Berry Tramel, Sports columnist

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David Stanley Ford

In the tiebreaker triangle, Longhorns have the edge
BCS MESS Where’s Solomon when you need him?

BY Berry Tramel    Comments Comment on this article60
Published: November 27, 2008

I’m with everyone else. I can’t think of a better way to break college football’s Bermuda triangle than the BCS rankings.


Sam Bradford PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN

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Nov 27Enough talk. It's time to play.

The Big 12 South’s three-way tie is a conundrum fit for Solomon. Cut the baby three ways.

But the BCS is inadequate, too, for a simple reason.

The best solution for a three-way tie is within the confines of the triangle.

And in that context, Texas clearly deserves the edge. Not because the Longhorns beat OU, but because of where the Longhorns beat OU.

In the triangle, Texas had to go to Lubbock, Texas Tech had to go Norman and OU didn’t have to go to Austin. Oklahoma-Texas was played on a neutral field.

In the triangle, the Sooners didn’t have a road game and the Longhorns didn’t have a home game. That’s a major advantage for the Sooners and a major disadvantage for the Longhorns.

But the tiebreaker — the BCS — doesn’t live within the triangle. The BCS is the full season’s body of work, and in the BCS, OU clearly has the advantage.

The Sooners played the tougher schedule. Their non-conference victims include TCU and Cincinnati, foes currently ranked 14 and 16 in the BCS.

Neither Texas nor Tech played a non-conference opponent that would be in the BCS top 40, if the rankings went that deep.

So clearly, the Sooners are most deserving of a spot in the BCS championship game. But the Longhorns are most deserving of a spot in the Big 12 title game.

And in the event of the triangle, it’s the national-championship formula that will determine the conference-championship representative.

Where’s Solomon when you need him?

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David Stanley Ford




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I understand that breaking down all the elements of the potential three-way tie in the Big 12 South is a complicated issue and that Tramel, when it comes to football, has to simplify things as much as possible so that he can understand them, but to determine who is most deserving based only on one issue is rediculous. You can't tell me that home field advantage makes up for a 44 point scoring differential compared to 10 on a neutral field. What about that none of the teams have had a road win against the other top 3 in the division? If, and I mean if, OU wins at OSU, it will be the only one of the group that has one. Since you seem to overrate home field so much, surely an OU win at Stillwater would far outway a 4 point Texas win at home. I think both teams are deserving and one will get screwed unless FSU stuns Florida. But I think if you completely sanitize emotion from the equation and look only at record and rankings of the teams played, OU, with a win, edges Texas by the slimest of margins as you will see reflected in the polls and computers.
Ron, Oklahoma City - Nov 28, 2008 at 2:35 pm
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lets say chase d. has a hot hand and the tigers beats texas or ou
then put ou and and texas in a bowl game, big 12 national championship
settled
mitch, blanchard - Nov 28, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Oh and before anyone jumps on it, I know McCoy's completion percentage is much higher than Bradford's. The point I was trying to make is ALL of Bradford's #s are very good, including his completion percentage
Richard, Visalia - Nov 28, 2008 at 10:39 am
Good point Kyle about the "if OU wins at OSU...it is the only team of the trio with a quality road win". I hope the commentators on Saturday pick up on that and do not give anymore pub to that one public awareness drive that Texas fan is pushing. Herbstriet, who has been more wrong than right, is a big pusher for Texas. I did not watch all the game last ngiht (T v A&M) and the sound was off when we did watch so I do not know how much the commentators pushed for Texas, I know James tends to very pro-Texas. However, the announcers on Saturday need to give OU its air time and give the reason why OU should be ahead of Texas, or at least both sides of the argument, not just what "they think". If OU slams OSu, then based on what i've been hearing from many people, OU will be dubbed 'the hottest team" of the moment and get pushed ahead. Bradford deserves the Heisman, his numbers, including percentage of completions are out of this world. McCoy is very good, but Bradford is better.
Richard, Visalia - Nov 28, 2008 at 10:36 am
The worst part of the situation is "BIG BABY MACK" and all his whining. How can a supposedly grown man that has any dignity act like a little four year old? Hasn't anybody connected to TexAAAASSS football got enough pride or common sense to tell him he looks like an idiot???? I do. Hey Mack, if I give you a baby bottle will you please shut UP???????????
Xavier, Benson - Nov 28, 2008 at 9:43 am
I wonder if Tramel will change his mind after Saturday. We beat Tech by 44 points, the same team that just proved too much for the Longhorns. This article from this man who works for an Oklahoma newspaper just does not make sense to me. All we have to do is win in Stillwater and we should win the South and have the opportunity to play for another Big 12 and possibly National Championship. It is like some people in the press actually feel sorry for Texas or really do not like OU. I believe we will prove our argument on the field. That is what Stoops is doing, instead of lobbying in ESPN like Brown. A stand-up man is Stoops, his team in now reflecting the man who leads them.
Arron, Holdenville - Nov 28, 2008 at 9:38 am
Hey Longhorn Fans; this is just for you---39-33!!!! Maybe some of the Aggie fans should have held up signs like that during that game where Texas defeated the "unranked" 4-7 record, Texas A&M Aggies!!! Woo-hoo!!!! Well, hey, if you can't beat an unranked team at home...then you don't deserve to go anywhere, right????? So, they beat up on A&M...wow...guess McCoy should get the Heisman based on that performance, huh? Sorry, but if OU loses to OSU...you Longhorn fans can drop the 45-35 signs in the trash and go cry....because as much as you have been crying that you deserve the shot because you beat us at a "neutral" site then Tech will go because they beat you....at home.....oh well....whatever happens....happens....if OU gets the shot then great..if not...hey we have been there and done that, before...just go out there boys and beat up on them Cowboys....end the season with a good win!!! BOOMER SOONERS!!!
Sharon, Chattanooga - Nov 28, 2008 at 9:35 am
EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO TO SPORTSCENTER.COM AND VOTE FOR OU TO JUMP TO #2 IF THEY BEAT OSU.

