http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=1668532 Perceptions. :dis:
What you need to realize is that no matter whether LSU is 1 point or 100 points behind USC in the polls it counts the same in the BCS. Even if LSU had beaten Ole Miss by 60 points they would still be rank #3 in both the polls and the BCS this week. LSU actually gained on USC in the BCS because LSU SOS will improve because of the win at Oxford while USC will lose points in the BCS because Washington beat Washington State and Oregon beat Oregon State. LSU is actually better off in the BCS than they would have been if they had run Ole Miss out of the stadium. Ole Miss won't drop too much in the polls with a 3 point loss to the #3 ranked team but if LSU had blown them out the Rebels would take a big drop in the polls resulting in actually giving LSU less credit for the win than they will now receive. It dosen't make any sense to me but thats the way they do it. LSU is not going to jump over USC in the polls next week even if they beat Arkansas by 100. USC is idle next week but they play Oregon State the following week. If USC beats Oregon State even by one point on a last second field goal LSU is not going to jump over them in the polls even if they beat Arkansas by 60 and win the SECCG by 60. It may be posible to jump over USC even if USC dosen't lose to Oregon State but I'm not going to try go through all the posible ways it could work out that way to figure it out. Our best hope is that USC loses and LSU wins out. Then its cut and dried that LSU plays for the NC in the Sugar Bowl. Whatever happens will happen and LSU may or may not control its own destiny even if they continue to win. If LSU wins out and gets screwed by the BCS I will be as pissed about it as anybody and it will be another strong argument for a playoff. as for myself I'm just glad that LSU is good enough to beat a ranked team even in a game where the offense basically took the day off and you should be too. You have to give credit to Cutcliffe for the game plan he had and for getting his team ready to the best defense they have all year. You also have to give credit to Saban and the LSU defense for holding Eli Manning and his high powered offense to 7 points. A few years from now this game will be considered one of the classic battles of a storied rivalry right up there with the Billy Cannon run and the Bert Jones TD pass to Brad Davis with one second left.
Also, remember that usc has almost no room for improvement in the polls, while you would think all we could do is improve(hoping).
Wrong forum ramah I really think you would be better received on the USC forum. Your criticism isn't very constructive or conducive to preparing a team and it's fans for a championship calibur program for success. If you deem this as an attack on your personal opinions, then so be it. I personally am here to support the Tigers and automatically take a defensive position to anyone who emphatically tries to underscore their acheivements and goals! The season isn't over and LSU will attain the #2 ranking in the BCS if they win out. I guaruntee it!!! GEAUX TIGERS !!!!!!!! :lsug:
I've come to the inescapeable conclusion that most of these writers don't take the time to study the BCS and it's iterations the way, well, we do here. In other words, what they say is meaningless at this point. First, let's take care of the Hogs this Friday, then find a Florida fan and make them your best bud this Saturday and root like hell for the Gators to defend the Swamp and win over the 'Noles. If that happens, and we win in Atlanta over Florida, we should---should---be right there at the end. Enough to win out over USC? Dunno, but it'll be very close.
Bengal B, your comment is right on target, didn't see it earlier. Wouldn't change a word. BCS has to reconsider margin of victory as a factor, although the AP and Coaches still probably factor it in some.
