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 Friday, December 13, 2002
Chat wrap: Let the bowl season begin
By Jack Arute
Special to BCSfootball.com
On Sunday, ABC's Jack Arute made a special appearance in the chat room to discuss the pairings of the four BCS bowls.
CoachReggie: How long do you think the Sooners will last in the Orange Bowl versus the FSU Noles?
Jack Arute: Depends on which Sooners team shows up. One thing I have learned through the years, bowl games have a character all their own. On paper, it would look as if Florida State has a decided advantage: an effective defense and a pretty good offense. But Oklahoma certainly gets this season's Cinderella award for winning -- sometimes big, sometimes ugly -- but just winning.
Andy Buckner: Why don't head to head records count as the final tie-breaker instead of strength of schedule or point differential? Wouldn't that be more fair?
Jack Arute: I talked to some BCS experts precisely about that question. They insist that head-to-head does in fact come into play with all of the computer rankings. There is no question that the subjective polls take it into account (look at Miami's ranking in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls). Should it be an additional factor in an already complex equation? I don't think so.
Geoffrey Lipes: Is margin of victory a fair way to help determine the BCS?
Jack Arute: Yes. The problem is (if you are anti-machine) that each of the computer programs factors it differently.
Ky Beaver: What do you think about the Fiesta Bowl match up?
Jack Arute: See my column.
Ben Raphel: How did Oregon State get in?
Jack Arute: Through two very effective methods. No. 1, they are a Pac-10 co-champ ranked sixth in the latest BCS rankings. More importantly, their conference commissioner Tom Hansen did the right thing by campaigning for their inclusion.
CHRIS: DO YOU THINK THAT FLORIDA STATE COULD REPEAT? AND IF SO WILL THERE BE A CO-CHAMP SPEAKING OF MIAMI?
Jack Arute: Again, see my column.
Kevin: Did Miami get the raw end of the deal?
Jack Arute: That argument could be made, but should not be made. Miami's loss to Washington most likely canceled out the 'Canes' win over Florida State. FSU's decisive victory over Florida was the difference. Florida's strength of schedule was No. 1 in the nation. Miami's SOS was No. 3, and Washington's was sixth. FSU's was No. 2.
David Hood: How can you use the BCS ranking to justify FSU, then use beating Ranked opponents to justify Oregon State and then pick ND based on ??????????? BCS 11, beat no one.
Jack Arute: David: The BCS is imprecise at best. Your observation about Notre Dame is very appropriate. While I could be considered a BCS drumbeater, Notre Dame's selection simply reinforces ND's "bigger than the rest" mentality, which gives them their own network and non-conference affiliation. As I have said this week in my column, Notre Dame's selection for the Fiesta Bowl is the most suspect portion in this year's very confusing BCS process.
John Smith: Is there any other way to pick the national champion besides the BCS?
Jack Arute: There are many that think a playoff is the only true way to determine the national champion. That is not something that will happen before 2006. A playoff is certainly possible. Would it better determine a national champion? Maybe. But it also would come at the expense of the excitement and attention college football has enjoyed for the second half of this season. Like the NFL, college fans would not need to get serious until their favorite team was playoff-eligible.
JW: Whom do I write in the BCS to voice my objection to ND getting a BCS bid?
Jack Arute: The National Football Foundation handles the implementation and execution of the BCS. Log on at www.footballfoundation.com.
Graig: Do you think Notre Dame made a BCS bowl based solely on their fan appeal when more deserving teams like Virginia Tech and Nebraska (who beat ND) did not? They are ranked 11 in the BCS, which means that there are 4 other teams that should get the other at-large bid.
Jack Arute: No question that their vast Irish alumni (if all the people who claim to be Notre Dame grads really were, the school would be 12 times bigger than it is) played a big part in ND's selection. Their argument has been and continues to be that they are an independent football team and as such, have no conference alliances. Until and only if, the BCS decides to shut out "independents", Notre Dame situations will occur. You must remember that the Bowl Championship Series' only real job is to determine a No. 1 vs. a No. 2 matchup. Conference affiliations and the Notre Dame independent rule (should ND go 9-2 and finish in the top 12 of the BCS standings, then and only then will they be eligible for a BCS at-large bid), are what comprise and dictate the non-national championship BCS bowl selections.