THERE IS A VOTE TO ASSESS PUBLIC OPINION.

RIGHT NOW THE VOTE IS 54% TO 46% AGAINST OU JUMPING TO #2 ! ! ! ! (Part of Texas's lobbying?)
Bobby, Rural OKC - Nov 28, 2008 at 8:46 am
Guys, c'mon it's a neutral field. The location of the stadium means nothing if the tickets are split half and half. It could be in Norman or Austin or London, if there is an equal fan distribution in the seats it's neutral. Home field advantage is about noise, distraction and atmosphere all of which is essentially negated as soon as there are as many fans for both teams. I am frustrated though that so many people are talking about who played whom where and not mentioning the fact that by OU beating #12 OSU tomorrow, they will be the only team of the big 3 with a quality road win.
Kyle, Dallas - Nov 28, 2008 at 8:42 am
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Well, Berry, it's not a "neutral field" when the officials are from Texas and include a UT grad! And OSU is ranked #12; UT got them in Austin and won by 4; we'll see how OU does Saturday.

How's this for another "triangle stat" - in the three games between the tied teams, Oklahoma has led the other two for 104 minutes, 13 seconds. Texas Tech has led for 53 minutes, 9 seconds. Texas for 9 minutes, 6 seconds.
Stephen, Tulsa - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Mark, Denham Springs: Awesome post. Articulate, factual and the sentiment at the end reminds us all... It's just a game!

Richard, Visalia: I too live in a "hostile"environment, 50 miles south of Moscow on the Colorado (Austin). My experience is similar... heck, even after the loss in Dallas, every UT fan greeted me with "see you next year"...BTW: Thank you for your service!

All the "trash-talkers": Let the games play out. Right or wrong, there will be a next year. Many of us wouldn't mind discussing a playoff, but only if every team and conference can have a shot at the prize.

