College Football Ranking: Blogpoll Top 25 Week 12 - Is Wisconsin Trying Too Hard?
by Jon Johnston on Nov 15, 2010 11:50 AM CST
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PrintWould Wisconsin coach Bret Bielama cut up small children with a knife if it meant he'd rise in the BCS rankings? After scoring 83 points against Indiana, I have to wonder. I'm not impressed. In fact, I think it makes Bielama look like a jackass, so I dropped the Badgers two spots.
I am not dropping Oregon for their lack of explosive win over Cal. Perhaps that's because I think everyone should be allowed one bad weekend at long as it results in a win, or because I really don't want to rank a SEC team in first place, especially one filled with uncertainty about their starting whiz-bang quarterback.
The top spots remain the same. Nebraska does not drop in my poll for a less than stellar game against Kansas.
As always, feedback!!!
Corn Nation Ballot - Week 12
| Rank | Team | Delta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon Ducks | -- |
| 2 | Auburn Tigers | -- |
| 3 | Boise St. Broncos | -- |
| 4 | TCU Horned Frogs | -- |
| 5 | Stanford Cardinal |  1 |
| 6 | Nebraska Cornhuskers | 1 |
| 7 | Wisconsin Badgers |  -2 |
| 8 | LSU Tigers | 1 |
| 9 | Oklahoma St. Cowboys | 1 |
| 10 | Ohio St. Buckeyes | -2 |
| 11 | Michigan St. Spartans | -- |
| 12 | Nevada Wolf Pack | -- |
| 13 | Alabama Crimson Tide | -- |
| 14 | Arkansas Razorbacks | -- |
| 15 | Oklahoma Sooners | 2 |
| 16 | Virginia Tech Hokies | 5 |
| 17 | South Carolina Gamecocks | 2 |
| 18 | Missouri Tigers | 2 |
| 19 | Texas A&M Aggies | 5 |
| 20 | Miami Hurricanes | -- |
| 21 | Northwestern Wildcats | -- |
| 22 | Northern Illinois Huskies | -- |
| 23 | Iowa Hawkeyes | -7 |
| 24 | Temple Owls | -- |
| 25 | Utah Utes | -10 |
| Dropouts: Arizona Wildcats, Mississippi St. Bulldogs, Kansas St. Wildcats, Florida Gators | ||
SB Nation BlogPoll College Football Top 25 Rankings "
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I already got into it with Huskerinthearmy about the Badgers on another thread
So I won’t hash out the details of the Badgers’ beatdown again.
I will say that it seems a little odd for a Nebraska fan to punish a team for scoring lots of points by dropping them in a poll. I assume, then, you’d argue that voters should have done the same to the Huskers in 1995 for the 77 points they dropped on Arizona State and the 73 they hung on Iowa State, or in 1997 for putting up 69 on Oklahoma and 77 on Iowa State?
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 15, 2010 12:11 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I agree with this
Personally, I have not problem with it. Since one of the Big Ten tie breakers is BCS rankings, big scores do matter. Personally, I think that every coach has a responsibility to better their team, and if BB feels there is something to be gained by laying it on, then he should do what he needs to do.
The UT loss just kills.
Not the same
When NU “ran up the score” on past opponents, they did so by RUNNING the ball down their opponents throat, not passing it. While running the ball, and scoring many points, NU was also running game time off the clock, thus attempting to bring about the ends of games sooner. Bielama and the Badgers were passing late in that game, and for no apparent reason other than running up the score for BCS love. I get it, but that doesn’t make it right.
Wisconsin threw three passes in the fourth quarter.
Three passes, 11 runs. That’s not exactly an air raid. In fact, that sounds to me a lot like running out the clock.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 15, 2010 2:32 PM CST up reply actions
Their average scoring drive in the 2nd half
was 2:21. Doesn’t sound like running the clock to me.
by HuskerINtheArmy on Nov 15, 2010 2:40 PM CST up reply actions
Well, they can't force Indiana to play defense.
by HerpieHusker on Nov 15, 2010 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
Sure can't
But they can use the play clock- if they were trying to run it out.
by HuskerINtheArmy on Nov 15, 2010 2:50 PM CST up reply actions
Wisconsin had their backups and backups' backups
in the game all throughout the fourth quarter. Indiana is terrible and couldn’t touch a walk-on quarterback during his 17 yard TD run; that isn’t so much Wisconsin running up the score but rather Indiana just being plain awful.
by George W. Beadle on Nov 15, 2010 4:44 PM CST up reply actions
This
It’s Indiana’s job to stop them. I always appreciate it when the opponent takes their foot off the gas against my teams, but I don’t expect them to do so.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
by TB on Nov 15, 2010 8:52 PM CST up reply actions
I also do not think Wisconsin should be penalized for that beatdown...
Nebraska could only wish at this point that their offense could show enough fortitude to go out and blow away a lesser team. If anything, I think Nebraska should be losing some spots as they are starting to show that inconsistency is their new consistency.
