Our view: What is one glaring issue you have with the Top 25 polls/BCS system that rules college football? | Boise State Football | Idaho Statesman
CHADD CRIPE
The Idaho Statesman’s college football reporter has covered Boise State for nine seasons and votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.
THE LITTLE GUYS NEED LOVE, TOO
The bias against the little guy has become laughable. Boise State is ranked behind Ohio State and Oregon this year despite playing a more difficult schedule to date. Why? Because the Broncos’ schedule isn't challenging enough. Try to make that compute. Last year, voters started putting Oregon ahead of Boise State — even though the Broncos were undefeated and had dominated the Ducks on the field. Why? Because the Broncos played in the WAC. Any championship system that disqualifies half the teams before the season begins can’t be taken seriously.
ccripe@idahostatesman.com and 377-6398
BRIAN MURPHY
The Idaho Statesman’s columnist writes about Boise State, Idaho, Idaho State and all things college football.
ALL VOTES NEED TO BE MADE PUBLIC
The lack of transparency and the inherent conflict-of-interest in the coaches’ and Harris polls are real problems. Both polls are used to determine the BCS Standings. Since neither poll releases its participants’ ballots until the final vote of the regular season, meaning we have no idea if someone is voting Boise State No. 10 or No. 1 — or leaving the Broncos out altogether. We have no idea if coaches are biased for their own team, their conference rivals or their brother’s team. Yes, brothers Mike and Bob Stoops vote in the poll. Until there is more transparency, we can only assume the worst.
bmurphy@idahostatesman.com and 377-6444
NICK JEZIERNY
The Idaho Statesman reporter covers the Idaho Vandals.
DECIDE CHAMPION ON THE FIELD
The BCS system is flawed on so many levels. The flaws are so perfectly illustrated in the new book which comes out this week, ”Death To The BCS,“ written by Dan Wetzel, Josh Peter and Jeff Passan. In the three hours it takes to read, you will learn everything that is wrong with the system with all the gory details. For me, I don’t like any system that can’t produce a no-doubt champion. That’s the No. 1 issue in a system full of them. Every NCAA champion is determined on a field, court or course, except college football. That’s the biggest crime, and it’s one that has got to end.
njezierny@idahostatesman.com and 377-6420
MIKE PRATER
The Idaho Statesman sports editor votes in the HarrisInteractive Top 25 poll and for the Heisman Trophy.
TOO MANY IGNORANT VOTERS
It happens every season, but this time, the discrepancy is more outlandish than usual. Do all three of this week’s Top 25 polls really have Alabama ranked ahead of South Carolina? The Gamecocks thoroughly beat the Crimson Tide on Saturday, leaving both teams with one equal loss (South Carolina lost to Auburn). The real issue isn’t about one game, one loss or one discrepancy. It’s the ongoing stubbornness of so many voters who refuse to correct their preseason/early season polls, which shouldn’t even exist in the first place. One-third of all AP voters this week ranked Alabama ahead of South Carolina — just one more reason why the most wonderful sport on the planet suffers from credibility issues.
mprater@idahostatesman.com and 377-6421