From: sager@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (mike.r.sager)
Subject: Re: Some comments
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1992 04:04:11 GMT

In article <BxH6EB.EwC@encore.com>, jfrederi@encore.com (Justin Frederich) writes:

> Let's look at this possibility. If Miami stays undefeated the rest of the
> way, it would mean they would have beaten Arizona, Florida State, and
> probably Alabama (in the Sugar Bowl). They would deserve the MNC and what
> would a playoff prove in that case ? 

If Miami beats Alabama, then they deserve to be ranked ahead of Alabama.  It
doesn't mean (to me, at least) that they deserve to be the MNC.  Because they
barely beat both Arizona and Florida St. in Miami doesn't convince me that
they're better than these two teams.  And just because Washington lost in
Arizona, I'm not convinced that Miami is better than Washington.  What would
a playoff prove?  How about, who the best team is in head-to-head matchups
at a neutral site.  It works quite well in college basketball.

> >By now I guess I'm just rambling, but after listening to a number of sports
> >commentators say Miami deserves to be #1 and then reading a bunch of posts
> >saying the same thing, I just wanted to add my two cents.  Although Miami
> >very well could be the best team, I have a problem with everyone acting
> >like it's so clear cut now that Washington has lost.  I'd like to see the
> >rankings reflect who the best team is instead of having an ordering largely
> >due to circumstance.  I'd like to see Miami, Washington, Florida St., and
> >Arizona all receive some #1 votes because, to me, not one of these four teams
> >is clearly the best.  An argument could be made for all of them.  But because
> >of circumstances (home field, schedule strength, etc.), Miami will be on top.
> >It's definitely time for a playoff system where things could be settled head
> >to head.

>  You said you weren't going to be biased :-) it appears that you were !

Perhaps I worded things poorly, but I really have nothing against Miami.  If
another team was atop the polls and the situation was the same, I'd say the
same thing.

>  I admit to being biased since it's my team that you don't think deserves
>  to be number 1. I fully understand people not liking a successful team
>  (I still hate the Yankees) but be fair. Miami played Arizona, Florida St,
>  and Penn St. on three successive weekends. Arizona had just come off a
>  loss to Wash St. and a tie with Oregon St. Miami was looking at what at
>  the time were 2 top ten teams they had to play back-to-back. Don't you
>  think they could have overlooked Arizona a little ? Also, even though
>  Penn St. fell in the polls since. At the time they were undefeated and
>  the Canes did play them in happy valley following 2 very physical games
>  in a row. 

I agree.  What Miami did was very impressive and they just might be the
best team.  I just think a few other teams should be given some consideration
based on what they've done this year.  Miami may have overlooked Arizona,
but it's also possible Arizona is even better now than when they played
Miami.  As you said, they just tied Oregon St. the week before they played
Miami.  Did they suddenly become a great team in one week or could it be
that they've improved a little more each week since then.

>  Finally, in todays poll Miami's opponents are ranked 5,9,10, and 22.
>  Florida State's are ranked 1,11,14, and 25. (But they lost to 1).
>  Arizona's are ranked 1,6,15,18, and 21. (But they lost to 1 and 21).
>  Washington's are ranked 7,9,15,18, and 21. (With the loss to 9).

This tells me they all have tough schedules which is one reason why I
would consider them all for #1.  Since Florida St. barely lost to Miami
in Miami, I consider these two teams pretty even.  Washington lost in
Arizona but if the game was at Washington, I think Washington would have
won.  At a neutral site, toss-up.  As for Arizona, it depends on what being
#1 means.  Should a team lose any chance of being #1 if they have poor
showings early in the season?  Or should being #1 mean you're the best
team right now?  If the latter, Arizona might fit that description.  And
like Florida St., Arizona's loss to Miami was by a slim margin in Miami.

I realize someone has to be the home team, but in the regular season only.
I'd like to see a playoff with either four or eight teams at neutral sites.
That would give us a real champion rather than having this determined by
a silly vote.  That's the way it's done everywhere else.

>  Justin Frederich

Mike Sager
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college