As I post this UT is taking care of business and beating the AG's... just like they should. I expect TT will do the same. BOOMER SOONER!
Steven, San Antonio - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:08 pm
its a neutral field because half the tix go to OU and half to go Tx. I agreee that the neutral thing is a bit overplayed though. If we win we Texas gets screwed and if we lose Texas gets screwed.......
HA!
OU fans should hold up the score of the Texas vs Texas Tech game in Stillwater!!!!!
I think Colt gets the nod over Sam for the heisman. He is completing over 80% of his passes this year. That is amazing! The QBs are pretty even throwing the ball, but Colt can do more with his legs than Sam can. I would love to see Sam bring another one home to Norman, but I think Colt McCoy is just a little more deserving......wow cant believe I just said that!
Ben, BFE - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:37 pm
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Texas's problem is that they play tonight. Whatever they do will be long forgotten in the minds of the pollsters and overshadowed by whatever may transpire Saturday. Sometimes, you just can't buy a break......
Tim, Yukon - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:16 pm
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Maybe it has been mentioned, but the RRR is held in Dallas, last time I looked which is in Texas which is played on the site of the State Fair of TEXAS. It isnt played in the State Fair of Neutral, I am really sick of this. Just because it isnt home & home doesnt make it neutral for either team, least of all Oklahoma. I have never wanted the game moved, but putting a lot into it being NEUTRAL is ridiculus
Jeanie, Wichita Falls - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:13 pm
and oh btw, Sam Bradford should be a clear cut leader for the Heisman, but the DoK has so little respect nationally, he has no local voice. Why don't you stop arguing with Trabor and try a little harder. Yeh, it is you job to be an OU and OSU homer until they play each other. Ever read the Statesman? Please.
The Plainsman, Oklahoma - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Ironically, if we (OU) lose, Tech goes to Big 12 Champ game. It's a very difficult argument to make for Texas at this point in the season. But it's easy to overlook the fact that Tech just whipped them recently? Only for UT fans. Bottom line, Texas MUST root for OU to win in order for them to win the Big 12 South. It's funny.
The Plainsman, Oklahoma - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I have been saying the same thing all week. Forget the talking about the BCS. OU HAS to beat OSU and I don't care how many points. Defeat a tough and good OSU team and let the chips fall where they may. I think all will work out. OU must play with the same intensity like they did last Saturday. To keep a team that keyed up for two week is tough to do but the OU coaches should be able to do it. The players seem more focused this year and since the Texas loss they have been better prepared. The defense has been getting better every week since the linebackers have matured. The Sooners should be ready, now all they have to do is execute. GO SOONERS!!!
William, Fairfield - Nov 27, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Barry quit trying to be controversial, you aren't going to get a job in Dallas, Houston or Austin.
Dave, owasso - Nov 27, 2008 at 7:19 pm
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Yea, of course .. my bad.. I'm just afraid of a big game let down.
i.e. West Virginia ect..
david, fresno - Nov 27, 2008 at 6:36 pm
david, if for some reason OU didn't win this weekend, Texas wouldn't win the south, Tech would............

OU will need to continue their improved defensive play, but more importantly is their also improved run game. Balanced offense, ever since the Texas game, has been what's made this a different team....
Andrew, Irving - Nov 27, 2008 at 4:03 pm
If OU doesn't come out playing the same kind of agressive defense they played against tech.. they won''t win. I would like to think they will, but from what I've seen all year, I doubt they will. I believe the game will be a squeaker. OU will be lucky to win in Stool-H20. That it turn will probably put Texas in the Big 12 Title game. I hope not, it's just what I beleive will happen. Don't hate me! P.S. I was @ the Tech game. I've never been in a more thrilling setting with a more satisfying outcome in my long life!
david, fresno - Nov 27, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Scott, this paper just proclaimed Texas has an advantage over OU and you think it's being bias towards the Sooners? I've gotten along with plenty of Cowboy fans lately, but that comment was just retarded.

The Cowboys have two losses and are out of the Big 12 and national title picture. Heck, one of those losses was a 56-20 beatdown to a team OU beat 65-21.

