Pole Position Saturday - The Race is ON!

The talk of the Big-10 Conference has been Michigan’s tumultuous and auspicious beginning. Not since 1959 have the Wolverines started so poorly. Within the last two weeks of the 2006 season and the first two weeks of the 2007 campaign, the Maize and Blue (together with Notre Dame) has dropped some dubious standards on the college football world. Last week, the Wolves set a new NCAA record of futility by becoming the first Top-10 nationally ranked team to not only drop completely out of the Top-25, but lose to Division I-AA (two-time defending national champion) program - Appalachian State.

This week it gets even worse. Oregon, those pathetic patsies from the PAC-10, shredded the Big-House, to the tune of 624 yards and 39 points, while giving up just 7 to a suddenly anemic Michigan team, who has been vastly over-rated in the pre-season polls through-out the BCS era. While Sports Illustrated’s Mandel writes of recruiting ineptitude and outdated schemes, I have a different theory altogether. The paradigm has shifted in college football and has done so in such rapid fashion that the sports enthusiast can’t seem to grasp the beauty of it.

Oregon players ran circles around Michigan’s sluggish defense all day.
- Phot Courtesy of CNNsi

Due to the fact that Notre Dame is trying to match their long-time rivals (Michigan) with equally significant mediocrity, both teams have started (0-2) for the first time in history. As a matter of fact, the Irish have one-upped their Maizen cousins by losing their last four games by over twenty-points, which is also the first time in history this has happened.

Notre Dame quarterbacks faced heat all day from an aggressive
Georgia Tech defense. - Courtesy of CNNsi (AP)

Craig James, the ABC-ESPN analyst, fired the first shot across the Wolverine bow today by stating “Its amazing how little respect people around the country have for Michigan. Twenty-five years ago Oregon would have melted walking into the Big-House at first glance of the Wolverine helmet, one of the biggest icons in college football.” Well Craig, 25 years ago Michigan - like most other football powers at the time - had a tremendous advantage due to stock-piling players. Not to mention the branding identity factor that television created, causing a huge competitive imbalance in the recruitment of players, as many young players associated excellence akin to the number of times a program was viewed on television, especially in the feature bowl games . My how things have changed! The 85 scholarship rule, now in its second decade of existence, has become the ultimate equalizer.

Not to be outdone, John Saunders replied with an ominous statement, “What in the world is going on in college football today?” Well, for those of you who have been living in a cave, or who have believed the commentary from the pundits across the nation throughout this decade of change, it’s time to wake up and embrace the jewels of college football. Parity has arrived in the game - due in large part to the 85 scholarship rule - and the fact that many programs must start true freshman in order to allure them into the program, or to keep them from bolting to another team if they become unhappy, or are forced into this strategy by the black death to any program - the injury factor.

We have become brain washed into thinking that, somehow, these elite teams of the past are just superior because…well, just because they have always been superior and everyone on television has said so. According to the rankings thus far, just like every season for the past 100 years, the coaches and sports writers continue to uphold this belief as they continue to maintain the status quo in the infamous poll and bowl scramble.

In a previous article just ten days ago, I discussed this very issue as it was my belief that Michigan and Tennessee were two of the most all-time over-ranked teams of the last decade. I also addressed the PAC-10 bashing smear-campaigns, which have a far greater scope, objective and connection with the past than most people realize. Stewart Mandel gives us a behind the scenes look into the poll ranking process creating a view that lends us to believe the validity and reliability of the overall process is extremely low!

Not to be outdone, popular media pundits like Kirk Herbstreit add fuel to the fire by continually upholding the tradition, pageantry and status of the elite programs. He essentially ignores the accomplishments of the tradition starved programs - who must constantly scratch, claw and fight their way towards national stature and a BCS branding identity - by utilizing the common excuse that elite teams like Michigan often times don’t show up in explaining away the losses. Because of this, the average fan has missed a quiet revolution that is silently growing into a cascading avalanche.

What we the fans often forget is the media - television in particular - is focused largely on matching up the traditional powers of the pre-85 scholarship era in an effort to drive up corporate advertising dollars, which is specifically tied to the Nielson Ratings.

