UGA

By Matt in STL

October 16, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Chip, I don’t think it’s splitting hairs to say that the USC loss to OSU is worse than UGA’s loss to the second-ranked team in the Country. Also, jumping USC up there so high in a mediocre win against a Rudy Carpenter-less ASU team is, in my mind, ridiculous. They are now set to win it all by winning out in a horribly down PAC 10 - oh, and also by beating a very average Notre Dame squad.

By The Truth

October 16, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

The polls have been an absolute embarassment this year. The voters cannot make up their minds and stick to anything. They are all over the place. They are flip flopping like Presidential candidate. One week its this, the next its that. All the parity in college football is really making these nimrods look like they clueless windbags that they truly are. What good does a stupid poll do us when any team can win on any given Saturday? It is amazing to me that this fraudulent system continues to get exposed on an almost weekly basis and these pencil necks still insist on pretending that they know what they’re talking about. It is hilarious, in a laugh AT them sort of way.

The biggest thing that gets me right now is how much love USC is getting right now. When Georgia crushed ASU at their place there were still “question marks” about our team, despite the fact that we hadn’t even lost a game yet. We had traveled all the way accross country to play a BCS opponent, but nobody seemed to care. Yet, when USC traveled to ACC bottom dweller Virginia you would have thought they had beaten the Packers at Lambeau in January the way the freaking media was hyping that win. Then when the beat ASU in the comfy confines of the Colesium its a statement game. USC is back!!! Nevermind that they had already lost to an absolutely wretched Pac 20 creampuff, after a week off no less.

I mean I’m sorry but this is a blatant double standard. When confronted with this double standard the media and USC supporters will simply fall back on some unsubstantiated argument that essentially amounts to the following: “Just because”. Why is USC better than UGA? Just because they are. Why is USC ranked higher than UGA? Just because they are better. Round and round we go with the circular logic.

Playoff anyone? I’m game.

By JB

October 16, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Our pre season ranking of number 1 was a bone thrown to us from last year because we were pretty good and did a lot of whining because we didn’t get our shot. In most voters eyes, we are a pretty decent team that ought to win 10 games or so and finish 8 thru 12. I’m a true dawg fan, but we have looked sloppy most of the time this year. We have a chance to show we are better than this in the next month. It’s put up or shut up. We’ll see.

By Riley

October 16, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

USC Sucks Uga’s Balls!

By Kendawg

October 16, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

I agree with Matt in STL. The USC loss to OSU was a lot worse than UGA’s loss to ALA. Arizona State did not even have their QB at USC. And USC moves up in the polls. That just shows the bias that exists in the polls. The only thing to do is try to win out. Maybe somewhere along the way, the voters will decide we’ve played “somebody.” Journalists are so smart.

By dawgfacedboy

October 16, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

At what point does strength of schedule play a part?? Let’s just say for arguments sake the TT, BYU, USC, UGA, and Ok ST. win out. Who do you honestly believe should be ranked higher? It’s no contest-UGA. USC will have had 1 quality win in beating OSU- who plays in the pitiful Big 10. THe other 3 will have beaten 1 ranked team between them.

It’s pointless to get to hyped about the rankings now. Wait till the season plays out.

Until there is a playoff….oh who am I kidding. There will never be one.

By Coaches Know Best

October 16, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

I agree the coaches’ poll is more realistic. And it is fair.

If Georgia wins the upcoming games against ranked teams they will advance, without any doubt. They have only the one meeting against Bama and they lost.

The reason USC is ahead is due to the two wins against then ranked #5 OSU, and Oregon when they were ranked in the Top #25.

By Gary

October 16, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

I don’t think we’ll get the respect we want until we beat LSU and Florida. It starts this week with a big win over Vandy. I don’t think we move up with a close win here, but a win is a win. Beating LSU there should make some noise, but perhaps not as much now since Florida showed them up. The win we have to have to convince pollsters is over Florida. Apparently their loss to Ol Miss didn’t count as much as ours to Alabama. I haven’t quite figured that one out yet, but the Dawgs destiny is in their hancs. Win out and the pollsters will notice and put the dawgs where they belong, in the NCG!

By Howard

October 16, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

The media wants…no they covet…a Pac-10 versus Big-10 matchup for the BCS title game. Hence that is why USC was not dropped very far when they lost to Oregon…that is also why Penn State is rated so high…and Ohio State is still within sniffing distance at #12. These three teams play in woefully weak conferences with NO conference title game. What are the odds of USC losing any more? Of Penn State losing at all? And notice that if Ohio State would upset Penn State, then they would be bumped way up in the top five or six also. Take this to the bank…the odds of the SEC and Big 12 reps in the top ten going undefeated are damn tough!! So voila…in Miami, you will see over-rated Penn State and their old crotchety moron Joe Paterno and “Pretty Boy” Pete Carroll and his Hollywood boys playing for the national title!! SEC and Big 12 will be shut out…unless some team runs the table and goes undefeated!!!!

By murfdawg

October 16, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Who cares? It is a beauty contest and a popularity poll. How else do you explain OSU and SoCal? The SEC and the Big 12 are the only two conferences that decide the issue of who is the best. After Dec6, the only argument would be which conference champ is better. Rating 25 teams is pure sportswriters foley. We decide who is the best in the SEC on the field and rest of the nation can argue and vote in meaningless polularity polls to justify rating a team. Again,who cares?

By Larry M

October 16, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Chip, Should we just resign ourselves to never getting a practice update again from the AJC????

By USA poll ridiculous

October 16, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

No media member or coach should be voting. They can’t watch all the games by Sunday. If they want to vote, wait until Wednesday when they’ve had a chance to watch the games. And ESPN highlights don’t count unless you love Big 12 quarterbacks, OSU and all things USC.

By Wally Butts

October 16, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

Good Grief!

Everyone in the whole world knows this except Dawg fans.

Georgia Sucks!

Let the Big Dawg READ! - Jan Kemp, 1986

By BYU Fan

October 16, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

BYU has a top five ranked scoring defense.

Georgia can’t really brag about defense after Alabama hung over 40 on them at home.

We will see at the end of the year, the final poll is all that really matters.

By timthebrave

October 16, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

We need to prove it on the field. A zero or one loss winner of SEC will play in the national championship game over USC. That is a long road ahead. They still need to have a playoff system.

By MVP

October 16, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this

Chip do you and Mutt Nation need some cheese with that whine? Who has Georgia beat? Nobody! Eat your crow and shut up.

By Darrion

October 16, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Does anyone remember how much praise USC got for traveling across country to play Virginia? Does anyone still think that USC played a quality opponent in week one. Bottom line is this: Pollsters are in love with USC and a few other college programs while other programs need to really shine to get respect. I agree that UGA has not looked overly impressive so far this season but if they take care of business in the coming weeks, they will get their due. We have got to quit worrying about the polls in Sept. and Oct. All that really matters is the final poll. And if we had come to play in the blackout, we would not even be having this conversation.Hopefully the Dawgs will get their act together and Hunker down for the rest of the season and maybe we will get another shot at Alabama in the SEC Championship!! Go Dawgs!!!!

By Athens

October 16, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

BYU has no business being ranked ahead of any SEC team

By willwc

October 16, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this

The reason why UGA hasn’t shot to the top of the polls is due to the lack of a real big win and the nature of their one loss. Arizona State is now 2-4 and unfortunately has failed to be shining jewel of OOC play that they were expected to be. Tennessee is brutally bad this year, and even they held their own against Georgia (without ever really challenging for the win). South Carolina is the best team they’ve beaten so far, but a 14-7 win over a team that is unlikely to even sniff the top 25 this year doesnt count for a whole lot. Add in Alabama’s blowout (the final score was far closer than the game was—don’t delude yourself) on national TV, and it’s not hard for an objective person to see why there’s skepticism over UGA’s profile.

The good news? If you beat Vandy, LSU, and Florida, you’re virtually guaranteed a top 5 spot. The pollsters have seemed much more willing to reward “big” wins this season than usual, and as soon as UGA has one, you can quit whining about the rankings and go back to complaining about Michael Adams or something.

Also, I agree that USC is being a bit overrated (especially at #4 in the coaches’ poll), but they have a close loss to a mid-level conference team (very similar to, say, Florida-Ole Miss) and four blowout wins against BCS teams, two of them coming against teams that were ranked going into their games (Ohio State and Oregon). The Oregon State loss is a stinker, but the results over five games tend to suggest that it was the exception for them, not the norm.

By Buckhead Dawg

October 16, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

Darrion is completely right. Chip, we should not be worried about the polls right now. We will get our due if we can handle our business in the next couple weeks. Can you please tell us more about what’s going on in practice this week and how we are going to handle Vandy Saturday?

By WE ARE USC

October 16, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this

I don’t think the Southern Cal fans can hear the roar of the UGA fans complaints. It might be because the 2 NC’s they have won since 2003 are muffling the crying. You complain about the press bias, well, the coaches have them ranked even higher.

The Truth?

No it’s not just because they are better, THEY ARE BETTER because, USC has defeated both the teams the faced that were ranked in the Top 25, while Georgia lost to the only ranked opponent they have played. It’s because USC shut out ASU, while the Sun Devils scored more on Georgia and less against the Trojans. (O’ by the way ASU’s #1 RB sat out the game against UGA). USC did lose an ugly game to Oregon State but they came back and were in position to win in the 4th quarter, until the interception and muffed OSK, while Georgia was never in the game against Bama (just for your info, your 10 point loss to Bama was by more points than any game USC has lost in the past 6 1/2 years, and those losses are few and far between, the Trojans had a 30+ game winning streak)

USC has one of the top ranked defenses in the NCAA and may still be the top ranked scoring defense. They have held their 5 opponents to a total of 41 points (average <9 per game), while the Trojan offence has scored 186 (average 35 per game). Their margin of victory averages 29 points.