OU has the toughest SOS in the conference hands down, and if not, they will after OSU, win or lose. Besides, Berry never said the game didn't qualify as a tough game.

Anyway, none of this would even matter if the BCS computers took out the polls that still have Tech ranked ahead of OU...that mush is just insane.
Zach, Perkins - Nov 27, 2008 at 2:20 pm
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Andrew,

You may be the first one I have read that actually states UT is a good team. But in fairness, no one can state who is truly a better team now. I could use your same argument versus us for UT when they played Tech. There are only 3 common opponents so far...KU, Tech and Baylor. You beat KU at home by 14/UT beat them by 28 on the road...You beat Tech/We lost...The Baylor game was almost an identical score. Was Texas' victory over Mizzou any less impressive than OU's over Tech? We led by 32 at half...OU lead by 35 and both games were over.

Texas will (according to the pundits) still have the edge on SOS after the OSU game, but the margin will be so close that the Human voters will make the difference.

The reality is that the resumes are the same. Both can make very compelling arguments. The issue is that history will be made in the BCS. No team, this late in the season, has jumped a team in the BCS that beat them and has not lost. Yes, there have been teams that have been ahead in the BCS already and held off a team that beat them, but never has a team jumped a team that beat them especially with even resumes and from the same conference.
joe, The Colony - Nov 27, 2008 at 1:24 pm
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joe, UT's SOS won't be better than OU's after this weekend once the OSU and A&M games are factored in.

And, most people have never said that UT was not a GREAT team this year. I think everyone would agree if there was an 8 or 4 team playoff, Texas should be in it, regardless of the ranking.

But, if you want to nitpick that one game, then if you've done any kind of analysis of OU's team you would know and agree it was OU's worst performance. UT had something to do with that, certainly, but OU did as well. That's not to discount UT at all. They only play once, and the one game they did play, UT stood up and played out of their minds, and OU flat out played their worst game of the year. If they played 10 times, I believe OU wins 7, or at worst 6. But this one game, UT won, fair and square.

BUT, it's because people recognize that OU could have played better then, and IS playing better now, that they identify that OU is the better team. It's showing against now common quality opponents.

Congrats on your year. If Sammy doesn't win the Heisman, I hope Colt does. My biggest hope is for an FSU victory, so that UT can slide in backwards into Miami. UT gave OU their absolute best shot. I would love to return the favor.
Andrew, Irving - Nov 27, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I think they should just call off the season and vote OU national Champions 2008.

Consider the facts...
- Ryan Reynolds also played on offense and that is why OU scored 18 points below their average.
- DeMarco Murray's knee was so bad that Chris brown couldn't make up the additional 150 yards OU needed to get to their rushing average.
- Sam Bradford fell down...He wasn't sacked.
- the referees handed the ball to the defensive backs that have accounted for 1/3 of Bradford's season int. totals
- When OU goes for a fake punt...they should automatically make it.
- Its an anomaly that OU only scored 14 points in the last 40 minutes of the game and needed a "running into the kicker" penalty to extend one of the scoring drives.
- Loadholt was loving on Orakpo...not holding!
- Herbstreet doesn't know what he is talking about. They should give OU that interception even though the player that intercepted the ball was holding the intended receiver off the line of scrimmage.
- The stats of the game were very misleading. Texas only punted twice after the first quarter (both in the second half after Reynold's injury).
- It is another anomaly that Texas had roughly the same stats in the first half as they did in the second...even though UT lost a full possession due to a kickoff return.
- Without the KO return Texas couldn't have won...although OU let one happen against Cincy, A&M and almost against TCU.
- OU is the better team because we just played bad that day...Texas can't say the same because OU beat Tech at home by 44.
- There is NO WAY Texas is closer to being undefeated than OU
- We should only look at margin of victory or differential because margin of defeat isn't realistic or favorable. OU scores alot so that makes us better.
- Even though every method of measurement disagrees OU's SOS is far superior to Texas.

