Fix the Fan Line

“If Utah and Boise State wind up as the only undefeated football teams in the country, then what?” - November 25, 2008

It’s difficult to say.  If you’re suggesting that either of those teams should play in the National Championship Game, please just pack your bags and go home.

I think it’s likely that Utah will get invited to a BCS bowl, but it depends a bit on how the rest of the regular season pans out.

Here is a worst-case scenario (for both Utah and the BCS):

Oregon State wins the Pac 10 and Missouri wins the Big 12.  That would mean that 4 of the 10 BCS spots would be occupied by teams outside of the Top 10 (thank you Big East and ACC).

With only 6 spots remaining, two of them would need to go to Penn State (Big 10 Champion) and the Alabama vs. Florida winner (SEC Champion).

That leaves four remaining spots, and it’s awfully tempting to take: USC, the Alabama vs. Florida loser, and a 2nd Big 12 team.

The leaves one BCS spot and I think Utah would claim it.

Penn State 46

Michigan 17

“If you look at all the fluff that Joe Paterno has on the schedule, it’s pretty hard not to have a decent season. Even though they will lose to Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin, his schedule is set up for a bowl game.” - August 31, 2008

Two down.

“For a team that was No. 1 in defense and offense in its division, Penn State lost the first half hands down. In fact, the way they played, they would have been taken to the cleaners by a lot of teams.” - October 20, 2008

Lost the first half, hands down…. by a final score of 17-14.  Penn State still ranks #8 in the country (#1 in the Big 10) in defensive yards-per-game.  Penn State still ranks #11 in the country (#2 in the Big 10) in offensive yards per game.

“I’m a Penn State fan but Ohio State’s offensive and defensive lines could be the difference in next week’s game. Michigan dominated the line of scrimmage for half of the game and they’re not nearly the team Ohio State is.” - October 20, 2008

Michigan did not dominate the line of scrimmage for half of the game.  Starting with 13 minutes remaining in the 2nd quarter, Michigan rushed for a total of 92 yards.  47 of those yards came in the final 2 minutes of the game, with score well out-of-reach for Michigan at 46-17.  Michigan was also sacked three times in that time frame, once for a safety.

“I’m watching the Penn State-Michigan game. Looks like Michigan left at halftime. That’s why Penn State is winning.” - October 20, 2008

Who told them to leave?  I’m aware that Rich Rodriguez has a bit of a history of calling it quits before the fat lady sings, but even he should know that games are 60 minutes long.

“Penn State is undefeated and still has not beaten a team currently ranked in the top 25. In fact, I wonder if any of the teams they’ve beaten have a winning record at this point. Don’t go beating your chests, Nittany Lions fans.” - October 20, 2008

Illinois is 4-3.  Oregon State is 4-3.  Three of Penn State’s last four games are against teams with the following records: 7-1, 5-3, and 6-2.

“Yes, Penn State fans. Whether you want to admit it or not, but the Big Ten is down this year. Penn State has a good team, but not a great team. You will find that out when you play teams outside the Big Ten.” - October 19, 2008

There aren’t too many opportunities for that, now are there?  At this point in the season, bowl games are the only non-conference games that remain.  Joe Paterno is a record 23-12-1 in bowl games.

“I see that powerhouse, Oregon State, is now 2-3. Just goes to show even a squirrel will find a nut once in a while.” - October 4, 2008

Squirrels always find nuts.  It’s what they eat.  It’s the blind squirrels that sometimes have trouble.

“Oregon State is not a creampuff; they’re from the Pac-10. They went 10-3 last year and won three bowl games the last three seasons.” - October 3, 2008

… and last night they gave Utah all that they wanted and more.  It took a last-second field goal for the Utes to survive Oregon State, 31-28.

“Isn’t it ironic that Penn State is ranked No. 6 and hasn’t beaten a ranked team of any decency? ” - September 30, 2008

“Mr. Play-it-Safe was afraid to fly…” - You’re having as much trouble with irony as Alanis Morissette.

To be honest, I see nothing ironic about it.  If you choose to completely discount PSU’s wins over Oregon State and Illinois, then you might find Penn State’s #6 ranking undeserved or inappropriate, but certainly not ironic.  I find it more ironic that Penn State’s two best wins, over teams that you consider indecent, have combined to:

a) defeat a team previously ranked #1 in the country, and

b) be the most decent team that #4 ranked Missouri has defeated in 2008 (a 10-point game).

“I cannot understand how Penn State jumped up to No. 6 after playing four cream puffs.” - September 30, 2008

Both Illinois and Oregon State are currently receiving votes in both the AP and USA Today polls.

Apparently, cream puff is the new cupcake.  The concept of polls and the ways in which teams can move up/down in polls is a difficult one for many of you to grasp.  I’ve tried to simplify this concept here.  Penn State was ranked #12 prior to the Illinois game and moved ahead of: USC, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, Brigham Young, and Texas Tech.  Four of those teams lost last weekend.  As I mentioned in Poll-Jumping 101, teams generally move down in the polls when they lose.  I also mentioned that teams can move up in the polls following impressive victories.  Penn State’s win over Illinois was impressive enough for voters to place them ahead of Brigham Young and Texas Tech.

“Oregon State, just another cupcake team. It has 47 freshmen and 24 sophomores and Oregon State will most likely have a losing record.” - August 12, 2008″

Uh-oh!!  That cupcake is bitter!!

Oregon State 27 - USC 21

“I am not a Penn State fan, and this cupcake thing has to stop. Penn State just played a team that is bigger in enrollment than themselves. They just played a good Pac-10 team.” - September 9, 2008

Time will tell the strength of Oregon State within the Pac-10.  So far, they’ve lost to Stanford prior to getting pounded in State College.

Regardless, Oregon State does not have a bigger enrollment than Penn State.  Oregon State has just under 20,000 students. Penn State has over 40,000 students at University Park, plus an additional 40,000 students at branch campuses, law school, med school, etc.

“Oregon State, just another cupcake team. It has 47 freshmen and 24 sophomores and Oregon State will most likely have a losing record.” - August 12, 2008

We’ll see. While Oregon State has a tough schedule this season, pre-season polls have them receiving votes… just outside of the Top 25.