B1G OOC 2013 Predict the Record

[StPaulHusker]

Not for the first few games. I rather those games be later in the season because of conference implications. I want to see teams that are playing sound football; not teams in early season form.

7 straight SEC championships would disagree with your thinking.

So you are making the assumption there is a strong correlation between early conference games and national championships?

The SEC teams routinely schedule a conference game early in the year. Then they schedule FCS teams in weeks 9-12. It is done by almost all of them every year. I think this helps their cause because while all of the other conferences are in the midst of beating each other up, they are playing their cupcake scheduled team and can move up the rankings easier at the end of the year.

 

Case in point was later last year. Alabama lost to Texas A & M and dropped from #1 to #4. They turned around the next week and demolished Western Carolina( a team most other schools would have played in weeks 1-4) and was voted back to #2 once K-State and Oregon lost. Florida and Georgia also played FCS schools that week to move up to 3-6.

[jaws]

But teams had to lose in front of them so they could move up, correct? They aren't going to reward a team late in the season if they play a lower division school.

[strigori]

 

1. Mich vs ND (#14) - W

2. Neb vs UCLA (#21) - 50/50

3. Indiana vs Missouri (SEC) - L

4. Wisconsin vs BYU (like how there finally is a ooc game late in the year) - W

5. Wisconsin vs Arizona State (decent PAC) - L

6. Illinois vs Washington (PAC) - 50/50

7. Mich State vs ND (#14) - 50/50

8. PSU vs Syracuse (measuring stick game for the sanctioned program) - 50/50

9. NW vs Cal (meh) - W

10. OSU vs Cal (meh) - W

1 - L - not a big believer in Mich, and ND isnt missing much from the 12-1 team from last year.

2 - W - Only because its at home, and the season hasnt started yet. This one scares me.

3 - L - though this is a more dangerous game for Mizzou than some might think. Track meet.

4 - W - Ugly game.

5 - L - B1G typically does poorly in PAC country

6 - L - Illinois has almost no chance. Possibly the worst BCS conference team.

7 - L - See above.

8 - W - PSU win going away.

9 - W - NW is a better team, and has a better coach.

10 - W - OSU is the better team, but if they nap....

[StPaulHusker]

But teams had to lose in front of them so they could move up, correct? They aren't going to reward a team late in the season if they play a lower division school.

It's been proven time and again that it is better to lose early than late in college football. This is the reason the SEC schedules games with FCS schools late in the year. So if they lose earlier, they have a cupcake at the end to make up for it while everyone else is playing conference games.

[desertshox]

But teams had to lose in front of them so they could move up, correct? They aren't going to reward a team late in the season if they play a lower division school.

It's been proven time and again that it is better to lose early than late in college football. This is the reason the SEC schedules games with FCS schools late in the year. So if they lose earlier, they have a cupcake at the end to make up for it while everyone else is playing conference games.

 

playing a cupcake can only hurt you no matter when the game is played. bama beating that cupcake didnt help them move up in the rankings, they only moved because the two teams ahead of them lost. now had they played poorly against cupcake u and teams behind them played well against superior conference or non-con opponents then there is a possibility of being leapfrogged by them.

 

yes, losing early is better than losing late because you can make up the positions you dropped over time whereas late you dont have that luxury and have to rely on teams ahead of you losing to gain the spots back. and it is imperative you continue winning regardless of who you are playing.

[StPaulHusker]

But teams had to lose in front of them so they could move up, correct? They aren't going to reward a team late in the season if they play a lower division school.

It's been proven time and again that it is better to lose early than late in college football. This is the reason the SEC schedules games with FCS schools late in the year. So if they lose earlier, they have a cupcake at the end to make up for it while everyone else is playing conference games.

 

playing a cupcake can only hurt you no matter when the game is played. bama beating that cupcake didnt help them move up in the rankings, they only moved because the two teams ahead of them lost. now had they played poorly against cupcake u and teams behind them played well against superior conference or non-con opponents then there is a possibility of being leapfrogged by them.

 

yes, losing early is better than losing late because you can make up the positions you dropped over time whereas late you dont have that luxury and have to rely on teams ahead of you losing to gain the spots back. and it is imperative you continue winning regardless of who you are playing.

Until the playoffs start, playing a cupcake doesn't hurt you. The BCS has proved that time and again.