Yep...OU is definitely better.
joe, The Colony - Nov 27, 2008 at 12:35 pm
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Glenn, don't be an idiot. For the players, it's a neutral game. It might not be a neutral game for we fans, but it is for the players. Claiming that it's not just makes you and other Sooners look stupid, and I'd rather not have that taint, thank you.
Andrew, Irving - Nov 27, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I don't care how many times I look at the map Dallas is still in Texas.
glenn, mcalester - Nov 27, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I don't care how many times I look
glenn, mcalester - Nov 27, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Should OSU the North Ugly Orange Aggies be proud of their Missouri win? I suppose, sure. Missouri is the 5th best team in conference, behind OSU, based on that game, so it did elevate OSU up to #4. Sadly, they're still 4th in their own DIVISION. They couldn't beat UT. They couldn't beat TTU. And, they won't beat OU.

To me, the tie-breaker between the three teams is simple, it's OSU. They have each played OSU within a close period of time, and OSU will have been a surprisingly highly ranked opponent.

The main difference is OU will be the only one of the three to face OSU on the road in Stoolwater, a disgusting place to visit much less play in. The other two teams won at home. And the last point is that even though Texas played OSU at home, they barely barely won.

If the three teams were all marked up in different colors, and labeled A, B, and C.... And we didn't know who they were... The OSU situation would be the most telling, to me....

And fortunately, will be, come Sunday.
Andrew, Irving - Nov 27, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I for one would love a rematch with Boise State. You have no idea what it's like being a Sooner fan and having lost to them while living in their town. Brutal. But I like the Broncos. Well coached team and good kids, too. I think they're deserving of a top-tiered bowl.
Ken, Boise - Nov 27, 2008 at 12:27 pm
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Mark, in fairness to lesser confs, I am saying it would be great to see it Utah and the Boise States of the world could compete with the big boys in a playoff. Right now, they aren't afforded the consideration. Who knows, one of the could be the next Cinderalla story.
craig, Oklahoma city - Nov 27, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Who is Solomon and who cares OU = Big XII champs
OSU bigxii chumps again
nocona, santa fe - Nov 27, 2008 at 11:49 am
The way I see it is when the 3 game scores are combined OU won 100-66, Texas won 78-74, and Texas Tech lost 69-98. If OU gets by OSU they are the winners.
Bill, Denver - Nov 27, 2008 at 11:41 am
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barry, love your new picture--- whats your pick scorewise on bedlam??
darrell, clinton - Nov 27, 2008 at 11:20 am
Tramel is right! In fact his article looks strangely similar to a comment I wrote on an earlier article. hhmm...
A, mustang - Nov 27, 2008 at 11:06 am
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Thanks for the good post, Richard. You are probably a decent person & thus a good sport yourself as that tends to bring out the best responses in others as well. Sadly, I'm sure we've all witnessed the unfortunate bad sports out there for all teams.
Mark, Denham Springs - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:35 am
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so apparently playing missouri shouldn't be considered with the "tougher" schedule argument. Come on daily OU be fair.
Scott, Stillwater - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:33 am
Does anybody with a bit of sense think Texas could beat OU right now?
C'mon people. Texas won in Dallas because of a couple of very debatable officials' rulings, and because an OU punter couldn't inch out another foot or so on a daring fourth down effort to make a first down. The Cowboys in Stillwater could have, and perhaps should have, beaten Texas---but, again, they let victory slip away. That won't be the case Saturday, when OU dimisses with OSU as easily as they took care of T-Tech.
Richard, Scottsdale - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:32 am
Good point, Luke. There probably would be a difference even between a 4 team vs 8 team play off.
Mark, Denham Springs - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:31 am
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Craig, Hey that's a great idea about the BCS basketball. Maybe it will catch on, who knows ?

Seriously though, you realize of course that football is a much more physical sport so that they cannot play too many games in a season. Too many season & career ending injuries as it is.

Personally, I'd love to see a mini play off sytsem myself. Perhaps they could cut down the mumber of non-conference games by one or two to accomodate a 4 or 8 team play off.