If you’re like most fans today, you often get lost in the maze of confusion, which I call the riddle wrapped up inside the BCS enigma. The Hot topic today is Lloyd Carr and his obvious ineptitude, but if you’ve been watching the game with a keen eye, you’d quickly recognize that Michigan and Notre Dame are not at all unlike Tennessee, Florida State, USC, Penn State, Washington, Nebraska, Texas, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Georgia, LSU, Alabama, Miami and UCLA.

What is the connection here? All of these programs have struggled in the past decade, specifically within the BCS era, yet all are considered the elite schools in the game today, and totally given the benefit of the doubt when ranking the weekly Top-25, especially within the pre-season polls. When Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma suddenly lose to schools like Appalachian State, Oregon, TCU, Boise State, Oregon State they are whole-heartedly defended by the media (pundits) who utilize this very strategy. The game never moves forward. I hope you realize we can no longer just continue to pass this off. If every game is truly a playoff in college football, a team cannot afford to lose to any team - that is after all the beauty of college football - for every game is a playoff in itself.

In the first two weeks of the 2007 season alone we have witnessed some inspiring accomplishments. Fresno State - that program who has been much maligned of late - continues to play anyone, anytime and anywhere, which is usually on the road as very few programs other than the northwest teams will venture inside of Bulldog Stadium. Less than 24 hours ago, the Dawgs again took a historically elite BCS contender to the Brink, losing yesterday to Texas A&M 47-45 in triple over-time. East Carolina, who last week gave Virginia Tech all it wanted and more, beat BCS member North Carolina 34 - 31 in over-time as well.

Last week, BYU beat Arizona - who continues to chase its soul ever since the firing of Dick Tomey - 20-6 in a game that really wasn’t even that close. Alabama-Birmingham and Southern Mississippi were both tied with Florida State and Tennessee before succumbing late. Illinois only scored 14 points on Western Illinois and Iowa State, yet another Division I-A team losing to another Divsion I-AA team, lost 24 - 13 to Northern Iowa, and this coming on the heels of last weeks humbling loss to Kent State by a similar score.

Bowling Green, who last week beat Minnesota 32 - 31 in over-time, gave another Big-10 Conference member all it could handle before losing to Michigan State 28 - 17. C-USA member Marshall also gave West Virginia all it could handle before losing late 48-23. The Thundering-Herd was ahead 13-10 well into the third quarter. Cincinnati, who two years ago was a member of C-USA, along with Louisville, laid a big-time whippin’ on Oregon State Thursday night 34-3. So I guess it’s about time that the popular media pundits are beginning to join the party for college football is as healthy as it has ever been. However, with all the parity occurring in the last 4 years alone, we are headed for another chronic BCS controversy if things continue.

The PAC-10, who is 13-3 so far this season in non-conference match-ups, has been a victim of similar maliciousness. Heavily criticized when it loses, and rarely given the credit it deserves when it succeeds, the sting from the national media caused the same type of rash. The overall competition in the PAC-10 can be difficult enough, but battling the “Soft” stigma has been equally challenging.

I had to laugh a little bit today as Mandel and James both raved about the speed at the offensive skill positions they have witnessed in PAC-10 victories over Tennessee and Michigan. Welcome to the party my friends, for this is one reason why PAC-10 defenses have been particularly suspect, because the conference is very much a high risk - high reward type of game and as a result, teams can look like a champion one week and a total dud the next. The equalizer is the turnover factor.

Justin Forsett ran for 160 yards and a touchdowns Golden Bears avenged
last season’s humiliating loss to the Volunteers. - Courtesy CNNsi (AP)

In the 2004 Liberty Bowl between Boise State and Louisville, Kirk Herbstreit hit it right on the head. Commentating at the time “I continue to be dumbfounded by the role that turnovers play in creating the momentum swings in college football,” the popular ESPN analyst uncovered the jewel within the game, for this is the game within the game, often determining the outcome. Some years you drink the wine and some years you pick the grapes, and yesterday’s Michigan - Oregon contest today was a prime example.

The Ducks, who were much maligned last year, suffered the wrath of this vicious virus and the turnover ratio become the ultimate plague last year. So far this year, the Duck “D” has been a bend but don’t break unit, benefiting from key interceptions in the secondary. Last year they picked the grapes…so far this year they are drinking the wine, but its hard to totally stand behind Oregon’s porous defense, because without those turnovers, the Ducks could be sitting in Michigan’s shoes.