Sam Adams: Do you want beer?
Jack Arute: Sure Sam, bring it on.
MMMMM, thanks
Jason: Do you think it was appropriate for the Pac-10 to threaten to drop out of the BCS? Oregon St. wasn't even the most deserving at-large team. I think the Big East has a bigger argument with Miami and Virginia Tech getting snubbed.
Jack Arute: Absolutely it was appropriate. All Mr. Hansen did is rattle his Pac-10 saber on behalf of one of his Pac-10 co-champions. Tom's actions doubled the Pac-10's BCS take from $13.5 million for Washington's Rose Bowl berth to $27 million with the inclusion of Oregon State.
As a big-time Hokies fan, it bothered me until I realized that the Beavers are a co-champion of their conference and the Hokies finished second to the Hurricanes.
Jack You Suck: Keep hating ND, Jack. The more you talk about us, the better off we are with recruits and TV time. Just think of the High School kids sitting at home wanting to play in front of a national audience. They get to do that on all home games and the BCS will pick us every year because we are that good and we do deserve it. Thanks and keep talking trash, we love you for it!
Jack Arute: Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Notre Dame. I can't hate Notre Dame -- I'm a Catholic. I know people are doing time in purgatory for hating Notre Dame.
VTRobbed??: Why even have/show the BCS rankings (other than 1 or 2) if they mean NOTHING in terms of the selections for the BCS at large berths. ND is 11 in BCS vs. VT #5. It is absolutely absurd!
Jack Arute: That is a questions I have asked myself on a number of occasions. I think for the most part, the reasoning is to gauge who is on the rise, who is on the decline and who has a shot at moving into the coveted 1 or 2 spots. It also is an aide in determining the two BCS at-large bids that exist in the 8-team BCS pool.
HokieFan: Why does the PAC-10 cry like babies, then get included. The Pac-10 combined has good season about 1 out of every 5 years.
Jack Arute: Your Hokie colors are coming through loud and clear. I don't think whining is the appropriate term. Lobbying is probably a more appropriate description. Go Hokies.
HokieFez: Does that mean you think that VT is on the decline?? How can you say THAT?
Jack Arute: No. I never said that nor do I believe it. In fact, now that Coach Beamer has decided to stay along with Michael Vick, the Hokies will again be a factor in '01.
ousooner: Who do you think should win the Heisman?
Jack Arute: I will tell you that my vote (and I do have a vote) went to Chris Weinke.
BcS Sham: As a follow up, does it hurt in the pit of your stomach to sell your soul as a "journalist" in defending the BcS?
Jack Arute: No. Not at all. When the BCS first came out, I thought it was a marked improvement over a very subjective process that let "journalists" and coaches determine a national champion - sometimes, not even the result of a contest on the field. Would I like to see a playoff? Absolutely. But as I said previously, I think it would come at a very dear expense to the popularity that college football presently enjoys throughout its regular season.
The other factor that is far too complex for this "pseudo journalist" to decipher is the bowl picture. One of these days, we might face a situation where there are more bowls than bowl-eligible teams. Who would have thought we would almost be a month after a Presidential election and still waiting of the naming of our next president.
Tyler: What will matter most in the FedEx Orange Bowl for the national championship -- offense or defense and why?
Jack Arute: At this point, Tyler, I would think the team with the best performance on defense will be victorious. Both schools have high-powered offenses with quick strike capabilities, but as my old friend Dick Vermeil always preached, defense and the team with the best defense and the team that wins the turnover battle will more often than not will come out the winner.
JW: Doesn't your argument: Tom's actions doubled the Pac-10's BCS take from $13.5 million for Washington's Rose Bowl berth to $27 million with the inclusion of Oregon State -- make for a bigger case to get VT in a BCS game in addition to Miami?
