This will come down to Bama or Oregon - Oregon needs style points

[Targus]

Bama at 3 - .910 upcoming: Georgia Southern and Auburn
Oregon at 4 - .860 upcoming: USC and Oregon State

Strength of schedule:

3 Alabama A = 97.96 9 1 74.87( 20) 1 1 | 2 1 | 96.68 3 | 98.55 1

5 Oregon A = 95.28 9 1 73.59( 26) 1 1 | 2 1 | 94.95 4 | 94.80 5 BCS uses the elo class in bold

I found this as an example to compare what we could see if both Bama and Oregon win out:

As for what has happened in the past, folks act as if the subject of LSU and Alabama is unique and has never come up before.

2006:
1. Ohio St
2. Florida - one loss
3. Michigan - one loss

2008: (all one loss)
1. Oklahoma
2. Florida
3. Texas

In 2006, Michigan lost to Ohio State 42–39 in its regular season finale. Florida defeated Arkansas in the SEC Championship Game, and number 2 ranked USC lost to UCLA, leaving Michigan and Florida as one-loss teams who both claimed they deserved to play for the national championship against Ohio State. Many pundits denied that Michigan should get another chance to play Ohio State. Others claimed that this would only be a repeat of what happened in 1996 between Florida and Florida State, and that the two best teams should play even if they were from the same conference or if it was a rematch. Ultimately, the BCS National Championship was a meeting between Ohio State and Florida. A mere .0101 points separated #2 Florida from #3 Michigan. This small difference was a result of the human polls (USA Today's Coaches' Poll and Harris Interactive Poll) ranking Florida above Michigan while the computer polls had the two teams tied for second. In the end, Florida creamed Ohio State.


Gameday tweeted that Iowa State "officially caused chaos in the BCS"

This thing is up in the air, folks. Totally open. Bama has an argument if they win out, and Oregon has an argument. Bama played LSU better. Oregon won their conference and how can you send two SEC teams when one can't even win their conference - could anyone foresee a Stanford vs Oregon NC if Oregon didn't beat LSU - no, never happen.

So, here's my take. Win and win BIG. This will come down to needing two impressive wins (much like how we played Stanford) that grabs voters attention. Dominate USC and Oregon State with style - get the votes needed. Dink around and not win in convincing manor, and Bama goes.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=128&f=1423&t=8286301

 

[Targus]

If you follow some of the players via twitter - check out some of their tweets! LOL. They know exactly what's up.

Time to take care of Duck business with USC.
GO DUCKS!!!

 

[3RA1N1AC]

even if they just win out, prolly #2 final poll, not a bad season

 

[Natebishop3]

And this is why I think it's bullshit that they only dropped ONE SPOT after losing a week ago. Fuck that.

 

[Natebishop3]

We still have to get by USC and OSU. I'm not taking anything for granted. We're still a ways off before we can even start worrying about where we rank at the end of the season.

 

[Targus]

MSG+/Fox College Football Saturday with Petros Papadakis and Gary Barnett out of LA (I'm watching here in NY) both agreed that if Oregon has a strong showing vs USC, they should have the best opportunity to go to New Orleans. Wow. I have to assume they are part of the voting media --

Oregon's case is being heard. Now, it's up to the team to make it happen!

 

[ABM]

Thank You, Okie State! (with respects to Dinah Washington)

[video=youtube;OmBxVfQTuvI]

 

[ABM]

So, here's my take. Win and win BIG. This will come down to needing two impressive wins (much like how we played Stanford) that grabs voters attention. Dominate USC and Oregon State with style - get the votes needed. Dink around and not win in convincing manor, and Bama goes.

Pretty much what the ESPN pundits are saying this morning, as well.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

If we win out, to include the conference championship game, we should be a lock for the NC game. I don't think we need style points, just wins.

 

[Rhal]

Such an interesting situation. SEC has such a huge following that a lot of what i'm reading/watching is giving Alabama the edge because of how close they played LSU. The thing i'm liking about what i'm hearing for Oregon is that we are the most improved team, we played LSU game 1 with a huge amount of new players and Alabama played LSU after the team had already fully clicked. I really don't like SEC and to see a team that didn't win its conference in the BCS game would be horrible for fans that aren't of SEC but it would probably get the biggest TV ratings.

 

[ABM]

If we win out, to include the conference championship game, we should be a lock for the NC game. I don't think we need style points, just wins.

Assuming both teams won out, the Game Day gents are all predicting 'Bama (even Herbstreit, an obvious Ducks apologist), saying their defense (case) trumps Oregon's offense (case).

Although, Herbstreit trotted out the caveat that a NC game involving the Ducks would "be more fun."

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Assuming both teams won out, the Game Day gents are all predicting 'Bama (even Herbstreit, an obvious Ducks apologist), saying their defense (case) trumps Oregon's offense (case).

Although, Herbstreit trotted out the caveat that a NC game involving the Ducks would "be more fun."

Well, and maybe Alabama is a better team, but to not even win your division within your conference and going to the NC game is supposedly against what the BCS stands for.

 

[ABM]

Well, and maybe Alabama is a better team, but to not even win your division within your conference and going to the NC game is supposedly against what the BCS stands for.

True enough.

It's so unique, though, that the supposed top two teams in the country play in the same division.

Side note: 7 of the top 10 highest paid head coaches come from the SEC.

 

[ABM]

Side note: 7 of the top 10 highest paid head coaches come from the SEC.

