Orlando's Hometown National Champions

[spenser1058]

ESPN finally admits it: the AAC  will never make the playoffs as long as it's only 4 teams. 

No other sport precludes teams from a path to the top. Time for legislation.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25057373/eliminator-unbeaten-ucf-two-loss-texas-alive?platform=amp

Edited October 24, 2018 by spenser1058

[jrs2]

7 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

ESPN finally admits it: the AAC  will never make the playoffs as long as it's only 4 teams. 

No other sport precludes teams from a path to the top. Time for legislation.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/25057373/eliminator-unbeaten-ucf-two-loss-texas-alive?platform=amp

LOL.  Who's gonna spend the money to litigate it? And what's the cause of action going to be?

You can't win on anti-trust if polls are based on opinions.  It's not like the cable companies buying up all smaller companies and the government intervening. 

It's a system based on polls which are based on opinions which are based on rankings of teams based on win-loss records of themselves and their opponents, judged by the same method, which starts in an offseason based on returning rosters and depth and recruiting class strength rankings and class makeup and coaching names.  

So, you would have to name every vote caster in the AP in the suit, and show that he or she does not have the right to vote the way he or she wants to for each poll that comes out.  And just how do you do that?

[spenser1058]

If you can't litigate, you legislate. Just like the Florida Legislature did to get UF to play FSU every year. They actually never passed a bill, just the threat took care of it. Texas did something very similar.

It's coming - there are simply going to be more alums from the non-legacy schools. 

As I have mentioned before, it's already happened in politics. There was a time that to be governor in Florida you not only had to be a Gator but also a member of Blue Key and preferably an ATO.

Now, the last governor who fit that description was Lawton Chiles.

The SEC can continue to stonewall this but the longer they wait the uglier the resolution will be. 

It's situation that is untenable - change is inevitable because it's a matter of simple fairness. Up and coming G5 schools (not just UCF but also USF, Boise State, Fresno State, Houston  and the like could beat half the teams in the SEC -heck, probably 2/3 of the teams in the ACC with little difficulty.) Nevertheless, Wake Forest is privileged while Houston is not. 

It's a simple cartel. Trying to preserve it would be like saying Sears should be preserved because it's over 100 years old and Amazon is a Johnny-come-lately. As we know, in this day and age, that dog won't hunt.

 

[spenser1058]

Meanwhile, Bianchi looks at some of the facts of scheduling:

Bianchi: UCF AD Danny White: Power 5 bias in media is frustrating, not factual
http://bit.ly/2SgDpiY

From the Sentinel

[spenser1058]

More drumbeats of a political response if the CFP continues to ignore the problem. Also, recalling how close things came to moving to Congress after the Utah/Urban Meyer problem (Jeremy Foley took care of that one and doomed Florida football for over a decade.)

In any event, interesting the Big 12 commish sees the handwriting on the wall:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/roar-for-expanded-playoff-field-will-get-loud-if-undefeated-team-left-out-big-12-commish-says/amp/

From CBS Sports

[jrs2]

That ESPN hour Week 9 segment that you posted above talked about the UCF situation (the full segment on YouTube).  They actually said that had UCF not crowned themselves last year, that no one would be talking about them now.  So it was a good marketing move.  But they also said they didn't even think UCF is the best of that bunch; rather, Tedford's Fresno State team is out west.  So they establish the Top 3 and then the 4th spot they judge among a handful of teams where they compare SOS, best wins, etc.  They said UCF would lose in that comparison.  But they also said that UCF's schedule is back-loaded with "big" games, so, that could change.

I don't see legislation standing that forces one school to schedule to play another.  There are so many constitutional law principles that would be violated.  And to defend either with legal arguments, the NCAA would win every time because you are talking about opinions from pollsters which drive the system.  So you can't pass a law that forces someone to give a different opinion.  What's UCF's argument going to be? "Force UF/FSU/MIAMI/TOSU/Michigan/etc. to play us so that the pollsters consider voting us higher in the rankings" or, will it be "Force those teams to play us, and enforce to said pollsters that they need to vote us higher in the rankings"?  Sounds like  what they do in socialist countries that claim to be democracies.  Pollsters right now obviously do not like UCF (UCF's football resume); that much is obvious.  