Now you can start the “because we play in the SEC crap” excuses. The Trojans are undefeated against SEC opponents this century.

WE ARE USC

FIGHT ON

You complain about the press bias, well, the coaches have them ranked even higher.

By Chris

October 16, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Great article Chip! I completely agree that Georgia should be higher than byu ok state and texas tech. I haven’t figured out all year why BYU is even being talked about. If there is anyone of those voters who honestly believes that BYU could beat ANY of the top 10 teams, they don’t deserve their jobs. All this BCS buster crap is starting to get old.

And as for the USC vs UGA argument. That could have been settled in the Rose Bowl last year as it should of been, if it wasn’t for the retarded selection committee who wanted to keep the tradition of pac 10 vs. big 10. it should of been illinois playing hawaii and UGA playing USC in the Rose Bowl. Dawgs just need to keep on winning. Apparently that is all we can do to get any kind of respect. don’t understand how usc and florida can jump up so high. what are they doing that we aren’t to get that kind of respect?

By Red Dawg

October 16, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

For goodness sake who really cares???????? Who ever wins the SEC will be in the big game even if they have a loss. I love the Dawgs but they don’t have a quality win yet…The USC win is border line at best. If UGA runs the table (I don’t think they will) they will be in over anyone from the PAC 10 or a one loss team from the Big Ten. The only team that has a great shot to go undefeated is Penn State. If they don’t the NC game will be the SEC winner vs. the Big 12 winner. Quit b*tching about the polls and win and look good doing it which is something we have yet to do!

By Chris

October 16, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Who has USC beaten??? Please don’t say Ohio State ‘cause you know they are not a good team. fact is this, UGA still has been more impressive than USC based on the quality of opponenets they have beat. Any argument against that is flat out ridiculous

By Howard 's a Goober

October 16, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Howard that week all the teams ranked in the top 10 that lost, USC and Georgia included dropped 8 spots in the polls. Georgia followed it up with a average performance against an below average Tennessee and USC destroyed #20 Oregon 44-10. Perhaps you would like some cheese with that whine..

By spotts

October 16, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

I hate how Oklahoma loses to #1 Texas and is ranked 4th, USC loses to unranked Oregon State and is ranked 6th, and Georgia loses to #2 Alabama and is ranked 10th! Apparantly strong histories are included in the polls.

And don’t get me started on BYU (I’ll give the other unbeatens in the top 10 some credit because they play in a tough conference). Does anybody really think that BYU can compete with any of the teams in the top 10? BYU vs. USC? BYU vs. Oklahoma? BYU vs. Florida? Really?

By Ron

October 16, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

I am a loyal DAWG fan, but if we dont make it to the SEC championship game and win the polls dont really matter. Right?

By -Polls are Pitiful--

October 16, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

BALL STATE?…what a reach.

By Ben

October 16, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

I have no problem with an undefeated team being ranked ahead of a one loss team. Georgia probably would beat Texas Tech, Oklahoma State or BYU, but those teams still have chances to validate their ranking. I don’t see any team going undefeated, so it’s inevitable those teams are going to lose. When they do, then we can break down who’s more deserving of a higher ranking. So it’s too early in the season to start breaking down strength of schedule. We should at least wait until a week or two into November before we start comparing teams’ resumes.

By Buzziswiser

October 16, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

With a 6-3 record after Florida, UGA should be somewhere between 19-23 and then the comparison will be against Wake and Ball State as who should be higher.

By Right back at ya Chris

October 16, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Who has Georgia beat? Don’t say Bama they spanked the Bull Dogs. You haven’t played any other ranked teams. You beat ASU, by less than USC and they scored on you, USC SHUT THEM DOWN. Tennessee? Didn’t the kids across town (UCLA) beat them?

I tell ya what, BEAT SOMEBODY then we’ll listen.

We expect to be the hot topic on UCLA fan blogs; they love to whine about Trojan dominance, who knew that we are the #1 topic on UGA blogs.

Maybe if you can manage to get yourselves into the title game we’ll see ya there, this will make our 4th, and we may be 3-1 with some luck.

By GA DAWG 47

October 16, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Chip I have always enjoyed most of your blogs. Its true that the Dawgs have been screwed yet again by this thing they call a poll system. I dont understand how USC who lost to an unranked Oregon State and Florida who lost to an unranked Ole Miss team can jump the Dawgs in the poll. I mean give us a break. We lost by 11 points to the #2 team in the nation for Christ sakes. Does this not mean anything to the voters? What do they base there votes on? I guess the voters have different critical thinking skills, but it only takes common sense. Well I guess its nothing short of last year. Getting jumped in the polls when you dont even play. I just hope one day the Dawgs will get the respect they deserve.

Gooo Dawgs….Sic Em!!!!

By Dawg4Life

October 16, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

All that matters is the SEC Championship. If UGA makes it to that game and wins, then they should be in the NC game. Tough road ahead, hope the boys are ready. According to TMoore, it is the celebration in the endzone that is causing UGA to be ranked 10th… That guy is a turd stain… Buzziswiser- Talk about records when you guys can score more than 10 points on an all women’s college. You too are a turd stain….

By TELL THEM THE BAD NEWS CHIP[

October 16, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

If the BCS poll (the one that counts) were released today here’s what top 10 would look like.

1-Texas
2-Alabama
3-Penn State
4-USC
5-Texas Tech
6-Oklahoma
7-Oklahoma State
8-Florida
9-Utah
10-Georgia

LET THE CRYING BEGIN!

By George

October 16, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Honestly are you an idiot??????? All three of those teams do not have a loss and the dawgs got blown out of the stadium AT HOME. It is pretty simple. Not to mention two of those teams play in the best conference in the country this year. Just continuing to prove my point day after day that the dawg nation is the most pathetic whining group of fans in the entire nation. Cant wait to hear yall b*** and moan when you dont make it to the national championship game with at least two prob three losses.

By CKDawg65

October 16, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Great topic to get everyone’s blood pressure up on October 16. Bottom line…if we want to play in and/or win the MNC, we have to win the rest of our games. If we do that, I am 99% sure we will be in it. If we do not do that, the rankings really have no impact on what happens, do they? Let’s just enjoy the ride…the team is starting to gel and despite the injuries will be a factor in this whole equation I can promise.

By AltamahaDawg

October 16, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

The SEC championship game is the only goal. THEN you worry about anything else.

By NotaAtlantafan

October 16, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

SEC are the most delusional fans in the country. News flash folks the SEC is average this year, and you will find out come bowl time.

By PAUL3084

October 16, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

I believe the reason Fla. is ranked higher than UGA is due to the simple fact that the wins they have this year were dominent. They played sloppy against Ole Miss but their wins looked really good. However, If we beat Fla and LSU and everybody left on our schedule it won’t matter anyway. I am not all about running the score up, however, I want to see smooth execution inside the redzone that leads to more touchdowns and less field goals. We should have easily scored 40+ against the vols and Arizona State and don’t get me started on the Alabama game.

By Left Coast Losers-(none undefeated)

October 16, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

THE CALIFORNIA BEARS are the only decent team in the PAC 10, and they lost to Maryland…The Trojans are Terrible.

By NotaAtlantafan

October 16, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

By Chris

October 16, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this

Who has USC beaten??? Please don’t say Ohio State ‘cause you know they are not a good team. fact is this, UGA still has been more impressive than USC based on the quality of opponents they have beat. Any argument against that is flat out ridiculous ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Chris besides being a homer, you are flat out stupid. USC has played a much more difficult schedule than the Dawgs. You have not played anyone, and USC win over OSU is a MUCH better win then anything you have. Right now if OSU played the dawgs, my money is on OSU. You are a @ssclown Chris!

By Bright Side

October 16, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Look at the Bright Side Dawgs. You,, well sh!t there isn’t a bright side. No BCS bowls for you. Can you say, Music City Bowl? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

O

By 82DAWG

October 16, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Just win the SEC Championship game, that is the only game that matters. The rest is all a beauty contest. We have a lot of progress to make before we are even ready to approach that. It is absurd to talk about a national championship right now with the way this team has been playing. Other fans have a right to say we are dillusional and whiney to be complaining about being #10 and still demanding our right to play for a national championship.

I suggest we worry about Vanderbilt. That is task at hand and it will not be easy.

By getbackontheshortbusweareusc

October 16, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

We Are USC,

Please post no more here. How dare you even insiuate that a top ranked offenive ranking or defensive ranking means anything in the big picture of college football.

None of the top ranked offenses play the top ranked defenses and vice versa…especially in the crap 10! The SEC is too evenly matched to have any one team with the breakout stats that you need to lead the nation in any statistical category.

Better to be 4th in the SEC than 1st in the crap 10.

I wish UGA could play a single year in the crap 10…where we could fall asleep for at least one game every year and still make it to the NC game. The same team we have now would allow fewer points (w/ Martinez!) and scores more than USC with the same schedule…we could open every game as poorly as we did against BAMA and we are still undefeated!

USC on the other hand ranks just behind Ole Miss if they play an SEC schedule.

Rock out with you ?ock out!

By KneeJerk

October 16, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Does the whining ever end? Lame joke about stuffing the bra, Chip. Surely you can do better…maybe not.
I’ve explained why UGA’s loss is worse than USC’s on other blogs…I’ll try again. USC was UPSET by Oregon State. If those 2 teams played 10 times, USC would win 9. Georgia at home, wearing pretty black jerseys was BEAT DOWN by a Bama team. If those 2 teams play ten times, Bama wins at least 7. And stop blaming Penn Wagers for your lack of discipline. Stop with the whining and excuses.

