Here is how two teams ranked in the top 15 started out their seasons:
Team A: Central Michigan 52-7, Southeastern Louisiana 62-0, Toledo 45-13, and Florida International 55-3.
Team B: Northern Colorado 63-6, at Louisiana Tech 45-44, at UNLV 49-14, and Charleston Southern 66-10.
What is different about these games? Anything? Is one significantly better than the other?
Now besides the one game for Team B, in which they let Louisiana Tech rack up 44 points and only won by one point, these wins are essentially the same, when we're talking about strength of competition. In fact, if there is any real difference to be pointed out, you could venture to say that Team B's schedule was tougher because they actually played two of the four games on the road. Team A never left home.
The two schedules above are the out-of-conference schedules for #15 Hawaii and #2 Kansas. Team A is Kansas and Team B is Hawaii. And both of these teams are undefeated so far this season. But why is Hawaii only ranked 15th and Kansas has soared to 2nd in the nation?
That is precisely the question that I wonder about.
Let's try to figure this out. If Hawaii and Kansas' out-of-conference schedules are essentially the same, the reason for their respective rankings must be the teams that they play in their own conferences. Right? Now it is a legit argument that the teams in the WAC are substantially less quality than the teams in the six BCS conferences. So since Kansas plays in the mighty Big 12, they HAVE be better right?
Let's try to figure this out. If Hawaii and Kansas' out-of-conference schedules are essentially the same, the reason for their respective rankings must be the teams that they play in their own conferences. Right? Now it is a legit argument that the teams in the WAC are substantially less quality than the teams in the six BCS conferences. So since Kansas plays in the mighty Big 12, they HAVE be better right?
Well not so fast.
I would go so far as to say that if Hawaii played the same exact schedule that Kansas has played this year, Hawaii would still be unbeaten. Kansas has only played three teams that have a winning record -- Central Michigan, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M -- and I don't think it's crazy to say that Hawaii would beat those teams as well.
The overall records of Hawaii's opponents this season is 34-76. Not very impressive, I know. But the overall records of the teams Kansas has played is not that much better, at 47-75.
People, I just think Hawaii is getting screwed. And I have a feeling that they will get screwed out of making a BCS bowl because they are getting heavily penalized for their so-called weak schedule. But Kansas's schedule ain't that much better.
Now, I understand that this is all just my opinion, and I know that none of this really matters. But I found someone who agrees with me, and he works at ESPN. I found this article a couple days ago, and it backs up the point that I brought up last week. (See #7 here.)
Now, I understand that this is all just my opinion, and I know that none of this really matters. But I found someone who agrees with me, and he works at ESPN. I found this article a couple days ago, and it backs up the point that I brought up last week. (See #7 here.)
Here are a few points that Mark Schlabach of ESPN makes:
"Kansas is the only other unbeaten team left in major college football. The Jayhawks are 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in the BCS standings. Kansas is in its lofty and unprecedented position because it scheduled wisely, to say the least."
"The Jayhawks didn't play Oklahoma, Texas or Texas Tech, three of the strongest teams in the Big 12, during the regular season."
"In fact, if the Jayhawks didn't play in the Big 12, the Jayhawks would be in the same boat as Hawaii. They have played only three teams with winning records -- Central Michigan, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M are each 6-5......The Jayhawks haven't been penalized for playing a soft schedule; the Warriors have been penalized heavily."
"During the past five weeks, when Kansas beat two teams that are close to firing their coaches (Nebraska and Texas A&M), two teams with losing records (Colorado and Iowa State) and one of the most inconsistent programs in the country (Oklahoma State), the Jayhawks climbed from No. 13 in the BCS standings to No. 2."
"During that same time frame, when Hawaii beat San Jose State (in overtime), New Mexico State, Fresno State and Nevada (they played mostly without the injured Brennan in that game), the Warriors actually FELL from No. 14 to No. 15 in the BCS standings."
Another interesting point found in that this article. Hawaii had tried to schedule Michigan, USC, and Michigan State all on the road for the start of this season. Those invitations were all denied. Michigan State actually scheduled the game and then cancelled (Hawaii got $250,000 from Michigain State because they cancelled). Hawaii then tried to replace that game by playing USC. But to no avail.
The only thing that can happen to make me shut my mouth about all this Hawaii BCS business, is if Hawaii loses, OR if Kansas can somehow beat #3 Missouri this Saturday and then beats Oklahoma/Texas in the Big 12 title game. If Kansas can do that, then they will rightfully deserve to play for the national title.
I guess this will all work itself out in the next few weeks. And hopefully -- if they can go unbeaten all the way -- Hawaii will find themselves in a BCS bowl, just like Boise State was last year.
