ShotgunDawg
11-18-2014, 09:09 PM
Sitting here trying to make sense of the committee's rankings, and how they effect MSU.
Here is what I got:
1. Something interesting happened tonight: the committee moved away from complete objectiveness, in regards to Top 25 wins, and began to use common sense. This is a major plus for MSU because we were all wondering how the committee would handle SEC West teams cannibalizing themselves when they are clearly among the best teams in the country from a talent and coaching standpoint. Thus, instead of ranking SEC teams with 3 or 4+ losses higher in the rankings than teams with less losses, they are simply using common sense. This puts Jeff Long in a very tough position when trying to explain why MSU is ahead of teams with more "Top 25" wins, but it IS the right thing to do and just. I mean, how many points would Arkansas be favored by if they played Minnesota? It's just difficult for Jeff Long to go on TV and tell TCU, Baylor, and Ohio State fans, "THEY ARE F(C(*&* BETTER THAN YOU".
2. Although, TCU remained 5th, Long said that TCU was penalized for barely beating Kansas. Therefore, we need to pound Vandy. I don't think beating them 65-0 will do much for us, but it would be in our benefit to cover the spread or come close to it. That brings about some interesting decisions for Mullen this weekend: When do you take Dak and Robinson out? Do you kneel the ball if only up 25 in the 4th quarter? Do you go conservative if Damien Williams enters the game?
Personally, I understand that there is code between coaches with these types of decisions, but Mullen's job is to do what is in the best interest of his team and Mississippi State University first. Derrick Mason will understand.
3. While it's not a certainty, I believe it's in our best interest for Ole Miss to beat Arkansas. I love MSU more than I hate Ole Miss, and therefore, I need to cheer and support what is best for MSU. From a rankings standpoint, the reason we need Ole Miss to beat Arkansas, is because we need Ole Miss to stay ahead of Wisconsin in the rankings. We may need this trump card if Ohio State beats Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship. If Ole Miss doesn't beat Arkansas, then we may need to soundly and convincingly beat Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl; something like 24-7 or 24-10 should work.
4. SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE, and everyone, including the committee, hopes it is us. Every year in the old BCS system, someone lost to clear things up. With this being the history, we should all expect someone to unexpectedly lose this year. It's likely going to happen, and it will make everything clear up to some degree. With that being said, everyone hopes it's us or Alabama that loses. It simply makes the committee's final decision much easier.
5. With all this being said, I think if we convincingly beat Vandy and beat Ole Miss, without needing a fluke, we will be in the playoffs. Again, someone will likely lose to clear things up. I'd be shocked if they pick a 12-1 Ohio State team that lost V Tech BY 14 POINTS, over an 11-1 MSU team that lost by 5 points at Alabama. Ohio State can talk all day about their QB situation in that game, but how about the fact that they gave up 35 points to V Tech, which is V Tech's season high for points. Yes, V Tech scored more points against Ohio State, on the road, than they have against any other team all year.
What are your thoughts?
Here is what I got:
1. Something interesting happened tonight: the committee moved away from complete objectiveness, in regards to Top 25 wins, and began to use common sense. This is a major plus for MSU because we were all wondering how the committee would handle SEC West teams cannibalizing themselves when they are clearly among the best teams in the country from a talent and coaching standpoint. Thus, instead of ranking SEC teams with 3 or 4+ losses higher in the rankings than teams with less losses, they are simply using common sense. This puts Jeff Long in a very tough position when trying to explain why MSU is ahead of teams with more "Top 25" wins, but it IS the right thing to do and just. I mean, how many points would Arkansas be favored by if they played Minnesota? It's just difficult for Jeff Long to go on TV and tell TCU, Baylor, and Ohio State fans, "THEY ARE F(C(*&* BETTER THAN YOU".
2. Although, TCU remained 5th, Long said that TCU was penalized for barely beating Kansas. Therefore, we need to pound Vandy. I don't think beating them 65-0 will do much for us, but it would be in our benefit to cover the spread or come close to it. That brings about some interesting decisions for Mullen this weekend: When do you take Dak and Robinson out? Do you kneel the ball if only up 25 in the 4th quarter? Do you go conservative if Damien Williams enters the game?
Personally, I understand that there is code between coaches with these types of decisions, but Mullen's job is to do what is in the best interest of his team and Mississippi State University first. Derrick Mason will understand.
3. While it's not a certainty, I believe it's in our best interest for Ole Miss to beat Arkansas. I love MSU more than I hate Ole Miss, and therefore, I need to cheer and support what is best for MSU. From a rankings standpoint, the reason we need Ole Miss to beat Arkansas, is because we need Ole Miss to stay ahead of Wisconsin in the rankings. We may need this trump card if Ohio State beats Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship. If Ole Miss doesn't beat Arkansas, then we may need to soundly and convincingly beat Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl; something like 24-7 or 24-10 should work.
4. SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE, and everyone, including the committee, hopes it is us. Every year in the old BCS system, someone lost to clear things up. With this being the history, we should all expect someone to unexpectedly lose this year. It's likely going to happen, and it will make everything clear up to some degree. With that being said, everyone hopes it's us or Alabama that loses. It simply makes the committee's final decision much easier.
5. With all this being said, I think if we convincingly beat Vandy and beat Ole Miss, without needing a fluke, we will be in the playoffs. Again, someone will likely lose to clear things up. I'd be shocked if they pick a 12-1 Ohio State team that lost V Tech BY 14 POINTS, over an 11-1 MSU team that lost by 5 points at Alabama. Ohio State can talk all day about their QB situation in that game, but how about the fact that they gave up 35 points to V Tech, which is V Tech's season high for points. Yes, V Tech scored more points against Ohio State, on the road, than they have against any other team all year.
What are your thoughts?