So what about WVU's scheduling problems? How will a game against what looks like a 1-AA school effect their ranking and play into bowl discussions? Is that what will be the focus when they bring up WVU on ESPN?

IF WVU has a great year this could have a big impact on the BE.

in theory, a win over 1-AA EWU vs. a win over Buffalo (perhaps the worst program in 1-A) shouldn't have too much of an impact. In fact, Eastern Washington would likely whip the Bulls.

LaRue, WVU could be facing the same thing Auburn faced a couple years ago. Undefeated but left out of the championship game because of beating a 1-AA Citadel team. Playing 1-AA teams hurt when it comes to playing for the NC but helps if you are just trying to secure a bowl spot. A few teams have met the bowl eligible status because the played and beat a 1-AA team that year.

Look at NC State last season where they finished 6-5, below .500 in the ACC, but went bowling. Why? Because one of those schools was a 1-AA team. If you know you will not play for the NC and getting to a bowl is your main goal, then scheduling 1-AA will help.

ACC teams like Duke, Wake, UNC, State have very little chance of knocking VT, Miami, FSU, BC and Clemson out of the top spots in the conference so playing those schools helps them reach other goals, like bowl games.

wvucrazed Wrote:in theory, a win over 1-AA EWU vs. a win over Buffalo (perhaps the worst program in 1-A) shouldn't have too much of an impact. In fact, Eastern Washington would likely whip the Bulls.

Considering the computer rankings are part of the BCS calculations, this is a good observation. Eastern Washington will probably be one of many I-AA schools that rank well ahead of Buffalo. It may even provide a very slight bump for WVU.

If WVU goes undefeated, the only way that they could play in the BCS National Title game this season include:

1-Having the top teams from other conferences finish with 2 or 3 L's.
2-Blowing out every team on the schedule

USFBullSpit Wrote:If WVU goes undefeated, the only way that they could play in the BCS National Title game this season include:

1-Having the top teams from other conferences finish with 2 or 3 L's.
2-Blowing out every team on the schedule

The biggest key is where they will be ranked when the USA Today Coaches Poll comes out in November. They will have to be in the Top 5 for a realistic chance.

They will probably be ranked lower in the coaches poll than they will be in the AP poll. Coaches tend to politic their votes to put their school and their conference in the best situation. With the Big East's smaller membership, that poses a bit of a problem. But I don't see a problem if Louisville and WVU live up to their abilities. Louisville should get some big wins, and if WVU wins the game at Papa John's they have done their part. Of course, if Louisville wins that game, they play in the national championship game rather than West Virginia. The Louisville-WVU game could well be the national championship game. Whoever wins that game may well be national champs.

Whenever I think about that, I and filled with pride and vindication.

Smokin Pirate Wrote:LaRue, WVU could be facing the same thing Auburn faced a couple years ago. Undefeated but left out of the championship game because of beating a 1-AA Citadel team. Playing 1-AA teams hurt when it comes to playing for the NC but helps if you are just trying to secure a bowl spot. A few teams have met the bowl eligible status because the played and beat a 1-AA team that year.

Look at NC State last season where they finished 6-5, below .500 in the ACC, but went bowling. Why? Because one of those schools was a 1-AA team. If you know you will not play for the NC and getting to a bowl is your main goal, then scheduling 1-AA will help.

ACC teams like Duke, Wake, UNC, State have very little chance of knocking VT, Miami, FSU, BC and Clemson out of the top spots in the conference so playing those schools helps them reach other goals, like bowl games.

Great point, even though Auburn's problems went beyond that, their OOC schedule was just pure crap I believe.

Shannon Panther Wrote:

wvucrazed Wrote:in theory, a win over 1-AA EWU vs. a win over Buffalo (perhaps the worst program in 1-A) shouldn't have too much of an impact. In fact, Eastern Washington would likely whip the Bulls.

Considering the computer rankings are part of the BCS calculations, this is a good observation. Eastern Washington will probably be one of many I-AA schools that rank well ahead of Buffalo. It may even provide a very slight bump for WVU.

So playing a 1-AA in of itself does not have a negative effect on the computer ranking? It is the computer ranking of the team you play no matter what division. I suppose the only negative would be the psychological effect on voters.

I know that the BCS ranking system has changed over the years. I seem to remember that at one time wins were a factor so I wonder if this was a problem for Auburn.

LaRue777 Wrote:

Shannon Panther Wrote:

wvucrazed Wrote:in theory, a win over 1-AA EWU vs. a win over Buffalo (perhaps the worst program in 1-A) shouldn't have too much of an impact. In fact, Eastern Washington would likely whip the Bulls.

Considering the computer rankings are part of the BCS calculations, this is a good observation. Eastern Washington will probably be one of many I-AA schools that rank well ahead of Buffalo. It may even provide a very slight bump for WVU.

So playing a 1-AA in of itself does not have a negative effect on the computer ranking? It is the computer ranking of the team you play no matter what division. I suppose the only negative would be the psychological effect on voters.

I know that the BCS ranking system has changed over the years. I seem to remember that at one time wins were a factor so I wonder if this was a problem for Auburn.

Sagarin's final rankings had E Wash at 109. Ahead of Syracuse (114) and Buffalo (165). I don't know if other computer ratings penalize you for a I-AA game or not.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt05.htm