By jfergNCdawg

October 16, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

Chip, I’m ok with the polls right now. You can definitely say USC and UGA should be interchangeable in the polls…but people that are unbeated are having great seasons. It will work itself out. OK ST will lose to OK and probably another team. SO, they’ll drop. As will TexTech.

Georgia fans, me included, cannot say anything about polls. And we sure as hell ought to stop whining to national media about it. If we win, our ranking will reflect that. If we had beaten Bama, we’d be #1 or #2. If we win out, we’ll probably be top 3. So…dawgs, win or shut up. The polls are the ultimate “Prove It” system. We need to prove it.

By steve

October 16, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Chip, why is it that this becomes an issue now? When UGA was ranked #1, did anyone do this same blog? UGA is definitely a good team this year, but their #1 ranking came on the heels of them beating a lousy Hawaii team in the BCS last year. Does that make any more sense than the polls do now?

By David

October 16, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

DAWGs- But have you beaten anyone in the Top 25? Let me see GA SOU, CEN MICH, TN, SC, AZ ST…Nope none of them there. The fact that Vanderbilt is 22 is a farce…got beat by MS State a team that GT plastered. Please play somebody and win and then complain and whine…Gee and wonder why no one likes you…1) Showing no class by excessive celebration against FL 2) Tearing up Auburns field in 86 3) Whining about this 4) Whining about that

By KneeJerk

October 16, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

shortbus, that was horrible. you would finish 2nd in the PAC 10

By Jake

October 16, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Stop fretting. BYU will lose tonight and Oklahoma State and Texas Tech both have at least two losses coming their ways. Take care of business at home and you don’t need to woory about it.

By UGAfansegosareasbigastheplayersrapsheets

October 16, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

This is the stupidest article I’ve ever read. First of all, the polls are not necessarily about who would beat who. Past performance, and wins and losses, does matter. If you have three losses because your starting QB was out, you will still be unranked, even if you are the best team in the country when your QB returns. Secondly, Oklahoma State’s D is quite good. They did a remarkable job against the country’s best offense. Finally, UGA’s best win is over an unranked South Carolina team. What was supposed to be a big win for your program (at Arizona State) now looks like nothing. By the way all of you USC haters, USC dominated ASU a lot more than UGA did. You lost to the only top-tier team you’ve played, and lost badly at that. Win a couple of quality games and this won’t matter because the rankings will catch up.

By Jeremy

October 16, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

Hey Chip…I think that Stewart Mandel is absolutely right in his rant. The polls and BCS standings do not mean a thing until December. I don’t see a good reason to sweat any of the teams ranked ahead of UGA right now. Everything comes out in the wash at season’s end…to a point. If UGA proves that the Bama loss was a fluke by winning out and probably beating Bama the second time around in the SEC Championship Game, then the polls will definitely acknowledge and reflect that. But we have been ravaged by injuries this season and so the odds are against us from here on out. That’s no excuse, it’s just a fact and if we lose again, it will be because the other team was better than us, not because we had a bunch of guys hurt. Just like when Alabama beat us, they were the better team than us and that’s why we lost. Lest we forget, every team has guys out hurt….and Bama spent the offseason cleaning out the immature guys who wanted to act up from their team (much like UGA did). So they have a depleted roster as well…but they have gotten the job done so far and UGA has not. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. Just like we learned last season, if UGA really wants respect and a shot at the title, the formula is a simple three-letter word…WIN.

By SECfansarewhiners

October 16, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

To getbackontheshortbusweareusc,

First of all, way to open with a classy joke about individuals with learning disabilities. Good start! Secondly, Shakespeare, Crap 10 doesn’t rhyme with Pac 10, and even if it did, it certainly isn’t witty enough to justify a triple repetition in your poorly conceived rant. Finally, going out to all others, I love the hypocrisy of SEC fans. When USC loses to a lesser Oregon State team, they lost to a crappy team, and are overrated, but when Florida loses to Ole Miss, the conference is simply ‘balanced.’

By BankerDawg

October 16, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

I think Mandel is dead on in the link you provided, Chip. We need to stop the whining.

Our best win is a seven point victory at home against South Carolina….other than that what have we really done…yet?

I have seen no evidence to suggest that we would win a netural site game against BYU, Texas Tech, or Oklahoma State this year, and as they are all undefeated, it seems logical that they are rated above us. I’m not sure what our problem is in understanding where we are.

As others have said, we simply need to take care of business, get better each week, win out, and we will be exactly where we want to be….in the BCSCC.

GOOOOOOOOO DAWGS! SIC ‘EM!

By Hey Short Bus

October 16, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

Please speak up a little; I think our National Championships are speaking mush loader than your Georgia Blues (bit@hing).

WE ARE USC

FIGHT ON

By KnowshonHauls

October 16, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

I’m a huge Dawg fan, but we have to be honest for a second here. We have 13 injured players, 7 of which are starters. Our pass coverage is terrible, our offensive line is weak, and Stafford acts like he doesn’t even care. We will lose to LSU and Florida. We will be ranked low going into next season, but we will be BACK for the SEC title run. I guaran-dam-tee it.

By blue

October 16, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Dawg fans last year griped about not being in the NC game, despite the fact that you blew it by NOT taking care of business against Tennessee. This year, you all were griping about being dumped from #1 without losing a game. Now the griping about where you are ranked after being manhandled by AL (and don’t go into “we only lost by 10”; you were manhandled). I have an idea; start taking care of business on the field, quit having lapses on the field…and you will be ranked appropriately. Until then…quit your damned whining. You ALWAYS have an excuse, but each year you fail to do what you need to do. PS…since you all LOVE to tell us what is going to happen, I will tell you that you will lose at LEAST one more game, so it really doesn’t matter where you are ranked right now, does it?

By hey jfergNCdawg

October 16, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

…”You can definitely say USC and UGA should be interchangeable in the polls”…

You could say that, but you would be a

F-ING TARD, a CLOWNA$$ F@CKTARD.

By blue

October 16, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Also curiously funny as to how “Dawg” fans will say, in one breath, “USC acts like UVA was a quality win and it is now evident that UVA is a lower tier team”, and then in the next breath they will say “we went and took care of AZ State”, which is a team that is now 2-4. How about making a little sense?

By reality check

October 16, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Chip, where was Georgia ranked this time last year?

Lots of football to be played before anybody should give a rip about polls

By ryan

October 16, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

a short answer to your question: no. you do not rank a team ahead of another based only on who you think would win. a lot has to be based on your record. 1 loss vs. undefeated has a ton to do with it. i bet there have been about 100 3 loss sec team ranked below 1 loss mac teams that they would crush head to head.

By OG

October 16, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Ger real folks. Get more than a close win over anyone with a decent team and we’ll talk top 5.

By ga_tech_92

October 16, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

This pretty much explains it all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD9U0BJ2LFo

thank you for shopping

GO JACKETS!

By elvisdawg

October 16, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Being a sports writer for The Atlanta Journal Constitution — So easy even a caveman can do it. See Mr. Moore.

By Sven Ottke

October 16, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

Chip, you aren’t a journalist. You are an apologist. Seriously, you are a bigger homer than Munson was. Pathetic.

By Eric A Dawg Fan

October 16, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

The Polls have been an embarassment last year, and it is an embarassment this year. While I understand that Oklahomas State is undefeated, and Brighman Young, they still should not be ranked over the DAWGS. The DAWGS have a very tough Strength Of Schedule. It’s just a bunch of CRAP

By OKState

October 16, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

OK State has a soft schedule?? At Missouri, at Texas, at TTech (who I agree is overrated) and a bitter rivalry against OU at home??? Throw in a trap game at Colorado and I would say that our schedule is right on par with UGA’s. The only difference being that we are still undefeated… I like the Dawgs and all (out of SEC teams), but you all have some serious egos! Let the season play out.

By hold em

October 16, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Eric a Dawg Fan, The Dawgs lose to every tough competitor, their strength of schedule doesn’t matter

By KneeJerk

October 16, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

Enuff with the strength of schedule talk. Where is it? Not Vandy, LSU based on this year’s performance is not a great team. UGA should be favored to beat everyone on their schedule except Florida. The SEC is watered down this year
Bama is the toughest team you’ll play this year and they stole your lunch money and your girlfriend. The game was over by halftime. No kudos for “making it close”. That second half mattered about as much as the rest of the play after Lincoln was shot.

By C from Marietta

October 16, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

I just love to read these BLOGs. People being completely rude and classless over silly football. Yes, I love watching football, but to put people down. Is really juvenville and really lame. Grew up folks. There are more importmant things in life than football.

By BR

October 16, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

Who has USC played? Who have they beaten? What power teams do they have left on their measley schedule? I rest my case. Don’t try to argue for your overrated team when they play NO ONE. Try playing 5-6 top 15 teams, then run your mouth.

By george

October 16, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

notaatlanta fan you are the idiot my friend???? Talking crap about who UGA has beaten????????????? What the hell are you smoking. The dawgs had one of the luckiest games of the year and Carolina jsut gave them a victory and then you beat a horrendous actually VERY horrendous arizona state team. And you want to comapre your wins?????? and you talk about USC? The records of the teams USC have played is 19-13, the record of the 5 d 1 schools the pups have played 19-12. So you have no freaking argument.

By Fred G. Sanford

October 16, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

The “G” stands for Georgia, you big dummy!

