The Wiz of Odds: ESPN's 'Game Day' Problem

[Saunders]

So I guess the committee, Osborne included, is delirious because they don't veer too far from the AP or coaches poll. Clearly the good folks on Huskerboard are the only sane and knowledgeable ones.

Osborne is 1 of 12.

We also don't have a monetary stake in it.

 

[Saunders]

You'd almost think ESPN ranks the teams.

Actually the coaches and beat reporters do that. ESPN then reports that assessment.

And now a Selection Committee with both Tom Osborne and Barry Alverez on it are making up their own minds, and at the moment they appear to agree that the SEC West is pretty loaded.

There's a conflict of interest involving the SEC and ESPN. Won't argue that. But the argument that it's all about money cuts both ways. And in that way, Chris Fowler is correct. A strong Big 10 contender doesn't threaten ESPN at all. In fact, it's preferable. Arguments, demographics and viewership favor getting representatives from four different conferences and regions in the first NCAA playoff. The SEC is loaded with good teams and rabid followers. That's not a creation of ESPN. That's a creation of the SEC. Millions of people would love to see the SEC get that look of smug superiority wiped off its face. That works for ESPN, too.

How much is the SEC overrated? I honestly don't know. But when I look at the Big 10 West and look at the SEC West, I have to think Nebraska is lucky to be where we are.

I do think the Huskers can beat any given team on any given (if really lucky) day. But does anyone think Nebraska is 8 - 1 playing in the SEC West?

The SEC west is better, no doubt. But I'd take the the B1G west over the SEC east though. And I assure you the SEC east has gotten WAY more publicity from ESPN than the B1G West.

 

[HTO]

So I guess the committee, Osborne included, is delirious because they don't veer too far from the AP or coaches poll. Clearly the good folks on Huskerboard are the only sane and knowledgeable ones.

Do you care to respond to my previous post or is the above hit and run more your style?

 

[HTO]

But does anyone think Nebraska is 8 - 1 playing in the SEC West?

With Alabama's schedule, yes, I believe NU would be 8-1 at this point.

 

[Saunders]

But does anyone think Nebraska is 8 - 1 playing in the SEC West?

With Alabama's schedule, yes, I believe NU would be 8-1 at this point.

THEY AIN'T PLAYED NOBODY PAAAAWWWWLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[VA Husker Fan]

So I guess the committee, Osborne included, is delirious because they don't veer too far from the AP or coaches poll. Clearly the good folks on Huskerboard are the only sane and knowledgeable ones.

Do you care to respond to my previous post or is the above hit and run more your style?

The initial post, or another one? I already responded to the initial one, said it was pretty bad. Stop watching game day and other ESPN talk shows if they bother you. There are other CFB shows.

The thread seemed to be going the way of ESPN unduly influencing the voters. As if the coaches across the country are going to ignore their own livelihood and automatically rank the SEC teams higher. And the committee is spending all their time in conference watching ESPN commentary and SEC network ads, amiright? The AP voters are also spread throughout the country and they have incentive to have local teams do well.

But mostly hit and run is my style because I think many of you go way overboard in your hatred of ESPN and the SEC and I just hurt my head beating it against the wall. ESPN on the field tripping players or SEC opponents. They probably do influence some kids to go to SEC schools, but as I look at the rosters I see mostly kids from southern schools. There are a lot of great HS players down there, but the pie is getting split a bunch of ways with all those SEC schools and others trying to get players out of there.

 

[NUpolo8]

But does anyone think Nebraska is 8 - 1 playing in the SEC West?

With Alabama's schedule, yes, I believe NU would be 8-1 at this point.

L O L
We'd have likely gotten crushed by Arkansas. Let alone the actual "good" teams in the sec.

And we are all admitting they're the best teams, the only way there'd be a bias is if they weren't and still got in.

And before there's a flip 2011 reference, name another team besides USC that belonged there. You can't.

 

[knapplc]

But they ain't bona fide!

 

[NUpolo8]

But they ain't bona fide!

Are you comparing this more to a coen movie or the Odyssey?

 

[knapplc]

But does anyone think Nebraska is 8 - 1 playing in the SEC West?

With Alabama's schedule, yes, I believe NU would be 8-1 at this point.

That record is goin' through the roof. They playin' it as far away as Mobile.

 

[shyndy]

But does anyone think Nebraska is 8 - 1 playing in the SEC West?

With Alabama's schedule, yes, I believe NU would be 8-1 at this point.

L O L
We'd have likely gotten crushed by Arkansas. Let alone the actual "good" teams in the sec.

And we are all admitting they're the best teams, the only way there'd be a bias is if they weren't and still got in.

And before there's a flip 2011 reference, name another team besides USC that belonged there. You can't.

crushed by Arkansas huh. Give me a break, the only other team on there id have been worried about is WVU. Honestly that schedule is a little better than ours overall but only because some of the teams on our schedule turned out to be absolutely terrible, like Illinois and fresno. Totally agree that we would likely be 8-1 with that schedule.

 

[NUpolo8]

But does anyone think Nebraska is 8 - 1 playing in the SEC West?

With Alabama's schedule, yes, I believe NU would be 8-1 at this point.

L O LWe'd have likely gotten crushed by Arkansas. Let alone the actual "good" teams in the sec.

And we are all admitting they're the best teams, the only way there'd be a bias is if they weren't and still got in.

And before there's a flip 2011 reference, name another team besides USC that belonged there. You can't.

crushed by Arkansas huh. Give me a break, the only other team on there id have been worried about is WVU. Honestly that schedule is a little better than ours overall but only because some of the teams on our schedule turned out to be absolutely terrible, like Illinois and fresno. Totally agree that we would likely be 8-1 with that schedule.

Yeah Nebraska has had a real success stopping power running teams. Especially coached by Bret Bielema. They're better than their record by a long shot. And I'd hate to have their schedule.

 

[HTO]

The initial post, or another one? I already responded to the initial one, said it was pretty bad. Stop watching game day and other ESPN talk shows if they bother you. There are other CFB shows.

This is the one I referenced before. It doesn't bother me one bit, I do enjoy discussing it and I also watch the BTN show. Outside of the two mentioned, I'm not aware of others.

 

[HTO]

We'd have likely gotten crushed by Arkansas. Let alone the actual "good" teams in the sec.

You are the exact person ESPN targets week in and week out.

 

[shyndy]

But does anyone think Nebraska is 8 - 1 playing in the SEC West?

With Alabama's schedule, yes, I believe NU would be 8-1 at this point.

L O LWe'd have likely gotten crushed by Arkansas. Let alone the actual "good" teams in the sec.

And we are all admitting they're the best teams, the only way there'd be a bias is if they weren't and still got in.

And before there's a flip 2011 reference, name another team besides USC that belonged there. You can't.

crushed by Arkansas huh. Give me a break, the only other team on there id have been worried about is WVU. Honestly that schedule is a little better than ours overall but only because some of the teams on our schedule turned out to be absolutely terrible, like Illinois and fresno. Totally agree that we would likely be 8-1 with that schedule.

Yeah Nebraska has had a real success stopping power running teams. Especially coached by Bret Bielema. They're better than their record by a long shot. And I'd hate to have their schedule.

that was 2012