As for public interest & excitement, the basketball season somewhat proves my point, both college & pro. There wouldn't be a "madness" aspect to the playoffs if it weren't for the somewhat mundaness of the regular season. The regular season of this sport & others is that there does not exist the dire sense of urgency that exists in college football.

You missunderstand if you think I am all for the BCS. It is what it is. I'm just saying, as imperfect as it is, it's not ALL bad. It does in fact CREATE more public interest through controversy & subsequent debate.

Your like alot of people who have a one track mind & cannot step back for a minute to look at the whole picture. You want & can only focus your attention on one narrow aspect...you and your team's success & recognition.

Where would the fun & excitement be if YOUR team was far & away the best team for say the last 100 years ?! Boring!

I say, be a good sport & allow for the human short comings in other people & their "systems". It's okay to strive towards something better but just sit back & chill a little, brother. Enjoy what there is to enjoy about "sports".
Mark, Denham Springs - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:22 am
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Thought some of you might find this interesting. As some of you may recall from my posts on this sight, I grew up in Norman, family had season tickets for years and graduated from there and then joined the Marines, been living in CA ever since 1992 (just putting my Sooner fanhood credentials out there). Anyways all that is goes explain the following: I took my wife and daughter to Disneyland in So Cal earlier this week (Mon- Wed). Of course many people sport their team colors and I being a proud Sooner wore something OU each time we went into the park. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE TO SEE AND HEAR THE LOVE. I had people mention the football team to me at least a dozen times a day. Standing in line is the norm and several good conversations were had with strangers in line, that invariably also spent time on the OU team. A Texas Tech fan and I talked a little, consoled him by saying that not in my wildest dreams did I think what happened last Saturday was going to actually transpire. A few Texas fans told me they are glad they played (and they emphasized beat) OU back in October instead of having to play them now. One Longhorn fan who was at the RR game said the OU team he saw last Saturday was NOT the same one he saw in Dallas, and in his opinion thought the Longhorns actually might be slipping a bit. Met several other Oklahomans (Bartlesville, Enid, Norman, Tulsa, Davis, Duncan, by the way anyone left in OK?) and Sooner fans as well at the Park. Good to be amongst my people/brethren. Ran into a family of OSU fans sporting their colors, had a few good laughs WITH them. One Disney employee approached me and told me that when OU played in the Rose Bowl a few years back, he got to take the Stoops family around to meet the characters, said the experience made him a big Sooner fan. (then he promptly directed us through into the Fast Pass line). I know this post is way off the topic of this article, but I thought the Sooner Nation would like to know that there are alot of non-OU fans, but avid college football followers, who really respect OU, many of whom think if OU wins out they belong in the NC game. And just one more note, about half of the comments that were made about the OU-TTech game were about how darned aggressive, fast, and sound the defense was that night. Boomer Sooner. Happy Thanksgiving and God bless our troops who are over seas and away from their family these holidays, I know its tough, been there before, but your service is truly appreciated.
Richard, Visalia - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:09 am
Luke, would you rather win by actually earning it or having some "system" declare you the winner?

Here is reality. Some big confs do not want a playoff because the Boise States or the Utah's of the world could get hot at the end of the season and win the thing. That's why.

Lets keep the status quo, with USC, Florida, OU, Texas, Alabama, etc. given preferential treatment in the ranking every year while lesser confs might have a super team that will never have a chance to prove itself. Yeah, that's the ticket!!
craig, Oklahoma city - Nov 27, 2008 at 10:02 am
I'm with you Mark. I think the fact we're talking about this with such passion makes the point. I tuned into the end of the Iowa-Penn State game because I was interested in the outcome. I'm not nearly as concerned if 8 teams can make it.

I think a 4-team playoff keeps the excitement of the regular season while providing some equality for those left out of a 2-team scenario (2003 USC, 2004 Auburn, etc).
Luke, Midwest City - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:54 am
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Mark, what a load of crap!

Why not eliminate March Madness and just have a BCS basketball poll?