This goes back to what I was saying weeks back; that when UCF had the opportunities to make a push, their administration had other focuses and squandered those opportunities, so now UCF want's the system to change to accommodate them.  I personally disagree with that notion.   Times changed since 1991 when these new conferences were created like the Big East and Big 12 and conferences like the SWC and Big 8 either folded or changed name, and when other conferences like the SEC, Big 10, ACC, and Pac 10 added teams.  UCF was a "nothing program (but decent Div.1-AA) at a commuter school" during this time.  During this time, power moves were being made in Div.1.  If UCF made the change to Div.1-A in the 1980's, this would probably be a different story today.  But, Independents, like Penn St, South Carolina, Syracuse, Pitt, FSU, Miami, and others made big moves by 1991-92 for their football futures.  UCF was still only1-AA.  I would venture to say that UCF missed the boat because of themselves, and now they want the boat to turn back around and pick them up.  How do you think schools that did not miss the boat would feel about that.  It's just like with schools like FSU.  They made a move for the ACC in 1991-92 for their football future (just talking football for now) and so did the ACC.  You can't force a conference to invite you in and you can't force a team to play you.

Whether I'm correct or not, nothing will change and these threats of litigation and legislation will fall on deaf ears, and if the NCAA or P5 want things to stay the way they are, then they've got the $$$ to make sure it in fact does stay that way. 

[spenser1058]

It's been a rough week for Florida teams beginning with a loss for FAU to Georgia Southern Thursday night and FSU falling to Clemson 59-10 today. Our Knights had the week off (which should move us up in the rankings, right? We've been passed by several teams not playing.)

The U fell to Boston College.

Coach Frosty's Huskers win their second game by defeating B-C C 45-9.

The Gators stayed close into the third quarter but couldn't stay the course against Georgia, losing 36-17.

Meanwhile, the Bulls fall to Houston 57-36, leaving our Knights as the AAC's only undefeated team.

FIU beat the Hilltoppers.

Edited October 28, 2018 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

In the Coaches' Poll , the Gators fall to #14 and your Hometown National Champions are #9.

https://247sports.com/LongFormArticle/College-football-Coaches-Poll-Week-10-Top-25-rankings-Alabama-Georgia-Texas-Florida-Notre-Dame-123912196/Amp/

From 24/7 Sports

The other Florida teams have left the Top 25, keeping the Knights as the Sunshine State's highest ranked team. Charge On!

Edited October 28, 2018 by spenser1058

[spenser1058]

In the AP poll, our Knights are #9 and once again the highest ranked in the state. The Gators are #13.

The other Florida schools have fallen out of the Top 25.

Next game at the Bounce House is Thursday night at 7pm against a feisty Temple which is one of three teams undefeated in AAC play so far. This is going to be the first big test on the way to the conference championship. If we win out, we'll likely play Houston, which entered the AP at #17 this week. KZ is still recovering so this game's going to be huge.

Charge On!

https://www.dawgnation.com/football/ap-poll-top-25-week-10-georgia-football-florida/amp

From DawgNation

[jrs2]

OMG, I was watching my Gators from a car trekking across NE Ohio and missed most of the second half b/c the function I was going to had no WiFi or  4g reception...BFE if there ever was one.

There’s two sides to every story so I won’t comment on why we lost.  That being said, we got Missouri up next and they must be ticked at not being able to finish off UK.  I missed the rest of college football, even Gameday.  Maybe it was for the best.

I hear Temple is tough.  Glad to see FSU performing well enough to muster 10 points while giving up 59.  I thought Miami-BC might go that way...(thoughts of Flutie).  I can’t stand the NFL and can’t believe the Rams were 7-0 prior to the start of their game against A-a-Ron and The Pack.  How does LA go from we have two teams...to now we don’t... to now we do again?

 

[HankStrong]

2 hours ago, jrs2 said:

 How does LA go from we have two teams...to now we don’t... to now we do again?

 

$$$$

[spenser1058]

4 minutes ago, HankStrong said:

$$$$

"Show me....the MONEY!"

[spenser1058]

Lee Corso also confirms what we already knew: the fix is in and nothing will change it. That's why only the threat of litigation, legislation or both will be required to change anything.

