East Carolina

[Slugs]

Back to back upsets - first VA Tech & now #8 W. VA. Got to give it up here!

[SEC=UGA]

Back to back upsets - first VA Tech & now #8 W. VA. Got to give it up here!

 

They've looked pretty solid in all facets of the game. Their schedule going forward is pretty weak, they have NC State and another average team. They could be this years Hawaii.

[cbs0121]

AP showing some love... they're up to #14 in that poll, 20 in the coaches'.

Edited September 8, 2008 by cbs0121

[detlef]

OK, this is what I hate about college ball. ECU should not have to hope to be "this year's Hawaii" if they go undefeated and have to settle for a token invite to a lesser BCS game. They've already beaten the defending champs of two BCS conferences this year. One of which was expected to be very, very good this year. Hawaii's best OOC win was against last place UW.

 

Would their conference schedule be much or at all tougher if they were in, say the ACC this year? However, if an ACC team beat two defending BCS conference champs and rolled through their league, the only way they could be kept out of the NC game was if, say USC and OK did the same. As it stands, they likely won't get a sniff because they're in a "lesser conference".

 

When OSU plays nobody OOC and rolls through a down Big 10, the argument is, "They can only beat the teams they play. What else do you want?" With ECU, we'll be discounting them because they feasted on Conference USA. Now, before I get Big 10 nation hating me any more than they already do, I'm not saying Conference USA is as good as the Big 10. However, ECU is playing ball by scheduling 3 OOC games against teams from the BCS, something that few major schools do.

[polksalet]

OK, this is what I hate about college ball. ECU should not have to hope to be "this year's Hawaii" if they go undefeated and have to settle for a token invite to a lesser BCS game. They've already beaten the defending champs of two BCS conferences this year. One of which was expected to be very, very good this year. Hawaii's best OOC win was against last place UW.

 

Would their conference schedule be much or at all tougher if they were in, say the ACC this year? However, if an ACC team beat two defending BCS conference champs and rolled through their league, the only way they could be kept out of the NC game was if, say USC and OK did the same. As it stands, they likely won't get a sniff because they're in a "lesser conference".

 

When OSU plays nobody OOC and rolls through a down Big 10, the argument is, "They can only beat the teams they play. What else do you want?" With ECU, we'll be discounting them because they feasted on Conference USA. Now, before I get Big 10 nation hating me any more than they already do, I'm not saying Conference USA is as good as the Big 10. However, ECU is playing ball by scheduling 3 OOC games against teams from the BCS, something that few major schools do.

 

I was going to say that they were this year's HAwaii except they have done it on merit and substance instead of hype but you put it more eloquently.

[BS Miscreant]

AP showing some love... they're up to #14 in that poll, 20 in the coaches'.

Yep, they got some love and deservedly so. They handled WVU. I think the polls will take care of them as long as they keep winning and as long as WVU and Va Tech start winning. ECU lose even one and what will kill them is who they lost to because there's noone of note remaining on their schedule. If WVU or Va Tech lose another game or two then, well, they just weren't all that good to begin with and there goes all your love.

[detlef]

Yep, they got some love and deservedly so. They handled WVU. I think the polls will take care of them as long as they keep winning and as long as WVU and Va Tech start winning. ECU lose even one and what will kill them is who they lost to because there's noone of note remaining on their schedule. If WVU or Va Tech lose another game or two then, well, they just weren't all that good to begin with and there goes all your love.

If WVU or Va Tech lose "another game or two?" So if they end up 9-3 then that undermines ECU's wins? If you're in a BCS conference, even sorry ass ones like the ACC or what the Big East appears to be this year and you end up 9-3, you're going to be in the top 25. That means ECU could be 12-0 with two wins against top 25 teams. That's one less loss total and one more win against a top 25 team than OSU had last year.

 

Mind you, there's a lot of football to be played and the talk here in NC is that now they have the surprisingly daunting task of not losing to teams they're supposed to beat. Something they've had a history of problems with. However, I'm really pulling for them. Unlike Boise St. These guys can be real party crashers since, unlike the other undefeated non-BCS schools, they filled their OOC Schedule with BCS schools, so the typical BS arguments are rendered void.