I’m really not a poll watcher because in the end only #1 is important. What does puzzle me is when one-loss teams like UF and USC are ranked so much higher than UGA and they were beaten by unranked teams. At least our loss came from the current #2 team. I’ve seen it happen to other teams as well so we’re not the Lone Ranger.

In the end I’ll pay more attention in December. That’s when things will get interesting.

By Great KneeJerk

October 16, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Great post dude…. “mattered as much as the play after Lincoln was shot”… That sh!t is funny. LMFAO.

By GT Who?

October 16, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Ga Tech 92- That was real classy! Just like the rest of the Mite (Nerd)nation. Go figure out how you are going to sellout the next game at your high school stadium and support your Whismic-option offense. Bandwaggoners!! Tell your Cheetah Club-Cheerleaders to shave there arm pits… Oh I forgot thats the only fur the N Ave Trade School fans will ever see!! When is the last time Tech beat UGA? Your slide-ruler gotha your tongue! 7-0

By To C from Marietta

October 16, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Your Mom

By quaildawg

October 16, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

I agree with letting the schedule play out and things will sort out. However I do have a REAL problem with Chokelahoma only falling to 4 after getting 40+ hung on them. They are positioned that if TX slips then they will fill the Big 12 slot. Given their gags in their last few bowl games I would say they are about as deserving of another BCS shot as say…BlohioState!!!!

By Realist

October 16, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Losing on the road (USC) is worse than giving up 31 in a half…at home???

If you’re down 31-0 at the half to ANYONE at ANYTIME ANYWHERE you don’t deserve to play for the NC.

By murfdawg

October 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

note to reality check:

Last year after the UT game, UGA was 4-2 and ranked 24th. Then we won 7 in a row and finished #2. I am sure you realize there is a lot of football to play before anybody worries about rankings.

By Good Post George

October 16, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

…”The records of the teams USC have played is 19-13, the record of the 5 d 1 schools the pups have played 19-12. So you have no freaking argument.”…

I think that pretty much say’s it. Not to mention USC has played 2 teams ranked in the top #20 and beat them, georgia played 1 and lost.

By quaildawg

October 16, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

No disrespect Chip but writers and objectivity??? Isn’t that an oxymoron?? I will give you one example of the above…TERRANCE MOORE! I REST MY CASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Steve

October 16, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

WHO HAS GEORGIA BEAT THIS YEAR?????????

By BR R U on CRACK?

October 16, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

WTF are you talking about.

Georgia has played 1 ranked team and lost, Bama #8 when they played. USC played Ohio State #5 when USC humiliated them and #20 Oregon when Southern Cal destroyed them 44-10.

What F-ing alternate universe are you living in?

By hold em

October 16, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

quaildawg, you sure are critical, what amazes me is UGA hasn’t won a NC in 28 years, what you say is meaningless, at least those teams have won NC’s in the past 10 years, and UGA fans wonder why they always drop so far in the polls

By BCS Buster

October 16, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

This year could expose the many flaws of the BCS. If Texas, Alabama, and Penn State all lose later in the season. Oklahoma will become the #1 team in the BCS rankings. BUT, if Texas only loses once, Oklahoma can not play for their own conference championship! According to all of the “experts” on ESPN last year, if you did not win your own conference, no BCS Championship game. Good luck Corso & Herbstreit keeping the #1 team from playing for all of the marbles. Boomer Sooner!

By Dawg Lover

October 16, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Chip, I agree with you COMPLETELY! USC drops to 7 after being beaten by an unranked team. Georgia drops to 11 after losing to number 8. The Bowl games last year were PITIFUL because of these rankings. Boring and Uneventful. It’s time to change the way these teams are rated!

By TM

October 16, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

Let’s not worry too much about the polls. With the teams remaining on GA’s schedule, winning out and then winning the SEC will be more than enough to get to the BCS Championship game. Let’s take care of Vandy and then LSU and etc…, you get the idea. It is set up perfectly if the team stays focused and makes it their mission to “win every play”.

By BCS Slave

October 16, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

KneeJerk,

How idiotic. You and a lot of other imbeciles want to talk about the quality of a LOSS? It sounds like more of the same that came from the national media as they justified LSU jumping several spots in the polls to play for the NC last year. So now we have to worry about the quality of a win…if we don’t score enough points the win is discounted…and we have to worry about the quality of a loss…an overtime loss by one point is somehow better than losing by seven in regulation. Can’t you see how ridiculous that is?

A win is a win and a loss is a loss. There are so many variables that go into why a team wins or loses that I KNOW none of the moronic media and coach poll voters will put the time into studying them. They are biased in favor of teams they see more often and rely on ESPuke and other biased outlets to be informed about the rest of the country. The fact is…unless they watch the games…ALL THE GAMES ALL THE TIME…they are just guessing. This is why the polls have been such a mess the past two years. There is no consistent criteria to judge wins and losses or SOS, for that matter.

UGA’s SOS was the toughest in the nation when the season began. ASU was going to be a big test. SCarolina was going to be a big test. Now to hear some of you stupid, know nothing lightweights saying that SOS is weak…it would be laughable if it were not politically incorrect to laugh at mentally challenged people. The polls are a beauty contest because voters do not consistently apply a valid criteria for judging teams.

The most discouraging thing about this system is the double standard applied in favor of just a few teams. Why are we talking about Notre Dame? Why were we talking about them playing Michigan? Why do they have their own television network (NBC—Notre Dame Broadcasting Network)? Why would USC losing to an unranked team be better than UGA losing to a ranked one? Who has bama played…according to so many, the only quality win they’ve had was UGA…but then, according to many of you idiots here, UGA is overrated and not really all that good. So, if we go with the moron’s assessment——that UGA is no good…then WHO HAS BAMA PLAYED? They struggled with Tulane. They struggled with KY (who was defeated by the SCar team we beat). They beat Clemson who we now know is WEAK. What claim to fame does bama have then? Yet they are ranked number 2.

Idiots (not just KneeJerk) come here and try to justify their positions by reciting the talking points they read from national media. Why anyone would listen to Stewart Mandel is beyond me. Howie Mandel knows more about college football than he does. Get a brain and learn to think for yourself morons.

For those who say things will work out in the end…LOL. Yeah. If by “the end” you mean when we finally have a true playoff….then I agree. If UGA wins the rest of their games, they will still have to hope one of the other teams above them lose a game. Why? Because if UGA beats UF, the media and the fans will discount the win, saying “UGA beat a UF team that lost to Ole Miss.” If UGA beats LSU, suddenly that team would have lost because they were in a rebuilding year. The excuses that people will make are endless. You have to win NC’s to be respected (unless you are OhioSU) and to get into the NC, you have to have a lot of national respect even when you don’t earn it (See OhioSU).

Okla gets beat and falls to four. WHY? Because TX is SO GOOD now? Because TX was ranked 5th? Oh…it is the quality of the loss that kept them from falling behind the other one loss ranked teams. I realize Okla is better on paper than some of those one loss teams, but how much? Who can say. There is no fairness in this system and no consistency. It is a beauty contest.

You idiots get on here and criticize UGA for losing so badly at home against bama. You criticize UGA for not winning by a higher margin. You criticize UGA for playing a cream puff schedule. You criticize them for wearing black jerseys. You say they are overrated and yet, when your team beats them, it is something to crow about. You seem too obsessed with UGA. If the team is so bad, why do you even care? You are playing UGA the high school team. You are supposed to beat UGA. Week to week you find a way to work things out in YOUR teams benefit. Funny how bias is always righteous and fully justified by its own logic.

Again, this is why the polls make no sense. Only biased people are allowed to vote. Bias drives criticism. Bias makes college football a joke when it is used to prop up a money making system that pretends to decide the NC. The proper place for bias is among fans of competing teams. When it overflows into the media and the poll system, it discredits all of college football.

We need a playoff.

So UGA had a bad game and bama had a good one. The nature of that game should have nothing to do with rankings. A win is a win and a loss is a loss.

By It Must Be the Water

October 16, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Is there something in the Georgia water that makes fans delusional?

I would think that, except some of these maniacs handles seem to say they live in other parts of the country.

Maybe it’s a defective gene. Yea that’s it, Georgia fans must have defective genes that make them stupid, arrogant, a*******wipes.

Ok, everyone we should stop arguing with those inflicted with the a*******wipe gene and work for a cure.

Come on everybody, we can cure the a*******wipes.

By Erik

October 16, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Georgia is right where we should be given who - and how - we’ve played. There are still many games left in the season for all teams to move up and down. If we get through the next three or four games, I’ll bet we’ll be in the top 3 or 4, at worst.

And UGA fans, we (yes, I’m a UGA fan) aren’t going to get the benefit of the doubt in the polls like USC, Florida, etc… until we start contending for national titles. Steamrolling an opponent or two would certainly help as well.

By Eric C.

October 16, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Can’t we talk about the Vandy Game??? This BS about the polls doesn’t mean anything until after the UF game…next 3 games decide our season.

And USC fans…both teams dominated ASU under different circumstances. USC was at home and UGA on the road. It is pointless to make comparisons over one freaking game so give it a break. Like a previous poster stated…it’s a big shame that UGA/USC didn’t happen last year.

By Not Quite Right BCS Buster

October 16, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

If the BCS was released today, OU would be #5, behind three unbeatens, and USC. If Texas, Alabama, and Penn state were to lose, USC would be #1, OU #2.

By BCS Slave

October 16, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Good post George,

If USC played teams with a 19-13 record and UGA played teams with 19-12, that is statistically insignificant. There is virtually no difference in SOS.