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/watch-lee-corso-reads-prepared-statement-about-why-ucf-will-never-get-into-the-college-football-playoff/amp/

From Saturday Down South (which is pro-SEC)

[Jernigan]

https://heavy.com/sports/2018/10/ucf-football-college-football-playoff-expansion/

[spenser1058]

1 hour ago, Jernigan said:

https://heavy.com/sports/2018/10/ucf-football-college-football-playoff-expansion/

That's the best description of all the variables (not to mention the hypocrisy) that I've seen yet. Excellent post.

[jrs2]

On ‎10‎/‎29‎/‎2018 at 1:57 PM, spenser1058 said:

Lee Corso also confirms what we already knew: the fix is in and nothing will change it. That's why only the threat of litigation, legislation or both will be required to change anything.

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/watch-lee-corso-reads-prepared-statement-about-why-ucf-will-never-get-into-the-college-football-playoff/amp/

From Saturday Down South (which is pro-SEC)

Corso:  "the fix is in."

What exactly is "the fix"?  The Big XII declined "dating" UCF per that other article for a reason:  $$$.  Is that a "fix"?

[spenser1058]

Just now, jrs2 said:

Corso:  "the fix is in."

What exactly is "the fix"?  The Big XII declined "dating" UCF per that other article for a reason:  $$$.  Is that a "fix"?

Read the article posted by Jernigan above. It pretty completely outlines the problem. Frankly, I won't post about it any longer. I'm now supporting a move to acknowledge that the FBS is a cartel and that the remedy should come through legislative means to remedy.

[AmIReal]

51 minutes ago, spenser1058 said:

Frankly, I won't post about it any longer

Can I still post about it. Expand the darn field already...

From 2015 but still applicable- https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/expand-the-college-football-playoff/

[spenser1058]

14 minutes ago, AmIReal said:

Can I still post about it. Expand the darn field already...

From 2015 but still applicable-  https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/expand-the-college-football-playoff/

Tell it, Brother Real!

[jrs2]

15 hours ago, AmIReal said:

Can I still post about it. Expand the darn field already...

From 2015 but still applicable- https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/expand-the-college-football-playoff/

let me give you guys an example of something.  The Gators in 1983 were 9-2-1 and No.6 in the AP after a bowl victory over Iowa.  That's 3 non-wins.  Tennessee in 1990 was 9-2-2 and ranked No.8 in the AP with 4 non-wins and bowl victory over UVA.  UF's 1993 squad was 11-2 and No.5/4.  Typically, if a team has 3 or more losses they won't be in the Top 10 if everyone else ahead is undefeated or with 1 loss or with 2 losses.

Trying to pick the Top 4 or Top 8 or Top 16 will rely on the same formula every time:  quality wins and quality losses, SOS, preseason projections, etc.  Monumental matchups and TV time.  Major national rivalry wins and/or games.  That's what went into those examples above and their rankings.

In 1984, the NYT crowned 9-1-1 UF national champs over 12-1 BYU b/c of SOS.  UF didn't even play in a bowl game that year and had 3 less wins and 1 more non-win than BYU.  What does that tell you?  That the rankings don't care about crème puff wins; only UCF does.

I think UCF people just don't want to get it because it doesn't comport to UCF's narrative.  UCF has no history, no major rivalries, no major conference, and very little by way of quality wins.  ESPN doesn't acknowledge UCF's arguments or give them too much weight.  Network TV is only interested when they can make money pushing the brand.  Does network TV make money pushing UCF's brand? 

How many legislators are UCF grads or supporters compared to grads of P5 schools?  Not many.  I just perused the cover of an issue of Orange County Briefs for October 2018 and I see 1 UCF fan represented in a sea of orange and blue, garnet and gold, and orange and white, scarlet and grey, Duke, and Sparty. Who in their right mind will side with UCF?

This goes back to all of my prior points I made about UCF's past.  Legislation won't bail them out.

[codypet]

I think the UCF fans are getting chapped at the idea that they've been told, "you're group of 5 your wins don't matter play more power 5 and we'll talk"

So UCF schedules some P5 schools and they pull a Texas and just cancel or games get cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.  The narrative following the UNC cancellation was "this is the second straight year UCF cancelled a game against a P5 opponent"  I'm sorry, I didn't realize UCF controls the weather.