Jack Arute: No, because the difference is that Commissioner Hansen could plead Oregon State's position as a co-Pac-10 champion for justification, while the Big East's Mike Tranghese could only argue Va. Tech at its position as second in his conference standings.
John Doe: How d you feel about Virginia Tech's slack schedule?
Jack Arute: Their in-conference schedule suffers much the same as Florida State's ACC affiliation hurts, but Florida State benefits from a stronger out-of-conference schedule as well as their ACC members' schools' out-of-conference schedules.
SirMusic: This is SirMusic from Ft Lauderdale, FL. I want a recount, Miami should be in the Orange Bowl. After all, our name is on the building.
Jack Arute: If this damned trial in Leon County ends soon, maybe you can hire some of those attorneys to bring the issue to the court.
AEseminole23: Who do you think will win the FSU vs. OU matchup, and are those two teams the best two in the nation?
Jack Arute: As to who will win, see my answer to Tyler above.
As to who the two best teams in the country are, that is a very difficult question to answer. My gut would say as of today, Florida State and Miami -- that includes their stats, their performances and their personnel -- but you cannot nor you should not argue with the incredible season that the Oklahoma Sooners have enjoyed. It is indeed unfortunate that there are three really great teams this year and only two BCS spots available. But, it is also why I do believe that if the Hurricanes beat up on the Florida Gators in the Nokia Sugar Bowl that they will win a portion (AP designation) of this year's national championship if FSU beats OU in Miami.
Aaron: Why do you say this? "I think (playoff) it would come at a very dear expense to the popularity that college football presently enjoys throughout its regular season" When a playoff in College B-Ball is so big? I think it would do the same for College Football. Tell Sam to give me a beer to!!
Jack Arute: How much buzz exists during the regular college hoops season? How much does a No. 1 ranking until March Madness begins? With only 11-12 games in a football season compared to more than double (and then some) that comprise a college hoops season, I just don't think that college football would enjoy the same buzz that it does now until the playoffs begin.
ih8cincy: What does Oklahoma need to do in order to beat FSU?
Jack Arute: Get in Chris Weinke's face early and often. Win the war between the Sooners' secondary and FSU's legion of speedy wideouts.
Coz: Isn't that defective logic? If Washington wins the Rose Bowl they have EVERY BIT as much of a claim to the mythical national title as FSU or Miami. The ONLY thing they didn't do is play a soft schedule that let them run up the score on easy opponents
Jack Arute: Florida State, if it wins in the Orange Bowl, automatically by virtue of the BCS National Championship, wins a share of the national championship.
I guess you could make an effective argument on behalf of Washington should they put a tattoo on Purdue. Unfortunately, Purdue isn't even ranked in the top 16 in the BCS, while Florida is ranked seventh. I know Washington beat Miami. Tell it to the AP voters if they select the Hurricanes over the Huskies.
Drew Hawley: Who will win between Miami and Florida Jack? How convincing does Miami have to be?
Jack Arute: As I said in my column, Miami needs to put a better score up than Florida State did in its victory over the Gators (30-7).
ih8cincy: Could the outcome of the Orange Bowl decide whether or not Butch Davis stays or leaves Miami?
Jack Arute: I think Butch has already made his decision. He has said no to the NFL and to Alabama. I would be very surprised if Coach Davis leaves Coral Gables in the near future.
It's always a lot of fun for me to do these chats. To those of you who do not get your questions answered, I sincerely apologize. It's just a fact of life that there are too many questions for the time allotted. What we try to do is answer as many questions that seem to represent of what the majority of you want the information on. To those of you who like to send little slants and jabs, that's OK too. Please remember, that I always believed that the BCS is an imprecise tool at best -- better than what we used to have, but not perfect.
Don't blame me if your favorite team was slighted, ignored, dumped on, or treated unfairly by the Bowl Championship Series. I don't vote in the AP poll, and I certainly am not a coach (although a Big Ten official at an Ohio State game did call me coach on the air.). I don't know how to write software or code and have enough trouble simply cruising the information highway. I'm just like you -- a huge fan of college football, so let the bowl season begin.
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