I agree with Barack Obama on one thing...Division 1 Football needs an 8 team playoff. You can still have all the suspense of your garden variety toiletbowl games for the losers of the world. The competitors and winners need a playoff just like every other sport in the world.
craig, Oklahoma city - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:48 am
Surely you all know why the BCS even exists & why it will be very difficult for it to be replaced, right ? It is for the very reason that it CREATES controversy & does not eliminate it.

Could a better way of determining a true pecking order be thought of & implemented ? Of course it could ! But the real question is… would this best serve the financial interests of those who are now profiting from it ? Of course not !

If all were made clear cut, black & white where would all the interest & excitement be ? Think back to the days of the more “simple” 2 poll system. It was said that this system was too flawed in that it relied too heavily upon subjective humans who had bias’s . This lead to suspicions & controversies & it needed to implement a system which took out some of the humanness.

Funny thing is…this system has created even more controversies! The great thing about it is that the byproduct has been even more public interest & excitement then before.

Perhaps unwittingly, the original poll system did in fact cause the college football to become perhaps the single most exciting sport in the country. The new system only enhances what the first accomplished. College football is bigger than baseball & basketball, college & pro as well as the NFL. Why is this ? It’s because so much rides on each & every single game by each & every team in the country. With the added formulas there are even more opportunities for debate ! Every game is about jockeying for position to reach that final, single & glorious climatic game of the year…the national championship game & to be nationally recognized as THE BEST TEAM ! One single loss can eliminate a team so that every single game is the most important game of the season for each & every team. This creates excitement & interest !

Sure, it would be nice if somehow all this could be accomplished & still put the two indisputably best teams into the Championship game. The POWERS that be however, are not going to be too willing to let loose of something that is now working very favorably for them. This is a cash cow that they do not wish to stop milking !

All I can suggest is that we acknowledge these facts which makes the chaos somewhat more palatable & instead embrace the controversies as part of the excitement of the game. Just enjoy the ride ! After all…it is just a GAME !
Mark, Denham Springs - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:30 am
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You're an idiot Berry. OU is way better than they were in the TX game, and TX is exactly the same. Also, if Reynolds hadn't gotten hurt, TX wouldn't have been able to march down the middle of the field over the Crow kid and score their last touch down and field goal. Now that Box is playing well, OU would kill TX on their own home filed if they played today. YOU MUST LOOK AT WHICH TEAM IS THE BEST NOW, NOT WHO BEAT WHO AND WHERE!
Tim, Yukon - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:29 am
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What a great problem to have, Texas and OU on the spotlight stage of the whole nation. Could either one of them beat USC or Florida? Beating up on each other, a very, very weak North division, recent winning percentage in bowls leads me to ask, Are the right teams at the top of the BCS?
Glenn, Oklahoma City - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:27 am
Tejass does not have the upper hand. OU only has to win, baby.....

Then Mack can go back to sucking his thumb!
craig, Oklahoma city - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:13 am
Home field advantage is overated, Vegas gives out 3 points for homefield you idiot Berry. You suck Berry.
Hiffdas, fdassfas - Nov 27, 2008 at 9:01 am
Removing my crimson glasses, tejass does have the upper hand. However, I wonder when we got rid of the concept of the 'best team', regardless of whether they were beaten or not. Just go back through 100 years of college football to see examples everywhere. If we're really going to go by record, then lets put 'Bama 1, Boise 2, Utah 3, Ball St. 4, and down the line.

Kansas in 1975 seems to always be my first example.
Lee, Euless - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:54 am
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Thanks Berry, we can always count on you to pick up the cause for our local sports teams.

You totally gnore the fact that if OU beats OSU, they will have the best road win of the three. You do mention the tougher strength of schedule the Sooners hold over TT and ut, thanks.

I know its not your job to carry the torch all the time but in the spirit of Thanksgiving, could you at least state more of the facts and try to understand why OU deserves the B12 title game?

