Sports Crossfire » BCS http://sportscrossfire.com/blog If it didn't matter, we wouldn't keep score! Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:54:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Economists Suggests BCS Delivers Through Better Matching http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/267/economists-suggests-bcs-delivers-through-better-matching/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/267/economists-suggests-bcs-delivers-through-better-matching/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:40:12 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/?p=267 Harvard Economists suggests the higher likelihood of competitive games has come from the BCS system mainly due to delayed matching of teams. Prior to the BCS, matches were often made via conference – bowl commitments along with early matching of independent teams. This unraveling of a market often delivers less than desired outcomes and has been largely eliminated during the BCS era.

This is not to say the current system is the ideal market clearing mechanism. It is just better than what we had. Their paper, “Unraveling Yields Inefficient Matchings: Evidence from Post-Season College Football Bowls,” is available for download [pdf].

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/267/economists-suggests-bcs-delivers-through-better-matching/feed/ 1 Big 12 in drivers seat http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/260/big-12-in-drivers-seat/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/260/big-12-in-drivers-seat/#comments Fri, 16 Nov 2007 23:39:13 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/260/big-12-in-drivers-seat/ With 3 teams vying for one of the two slots in New Orleans to decide the NCAA National Football Champion, the Big-12 conference is in an ideal position.  It is surprising considering where they conference ranked going into the season, but we all now know the pre-season polls are for the birds, especially of the jay hawk variety.  With Arizona’s upset of number 2 Oregon last nite, the field seem to have been narrowed to 5 teams, LSU, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Ohio State.  Hawaii and Kansas are the only two able to end the season with an unblemished record and the Rainbow State crowd will have to be content with a BCS game outside the Big Easy.

That leaves the lowly Big-12 and Big Ten looking at a possible pairing in the title game should the Tigers of LSU fall in one of the next three games.  An unlikely scenario, but this is an unlikely year.  I picked LSU and Oklahoma earlier this season and that seems to be as good a guess as any right now.  Oklahoma would be aided by beating and undefeated team in the conference final and does not want a rematch with Missouri, so they will be pulling for the Jayhawks to win two more before coming down from the clouds.  If that occurs and Texas and Missouri end with 10 wins, the computers will favor the Sooners and I suspect the human element will also.

In any event, all five need to watch their backs.  Is an upset awaiting LSU in Oxford??

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/260/big-12-in-drivers-seat/feed/ 0 BCS Big-12 Update http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/259/bcs-big-12-update/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/259/bcs-big-12-update/#comments Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:03:09 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/259/bcs-big-12-update/ With Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri sitting at 4, 5 and 6 in the BCS, the Big-12 is looking stronger across the board than it has in quite some time. In fact, if these teams can max out (Missouri and Kansas square off with the winner facing Oklahoma in the Big-12 Title Game) then the Big-12 has an excellent chance of sending a team to New Orleans. If Kansas enters that game undefeated against a one-loss Oklahoma team, then the winner will go to New Orleans. If two one loss teams battle that day, the victor will loose out to a one loss LSU and could find themselves missing out to Oregon with only one loss.
Of course, a lot of this depends on how well the rest of the conference holds up compared to the SEC and Pac Ten teams. Oklahoma needs Texas to win out and would likely do best by being the only team to defeat Kansas vs. beating a two loss Missouri team twice.
And it all starts this Saturday as Kansas continues to get deeper into the conference schedule. Oklahoma State shook Texas up and Kansas better bring their A game to keep the Nov. 24th showdown with Mizzou in tact.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/259/bcs-big-12-update/feed/ 0 The Curse Continues for Number 2 http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/258/the-curse-continues-for-number-2/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/258/the-curse-continues-for-number-2/#comments Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:27:32 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/258/the-curse-continues-for-number-2/ Putting the boogie man off a week, Boston College joined previous 2nd ranked teams in defeat. This time at the hands of Florida State 27-17. We are seeing parity across the college ranks this season as we have not experienced in a long, long time. The combination of strong defenses across the top teams without a dominating offensive line makes the statement, “On any given Saturday!” more truth than ever. Who is next?

