[NU Sports] 12th game blues

[Michael Vance]

SjT (Stephen J. Truog) wrote:
> Last year there were a lot of factors which all seemed
> to break right for the Gators, which could be why it
> seemed like such an unearned championship. USC's
> upset, the anti-rematch vibe with Michigan, the long
> layoff for OSU, Ginn's injury, Tressel's sudden
> transformation into a coach who forgets adjustments
> and the running game, etc.
>   

With the exception of the anti-rematch vibe, all of these are things 
that are inherent to any sports contest, especially post-season.  An NBA 
or NHL team that gets a sweep often has to wait for their next opponent 
to go through a grueling seven-game series.  There is always debate as 
to whether the layoff helps or hurts.  But for me the only reason the 
layoff difference matters is the effect it has on the polls.  I don't 
think there's much difference between not playing for five weeks and not 
playing for seven.  Either way, that's a long time.  As for the rest, 
upsets, injuries, and the performance of the coach are all part of any 
game.  You can't say, "OSU was the better team, it was just the coach 
who screwed up," because the coach is part of the team.  There's no 
difference between the coach making bad decisions and the QB making bad 
decisions.  Both are game-time performance issues.  Just because one is 
management and one is athletic doesn't matter.

> Was Florida the best team that
> night? Yes. Would they beat OSU on another night? I'm
> not so sure. Were they the best team in college
> football last year? I doubt it.
>   

Completely irrelevant argument.  The same things are frequently said 
about March Madness.  It's not always always a matter of being the best 
team throughout the season, it's about peaking at the right time.  
History is riddled with upsets of the #1 team or player, in all sports.  
If it was just about the regular season, then scrap the championship 
game altogether and just crown the top team in the rankings in mid-December.

-Michael