As for beating ranked teams…the rankings have proven they are meaningless. Ohio State shouldn’t have been ranked 8. They have proven to be a weak team. Oregon is weak also. They play in weak conferences. So why would their rankings matter in judging the “quality” of USC’s wins? USC plays in a weak conference too. That is, their conference is weak if you believe what the media says. I know…you believe them when their drivel supports your arguments and disrespect them it doesn’t.

Rankings are nothing more than beauty contests that expose the bias of the voters. Your lame attempt to prove USC is better than teams they haven’t played is moronic. You can’t even say they are better than the teams they beat. They won. That is all that matters until they lose.

By Dean

October 16, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

Go home to your families folks and let all this sort out by the end of the year. The good news, the Dawgs have gotten significantly better as the year has progressed the past two seasons. Who of you really thought that UGA would end up number 2 after their loss to UT and narrow win to Vandy next year. UGA will be fine. I’d love to meat the trojans in a bowl game as it should have happened last year.

By Scott

October 16, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

Penn State-Hasn’t played a team with a winning record!

Strength of Schedule-Everybody’s SOS has UGA’s both current and projected tougher than USC. They got abused by a terrible team. The game wasn’t even close. We should at least be equal in the polls.

I know we got humiliated in the first half on national tv against bama. But we didn’t lose 31 to nothing! We scored twice as many points on Bama as any other team has this year, and we did it in one half. Don’t even say they gave up because they were worried.

I also know we haven’t had the killer instinct to rack up points like we should have against Tennessee, Central Michigan, and ASU (all of whom we dominated on the field). It also isn’t our fault that ASU, Tennessee, Vandy, and now LSU all lost just before we played them.

We are a good but not great team. However, I haven’t seen a “great” team this year.

By KneeJerk

October 16, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Yes, beleive it or not, quality of wins and losses count. Didn’t realize it was a news flash. GT beat Gardner-Webb by 3 last week. That’s not a quality win. UGA fans should know these things as they’ve dropped in the polls after winning. Getting whipped in the trenches and being down 31-0 at the half AT HOME would NOT be a quality loss. A win is NOT just a WIN, and sometimes a loss is not a loss. See there are beatdowns (Bama) and upsets (USC-Beavers).

By Gator Man

October 16, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Chip you are a prototypical UGA homer.

Just put ole’ Bulldog Chip in front of his computer, and let him homer away!

You will understand objective voters skepticism when Georgia finishes with 2 or 3 more losses… Then again… you probably won’t.

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By JustPlayFootball

October 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

IS IT THE END OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL? NO! ARE WE EVEN PAST MID-SEASON? NO! DO THE POLLS REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH RIGH NOW? NO! THEN STOP COMPLAINING AND WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MORE ACCURATE RANKINGS. NO TEAM HAS PROVEN ITSELF UNTIL IT’S FINISHED WITH THE LAST FOOTBALL GAME!

By BCS Slave

October 16, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

Scott, I agree with you that there are no great teams this year. This is why rankings should be done only after the conference championship games are played.

In this debate on SOS, people conveniently discount wins against formerly ranked teams. Beating a ranked team is no different from beating a formerly ranked team. A ranked team is potentially just one loss away from being unranked. Rankings are meaningless.

By the Donger

October 16, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

And speaking of USC and their overratedness… is anyone else SICK of hearing about Mark Sanchez? He’s looked like an average college QB but the jock sniffers all over the country are just dying to gum on his nuts. Come on! The Pac-10 is so weak this year -

And I’m a Georgia fan, but there’s no reason to believe we belong higher than 10th right now. We haven’t beaten anyone yet. We got destroyed by the one good team we’ve played. All we have to do is win and it’ll take care of itself. However, my gut tells me we’re in for a drubbing against FL.

By Josh in Boston

October 16, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

Is Matt from St. Louis the same Matt that’s sitting next to me? Josh

By monty

October 16, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

Ohio State is and has been the most over-rated team in the country the past several years. Put USC in the southeastern conference and let them play GA>FLA>LSU>AUB>TENN every year and see what happens to their image. I don’t think they would want to do that. It seems like the teams with the biggest fan base and money bringers are the teams that get over-rated.

Last years sugar bowl showed what pollsters and other higher ups really know about the game. Who in their right mind thought Hawaii could stay on the field with us? I even fell at first to all the hype until I got to just thinking about recruiting. Hawaii does very little recruiting on the mainland. When I thought about it that way I wasn’t concerned as long as we played with intensity.

By LastLaugh

October 16, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

I LOVE the Georgia Haters! Their venom proves that our program scares them. And it’s always fun to see other people act like obnoxious toddlers and say that our fan base is horrible. It’s GREAT to be a GEORGIA BULLDOG! Gooo, Dawgs!!!

By Scott

October 16, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

The USC-Beavers game was a beat down. They were down 21 nothing at half time. OSU drove the ball down their throats.

By Matt

October 16, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why so much attention is paid to the AP poll in the first place. It has absolutely nothing to do with who plays in the national title game. I guess the media still needs to feel relevant.

By BCS Slave

October 16, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

Yes, the quality of wins and losses matter…in the biased poll system we have. To poll voters they matter THIS YEAR. Next year we just don’t know what criteria voters will be using.

Of course, saying win and loss quality matters doesn’t make it right. It doesn’t make it any less ridiculous or moronic. It doesn’t make it more logical. We all know they matter in this system. And we all know that people like USC fans will always be comfortable with this system as long they can find a way to make their stupid logic work to justify their fantasy about their team’s dominance over teams they haven’t played.

The point is not that I’m surprised by the win/loss quality crap…it is that morons will use it…twist it and turn it to support their lame arguments. It is meaningless unless you are USC and need to justify why the media bias keeps your average team in the NC discussion.

By BCS Slave

October 16, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

KneeJerk,

LOL. Beatdowns and upsets are the same the thing. They are a loss. USC played nearly as poorly as UGA did in their loss. It is a joke to think that USC’s loss to an UNRANKED team was somehow a higher quality loss than UGA loss to a RANKED bama team. Come on…at least the overrated Dogs got beat by a ranked team while all world USC couldn’t manage a high school team? That stupid crap you argue is ridiculous. Anyone can twist the win/loss quality argument in their advantage. So it means NOTHING.

By KneeJerk

October 16, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

so….BCS slave. You would like for final scores not to matter? After the 4th quarter, would you like for the head referee to bring both head coached to the 50-yard line and have Michael Buffer announce the winner, while the referee raises his arm? The winner by technical knockout with 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter……ALABAMA! Finals scores matter. 35-7 is better than 3-2. That’s not a twisted system, that’s approaching fact.

By George

October 16, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

bcs slave I am now dumber from reading your post. That was seriously the most idiotic thing I have ever read. So basically you are saying records dont meank anything, rankings dont mean anything just because you think the SEC is better than the PAC 10??????? For you to say those things and to defend a team being ranked too low being number ten when they have not even beaten a team in the top 25 is ludacrious. Maybe you are right maybe there should be no rankings and the teams should not even keep score….

By monty

October 16, 2008 4:45 PM | Link to this

It’s laughable to hear the sports-center guys talk about a southeastern conference team like Alabama who couldn’t move to #1 because they beat a lesser opponent by only by 10 points or whatever it was. But let USC win ugly and they’ll be saying, “a win is a win, baby!”

By WE ARE USC

October 16, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Why are you Georgia fans so concerned with USC? We don’t even concern ourselves with you. You are 4th best team in the SEC. We’re not even thinking of you for the beat down we hope to put on a NC opponent.

As many have already said, most the teams that have a NC title chance will lose 1 game this season. If you can manage to beat Florida, LSU, and Alabama (if you get a rematch), man that would be a load. We would be more than willing to put the smack down on you.

All you have to do is win, and try to impress somebody along the way (excluding the kool-aid drinking homers that makeup your fan base). If you manage the three wins previously mentioned you got my vote.

I’m sure if you can do this, the gracious folks at the BCS will allow you to receive the annual Bowl Beating we hand down to one unlucky recipient.

Hope to see you in January, O’ and if we play, please wear those pretty black uniforms, “Black Us Out”. LOL.

WE ARE USC

FIGHT ON

By Stinger Splash

October 16, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

Pre-season rankings..that’s the real problem, UGA got upset because they dropped from #1….they should have never been there. On another note, I wouldn’t bet against Mike Gundy at OK state. The teams ahead of UGA are there for a reason. UGA is a good program, but not good enough to play for a NC. Bottom line however, winning solves everything.

Mark Richt needs to focus on winning…not crime in the streets of athens, not knowshon not making the top 10, stupid celebration penalties, black jerseys, or uga not playing for a national title when they don’t win the sec east. winning with a clean program, that’s what it SHOULD be about….not polls, top ten plays, black outs, gimmicks, soldier boy dances, and the athens police blotters.

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUU!!!

By PTC DAWG

October 16, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this

The article title said it all.

By Scott

October 16, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

To “By George”

The original topic is that there is little logic in the current polls. That is why we are talking about it.

Texas Tech has played no ranked teams. Penn State hasn’t even played a team with a winning record. Georgia has only played one team with a losing record.

To “WE ARE USC”

I know for sure that UGA isn’t worried about USC. You are the token west coast team with your average (but hispanic) quarterback. The polls and the media need you. The reality is what USC has done this year and what UGA has done are very similar BUT USC get’s pushed in the polls because you are a media darling and the only thing happening on the west coast.

