From: davem@uvmark.uucp (Dave Meeks)
Subject: Re: Some comments
Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 15:59:31 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: VMARK Software, Inc.

In article <1992Nov10.040411.22578@cbfsb.cb.att.com> sager@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (mike.r.sager) writes:
>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.

Ok..  You state that if Miami beats Alabama, they should be ranked ahead of
them.  By the same logic, you should then agree that Miami should be ranked
ahead of Florida State, Arizona, and Penn State.  If Miami goes on and beats
Syracuse, don't forget them, as they are currently #10.  That could be 4 top
ten teams that Miami would have beaten (or five if you consider that PSU was
top 10 for a long time). What more do you want???  FSU has looked great at 
times.  They have beaten NCState, Clemson, NCarolina, and Virginia.   That
is a good bunch.  They still face Florida, another quality team.  But, 
that is not quite the same as facing FSU, PSU, Arizona, Syracuse, W.Virginia,
and possibly Alabma, now is it...  Whether they win those games by 1 pt or
30 pts, the point is, they won the game.  Everyone keeps talking year after
year about how great FSU is.  And, I agree.  Everyone talks about how they are
the best team in the nation, but when it comes down to it...  They keep losing
to Miami.   As for the UW/Miami comparison, it is really hard to make.  But,
if Washington beat Arizona, everyone was ready to state UW was better than
Miami.  Now that Arizona BEAT Washington (by a LOT of points also), you are
still unwilling to admit the UW was not as good this year.   You talk
about head-to-head matchups, but then you discount Miami beating FSU and
Arizona.  You lack any consistency in your arguments, with the exception of
your obvious dislike of the fact that Miami is #1.

>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.

And, it is possible that Miami is even better now as well.  Remember that
not only could they have been overlooking Arizona, but they had some key
injuries as well..

>
>>  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.

On thing to I notice about this ranking.  Miami is the only team in the list
to PLAY 3 top 10 teams.  And, they have beaten 2 of them already.  FSU has
only faced 1 top 10 team, and it lost.  Arizona, two top ten teams, and it
lost to Miami.  UW, two top 10 teams, and it lost to one of them.  
-- 
David T. Meeks            || "New shadows tugging at the corner of his eye
VMark Software, Inc.      ||  Jostling for attention as the sunlight flares
uvmark!davem@merk.com     ||  Through a curtains tear, shuffling its beams
davem%uvmark@merk.com     ||  As if in nervous anticipation of another day"
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college