Michigan was looking like the old Wolverines of old early in the contest yesterday, but suffered some ill-timed turnovers and the resulting momentum swing, coming on the heels of last week’s meltdown against the Mountaineers, obviously caused a definite loss of confidence and was a huge momentum changer for the Ducks. This is the beauty of the game within the 85 scholarship era. Any team - and I hope you accept this rather than just saying Elite Team A just didn’t show up against unkown B - can beat another on any given day for the difference now comes down to turnovers created via a well coached game plan capitalizing on field position, time of possession and confident execution.

This is a healthful thing for college football wouldn’t you agree, for this is the first time in recent memory that many teams around the country, which include the non-BCS and tradition starved BCS teams, have an equal chance to earn the Pole Position in college football? The Race is just beginning to heat up and maybe for the first time ever, many teams have a deserving chance thanks to auspicious beginnings by Michigan and Notre Dame. It’s about time the popular pundits have joined the party!

Here are your Week #2 Results from around the BCS

West		Week #2 Match-Ups
20 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - WSU 42 - 21 Next: The Citadel	@	13 (0-0) (1-1) Last: W - Utah St 23 - 16 Next: Hawai’i
10 (0-0) (0-2) Game Recap Last: L - GTech 33 - 3 Next: @ Michigan	@	31 (0-0) (2-0) Last: W - Florida Int 59 - 0 Next: Youngstown State
41 (0-0) (0-1) Game Recap Last: L - B. Green 32 - 31 Next: Florida Atlantic	VS	35 (0-0) (1-0) Last: W - Ball State 14 - 13 Next: Cincinnati
36 (0-0) (1-0) Game Recap Last: W - NEastern 27 - 0 Next: Duke	VS	31 (0-0) (0-1) Last: L - Nebraska 52 - 10 Next: Nicholls St
35 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W- N. Illini 16 - 3 Next: @ Iowa State	VS	00 (0-0) (0-2) Last: L - Washington 42 - 12 Next: Illinois
14 (0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last: L - Missou 40 - 34 Next: @ Syracuse		W ILLINOIS 00
East		Week #2 Match-Ups
20 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: Won Y-Town St 38 - 6 Next: @ Washington	VS	02 (0-0) (0-2) Last: W - Army 22 - 14 Next: @ Indiana
07 (0-0) (0-2) Game Recap Last: L - Appy St. 34 - 32 Next: Notre Dame	VS	39 (0-0) (2-0) Last: W - Houston 48 - 27 Next: Fresno State
52 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Toledo 52 - 24 Next: C. Michigan	VS	E ILLINOIS 06
28 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - UAB 55 - 18 Next: Pittsburgh	VS	17 (0-0) (1-1) Last: W - Minnesota 32 - 31 Next:
31 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Flor Int 59 - 0 Next: Youngstown St	VS	10 (0-0) (0-2) Last: L - GTech 33 - 3 Next: @ Michigan
37 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Indy St 55 - 7 Next: Indiana	@	27 (0-0) (0-2) Last: L - W. Virginia 62 - 24 Next: @ Missouri