By Don

October 16, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

USC’s loss to a 3-3 Oregon State team is much worse than Georgia’s loss to Alabama who is unbeaten and No. 2 in most polls. Doesn’t matter where they played. Oregon State’s win over USC was more dominating than Alabama’s win over Georgia. Georgia Southern’s strength of schedule is tougher than USC’s and it only gets easier for USC the rest of the way. As far as Oklahoma and Texas are concerned. That was a match-up of two teams that had played horrible teams all year. Same goes for Oklahoma and Missouri. I’m still not sure how good any of those four teams are and how well their offenses would be against most SEC defenses. We may never find out. I really think every SEC team will lose at least one game and that could leave Texas and USC playing in the BCS championship game. Now that the AP and Coaches polls carry more weight there is no doubt in my mind that a one loss USC would get the nod over a one loss SEC team. For some reason the AP and coaches just love USC. You would hope that a one loss SEC team, whether it be Georgia, Florida or Alabama, would be ranked higher than USC but I wouldn’t count on it.

By Eric C.

October 16, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this

WE ARE USC, if you aren’t concerned about the Dawgs…why are you on this blog beating your chest?

By OrlandoDAWG

October 16, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

I am having a time trying to digest the fact that Penn state, Texas Tech, Oklahoma state, and BYU are ranked ahead over Georgia. All of the afore mentioned teams have not even come close to playing the caliber of oppenents that UGA has, or will. I also believe that even Florida isn’t that good. With that being said Georgia should be #5 right now. Not #9, or even #10. Lets face it. These moronic poll voters have not given Georgia any serious consideration from the beginning of the season. Nor will they actually believe that Georgia is better than any of these teams. Some teams have a distinct advantage when it comes to poll standings. I believe that USC has an advantage over everyone else. They grab most of the attention in their games and subsequently given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the polls. Also an average Notre Dame team can get into the top ten by playing and winning far less than mediocre teams on their schedule. Georgia is an outsider when it comes to pollsters voting what is true instead of voting with their hearts. No matter how difficult of a schedule Georgia plays, UGA is on the outside looking in.

By ARdawg

October 16, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this

Gator Man And apparently you are a prototypical mullet wearing Jort. 2-3 more losses for Georgia? And you state this with a straight face? How many more losses for the Gators Smart guy? You seem to be talking a lot of shat for a fan that got b!tch slapped by Ole Miss at home. You had a good game against LSU but don’t think for a second it’s going to be representative of the rest of your season. Florida isn’t that good.

By JT

October 16, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

USC Schedule?? Oh Wow You guys play 3 teams that are in the Top 25?? UGA Schedule is it 6 or 7 Teams in the Top 25 to start off the season, some of them have gotten knocked out, but who’s making the Tougher schedule?? USC or UGA?? Ok then Shut Your Lil Sissy mouths Cali Boys!!

By georgiadawg

October 16, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this

Most of you right now on here (yes this includes the Georgia haters) are either on crack, are disguising yourselves as fans of other teams when you really are Tech fans, drank too much of the preseason juice, or never knew what you are talking about. Polls shouldn’t matter when you’re halfway through the season. When you lose, you fall as far as the team is given respect (that explains why USC will sneak into the nation title game unless they lose again). Thats the way the biased poll system works.

By Real

October 16, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Chip, Georgia is right around where it should be ranked in the polls at this time. Your & some other fan’s UGA bias has you too delusional to look at it objectively. Georgia’s best win is a not so impressive one against S. Carolina, because unfortunately Arizona St. hasn’t lived up to expectations, and they got embarrassed by Alabama (don’t give me the 2nd half crap, any team would have a hard time not letting up winning 31-0 & they still answered each time necessary until UGA’s meaningless last 2 touchdowns). OK State is undefeated & beat formerly #3 (now #11) Missouri. and while BYU hasn’t played anybody & I personally don’t believe they could beat Georgia, they’re also undefeated w/ a 59-0 blowout of UCLA who’d beaten a Tennessee team that UGA only defeated 26-14. Why should Georgia be ranked any higher?! If they win their upcoming games against Vanderbilt, LSU, & Florida, they’ll get their just due (even though LSU might have its hands full w/ USC this weekend).

By WE ARE USC

October 16, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

You’re right about Sanchez, he is good when his on, great arm, but man, 3 consecutive turnovers in the 3rd quarter last week, and the interception late in the game against Oregon State, bad decision making, that won’t cut it.

What’s being Hispanic got to do with anything?

What Georgia MAY do this year, with games against ranked teams approaching, may be similar. What Georgia HAS done this year, 1 loss to a ranked team compared to 2 wins for USC, NOT similarity.

Go win some games and then maybe you can say they have been similar.

The loss to Oregon State was a bad loss, no excuse. They played the worst half of football since 2001.

Honestly if these teams played right now, and they both played their “A” game, our defense would be the difference, they shut opponents, down. Just take a moment to check the facts, holding opponents to < 9 points a game on average, best scoring defense in college football.You love to bring up Oregon; they are the only team to score more than 1 touchdown against us this year.

And teams have been scoring on Georgia all season. If your boys are on we wouldn’t shut you out, you would score early.

USC 35-21

By Don Dummy

October 16, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

The AP doesn’t carry any weight Dummy. Harris Poll, Coaches Poll, and Computer Rankings. What a Homer.

By Reality Check

October 16, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this

Typical UGA fan. The dawgs are not invincible. You should give BYU credit: Tennessee loses to UCLA by 3pts. BYU then beats UCLA 59-0 and UGA only beats Tennessee by 12pts. Do the math; BYU would give the almighty overrated dawgs a run for their money.

By Ramguy

October 16, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

If all the top teams lose at least one game then I’m afraid the SEC will be froze out of the BCS Championship game. ESPN has already began it’s propaganda machine going and it’s backing the Big12. They don’t want to see another SEC team in the big game. They seem to want the Big 12 vs USC or the Big 12 vs Ohio St or Penn St.

By BE#3

October 16, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

1) Larry M. — Chip does give practice updates. But the Dawgs have to practice first. They don’t practice until the afternoon and don’t finish until around 6pm. So asking for a practice update at 11am is a little ridiculous.

2) Anyone who lives in ATH or near by should have listened to 960 the Ref on Weds AM. Kevin Butler was on a rant about this same issue and made some really good points.

UGA starts out as the #1 team in the land. Then wins the first 4 games and falls in the polls. UGA has one bad half and comes back to have a 11 pt loss at home to a top 10 SEC team. BTW, Georgia is the only team to score more than 20 pts. against Bama so far this year. UGA falls in the polls and cannot get the respect of the pollsters unless they blow someone out.

Bama struggles against UK but does not fall in the polls. UGA doesn’t blow UT out but dominates the game but no love for the Dawgs.

Oklahoma loses by 10 to a top 10 team and only drops 4 spots.

USC loses to an unranked, cellar dwelling Pac 10 team. Oh, but they just had a bad half. Yeah, a bad half to OREGON STATE. How is that half any better than a bad half against Bama? And they beat a Rudy-less ASU team 28-0 in the Colesium. Dawgs beat a RUDY-with ASU team on the road after a SEC battle against now 5-2 Carolina.

Florida loses at home to Ole Miss. Yes, Ole Miss. Same Ole Miss team that lost to Vandy. Yet they beat an untested LSU team and are now the best team in the SEC sans Bama. Bullcrap.

TTech, Okie St. and BYU are all nice stories but would have at least 2 losses with UGA’s schedule. All 3 would lose to Carolina & Bama. None of those teams have seen a defense all year.

Polls should not come out until the 2nd Saturday in Oct. If I was a voter and issued my first poll last weekend it would look like this:

1) Bama 2) Texas 3) Penn St. 4) Oklahoma 5) UGA 6) Florida 7) USC 8) Ok State 9) Texas Tech 10) Va Tech

By big o

October 16, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

hey chip and everyone. We got shafted last season, does anyone really think byu is better or for that matter who has penn state played ? but florida … they lost to old miss we lost to bama anyhoo have you any info on battle is he playing yet ?

By Sautee Dawg

October 16, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

We are USC

If USC played in the SEC they wouldn’t be claiming those 2 national championships since 2003, They would be like the rest of us Happy to finish 10-2 . We have high schools in the south that could play in that overrated PAC 10.

And quit making excuses about that loss to Oregon St. They whipped your a* just like Alabama did us. The only difference was the location.

By WE ARE USC

October 16, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

Be#3:

Your not a voter, your a country bumpkin, homer. The Polls have USC #4, the highest ranked team in the country with 1 loss. Where they belong until the teams in front of them lose and the Trojans move into the #1 spot. These polls have UGA #10, where they belong, until they loss and drop into obscurity, or win and move up to a spot somewhere behind USC.

Sautee Dawg:

I’m glad that “the rest of you are happy, take your 10 wins a season and enjoy them.

USC has won 11 game as season for the past six years (NCAA RECORD), we know that there is no guarantee, but that is the expectation on this team every season, and they have delivered, 6 Consecutive BCS Bowls (NCAA RERECORD) 5-1 BCS Bowl record (BEST IN NCAA), and as you pointed out 2 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, to go along with the 9 previous National Championships.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USCTrojanfootball]

So keep ignoring the facts, if the stat doesn’t support your argument ignore it. Blame the polls, media, the refs, whatever, whoever you choose, Whatever gets you thru the night.

WE ARE USC

FIGHT ON

By NCAA STATS

October 16, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

Before you spew lies and half truths check the facts: NCAA Stats

A few things you’ll find:

USC leads Georgia in virtually all team stats

Sanchez leads Stafford in passing efficiency

Moreno ranks 27th among backs, and the Oregon State back Jaquezz Rodges is 10th.

By sdfsd

October 16, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this

and moreno leaps players///like all runningbacks

By BCS Slave

October 16, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

KneeJerk,

Oh please…no one said final score doesn’t matter. Try to keep up. A win is a win and a loss is a loss—that is the point I was making. You should not get style points in the polls for how you win or lose. I am going to be nice to you now and not talk about how stupid you are. Now go along now little boy and play in traffic.

