I've come up with a few theories on the method to the madness in the New York Times and why LSU might be able to make a leap in it in the next few weeks. I have no documentation on what kind of formula is used or even an abstract view of the polls philosophy, but this is what I've come up with. Let's look at the rankings. 3) Texas 4) Florida 5) Southern Cal 6) Tennesee 11) LSU 22) Miami (OH) 25) TCU (before tonight's loss) Ok, what have the teams that are ranked highest done that LSU hasn't done (especially considering that they have more losses). They've beaten a lot of strong teams. Texas has beaten a highly ranked OSU team, a highly ranked Nebraska team, and a highly ranked Kansas State team. Florida has beaten a highly ranked LSU, Arkansas, and Georgia teams in three weeks. Southern Cal has had a slightly weaker schedule, with just Auburn and Washington State to brag about. Tennessee has beaten the likes of Florida and Miami. In contrast, teams that usually get a lot of love in the other computers like TCU and Miami (OH) are ranked 22nd and 25th. I believe this is because their schedules are incredibly weak. What does all this mean for LSU? Well, first off, we have a chance to directly pass Ole Miss if we beat them. Secondly, we have a chance to (in three straight weeks) knock off three highly ranked teams. I believe this can have a similar effect that has happened with Florida and Tennessee. Please, if anyone knows for sure how the NYT computer works, please clue me in.
What a waste of time, this poll is a THROW AWAY. We take 6 of the 7 (top one is thrown out). With a TCU & OSU loss & LSU win, LSU is #5 in all polls except this one. It's GARBAGE ... and not worth the time.
I read their little explanation of the poll. It is a combo your record and your opponents records and you are rate in relation to the #1 team. Doesnt make a whole lot of sense but thats what the page says, I registered with them just to see if they explained the formula.
well i am board at work and am reading how these computer pollsters come up with this crap and this what i think will happen IF lsu wins out and ohio st loses. lsu will go to number 2 in the billingsley, massey, and a+h. sagaring predictor has lsu overtaking usc the colley matrix will be extremely close, just really cant get a good read on that one. who in the hell knows with the nyt and wolfe. i think wolfe is an idiot and the nyt is well, the nyt. good thing they let a yankee newspaper in on this. good luck with ole miss this weekend. i've always hated them and my recent ex graduated from there so now i hate even more. hang half a hundred on them but saban probably will call off the dogs if you'll are up big. ark will not be a pushover next weekend and i hope for your sake that lsu doesnt have to play uga in the seccg. last year they had 75% of the crowd and will again this year more than likely. it is a true home game for them.
Keep in mind that 2 other computers rate us 9th and 7th. If NYT was a little more in line with the rest of the free world we could get that 9 thrown out and our computer average would get a significant boost. Let me add, however, that TCU fans are no longer talking about BCS scenarios and I'd hate to join them next week.
However even though we get to throw it out, it indirectly hurts us by giving the other teams one of their higher scores.
Even though we do get a throw away, you never know what their positioning of the other top teams will do to us, so we do need to have an eye on it at least. I'm sure Florida fans wouldn't want to throw away this computer. I do agree that it is garbage though.