Atlantic		Week #2
49 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last Week: Beat Florida State 24 - 18 Next Week: Furman	VS.	26 (0-0) (0-2) Last Week: Lost to Tulsa 35-17Next Week: @ Texas A&M
34 (0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last Week: Lost - Clemson 24 - 18 Next Week: @ Colorado	VS.	24 (0-0) (0-2) Last Week: Lost - Michigan St 55-18 Next Week: Alcorn State
26 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last Week: Defeated Villanova 31-14 Next Week: West Virginia	@	10 (0-0) (0-2) Last Week: Lost - Penn State 59 - 0 Next: @ Miami (Fla)
17(0-0) (0-1) Game Recap Last Week: Lost - UCF 25 - 23 Next Week: Wofford (D1-AA)	@	37 (2-0) (2-0) Last Week: Defeated Wake Forest 38-28 Next Week: @ Georgia Tech
17(0-1) (0-2) Game Recap Last Week: Lost to BC 38-28 Next Week: Army	VS.	20 (0-0) (1-0) Last Week: Defeated Nevada 52-10 Next Week: USC
37 (2-0) (2-0) - Game Recap Last Week: Defeated Wake Forest (38-2 Next Week: @ Georgia Tech	VS.	17 (0-0) (0-1) Last Week: Lost - UCF 25 - 23 Next Week: Wofford (D1-AA)
Coastal		Week #2
31(0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last Week: Defeated James Mad. 37-14 Next Week: Virginia	@	34 (0-0) (1-1) Last Week: Lost to Virginia Tech 17-7 Next Week: So. Miss
13(0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last Week: Defeated Marshall 31 - 3 Next Week: Florida Int.	@	51 (0-0) (2-0)Last Week: Defeated N. Texas 79 - 10 Next Week: Utah St
69(0-0) (2-0) Game RecapLast Week: Defeated Notre Dame 33 - 3 Next Week: W. Carolina	VS.	SAMFORD 14
07(0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last Week: Defeated ECU 17 - 7 Next Week: Ohio	@	48 (0-0) (2-0) Last Week: Defeated Miss. St 45 - 0 Next Week: Middle Tennessee
24(0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last Week: Lost to Wyoming 23 - 3 Next Week: @ N. Carolina	VS.	13(0-0) (0-2) Last Week: Lost to UCONN 45 - 14 Next Week: @ Northwestern
(0-0) (0-2) Game Recap Last Week: Lost to UCONN 45 - 14 Next Week: @ Northwestern	VS.	24(0-0) (1-1) Last Week: Lost to Wyoming 23 - 3

North		Week #2 Match-Ups
48 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: L - W. Mich 62 - 24 Next: @ Maryland	@	23 (0-0) (0-2) Last: L - Miami 31 - 3 Next: New Hampshire
41 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Buffalo 38 - 3 Next: Norfolk State	VS	24 (0-0) (1-1) Last: L - Temple 30 - 19 Next: Ball State
38 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Duke 45 - 14 Next: Temple	VS	MAINE 00 (0-0) (1-1)
00 (0-0) (0-2) Game Recap Last: L - Wash. 42 - 12 Next: Illinois	@	35 (0-0) (2-0) Last: W - N. Illinois 16 - 3 Next: @ Iowa State
00 (0-0) (0-1) Last: L - Akron (22 - 14) Next: @ Wake Forest	VS	RHODE ISLAND 00 (0-0) (0-1)
South		Week #1 Outcomes
58 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Murr. St 62 - 24 Next: @ Maryland	VS	42 (0-0) (0-2) Last: L - Flor-Atl. 27 - 14 Next: @ LSU
26 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Elon 28 - 13 Next: N. Carolina	@	23 (0-0) (1-1) Last: B - K-State 23 - 13 Next: Mississippi State
34 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Ea. Mich 27 - 03 Next: @ Michigan State	VS	GRAMBLING 10 (0-0) (1-1)
34 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - SE Miss 59 - 03 Next: @ Miami (OH)	VS	03 (0-0) (1-1) Last: W - Utah 24 - 07 Next: Idaho State
24 (0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last: W - Temple (30 - 19) Next: Ball State	@	41 (0-0) (2-0) Last: W - Buffalo (38 - 03) Next: Norfolk State

North		Week #2 Match-Ups
20 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: W - Nevada 52 - 10 Next: The Citadel	@	17 (0-0) (0-2) Last: Lost - BC 35 - 28 Next: Army
38 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: Beat - Illinios 40 - 34 Next: W. Michigan	@	25 (0-0) (1-1) Last: Beat - Memphis 23 - 21 Next: @ Vandy
34 (0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last: Lost - Auburn 23 - 13 Next: Mississippi St	VS	14 (0-0) (0-2) Last: Lost - ASU 45 - 3 Next: @ Stanford
14 (0-0) (1-1) Game Recap Last: Beat - Colorado St 31 - 28 OT Next: Florida State	VS	33 (0-0) (2-0) Last: Beat - SJSU 45 - 3 Next: SDSU
62 (0-0) (2-0) Game Recap Last: Beat - No. Illinois 16 - 3 Next: @ Iowa State	VS	SE LOUISIANA 00 (0-0) (0-2)
13 (0-0) (0-2) Game Recap Last: Lost - Kent State 23 - 14 Next: Iowa		N IOWA