[BS Miscreant]

If WVU or Va Tech lose "another game or two?" So if they end up 9-3 then that undermines ECU's wins? If you're in a BCS conference, even sorry ass ones like the ACC or what the Big East appears to be this year and you end up 9-3, you're going to be in the top 25. That means ECU could be 12-0 with two wins against top 25 teams. That's one less loss total and one more win against a top 25 team than OSU had last year.

 

Mind you, there's a lot of football to be played and the talk here in NC is that now they have the surprisingly daunting task of not losing to teams they're supposed to beat. Something they've had a history of problems with. However, I'm really pulling for them. Unlike Boise St. These guys can be real party crashers since, unlike the other undefeated non-BCS schools, they filled their OOC Schedule with BCS schools, so the typical BS arguments are rendered void.

Yes, if they lose another game or two. If they lose only one then it'll depend on who they lose to. If two, then yes, it hurts quite a bit. Look at the dynamic already. ECU beat the #17 and #8 teams in the country and yet are only ranked #14. Why? Because, sure those are great wins but the voters don't really believe yet that they're really good. Good but not really good. Also, Va Tech is barely in the top 40 now after losing to ECU and WVU dropped all the way to #25. Those rankings are an indication that either the pollsters aren't completely sold on ECU or another loss or two would wreak havoc on WVU's and Va Tech's chances of getting back into the top 25.

[detlef]

Yes, if they lose another game or two. If they lose only one then it'll depend on who they lose to. If two, then yes, it hurts quite a bit. Look at the dynamic already. ECU beat the #17 and #8 teams in the country and yet are only ranked #14. Why? Because, sure those are great wins but the voters don't really believe yet that they're really good. Good but not really good. Also, Va Tech is barely in the top 40 now after losing to ECU and WVU dropped all the way to #25. Those rankings are an indication that either the pollsters aren't completely sold on ECU or another loss or two would wreak havoc on WVU's and Va Tech's chances of getting back into the top 25.

Is there a significant precedent for BCS schools, especially high profile ones like WVU and V Tech, not being in the top 25 despite being 9-3? My guess is that you wouldn't find a whole hell of a lot of examples.

 

That ECU is only 14 and that WVU and V Tech dropped so far to me speaks to the fact that the pollsters are very hesitant to believe that a team they didn't have on their radar is very good. That and the fact that so many of the top teams play such cupcake early schedules that it's impossible to tell how good they are. I mean, is ECU supposed to pass up traditional powers that just beat the snot out of some directional state?

[BS Miscreant]

That ECU is only 14 and that WVU and V Tech dropped so far to me speaks to the fact that the pollsters are very hesitant to believe that a team they didn't have on their radar is very good.

Ding, Ding, Ding!!! We have a winner!

Hey, look at that. It turns out we actually agree.

Look at the dynamic already. ECU beat the #17 and #8 teams in the country and yet are only ranked #14. Why? Because, sure those are great wins but the voters don't really believe yet that they're really good. Good but not really good.

Let me be very clear that I'm impressed with ECU. Hell, even if WVU is not quite the team they were last year, ECU just flat out whipped 'em. But I also have to say that they're probably ranked about where they should be. Unfortunately, that's a prime location from which to simply disappear off of the radar if things go even slightly wrong.

[GWPFFL BrianW]

Of course, none of this would even be a debate if College Football, you know, joined the real world and had a Tournament to decide it's champion, you know, like every other league. Personally I like my 12 team system, but I am just a lowly fan who isn't making decisions for Fox or ABC.

[detlef]

Of course, none of this would even be a debate if College Football, you know, joined the real world and had a Tournament to decide it's champion, you know, like every other league. Personally I like my 12 team system, but I am just a lowly fan who isn't making decisions for Fox or ABC.

Don't be silly. There's no money in tournaments. Just ask the guys who put on March Madness.

[detlef]

Ding, Ding, Ding!!! We have a winner!

Hey, look at that. It turns out we actually agree.

Not entirely. We agree on why ECU is only 14th now. However, my point still remains that I highly doubt V Tech or WVU don't end up in the top 25 if they only drop 2 more games. Hell, last year V Tech got completely destroyed early, then lost again and entered the Bowl Season as #3 over all. You think another loss would have dropped them 22?

