Post by doc on Dec 3, 2018 14:45:00 GMT
I fully expected Oklahoma to get the 4th spot - I said it last Tuesday when the rankings were announced and Oklahoma was ahead of Ohio State - there was no way #5 can get jumped by #6 when 5 beats a higher ranked team than 6. I didn't expect Georgia (with a loss) to remain above either of the team but does it really matter who's 5 and 6; both are on the outside looking in. I do know there's a huge gap between 6 and 7 but that doesn't matter, either.
Here are a few thoughts following the selection show - granted my perspective is from that of an Ohio State fan.
- Much was made about Ohio State's inconsistent play - that was on the defensive side of the ball. Their offense was the #2 ranked offense in the country and their QB shattered many Big Ten records in the process. The inconsistencies were mainly on defense and the head scratching ability to give up huge plays. Still, only 3 of Ohio State's games were in question by mid-4th quarter. We all know they were hammered by Purdue. They trailed Penn State by 13 with 8 minutes to go and won. They went into OT and won against Maryland. Much is made about the wide open receiver who the QB missed on the 2 point conversion - nothing is said about the ineligible lineman down field who was blocking the defensive back assigned to cover the wide open receiver. Clear as day penalty that was not called. That game was sandwiched between Ohio State's 2 biggest rivals - Michigan State and Michigan - and was the Terps senior day. An emotional let down could be expected but Ohio State put up close to 700 yards of offense and luckily held on. A penalty should have been called but that may have saved them from losing on the replay, I don't know.
I do know Oklahoma won a game at Oklahoma State in similar fashion the week before. Maryland and Oklahoma St. were 5-7 and 6-6 this year, Maryland's defense was higher rated but OSU and Oklahoma our huge rivals. Oklahoma's win was a gut check, Ohio State's win was lucky.
- Ohio State beat the #4 ranked team in the nation (#1 in defense) and their bitter rival by 23 points in a game that wasn't that close. A week later Alabama beats #4 on a late TD in their conference championship. Georgia gets style points for a 'great loss', Ohio State's win is minimized because 'they always beat Michigan.'
- As bad as Ohio State's defense was, Oklahoma's is ranked 30+ spots below the Buckeyes - close to the bottom of the rankings. We all know Oklahoma has a historic offense, well Ohio State's is right behind them at #2 in the ratings and their QB is #1 in passing yards, TD's and has completed 70% of his passing attempts.
I concede that the biggest flaw is the loss to Purdue. Just come out and say it - don't flash all these stats to try and make your point because it makes you look silly. (But what the hell, Georgia lost by 20 at LSU to a QB that would have been sitting the bench at Ohio State.) And don't manipulate your rankings to justify this team over that team because it's an insult to the teams and fans who are a helluva lot more knowledgeable than you (the selection committee) want to believe.
Finally, I do believe their was an Urban Meyer backlash this year. I can't prove it but having Meyer in their little playoff after what happened earlier this year would have not been a good look for this pristine committee. Never mind that the 85+ kids on the team had nothing to do with it. Guilty by association. I guess that's all I got - bring on the Rose Bowl, I can't believe the season is over. Ohio State is now 85-9 under Urban Meyer - I guess things could be worse!
Here are a few thoughts following the selection show - granted my perspective is from that of an Ohio State fan.
- Much was made about Ohio State's inconsistent play - that was on the defensive side of the ball. Their offense was the #2 ranked offense in the country and their QB shattered many Big Ten records in the process. The inconsistencies were mainly on defense and the head scratching ability to give up huge plays. Still, only 3 of Ohio State's games were in question by mid-4th quarter. We all know they were hammered by Purdue. They trailed Penn State by 13 with 8 minutes to go and won. They went into OT and won against Maryland. Much is made about the wide open receiver who the QB missed on the 2 point conversion - nothing is said about the ineligible lineman down field who was blocking the defensive back assigned to cover the wide open receiver. Clear as day penalty that was not called. That game was sandwiched between Ohio State's 2 biggest rivals - Michigan State and Michigan - and was the Terps senior day. An emotional let down could be expected but Ohio State put up close to 700 yards of offense and luckily held on. A penalty should have been called but that may have saved them from losing on the replay, I don't know.
I do know Oklahoma won a game at Oklahoma State in similar fashion the week before. Maryland and Oklahoma St. were 5-7 and 6-6 this year, Maryland's defense was higher rated but OSU and Oklahoma our huge rivals. Oklahoma's win was a gut check, Ohio State's win was lucky.
- Ohio State beat the #4 ranked team in the nation (#1 in defense) and their bitter rival by 23 points in a game that wasn't that close. A week later Alabama beats #4 on a late TD in their conference championship. Georgia gets style points for a 'great loss', Ohio State's win is minimized because 'they always beat Michigan.'
- As bad as Ohio State's defense was, Oklahoma's is ranked 30+ spots below the Buckeyes - close to the bottom of the rankings. We all know Oklahoma has a historic offense, well Ohio State's is right behind them at #2 in the ratings and their QB is #1 in passing yards, TD's and has completed 70% of his passing attempts.
I concede that the biggest flaw is the loss to Purdue. Just come out and say it - don't flash all these stats to try and make your point because it makes you look silly. (But what the hell, Georgia lost by 20 at LSU to a QB that would have been sitting the bench at Ohio State.) And don't manipulate your rankings to justify this team over that team because it's an insult to the teams and fans who are a helluva lot more knowledgeable than you (the selection committee) want to believe.
Finally, I do believe their was an Urban Meyer backlash this year. I can't prove it but having Meyer in their little playoff after what happened earlier this year would have not been a good look for this pristine committee. Never mind that the 85+ kids on the team had nothing to do with it. Guilty by association. I guess that's all I got - bring on the Rose Bowl, I can't believe the season is over. Ohio State is now 85-9 under Urban Meyer - I guess things could be worse!