t miss one this is what I’ve concluded. When USC played the following teams this is what their rankings were at the time they played. Nebraska 21, Oregon 20, Cal 15 & Notre Dame 5. So, USC played Four teams in the top 21.
Michigan played Notre Dame 3, Ohio State 1 & Iowa 23. Michigan played three teams while they were ranked in the top 23.
Conclusion is USC played more top rated teams. USC played #20, #15, #5 all in a row.
Michigan can’t complain because like any team wants, Michigan already had their destiny in their own hands. All they had to do was beat #1 Ohio State and they didn’t. That was their National Championship game and they lost. In my opinion, more convincingly than the score indicated. I’m sure Ohio State would prefer to play Michigan because they know they can beat them since they already had and by even more if they play the type of ball they are capable of playing.
Bottom line, Michigan blew their opportunity but with due respect they are one of the top teams this year. Remember though, USC still has to win a fourth straight big game this week.
Michigan played Notre Dame 3, Ohio State 1 & Iowa 23. Michigan played three teams while they were ranked in the top 23.
Conclusion is USC played more top rated teams. USC played #20, #15, #5 all in a row.
Michigan can’t complain because like any team wants, Michigan already had their destiny in their own hands. All they had to do was beat #1 Ohio State and they didn’t. That was their National Championship game and they lost. In my opinion, more convincingly than the score indicated. I’m sure Ohio State would prefer to play Michigan because they know they can beat them since they already had and by even more if they play the type of ball they are capable of playing.
Bottom line, Michigan blew their opportunity but with due respect they are one of the top teams this year. Remember though, USC still has to win a fourth straight big game this week.
We don’t pay attention to the polls. We can’t control the polls, we can only control what we do on the field. If the Rose Bowl becomes are destination we will be proud to play in it. If the polls send us somewhere else that would be fine also.
Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll
Are you talking about the same Charles White that was found drug enduced sometime in the last 15 years down in Watts, naked with a trash can top as a shield and a stick as a sword acting like he was Tommy Trojan?
On a serious note though. You say you might get the last laugh if USC plays Ohio State and the Trojans lose. Michigan would end up numer 2 assuming they win in the Rose Bowl. I wouldn't consider it a last laugh, I would just consider it the appropriate place for Michigan to finish. With that said, Michigan doesn't deserve another shot at Number 1 since they had their chance. If USC loses to UCLA and Florida beats Arkansas there is a STRONG argument that florida deserves there chance at the number 1 team, Ohio State.
But, when the Trojans beat Ohio State the final polls will read:
#1 Southern Cal
#2 Ohio State
#3 Michigan
#4 Florida
On a serious note though. You say you might get the last laugh if USC plays Ohio State and the Trojans lose. Michigan would end up numer 2 assuming they win in the Rose Bowl. I wouldn't consider it a last laugh, I would just consider it the appropriate place for Michigan to finish. With that said, Michigan doesn't deserve another shot at Number 1 since they had their chance. If USC loses to UCLA and Florida beats Arkansas there is a STRONG argument that florida deserves there chance at the number 1 team, Ohio State.
But, when the Trojans beat Ohio State the final polls will read:
#1 Southern Cal
#2 Ohio State
#3 Michigan
#4 Florida
I take it by your non response you must agree with me about my Trojans. We're Number 2, soon to be Number 1.....
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