Was 83 a bit too many? Perhaps, and it seems like 80 is the magic number between a blowout and a distasteful dismantling of an opponent, but at least they made a statement.
Wisconsin ran up the score
Plain and simple.
We can rehash prior Husker conquests, a 77-28 stomping of Arizona State (Matt Turminator threw a late TD pass in that one). The 69-7 beatdown of Oklahoma (only one passing TD in the game, 2nd quarter) and the 73-14 dismantling of Iowa State (One passing TD, 2nd quarter).
The fact that he had his backups running deep routes and throwing deep routes in order to score when the game was clearly out of hand with +/- 7:40 left in the game on a 3rd and 6 when they were up 69-13 is pretty messed up. See for yourself here
Anyway, I like it Jon.
by HuskerINtheArmy on Nov 15, 2010 2:39 PM CST reply actions
Well since this is in the interesting of a poll...
I would say whether or not they ran up the score is a moot point. This wasn’t a “rank teams according to classiness” poll. Wisconsin embarrassed a lesser opponent on national television, all while Nebraska struggled to accumulate 20 points against a SHITTY KU defense. Nebraska should be back 2 spots behind LSU and Wisconsin.
by HerpieHusker on Nov 15, 2010 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
To do that
would suggest that there is a standard logic to college football polls.
I don’t think any of us want to go there….
by HuskerINtheArmy on Nov 15, 2010 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
True.
Point remains, there is very little logic in dropping a team because of a 83-20 rout of a conference opponent. Even more so, dropping them behind Nebraska.
by HerpieHusker on Nov 15, 2010 3:13 PM CST up reply actions
I agree
it seems “mean spirited” but, I believe that may have been Jon’s point in response to a “mean spirited” touchdown within the 83 total points.
by HuskerINtheArmy on Nov 15, 2010 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
Like I said
We’ve gone over this before. But all we’ve really been talking about is one play. No one has yet to complain about any other play Wisconsin ran or any player Wisconsin had in the game.
Do you want me to say it? OK: That play was classless. And you know what else? Without it, Wisconsin still scores 76, without any questions about whether they were playing dirty or running up the score.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 15, 2010 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
True
But really, what else is there to talk about in CFB this week? I’m sick of the Cam Newton soap opera.
by HuskerINtheArmy on Nov 15, 2010 2:54 PM CST up reply actions
How about this?
The reason there’s nothing to talk about is that contrary to the popular pro-BCS argument, the BCS has robbed us of almost any remaining meaningful regular-season games.
Tawwk amongst yaselves.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 15, 2010 3:05 PM CST up reply actions
Don't forget
Bielama also elected to go for 2 against Minnesota after going up 41-16 with 11:11 to go in the 4th quarter. How do you explain that one? As I said before, I understand why he did what he did, and we can debate whether or not he was trying to “run it up” for much needed BCS points or not, but it doesn’t change the fact that he seems to be ready and willing to pull the classless card an lesser opponents in the conference—which just isn’t cool, man.
I'm not gonna defend the two-point conversion
That one was kind of inexplicable, and I’m not a huge fan of Bielema’s coaching demeanor in general. (Remember this bizarre incident?) I’m just not crazy about people criticizing the Badgers as classless after they’ve only seen the score and maybe one long touchdown pass. Nebraska fans, of all people, should understand that just because a team scores a ton of points doesn’t mean they did it by running up the score.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 15, 2010 5:01 PM CST up reply actions
that's what is bugging me
wtf is bielama doing?
I live in MN, they’re clearly lost in football, and he pulls that shit, then later says “It was on the card” kind of excuse.
This bugs me because I’m kind of a wisconsin fan. love the state of beer and cheese, love the people, love the Badgers, but man, that guy can just be a jackass sometimes, can’t he?
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by Jon Johnston on Nov 15, 2010 7:36 PM CST up reply actions
I don't believe in
running up the score,,,but, if you have your 3rd stringers in there and they are still scoring,,,,what can you do??? Kinda a double edge sword! 83 is getting out of hand though,,IMO.
Matthew 11:28-30
"Run for the round house,,,they can't corner you there!!!"
Homer Simpson: "Mmmmm,Beeeeer!!"
I'm not crazy about Bielema
It’s funny – reading around the other Big 12 SBN blogs this year, I’ve been amazed at how much they all hate Pelini. Pelini’s clearly not a pleasant man, but he just doesn’t seem that hateable to me – he’s a tough, hard-nosed, tightly wound guy with a serious temper, but he’s honest, and he coaches and recruits with integrity. Tough to hate that too much.
Bielema, on the other hand, fits the classic “hateable jackass coach” mold. He always just kind of looks smarmy and douchey over there on the sideline, like an overgrown frat boy who still thinks just a wee bit too highly of himself. He’s still my team’s coach, so I’ll always root for his teams, but I loved Alvarez roaming the sideline so much better.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 15, 2010 9:05 PM CST up reply actions
Have to agree with Jon on this one
You don’t crap on fellow Big Ten coaches like that. You got some bad karma coming your way Bielema, you douche.
