Formula for a National Championship & Big 10 greed.

[AutoModGod]

Just listend to M&M on the way to work this morning.

They had Lou Holtz on who spoke about the "formula" for playing for a National Championship.
Without mentioning Ohio State directly (he did reference the Big 10) he said the formula is to load up with a cupcake nonconference schedule, "like everyone in the Big 10 did", and then "hope you go undefeated or only lose one game."

Jeez if it were only that easy to get through the Big 10 undefeated or with one loss.

He did make a point that I tend to agree with though.  Lou stated that conferences, like the Pac 10, which chose to add a conference game instead of a nonconference cupcake when the 12th game was added to the schedule "should be given the benefit of the doubt in the rankings over teams from the Big10 that added cupcakes."

That is an interesting point.  The Big 10 added the nonconference 12th game so everyone could get as many home games as possible.  Some teams can schedule 8 home games.  This decision was clearly motivated by greed.  Now we have the Big10 Network, also clearly motivated by greed, driving a wedge between the league and some of its most loyal supporters.

It seems to me that Big 10 greed is undermining the credibility of its own product and the schools that comprise its league. 

[Nate]

That's a decent point.  It's not just the Big 10 that does this though.  Other conferences load up on cupcake schedules (Big 12) and do the same thing.  The Buckeyes generally have 1 tough non conference game every year.  This year our big non conference game was Washington.  Yes, they were bad this year but I suspect when they scheduled that game 2 years ago they thought Washington would be a top 25 program this year and they were close when we played them.

I would welcome another conference game instead of the likes of Kent State, etc.... and it is a money grabbing scheme to get more home games.   

[Dave5]

These are the Non-Cof games from the Almighty SEC.  LSU and Tennessee are the only teams to schedule a good game and Tennessee lost theres.  Looks about the Same as the weak Big Ten.  I'm betting if we look at the other conf it will all be the same.

Georgia
   Oklahoma St
   W Carolina
   Troy
   Georgia Tech

Tennessee
   California         L
   Southern Miss
   Arkansas St
   La Lafayette

Florida
   Western Kent
   Troy
   Florida Atlantic
   FSU            W

Kentucky
   Eastern Kent
   Kent State
   Louisville      W
   Florida Atlantic

LSU
   Va Tech         W
   Midd Tenn St
   Tulane
   La Tech
   
Auburn
   Kansas St
   S. Florida         L
   New Mex St
   Tenn Tech

Arkansas
   Troy
   N Texas
   UT- Chatt
   Florida Inter

Mississippi State
   Tulane
   Gardner Webb
   UAB
   West Virginia           L

Alabama
   Western Carolina
   FSU            L
     Houston
     UL Monroe         L

[sgtschulze]

It all boils down to our loss in the Championship and then M's loss against USC and then Appy State.

If we would have been even remotely competitive against Florida and Michigan would have won, our "cupcake" schedule wouldn't even be a topic.

The problem with loading up on tough non-conference games is two fold:

1. How will a loss affect the conference's integrity? Appy State as an example.
2. Officiating?? Do you use a neutral conference or the home conference? People will always cry foul. Remember the 02 championship "interference call"??

Just my $.02

[Dave5]

I’m sick of hearing about the loss last year, and how over rated the Buckeyes are and the Big Ten.  Ohio State was probably the best team in the regular season last year and they were not ready to play in the championship game.  We lost, it happens.  Look at history, it is not the only National Championship we lost in a bowl game.  We won some, and we lost some.  So why all the sudden does the Big Ten lose it’s credibility over a lose, or a butt kick'n.  USC throttled Oklahoma much worse, no one is questioning their conference.  I’ll admit the Big Ten is down a little bit but why should you punish Ohio State?  A good team is a good team.  No one questioned USC when the Pac 10 was down.  I don’t care if your conference is up or down, to play the same teams in your conference year in year out is not an easy thing to do.  Coaches know the players and they know the other coaches well.

Non Conference games are a joke 95% of the time.  But no one should question OSU for easy schedules.  They have played the Miami, Texas, and we're playing USC next two years.  We didn't know Washington would be this bad, but historically Washington is a good team in a good conference.

[Nate]

The media loves USC and SEC right now and the Buckeyes are just plain disliked everywhere. 

Colin Cowherd made an idiot out of himself today.  He's been beating the USC drum the entire week saying he thinks they're the best team followed by Georgia.  Again today he was questioning Ohio State and basically told the OSU fans that nobody takes us seriously because we had a weak schedule and we lost to Illinois at home.   Illinois is a BCS team and will qualify for a BCS bowl.  But according to Cowherd, USC is the best team in the country right now but he gives them a pass on their home loss to Stanford with Stanfords backup quarterback playing.

It is such a farce now.  Everyone complaining about the Buckeyes being up there also doesn't want a playoff saying they like the current system.  What?  You like the system you are bitching about?  What it is, is these media hats like feeling important in that they feel that they have a say in the National Champion.  If you make a playoff they are irrelevant.

On our easy schedule.  Yes it was easy.  Like Dave said, we thought Washington would be a top 25 team this year.  We added YSU when someone else dropped out (I forget who).  The one problem is we play to many non conference games.  We should play 3 not 4.  The Big 10 needs to require 9 conference games and then play 3 non conference games.

Fact is we are being disrespected because of last years Title game loss and Michigan's problems early this year. 

I love how the Big 10 sucks and the SEC is greatest thing since sliced bread but everyone forgets the Big 10 was 2 for 3 against the mighty SEC last bowl season.

I just hope the players get pissed about what is being said about them and they absolutely destroy whoever it is they play.

[AutoModGod]

I just hope the players get pissed about what is being said about them and they absolutely destroy whoever it is they play.

I am really hoping that will be the case, regardless of who we play. 

I gotta be nuts to say this but a win over USC in the Rose Bowl might do more for our rep and the Big 10's rep than a win over WV in the BCS Championship Game.

[Nate]

I gotta be nuts to say this but a win over USC in the Rose Bowl might do more for our rep and the Big 10's rep than a win over WV in the BCS Championship Game.

I think you're right about that.  As dumb as it is, it would help our rep more to beat USC in the Rose Bowl.  If we beat WVU in the title game we are the from the weak Big 10 and beat WVU from the weak Big East.

Of course USC could still lose to UCLA and both Mizzou and WVU could lose this week.

[Dave5]

Don't forget we play USC next year.  Ask me I would like to see us play for the National Championship, USC can wait. 

Talking about this topic on the radio, A caller actually called in and said he would rather see us play USC, and set up for the big showdown for next year.  Then make it to the National Championship game.  Hey dumb ass, sounds great but we could win a National Title this year as well.  People can call it what they want, we'd still be National Champs.

The Game can't be any more messed up then when they split it with LSU and USC.

[Nate]

I'd rather play in the National Title game.  Herbie even said he'd rather see us play in the Rose Bowl. 

You're right...we can beat USC next year in LA.