Makes it tough when, during the recruiting process, a coach is faced with:

1) Marketing a team (i.e. Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks)

vs.

2) Marketing an entire conference (i.e. SEC)

The various SEC coaches have such a trump card in that respect. Not only are they the so-called top coaches in the country to play for, they're competing in a powerhouse conference. Talk about exposure! Hence, if they're not drawing the blue-chippers, they're certainly in contention to nab the 2nd-tier players, etc.

Hence, the conference continues to get better and better year-over-year. Pretty obvious to me.

I mean, could you "really" hear Chip Kelly telling a prospect, "Just think, son, you could be playing in the PAC-12!"

 

[Targus]

If we win out, to include the conference championship game, we should be a lock for the NC game. I don't think we need style points, just wins.

Well, you might be the only one. We're not #2. We need impressive wins. Wins that get attention and votes. Style points. We can't fall into the rut that countless other teams have found themselves in - and that is just winning without impressing the voters.

 

[Targus]

Gameday Crew - who I've heard other voters tune in to - seem to be lobbying for Bama.

We best win with style if we want a shot at this thing.

 

[STOMP]

even if they just win out, prolly #2 final poll, not a bad season

exactly. Why fret over what you can't control when either outcome (Rose Bowl or MNCG) is a sweet reward for a tremendous season? A Rose Bowl win would easily make this the greatest Duck season for me ever. It's like I want ice cream but Baskin Robbins is out of my favorite flavor so I have to get my 2nd favorite out of 30. I'm going to enjoy my ice cream and forget about what wasn't available. I'll come back for that favorite scoop later



STOMP

 

[Targus]

Nah. It's just FUN to talk about. You have to remember, some of us who have been going to games for over 30 years have had THREE years (including this year) where we get to discuss the opportunity to go the NC game - thus far its happen once.. So, I dunno about you, if I get the chance -- I'm going to talk about it, lol. I'm so pumped for either RB or NC. I'll have a blast either one.

 

[STOMP]

yeah, there is no way I can relate to your fan experience as I've only been going to games for 26 years. Thanks for straitening me out

talking about that game is fun, but reading posts it seems many are over loooking how green the grass is under their feet right now. While I was going to Oregon we would do Rose Bowl chants/calls at the first game of the year when we could. Winning that game always seemed a dream.

STOMP

 

[Targus]

Are you straight? LOL Because, I doubt it. Be sure to let me know if you continue to need straigtening. I'm here for you.

It's time for a big bowl win. This is the year. I'm with you. Be it Rose Bowl or Natty - I'm all in and ready. No one is really fretting. Just enjoying the ride and fun discussions - which would mean taking in the color of the grass, yo.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

we will see where most of the voters stand after this week.

if we win (and win BIG) over usc, while bama plays university of southern montana or whatever the fuck, we should really be able to jump them in the human polls...and that could very well switch the next week when the civil war goes down and they have a ranked opponent...

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Side note: 7 of the top 10 highest paid head coaches come from the SEC.

I wonder how many of the top 10 highest paid players are in the SEC?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

if we win (and win BIG) over usc, while bama plays university of southern montana or whatever the fuck, we should really be able to jump them in the human polls...and that could very well switch the next week when the civil war goes down and they have a ranked opponent...

Georgia Southern's no pushover; they're 9-1, and perennially one of the top FCS teams. Any voter who's paying attention will likely not punish them for a win today. Certainly should help us in the computer rankings, though. However, as far as next week is concerned, Auburn may not be ranked if they go down to the mighty Samford Bulldogs (whom they lead only 14-13 in the 3rd quarter).

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Georgia Southern's no pushover; they're 9-1, and perennially one of the top FCS teams. Any voter who's paying attention will likely not punish them for a win today. Certainly should help us in the computer rankings, though. However, as far as next week is concerned, Auburn may not be ranked if they go down to the mighty Samford Bulldogs (whom they lead only 14-13 in the 3rd quarter).

not saying they are a pushover, but for fucks sake alabama is favored by 44 points

 

[PtldPlatypus]

not saying they are a pushover, but for fucks sake alabama is favored by 44 points

If I were a betting man, I would have taken GaSo and 20, let alone 44. That line was stupid--most likely influenced by SEC bias.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Fuck style points, we just need the win.

 

[Targus]

Winning is great. Without it, we're not going anywhere. Voters are looking to be impressed and for style points when things are this close, so unless you don't care about getting to New Orleans, sure, screw style points.

 

[ABM]

Fuck style points, we just need the win.

Style points aren't even in the equation without a win. I agree with Targus. The Ducks need to win impressively for any hope of garnering that coveted #2 spot.

If the Ducks barely win (or even lose, then win next Saturday against the Beavs), then they can take their nice little consolation prize - The Rose Bowl.

 

[Targus]

Agree. If we put ourselves in the role of voters - who are supposed to be neutral (everyone has preferences/bias), when it's this close there is a natural mentality of, 'prove to me you deserve to be there'. For Ducks, that means getting attention through some dominate wins. Remember, we already played LSU and that Bama score looked a lot better than Oregons vs LSU.

Scrappy, close or flat games = 'no way I'm voting this team #2'. Dominate, high scoring and exciting remaining games = 'this is a different team from week 1 and they deserve to be there'.

ABM, you planning on hitting the bowl game?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Just beat the living shit out of the Trojans. Style points is for Dancing with the Stars.