I'd like to know the circumstances
Of how Wisconsin scored 83. Nebraska scored well into the 60s and 70s in the mid 90s simply because we were way too good on offense to be stopped, even when the opponent knew it was coming. Of course traditional run out the clock plays like an iso also happened to be our bread and butter which didn’t help matters.
On top of all that, Indiana held Michigan to 40-some earlier than the year, and Wisconsin hasn’t exactly wowed me with their offensive prowess (they’re good, but they’re not Oregon). So I have to wonder how they get to that number without running up the score. Bielema going for two against Minny earlier doesn’t help him out much with me either.
All that said, I can’t say that I agree with the idea of dropping a team for winning by too much.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
Just listened to I Am the 12th Man's podcast
They don’t bring up the Huskers until about 35 minutes in, but my favorite part is when one of them compares Nebraska’s defense and Baylor’s defense and refers to it as “a wash.”
Wait, what?
Beergut
Has had nothing but disdain for this year’s version of the Huskers since before the season started. I’m not sure if it was our leaving, the hint-hinting from NU fans that they’ve got Callahan II down there, or what. But he’s definitely turned brushing Nebraska off as a mediocre and irrelevant team into an art form this year.
This is the game where Tannehill comes back down to earth. He’s faced 4 mediocre to bad defenses. If we keep Gray from running wild and hold on to the football within reason, we’ll win by two scores.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
If he's like many other Texas A&M fans
he is likely upset that Nebraska left but A&M didn’t move on to the SEC like many of them wanted.
by George W. Beadle on Nov 15, 2010 8:07 PM CST up reply actions
The other guy, Mike something (too lazy to look it up)
Seemed a lot more reasonable in his assessment of Nebraska. He’s underestimating our secondary, but he generally called the Huskers solid all around, good but not great – which I think is accurate.
That was my first exposure to Beergut, but I can see where you’re coming from – lots of condescending dismissal of the other team (mostly Baylor in this case), lots of whining about the refs (even though his team won). Don’t want to judge the guy based on one podcast, but yeah, I wasn’t terribly impressed.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 15, 2010 8:56 PM CST up reply actions
Also, regarding your prediction
That’s what I’m thinking – I’ve got a good feeling that this game is a matchup dream for NU and, conversely, a nightmare for A&M.
But there’s one fact countering that good feeling: I’m going to the game. This makes me nervous for two reasons: 1) The Huskers have only won one of the five games I’ve been to; and 2) As soon as A&M scores its first touchdown and Kyle Field is literally shaking with excitement, that good feeling is going away fast.
by Cheeseandcorn on Nov 15, 2010 8:59 PM CST up reply actions
Just can't judge this offense,,,,,
but if they struggle, they will lose!!! For me it’s 50/50 right now because we don’t know what team will show up!
Matthew 11:28-30
"Run for the round house,,,they can't corner you there!!!"
Homer Simpson: "Mmmmm,Beeeeer!!"
With the exception of Texas
Which was sorta understandable considering the emotions surrounding that game, our offense has shown up and played admirably in games that we were supposed to be in danger in. Washington, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Missouri. Four games, three on the road, that at least SOME people were predicting an NU loss. Our offense scored 186 points in those four games. That’s more than 45 points per game, people.
Now obviously, the health of Taylor Martinez is a concern, but I think we’ll go into that game dialed in.
Regarding Cheeseandcorn’s #2 concern, Kyle Field is an awesome advantage for the Aggies, but I think Washington will prove to be good preparation for it.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
This Offense is just
to inconsistent!!! Which team is gonna show up??
Matthew 11:28-30
"Run for the round house,,,they can't corner you there!!!"
Homer Simpson: "Mmmmm,Beeeeer!!"
Again
I think the perception of our opponent will dictate that. It has so far very consistently. The perception of A&M right now is a dangerous team that’s on a role. After a couple of sub-par games against sub-par competition, I think Nebraska will play well.
"My hardest job is to convince the people of Nebraska that 10-1 is not a losing season." - Tom Osborne
I think
a NU fan saying anything about running up the score on an opponent is the pot calling the kettle black. We did it for years. Wisconsins reason was simple if their is a three way tie for the Big 10 title they need to be ranked highest in the bcs the win the conference. Stoops did the same thing a few years back after losing to Texas and the south ended in a three way tie and it worked. As it will for Wisconsin if their is a three way tie in the Big 10. If you don’t like scores getting run up get rid of the BCS. Yet another reason for a playoff!!!!!!
The funny thing about "Berrgut" from 12th Man blog...
Is that he’s so bitter about Nebraska leaving, yet his avatar is the A&M logo with a superimposed SEC logo in the center. Hypocrite…
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