Its tough, I know...
Mark, Wichita - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:50 am
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The problem with this "logic" is that it completely ignores the equation that the BCS & voters use in "forgiving" certain losses by certain teams i.e. Florida & USC. Evidently the brainchild behind the mindset is that these teams are indisputable elite teams & that for them to lose a game against an inferior team was just a um... little slip up. This in turn is evidenced & validified by their subsequent dominance over the teams they played thereafter...winning by huge margins.

With this in mind, does it not remind one of another "elite" team that had one such slip up? I know this is not quite the same because they played much inferior teams & lost while OU played a top 5 caliber team & lost. But wait a minute...wouldn't that make a loss even more "forgivable" instead of less?

Concerning this BCS logic, if a person seriously observed the TX/OU game wouldn't they see that this game was being won buy OU up until an injury occurred to their defensive leader & nucleus? If a forgivable loss is in the vocabulary of the BCS proponents then surely this would be a qualifier.

For further qualification just take a gander at OU's record after this anomaly of a loss & see the increasingly large margin of victories as this defensive leader's replacement began to develop into a player himself.

For further validation as to the “superior” team, see one Demarco Murray who has begun to hit his stride in just the last few games (after the TX anomaly) . This is a team, not unlike Fl who has stepped up their performance after a loss & is looking not unlike a championship caliber team !
Mark, Denham Springs - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:47 am
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Josh, need to remind that in every singe game ever payed at that neutral field OU has also had to play the zebras. Look at tape from the Switzer games on and you can see clear violations of neutral. Mack Brown is a giant crybaby.
Steve, Ketchum - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:27 am
Hey Josh, the stadium may be 50/50, but that is the ONLY place in Dallas that is.

I love going to the game each and every year, but brothers and sisters, let me tell you, it aint neutral. The mythos of TEXAS is deeply ingrained in all the big egoed Texans. If your entire family came from there like mine, you would understand this.
craig, Oklahoma city - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:11 am
Berry, your quote:
and OU didn’t have to go to Austin. Oklahoma-Texas was played on a neutral field.

Berry, Berry....I am a first generation Okie. My relatives go back to pre-texas statehood in the Dallas/Denton/Gainseville area.

Got a new flash for you, DALLAS AINT A NEUTRAL SITE! Switzer said it best 25 years ago. He said he didn't remember the Texas players having to cross the Red River to play the game.

Sometimes your crap borders on stupidity...
craig, Oklahoma city - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:08 am
Ray, you clearly have never been to an OU/Texas game at the Cotton Bowl. Sites don't get any more neutral than that. The fans are split 50/50. It does not matter that it is in the state of Texas. Get a clue.
Joshua - Nov 27, 2008 at 8:06 am
Berry, how can you, or anyone else, say that the Cotton Bowl, which is in Dallas, which is in Texas, which is the host for the Texas State Fair, is a NEUTRAL site. The only criteria used for its' neutrality is the fact it's about equidistance to either school, maybe even a couple of miles closer to Norman. But it isn't a neutral location. The only real argument isn't where, but when and how. Texas beat OU in mid-October. TTU beat Texas in November. OU beat TTU in late November. It's safe to say that most teams get better as the season goes along. OU has. The other two haven't. Nuff said.
Ray, St. Robert - Nov 27, 2008 at 7:58 am
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Mack Brown is one phony balogna!!!!
Xavier, Benson - Nov 27, 2008 at 7:10 am
It is a mess for sure, but the worst part is having to listen to Mack Brown cry and whine. Poetic justice would be served if A&M beats Brown's crew. And yes Mister Brown "little colty" is your team's MVP, but that Harry Potter look-a-like ain't got the statistics that Bradford has by a damn site. Hey Mack, do you want some cheese with that wine? Well do ya?????????
Xavier, Benson - Nov 27, 2008 at 7:08 am
If Texas gets the nod to play for the conference championship, all is not lost. A Missouri win will propel the Sooners into the BCS title game. Of course, the same could be true for Texas if Mizzou beats the Sooners. So when it's all said and done, the Tigers can dictate who plays in the national title game.
troy, Germany - Nov 27, 2008 at 4:32 am
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