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 Friday, December 13, 2002
Chat wrap: Football season is upon us
By Terry Bowden
Special to BCSfootball.com
Bowden's Weekly Chat Show
On July 12, ABC college football analyst Terry Bowden made a special appearance in the ABCSports.com chat room to discuss the changes to the Bowl Championship Series and who his preseason favorites are.
Terry Bowden:
I am ready for your questions.
With this BCS announcement, I guess we can now declare football season officially here. John Swofford, the Commissioner of the BCS, has taken the best ranking system college football has ever had and tweaked it for the good.
However, nothing is going to change for those people who favor a playoff. Because if you are one of those who would like to have college football with a playoff, then no amount of tweaking is going to make you like the BCS.
Jim (Fairfax, VA):
With the new changes to the BCS, do you think that with Virginia Tech's weak schedule this year a victory over Miami will be enough "quality wins" for them to make the Rose Bowl?
Terry Bowden:
Virginia Tech must go undefeated and hope there are not two other undefeated teams with stronger schedules. I can't answer that question any more clearer than that. I might add that there was only one undefeated team in the BCS last year when all the smoke cleared.
Michael Jammer from S.C.:
Terry, If you were still coaching D-1, would you spend time going over the BCS rankings and how they worked with your players, or would you just tell them to keep winning and not worry about them until the first weekend in December?
Terry Bowden:
Absolutely not. The last thing I want my players to worry about is something they cannot control. When I started coaching, the first thing my old man taught me was that if you win all your games, everything else will take care of itself. It's up to athletic directors, and sometimes head coaches, to worry about scheduling.
Michael (Atlanta):
Do you think that the teams from stronger conferences - such at the SEC, Big10 and Big12 will benefit most from this change? I would think so - because they usually represent the most spots in the Top25 polls.
Terry Bowden:
At first glance, you would think the stronger conferences would be at an advantage for getting a BCS bid. The problem is they beat each other up so much during the season, they are not likely going to have any more teams in the top 15 than the Big East, ACC or the Pac-10. So I guess it all matters whether you see it as the glass as being half empty or half full.
fairfax, va:
If they keep changing the number and which computers they use, aren't they saying that the computers do not give a clear indication of who is number 1? Why keep this in the decision!?
Terry Bowden:
You have to remember the BCS is still in its infancy. And although it is the best system we have ever had, it can always get a little better. However, my suggestion to John Swafford is "OK, enough is enough. Now leave the thing alone." Because if you are just trying to please playoff advocates, you are just wasting your time.
People, you have to realize, if every year ended up with two clear choice teams that everybody thought were the best, we wouldn't have this problem. And for those of you who think that a playoff is the answer to the problem, I can sadly remember the day as a I-AA coach when I ended up ranked 17th and only 16 teams made it to the playoffs.
Jason Labor from Bowling Green:
When looking at the BCS formula, I'm curious to hear your opinion: Do the polls keep the computer rankings in line or is it the other way around?
Terry Bowden:
Outstanding question. This is the one reason I am not sure if it was even necessary to worry about the margin of victory elements that existed in some of the computer services. The reason being, the people who vote in these subjective polls are going to make sure that they keep the best teams at the top. The two subjective polls, which involve people looking heavily at margin of victory, strength of schedule, head-to-head competition and plain old good common sense, will always outweigh the weaknesses of the computer services.
Seattle:
Well the new BCS rules would have put Miami against OU, thus it is still screwed up because everyone seems to forget that Washington beat Miami and had a tougher schedule than Miami during the year - am I off base here?
Terry Bowden:
You're not off-base. The only thing is that you are forgetting last year, and what happened last year. Washington came from behind and won so many games int he fourth quarter. I believe the great Husky fans were so thankful to be in the Rose Bowl that they did not complain about not getting into the Orange Bowl. So I guess I am asking you now, where were you then?
Looking back on last year, after the bowl games were over, I agree with you that Washington was just as deserving to play in the FedEx Orange Bowl as was Miami.
For any of you who think that removing the margin of victory from the computer services is going to make a whole lot of difference, remember there are voters in the AP and Coaches Poll who will factor that in their votes.
OrangeCrush:
Realistically, what are the chance of Texas winning the nation championship? They look strong on both sides of the field, even their holes might be filled, but the special teams worry me, can day really do it this year, or is Florida too strong?
Terry Bowden:
I think if you look at every preseason poll around the country, supposed experts like myself have included Texas in their preseason top 5s. If Texas can get by Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout, and avoid the upset, their chances of getting to the Rose Bowl should come down to the Big 12 Championship Game. And whomever from the North Division makes it to that game, I would give Texas a 60 percent chance of beating.
Ryan (Ft. Lauderdale, FL):
How is the new BCS rules going to affect Florida's 3 superpowers ('Canes, Gators, and 'Noles) when they all have to play each other in 2002?
Terry Bowden:
You have to remember that this is a two-edged sword when you play a strong opponent. First of all, they can beat you. But on the other side, if they do, they will have strengthened your schedule.
Specifically speaking about Florida, Florida State and Miami, it will be the biggest hardship on the Gators because their conference schedule is so much more difficult than the Big East and ACC. It might very well mean two losses instead of one.
Billy (Waco, TX):
How do the BCS changes affect smaller programs that have breakthrough seasons in smaller conferences?
Terry Bowden:
First of all, if your favorite team is not a member of a conference that has an automatic berth, it will be difficult. However, the BCS does recognize any team that has such an extraordinary season and ends up in the top 6. So I am not saying it is likely that a non-BCS team can get in, it's also not impossible.
Cincinnati:
Enough about the BCS - who is the team to beat this year?
Terry Bowden:
Four teams are on everybody's preseason top 5 -- Miami and Florida then Texas and Oklahoma. Depending on your preference, you could add Oregon, Oregon State, Nebraska, Florida State, Tennessee or Virginia Tech to that list.
Ryan Bartow (Waupun, WI):
Give me your pre season top 5.
Terry Bowden:
As much as I appreciate having you join me for this chat, you better stay tuned because I am just not ready.
Andy (greensboro, NC):
Have you noted the BCS still does not directly put weight on a head to head win? Why don't they let that have a significant part of the final standings.
Terry Bowden:
Let me repeat this again: Because the two subjective polls are given so much weight, and people by common sense, value head-to-head victory over almost anything, nothing more needed to be done.
Mike (Sugarbowlland):
Can Penn State beat the 'Canes?
Terry Bowden:
Based on last year's performance at the end of last season, I would see absolutely no way that Penn State could upset Miami. However, we must remember two things - the great history and tradition of Penn State University and the great history and tradition of Joe Paterno. And ... this baby is being played in State College in front of 100-something thousand screaming Nittany Lions fans.
Thanks for your questions, but I am sorry that I have to close for now. I look forward to visiting with you throughout the upcoming football season.
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