By BE#3

October 16, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

WE ARE USC,

Actually dumba$$, I’m from Atlanta so I’m not a country bumpkin homer. Anyone with the choice to live in ATL vs. ATH would chose ATH 99.9% of the time.

No disrespect to Chip, but wth do most writers know about college football? They follow “their” teams and check the scoreboard and fill out their ballots.

And coaches, most vote for conf. loyalty or to benefit their program.

If your Rose Bowl folks weren’t such douchebags, we would have settled this UGA/USC hype on the field. But they’d rather have a lame Big 10/Pac 10 matchup that no one outside SoCal and Illinois cared about.

Hopefully ya’ll won’t lose to Stanford again this year and might have the chance to play the Dawgs in SOBE come January.

IT’S GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG!!!!!!

GO DAWGS, SIC ‘EM!!!

By BCS Slave

October 16, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this

Georgie boy,

LOL…you say you are dumber after reading my post? I don’t think so…as a moron, you couldn’t get much dumber.

I was talking about polls and the inherent problems with them. I was not defending anyone’s ranking…I was attacking the myth that poll rankings mean anything. I don’t know where you idiots got that I said wins and losses don’t matter. I was saying that the quality of wins and losses should not matter in ranking teams. I don’t how much more simple I could put it except “A win is a win and a loss is a loss.” You couldn’t even understand that much.

You see, you think like a homer with a myopic view of the world. I am not complaining about UGA as much as I am complaining about polls. The fact that I follow UGA has let me see how screwed up the polls have become. Teams in every conference get shafted by polls each year. The media has favorites that get pub no matter how bad they are (see Notre Dame) and the media darlings get an advantage in polling. That is an obvious bias that anyone can see.

My post was about pointing out some of the problems with voters who want to judge THE QUALITY and NATURE of a win and loss. They would argue a 1 point loss in overtime is somehow better than a seven point loss in regulation at home. An ugly win won’t get you the style points to save your position in the polls. These things were stated clearly in my earlier posts and any comments about score related to this.

You probably should take extra time when reading posts and think before you type.

My agenda is a playoff between teams who won their conference championship GAME. Forget conferences who do not play a champ. game…they should be out of it. Only true conference champs should get the chance to play for the NC.

College Presidents==Give us a playoff.

By Cuz

October 16, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

Slave, you are the only post I read as life has a habit of getting in the way during football season. I could not agree more. Of course now my stalker will set us up as a pair but the heck with him/she.

Last year I said, we did not do what it took to win the East, we did not deserve to play in the MNC. I really wanted to play USC in the Rose bowl and if they had won, so be it.

I can take off the rose colored glasses. Pre-season number one was fun for blogging, but I knew it could not last. Earn it was a great phrase when we were undefeated, dont mean much now. I think we Earn it by winning the East, spanking Bama in the title game and I dont give a rats sphincter where we wind up after that. I want the SEC trophy, LSU, keep your glass meanagerie.

By NW_Dawg

October 16, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this

“Couldn’t stuff a bra” … best one-liner ever, Chip! I love it!

Yes, the poll logic makes no sense, which is why polls are ridiculous. Who cares about the AP poll anyway? It is meaningless and it’s so erratic that it can’t be a trusted gauge. The coaches’ poll is better, but there needs to be weekly accountability with it so we know who’s tweaking with the system at the end of the season to get their conference team into the BCS.

USC losing on the road against a dreadful Oregon State team isn’t even comparable to Georgia’s 11-point loss at home to a top-10 worthy Alabama team. Georgia will no doubt have to play its way into the game, but if it goes undefeated the rest of the way, it will deserve to be in the top 2 and play for the mythical national title.

By BCS Slave

October 17, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

We are USC,

Yawn. You can brag about USC’s record all you want. The fact is they got it playing a LOT of substandard teams. Their rankings were based on bias. As you know, USC is one of those media darlings we’ve been talking about on this blog. They get the benefit of media perception…when they win they rise in the polls faster and when they lose they don’t fall as far. They get a bigger boost from blowout wins and are not hurt by ugly wins. All of their losses are “quality” losses, judging by the way the poll voters treat them.

USC is a good team. They are not the dominant team you think they are though. You have been drinking the kool aid.

By ............................................BuLLdawg

October 17, 2008 3:57 AM | Link to this

.

.

They have teams ranked ahead of UGA who will not end up there. I like that logic.

This is all falling into place very nicely for UGA again this season. I’m not worried in the least by Oklahoma who has to play every one any good in the Big XII this season including still to play Kansas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. And, if Oklahoma beats Kansas, that just means that Missouri would be team that the Big XII South Winner plays in their Big XII Championship Game. And, the 4 Top 10 teams, all in the Big XII South, all have to play each other as well. This is far from over.

There are 6 of the very worst football teams in all of America in the Big XII, while in The SEC East, for example, there is only 1 of the very worst football teams in all of America, the BCS Number 91 vols.

The SEC West is, as we all knew a Weak Division.

Alabama has the Official NCAA Strength of Schedule Number 71 this season, as a direct result of how weak The SEC West in fact is. This just means that Alabama will have fewer injuries when it plays in The SEC Championship Game, assuming they beat the only team on their remaining schedule at LSU. There are only those 2 teams in The SEC West.

Penn State has not played any team with a winning record yet. And, they will not this week either against Michigan.

But, they play Ohio State and Michigan State and that should be enough for such an old coot, hanging on to see who can play the easiest opponents and have 1 more win than the other, as Booby Bowden still has not beat any team with a winning record either.

The only other teams in the BCS Rankings ahead of UGA, are Southern California who will find their Number 63 Strength of Schedule will play against them in the Polls, and Florida whom we play directly down there at the Gator Bowl, where they do not have a winning record over us down there over the last 4 years now.

Vanderbilt is actually ranked ahead of UGA in the Richard Billingsley BCS Computer Poll, and so if UGA can beat Vanderbilt, we can move up in the BCS Rankings released Sunday. With BYU finally losing, UGA is sure to move up across the board, and we were already Number 9 in the BCS Coaches’ Poll and BCS Harris Poll, worse than BYU.

What I am saying to you, is that this is and will take care of itself.

We have to beat Vanderbilt tomorrow for Homecoming. There is no margin for error.. The rest is taking care of itself. And, trust me Chipper Towers, Vanderbilt wishes they had Matthew Stafford too.

.

.

By KneeJerk

October 17, 2008 7:17 AM | Link to this

So…BCS slave, let’s say UGA trails USC by a thousandth of a perecentage point for the #2 BCS slot heading into the last game (hypothetical, of course). USC defeats its opponent 10-7, while UGA defeats an equally impressive team by the score of 35-0. Using your train of thought, USC should remain in the #2 slot following these games. Is that what you’re saying? I mean, they are both wins.

By T-Bone

October 17, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

Stewart Mandel is right. Let’s be thankful that we are number 10. We’ve got to beat somebody of substance and then we can talk about rankings. The only good team we’ve played crushed us, absolutely embarrassed us on national television. We survived against SC and TN. Let’s admit it, the SEC East is weak this year; in fact, the whole SEC is down. The BIG 12 would eat our lunch in most any match up. In fact, out of all the 1-loss teams, we’re probably the worst.

By BCS Slave

October 17, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

KneeJerk,

I discount the polls all together. If the BCS poll is all we have, (and with greedy college presidents and bowl representatives, it will remain for the next ten years at least) then yes, USC should remain #2. It would be unfortunate, given the bias usually shown to USC by the AP and Coaches polls, but it is the best system we have.

Of course, my yes answer is predicated on poll voters NEVER giving style points for wins and losses. If voters consistently ignore point totals and ugly as opposed to pretty wins or losses, then yes, even a thousandth of a point could separate teams. The same rule should apply in all the polls all season. Consistency across poll voters and across the season is key. Voters are not smart enough or good enough to judge which wins or losses are somehow better than others. That measure should never be used.

The problem with so called “style points” is that voters aren’t watching all the games they use to determine ranking. They are relying on media reports and stats in many cases to inform them. Media hype is usually slanted so that they can make money. Stats rarely tell the whole story of a game or a team. Stats are only meaningful toward the end of the season, when there is a significant amount of data to be analyzed. Taking them game by game should never influence poll position. Frankly, only conference champions each season should be ranked at all. I advocate NO RANKINGS UNTIL THOSE GAMES ARE PLAYED.

KneeJerk, I disrespect the BCS because it uses the AP and Coaches polls as a major component. Until those polls are cleaned up and consistent voting criteria is used, then the BCS will continue to be a beauty contest. College football fans must endure this biased joke of a system because greed drives it. The BCS is a mockery of sport. It is like football socialism. A corrupt few benefit unfairly from this system when the rest of the world must serve the system and hope for a handout from the powers that be. Competition is what matters…head to head competition. We need a playoff. Until that happens, we are ALL just BCS Slaves………earning money for our college football masters, fighting among ourselves hoping for a bone to fall our way. As long as we act this way, we’re stuck with this ridiculous excuse for a NC.

We are all BCS Slaves until the fans stand up and demand a playoff. Networks like ESPuke must feel the ad dollar slipping from their fingers before they will use their bully pulpit to pressure college presidents and bowl reps into capitulating. College presidents must be put under moral and ethical pressure to abandon a system that is unfair to a lot of kids and sets the example that money always trumps ethics.