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/258/the-curse-continues-for-number-2/feed/ 0 The hex of number 2 http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/256/the-hex-of-number-2/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/256/the-hex-of-number-2/#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:37:15 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/256/the-hex-of-number-2/ As top 10 teams continue to fall the number 2 spot seems to be the most likely culprit. USF fell to Rutgers last Thursday night and the Hoakies cannot fail to see the similarities as they host Boston College this week on none other than Thursday nite. In this week’s game of the week two top ten ACC powers meet with the winner likely to be in the ACC finals come December. The Eagle are ripe for a setback. They get it done with a 27-21 win in Blacksburg.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/256/the-hex-of-number-2/feed/ 0 Florida and LSU meet for the SEC Title http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/248/florida-and-lsu-meet-for-the-sec-title/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/248/florida-and-lsu-meet-for-the-sec-title/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:51:08 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/248/florida-and-lsu-meet-for-the-sec-title/ With a favorable home conference schedule, LSU, sporting the best defense in the country, will win the SEC title game on it’s way to New Orleans for the NCAA National Championship Football game.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/248/florida-and-lsu-meet-for-the-sec-title/feed/ 0 Oklahoma to win the Big 12 http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/246/oklahoma-to-win-the-big-12/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/246/oklahoma-to-win-the-big-12/#comments Sun, 19 Aug 2007 00:42:41 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/246/oklahoma-to-win-the-big-12/ While the South continues to dominate the North in Big 12 football, Oklahoma outlast Texas for the right to whip Missouri for the conference title.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/246/oklahoma-to-win-the-big-12/feed/ 0 BCS At Large Bids http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/251/bcs-at-large-bids/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/251/bcs-at-large-bids/#comments Sat, 18 Aug 2007 02:04:59 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/251/bcs-at-large-bids/ In the second year of the five BCS game format, the six conference winners will be joined by six at-large additions. This will include Florida, Texas, Wisconsin and California.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/251/bcs-at-large-bids/feed/ 0 USC Splits Pac-10 Title (again) http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/250/usc-splits-pac-10-title-again/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/250/usc-splits-pac-10-title-again/#comments Sat, 18 Aug 2007 01:57:17 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/250/usc-splits-pac-10-title-again/ USC is loaded and will have the opportunity to run the table and head to New Orleans to compete for the National Championship. The Trojans, seemingly invincible at home, have occasionally struggled on the road. Oregon State and UCLA were able to get it done last year, but think back to the Bush Push at Notre Dame a few year ago as well. Needing to go to Oregon, Cal and Arizona State to remain undefeated in the Pac-10, USC will have a tough time of it. We predict they will not make it and the title will be split once again. USC will be the BCS representative playing somewhat closer to home rather than bing in New Orleans as they would prefer.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/250/usc-splits-pac-10-title-again/feed/ 0 West Virginia outruns Rutgers and Louisville http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/249/west-virginia-outruns-rutgers-and-louisville/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/249/west-virginia-outruns-rutgers-and-louisville/#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:55:11 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/249/west-virginia-outruns-rutgers-and-louisville/ The Mountaineers rack up the ground yardage in route to the Big East title. Still looking for recognition as a major football conference, the Mountaineers will barely miss an opportunity to play for The National Championship.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/249/west-virginia-outruns-rutgers-and-louisville/feed/ 0 Penn State will win Big 10 http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/247/penn-state-wins-big-10/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/247/penn-state-wins-big-10/#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:42:41 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/247/penn-state-wins-big-10/ Attempting to shake off the “most overated conference” label, the Big 10 bangs away at each other and Division 1 AA schools in 2007 only to find Ohio State and Michigan falling behind Wisconsin, Penn State and Iowa as Penn State wins the conference title. A visit to New Orleans to play for the crystal football will elude the conference this go round.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/247/penn-state-wins-big-10/feed/ 0 Our ACC Champion Prediction http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/245/our-acc-champion-prediction/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/245/our-acc-champion-prediction/#comments Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:30:37 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/245/our-acc-champion-prediction/ Virginia Tech will win the conference. Florida State will surprise if not impress as they win the Atlantic Division and play for the title.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/245/our-acc-champion-prediction/feed/ 0 Coaches agree USC the best http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/244/coaches-agree-usc-the-best/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/244/coaches-agree-usc-the-best/#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2007 23:58:18 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/244/coaches-agree-usc-the-best/ The latest coaches poll have Pete Carroll‘s USC Trojans in the number 1 spot with the LSU Tigers second. They added Ohio State in place of Louisville and shuffled a few others with their top ten looking this way.
1 Southern California
2 LSU
3 Florida
4 Texas
5 Michigan
6 West Virginia
7 Wisconsin
8 Oklahoma
9 Virginia Tech
10 Ohio State

