• Do Bubbles Still Rise? - Subtle Changes in BCSLand

    by
    darvon
    Published on 10-26-2012 07:00 PM
    6 Comments Comments


    Subtle changes are afoot in BCSLand.

    Over the past several years, due to screaming from the fans and AMPLIFICATION by the media most D1A teams with undefeated seasons, with a "0" in the loss column bubbled up to the top of the BCS rankings by the end of the season, no matter where they started.

    In pre-BCS 1992 D1A undefeated Alabama was#1, undefeated Miami was #3, undefeated Michigan was #5, undefeated Texas A&M was #7, and undefeated Bowling Green was unranked.

    With the introduction of the BCS rankings, things started to improve.

    In 2004 at the end of the regular season, undefeated USC #1 played undefeated Oklahoma #2 while undefeated Auburn #3 was hosed out of the finals along with undefeated Utah #6 and undefeated Boise State #9. No undefeated were out of the top 10, but they all didn't go to the top.

    By 2009, things all came together and the 6 undefeateds for the Regular Season (including Florida which lost the SEC Championship to also undefeated Alabama) were ranked #1-6. Bama, Texas, Cincinnati, TCU, Florida, Boise State.


    But are things starting to backslide with the anticipation of the new rules and the mysterious "Selection Committee".

    As of Week 9 in 2012, the 10 undefeateds were ranked 1,2,3,4,5,7,11,15,16,24. Will the lower ranked undefeated have the good grace to lose, or bubble up? I don't think so. I think we are quietly starting to see the bifurcation of D1A into the Power 5 conferences and the Little 5 conferences, due to a lack of leadership from the NCAA to make the concept of "Division" actually mean anything.


    Wait until the Selection Committee gets here.

    Comments 6 Comments
    1. edave's Avatar
      Color me stupid but I'm not seeing a conspiracy here.

      The rankings seem to pass the smell test for this time of year except in the case of Ohio and maybe Boise State. Boise seems too high, Ohio is far too low. Remember that it took several seasons of terrific performance for Boise to finally get some attention from the various polls. I think Ohio is hurt by not blowing out crummy MAC teams like UMass.
      Reply
    1. Docta's Avatar
      Quote Originally Posted by edave View Post
      Color me stupid but I'm not seeing a conspiracy here.

      The rankings seem to pass the smell test for this time of year except in the case of Ohio and maybe Boise State. Boise seems too high, Ohio is far too low. Remember that it took several seasons of terrific performance for Boise to finally get some attention from the various polls. I think Ohio is hurt by not blowing out crummy MAC teams like UMass.
      ^ This.

      You're over-analyzing. Being undefeated doesn't mean as much if you don't beat anyone worthy. At least Boise blew out their opponents is the last few years.
      Reply
    1. darvon's Avatar
      Yeah but...

      TCU bubbled up without 5 years of beating on the door. I agree that The Powers That Be were sensitized to Boise and arent on Ohio. But the new rules are going to be the way to check Big East to Tier 2.

      I predict all of the Little 5 undefeateds will stay out of most of the BCS games and all of the playoffs. We will see if it raises any howls.
      Reply
    1. darvon's Avatar
      In 2006 by week 9 an undefeated Louisville was ranked 6, although Boise was 14 and Rutgers 16.

      Going to get interesting when an undefeated team is left behind for a 1 loss Power Champ.

      It probably won't be this year, but 2014 look out.
      Reply
    1. Docta's Avatar
      The 1-loss team from a BCS conference will deserve it more than an undefeated mid-major team this season. None of the mid-major undefeateds have won all their games outright.

      2 SEC, 2 Big 12, 2 Pac 12, 1 ACC, 1 B1G, and 1 Big East are pretty much the locks for BCS bids, which leaves only one remaining spot. ND will probably just end up getting it anyway.
      Reply
    1. NickMykita's Avatar
      I'm waiting for the media firestorm when Alabama, K-State, ND, and Oregon all finish unbeaten and the BCS picks Bama and Oregon for the championship. ND doesn't deserve a shot, but there are a lot of people out there who think they should because...well, it's Notre Dame.
      Reply