That said all UCF can do at this point is win every game AGAIN.  Hopefully they end up 25-0 and we'll see who gets put up against us in the bowl season.  I just don't want to hear, "well X university lost the bowl because their players were disappointed they didn't get to play for the National Championship".  I'm sorry, that's BS.  You need to play every game and win.  Otherwise why the heck are you on the field?

As far as alumni, UCF is still a young school.  In my field my Gator bleeding bosses were dismayed to find out the office just recently tipped in favor of UCF as far as alumni.  My boss used to make a point to hire Gators and was surprised that he "dropped the ball"  I think it has to do with age demographic.  The older generation probably skews more in favor of UF, but as time went on the playing field level off and UCF alums are catching up to UF.  The generation of UCF grads aren't quite yet at the age where you'd start seeing them as legislators.

[spenser1058]

The Tallahassee Democrat took a look at legislators and their schools right after the 2016 elections.

(Please note some legislators went to more than one school and thus are counted more than once.)

FSU ruled the roost at 26 (there are 160 House and Senate members.)

UF was next at 24.

UCF comes in third at 9 (take that, USF <g>).

While that seems safe for the legacy schools, remember that in my lifetime UF would have controlled the overwhelming majority of legislators  but is now down to 15% (I've noted before the UF>ATO>Blue Key connection.)

Going forward, that's only going to accelerate (only 20 years ago the UCF number would have been 0.)

The change is coming and more quickly than you think. After all, only 10 years ago the idea UCF would be ranked in the top 10 of the AP poll would have seemed impossible, yet here we are.

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2016/12/31/fsu-uf-top-states-legislative-alumni/96050622/

 

 

 

[spenser1058]

Oh, and if you don't believe politics can have an effect on college football, look no further than Maryland. Yesterday their head coach was reinstated following a lengthy suspension caused by morale and training issues which led to the death of a player.

Less than 24 hours later, at the behest of the governor who is up for reelection next Tuesday and following a huge outpouring of outrage from the public, Coach Durkin (who I might add got his start in coaching under none other than St. Urban Liar,) is out.

We can fix the rot in the NCAA if we ignore those who say it has ever been thus, it's tradition and it will never change. In the end, we are the change we wish to see.

[Jernigan]

9 hours ago, jrs2 said:

I think UCF people just don't want to get it because it doesn't comport to UCF's narrative.  

“Sports should be settled on the field” is now a “UCF narrative?”  Sad if true.

[jrs2]

1 hour ago, Jernigan said:

“Sports should be settled on the field” is now a “UCF narrative?”  Sad if true.

Why is everyone (who is a UCF fan) suddenly acting like they don’t understand how the Div 1-A college football rankings and bowl system has worked for the past 90 years?

9 hours ago, codypet said:

I think the UCF fans are getting chapped at the idea that they've been told, "you're group of 5 your wins don't matter play more power 5 and we'll talk"

So UCF schedules some P5 schools and they pull a Texas and just cancel or games get cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.  The narrative following the UNC cancellation was "this is the second straight year UCF cancelled a game against a P5 opponent"  I'm sorry, I didn't realize UCF controls the weather.

That said all UCF can do at this point is win every game AGAIN.  Hopefully they end up 25-0 and we'll see who gets put up against us in the bowl season.  I just don't want to hear, "well X university lost the bowl because their players were disappointed they didn't get to play for the National Championship".  I'm sorry, that's BS.  You need to play every game and win.  Otherwise why the heck are you on the field?

As far as alumni, UCF is still a young school.  In my field my Gator bleeding bosses were dismayed to find out the office just recently tipped in favor of UCF as far as alumni.  My boss used to make a point to hire Gators and was surprised that he "dropped the ball"  I think it has to do with age demographic.  The older generation probably skews more in favor of UF, but as time went on the playing field level off and UCF alums are catching up to UF.  The generation of UCF grads aren't quite yet at the age where you'd start seeing them as legislators.

Well, UF didn’t control Osama Bin Ladin in 2001 which saw the Tennessee game canceled BUT rescheduled for the week after season ending FSU game but one week prior to the SECCG (so, no week off).  UF still played them notwithstanding the inconvenience.