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/244/coaches-agree-usc-the-best/feed/ 0 The AP poll is out lead by USC http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/243/the-ap-poll-is-out-headed-by-usc/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/243/the-ap-poll-is-out-headed-by-usc/#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:49:05 +0000 Ricky http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/243/the-ap-poll-is-out-headed-by-usc/ The pre-season AP poll and every other poll we have seen picks the USC Trojans as the number one team in the country. The rest of the top 10 are:
2 LSU
3 West Virginia
4 Texas
5 Michigan
6 Florida
7 Wisconsin
8 Oklahoma
9 Virginia Tech
10 Louisville

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/243/the-ap-poll-is-out-headed-by-usc/feed/ 0 Bowl Layoff a Factor http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/235/bowl-layoff-a-factor/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/235/bowl-layoff-a-factor/#comments Tue, 09 Jan 2007 20:37:22 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/235/bowl-layoff-a-factor/ Florida outplayed Ohio State throughout the game. I could only believe the 50 plus day layoff had weighed heavily on the Buckeyes. Not sure that was the difference, but is was a difference and college presidents need to understand it and fix it.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/235/bowl-layoff-a-factor/feed/ 0 NCAA Football Championship – Florida Over Ohio State Big http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/234/florida-over-ohio-state-big/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/234/florida-over-ohio-state-big/#comments Tue, 09 Jan 2007 05:03:08 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/234/florida-over-ohio-state-big/ After Ohio State returned the opening kickoff (sans a holding call) for a touchdown, the Florida Gators’ defense took control holding the usually high powered Buckeye offense to one additional touchdown. Meanwhile, the Florida offense scored on 6 of 7 first half possessions and put up 41 on the Big Ten’s top ranked defense.

]]> http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/234/florida-over-ohio-state-big/feed/ 0 A December to Remember (coulda, shoulda, woulda) http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/233/a-december-to-remember-coulda-shoulda-woulda/ http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/233/a-december-to-remember-coulda-shoulda-woulda/#comments Fri, 05 Jan 2007 06:57:42 +0000 Dwayne http://sportscrossfire.com/blog/233/a-december-to-remember-coulda-shoulda-woulda/ Now that we have another week to wait before the NCAA Football title game, the full weight of what could have been hits deep in the belly of the college football fans.

Let’s go way out on a limb and put together a fourteen team playoff in order to use the games played during the bowl season.  Let’s line ‘em up and see what may have been a December to Remember!

NCAA First Round Games December 10, 2006 – Hosted by higher seeded team.  Ohio State and Florida get byes

Home              Away

Michigan         USC
Oklahoma        Boise State
Louisville        Wake Forest
LSU                Notre Dame
Wisconsin        Arkansas
Auburn            Nebraska

Second Round – December 17, 2006

Ohio State       Boise State
Florida             Wisconsin
LSU                Louisville
USC                Auburn

Semi-finals New Years Day Bowl Games (Consolation games get placed in other bowls)

LSU                USC
Ohio State       Florida

Other bowls

Boise State      Wisconsin
Louisville        Auburn

Final  held January 8th, 2006

Ohio State       LSU

Winner – you pick it.

Just look at the match-ups we would have seen.

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