Only football fans can accomplish this by complaining and not supporting all the secondary programs around games. Watch the games but ignore everything else. Don’t watch Sportscenter, or any of the highlight shows and let ESPuke know why you are doing it. Opt to watch highlight shows on other networks and let them know why you are watching…in the hopes that they will act with more objectivity in reporting what actually happened rather than letting regional or personal bias determine what is actually said in regard to the games. We fans need to stop supporting this system in every way we can. Even if ESPuke eventually went down, we’d still be able to see our teams play on TV.

The bottom line is that we need a playoff. No system will be perfect. However, if we cut the regular season to 9 in division (and in conference) games and then used the conference championship game to seed 8 teams into a playoff, then there would be a 13 game season for the NC teams. Other teams missing the playoffs would receive bowl bids as always and play a ten game season. The top 30 rankings could be applied after conference championship games to allow for bowl slotting. Seeding of playoffs would be done randomly or by a select committee.

If we could get a playoff, then at least we wouldn’t be serving and supporting an unfair system as we are now. Fans could still banter back and forth, but the endless arguments of who is better and which loss was better would then be moot. A win would be a win and a loss a loss. Sportsmanship could once again reign instead of humiliating grousing for poll position.

We need a playoff.

By Hey BCS Slave

October 17, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

… I disrespect the BCS because it uses the AP and Coaches polls as a major component…

NO, it uses Computer Rankings, the Coaches and Harris Polls, NOT THE AP.

Please do a little research.

By BCS Slave

October 17, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

I don’t care if the BCS uses the coaches, AP, or the idiot polls. The human polls are really all the same…biased. A careless misstatement by me doesn’t change that.

Why don’t you find something relevant to argue about instead of lamely picking on what is essentially an irrelevant fact that changes nothing in the debate. LOL…you are so childish. Go back to high school little one.

By playoffswillworkjustfine

October 17, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

1.) Join a conference 2.) Play a conference championship game. 3.) Win your conference play in the playoffs. There are 6 major conferences and 5 mid-major conferences. Allow for 2 “at-large” bids from those 5. 8 total teams. Seeded accordingly (based on ranking, strength of schedule). 1 plays 8, 2 plays 7 and so on. 4.) Add 2 more “BCS” bowls (adding more money in the “higher ups” pockets) to the 4 we already have. Use the 4 we have for the first round. This leaves 4 teams left and will play in the 2 new “BCS” bowls. The winner then plays in the National Championsip. 5) The BCS bowl reps will draw numbers 1-4. For example, if the Nokia Sugar Bowl picks #1 then they get the #1 teams game, 1 plays 8. If the Rose draws #2, then they get the #2 teams game. 6)Leave the other bowls to be played by everyone else, just like they do now.

By having the conference champions play in the playoff this will not diminish the regular season. Also, an out of conference loss can affect your seeding in the tournament (assuming you win your conference). People will watch regardless of the system we have and it seems to me that this would make everybody happy. The presidents could still make their money and the fans would get their playoff. You are essentially using the same bowl system, you are just eliminating tie-ins to bowls, altering how they get there.

By BCS Slave

October 17, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

I will say this about the polls. The Harris poll is about the best out there as far as composition of voters, but we have to question any poll that does not also seek some consistency in voting criteria as well. How are voters ranking teams? If you look at the votes for the final poll of 2007, some voters made UGA number 2 even though they didn’t win the SEC.

The Harris poll looks and acts like the AP and Coaches polls. Last year, #1 Missouri played #8 Oklahoma in their conference championship. Okla blew Missouri out 38-17. What did Harris poll voters do? They moved Okla up from 8 to 3 and Missouri fell to seven. The #1 team got blew out by the #8 team and only fell to 7—above an 11-1 Kansas team that was idle that week. Kansas was ranked #2 and lost to #3 Missouri 36-28. Ohio State, at 11-1, with a cupcake schedule, with NO Conference Championship game, moved to number one after being idle. Why wasn’t Kansas at 11-1 in the NC against OSU? SOS? If SOS was the issue, then why was Kansas ranked at #2 that late in the season anyway?

In the middle of all this, UGA was playing better football than the teams above them in the polls. They certainly played better than OSU down the stretch against tougher opponents. Yet UGA gets leap frogged by Okla and LSU. They won their conference championship game, so they jumped a UGA team that didn’t. Applying the same logic, we have to question why OSU then would be at #1 at all. They won their conference, but were not tested in that winner take all environment. They received an unfair advantage over teams that had to play under that pressure. Kansas lost in a conference champ. Who’s to say that losing such a game makes them any worse than OSU? Yet the rankings said they were.

I really like it that conf. champs get ranking preference over those who didn’t win one. But the playing field is not level. OSU and other teams in conferences who refuse to adopt a championship game should not even be considered for the NC because they definitely play an easier schedule than teams who have to prove themselves in that one extra, pressure filled game. Inconsistency in voting criteria is why human polls as we know them will always give us biased results.

By BCS Slave

October 17, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

Playoffswillworkjustfine,

Love it. I am with you all the way. However, the arguments against this system are length of season and the unwillingness of the Rose Bowl to play nice.

I think this system will work if we shorten the regular season to 9 games…played only in division and/or in conference. A championship game is a 10th game. The playoffs with 8 teams will add 2 more games plus a championship game for 2 teams. For the NC teams, that is a total of 13 games (if I’m doing the math correctly).

Perhaps it would be best if the bowls were involved at the final four and the NC level. That would be three bowls rotating into the NC game every third year. That way, if the Rose wanted to maintain their regional game…they could do that. They just wouldn’t have the opportunity to host the NC. By using just three bowls in the playoff, more teams would have the opportunity to play that 10th game as a bowl.

One problem with this plan is in loss of revenue to teams during the regular season. One way to counter that is to have teams on the outside of the playoff schedule a 10th game as an interesting cross conference match up. For instance, if UGA doesn’t make the playoff and Tech doesn’t make it…they could play each other that year. If UGA makes the playoff and Tech doesn’t…Tech would play another SEC team that week. That would at least pick up a 10th game for non-playoff and bowl teams.

The other problem to this plan is that it could destroy some long standing annual rivalries like UGA-Tech…unless both made the playoffs consistently…which would only enhance it. The chances of either of both teams making the playoffs every year are slim. So they would play each other in those years and the rivalry would not be lost forever.

I can’t think of too many credible arguments outside of these that would hinder a playoff. College presidents would say a playoff is too disruptive academically…but other divisions do it and somehow manage to graduate players.

In this system, we wouldn’t even need rankings for the major conference champions. The BCS poll could be used to slot the at-large teams if human polls are cut out and instead use statistical comparisons weighed against comparative SOS. This would allow slotting of teams in bowls and would give us the at-large teams.

Still, not a perfect system but better than what we have now. It would render ESPuke as what they should be…a news agency. They would be unable to affect recruiting or rankings with their drivel. The season would be so simplified that any bias on their part would be obvious. And we would be free, for the most part, of the inconsistent, biased, and invalid human polls.

By BCS Slave

October 17, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Playoffswillworkjustfine,

Love it. I am with you all the way. However, the arguments against this system are length of season and the unwillingness of the Rose Bowl to play nice.

I think this system will work if we shorten the regular season to 9 games…played only in division and/or in conference. A championship game is a 10th game. The playoffs with 8 teams will add 2 more games plus a championship game for 2 teams. For the NC teams, that is a total of 13 games (if I’m doing the math correctly).

Perhaps it would be best if the bowls were involved at the final four and the NC level. That would be three bowls rotating into the NC game every third year. That way, if the Rose wanted to maintain their regional game…they could do that. They just wouldn’t have the opportunity to host the NC. By using just three bowls in the playoff, more teams would have the opportunity to play that 10th game as a bowl.

One problem with this plan is in loss of revenue to teams during the regular season. One way to counter that is to have teams on the outside of the playoff schedule a 10th game as an interesting cross conference match up. For instance, if UGA doesn’t make the playoff and Tech doesn’t make it…they could play each other that year. If UGA makes the playoff and Tech doesn’t…Tech would play another SEC team that week. That would at least pick up a 10th game for non-playoff and bowl teams.

The other problem to this plan is that it could destroy some long standing annual rivalries like UGA-Tech…unless both made the playoffs consistently…which would only enhance it. The chances of either of both teams making the playoffs every year are slim. So they would play each other in those years and the rivalry would not be lost forever.

I can’t think of too many credible arguments outside of these that would hinder a playoff. College presidents would say a playoff is too disruptive academically…but other divisions do it and somehow manage to graduate players.

In this system, we wouldn’t even need rankings for the major conference champions. The BCS poll could be used to slot the at-large teams if human polls are cut out and instead use statistical comparisons weighed against comparative SOS. This would allow slotting of teams in bowls and would give us the at-large teams.

Still, not a perfect system but better than what we have now. It would render ESPuke as what they should be…a news agency. They would be unable to affect recruiting or rankings with their drivel. The season would be so simplified that any bias on their part would be obvious. And we would be free, of the inconsistent, biased, and invalid human polls.

By Hey SLAVE

October 17, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

You are a typical rude a*******hole UGA fan. You say you discount the BCS because they rely so heavily on the AP, then get pi$$y because somebody corrects you.

The simple fact is the SEC champion has played in and won the BCS NC game 3 times.

USC Played in 2 during a winning steak that stretched 2 complete seasons, won against OU, and lost to a undefeated Texas Team by 2. OSU won 1 time after a undefeated season.

Whatever the polls have done during the season, in the end the best team won. Bottom line, they got it right.

UGA needs to win their conference, maybe even have an undefeated season, like most the other champions have managed to do, and then maybe you would get your shot.

In other word EARN IT.

What a friggen pu$$y.