 

None the less, at least for last year, I just looked it up and confirmed my thoughts. There 8 teams just outside the top 25 from BCS conferences in the last rankings prior to the bowls. All of them finished with at least 4 losses and the 4 that I bothered to look up further had those 4 losses prior to their bowl game. Thus, it appears that 3 or less losses pretty much means you're in the top 25. Especially, I would imagine if your school is named V Tech or WVU. OK, I stand corrected (kind of). I just noticed that U Conn's 4th loss came in their bowl game so they had 3 losses and were not in the top 25. Mind you, they were 27th, and you've got to think that they're not exactly going to get the benefit of the doubt that WVU or V Tech get.

 

Again, all I'm really saying is that I sincerely hope that WVU and Tech finish top 25 (which they'd really have to choke not to I think) and ECU goes undefeated. This would be a party crasher of a whole different level than what we've seen and hopefully would cause a pretty big fuss.

[SEC=UGA]

OK, this is what I hate about college ball. ECU should not have to hope to be "this year's Hawaii" if they go undefeated and have to settle for a token invite to a lesser BCS game. They've already beaten the defending champs of two BCS conferences this year. One of which was expected to be very, very good this year. Hawaii's best OOC win was against last place UW.

 

Would their conference schedule be much or at all tougher if they were in, say the ACC this year? However, if an ACC team beat two defending BCS conference champs and rolled through their league, the only way they could be kept out of the NC game was if, say USC and OK did the same. As it stands, they likely won't get a sniff because they're in a "lesser conference".

 

When OSU plays nobody OOC and rolls through a down Big 10, the argument is, "They can only beat the teams they play. What else do you want?" With ECU, we'll be discounting them because they feasted on Conference USA. Now, before I get Big 10 nation hating me any more than they already do, I'm not saying Conference USA is as good as the Big 10. However, ECU is playing ball by scheduling 3 OOC games against teams from the BCS, something that few major schools do.

 

I hope Tennessee doesn't get them in the Poulan Weedeater Bowl this year.

[detlef]

I hope Tennessee doesn't get them in the Poulan Weedeater Bowl this year.

Trust me, that makes two of us.

[BS Miscreant]

Well, the Mountaineers loss to Colorado tonight really makes the issue messy when evaluating ECU's win. The point, discussed earlier, of WVU losing 3 games may now be moot because they may very well lose 4 or 5. In order for them to only lose 3 they'll have to beat either Auburn or South Florida and win the rest of their games. They don't look like a team who'll do that after scoring just 17 points over the last two games. Assuming at least one victory over either USF or Aub being big would also have to assume that neither of them fall from their respective perches. WVU have got a ton of speed and talent and may come around but ECU's win over what was thought to be a high quality opponent is looking less and less impressive. They beat what was the #8 team in the country but that team is now out of the top 25.

 

There is always Va Tech's potential to come up big with their schedule but they might lose this weekend to UNC and then they're looking 3 or 4 losses right in the face.

 

If either of the aforementioned scenarios play out then the pollsters will have a hard time moving ECU up even if they run the table. This is barring, of course, a similar season to last during which a number of highly ranked teams get knocked off multiple times.

 

I'm pulling like hell for ECU because I love an underdog especially in the current system but the cards are stacked against them.

[GWPFFL BrianW]

If ECU runs the table they WILL get a BCS slot. They would have to be the ONLY undefeated team to even have a prayer of the BCS National Title game. But run the table, and they will be in a BCS game without a doubt. They are already ranked high enough right now to where they merely have to jump a couple more slots to be guaranteed a spot. Pollsters are filled with too many egomaniacs to drop them now without having suffered a loss. Look the way the BCS is laid out, it is not that hard for mid-majors to get there. There are 4 at-large spots available, and mid majors merely have to be in the top 10 (I believe) to be GUARANTEED a BCS spot. We saw Boise State and Hawaii do it the last 2 years, I would expect more of the same this year. This was the mid-majors reward for the BCS conferences giving them ZERO shot to even compete for a national title. And ultimately, mid-majors are happy with it, because they get the big pay day for participating in a BCS Bowl game.

[BS Miscreant]

If ECU runs the table they WILL get a BCS slot. They would have to be the ONLY undefeated team to even have a prayer of the BCS National Title game. But run the table, and they will be in a BCS game without a doubt. They are already ranked high enough right now to where they merely have to jump a couple more slots to be guaranteed a spot. Pollsters are filled with too many egomaniacs to drop them now without having suffered a loss. Look the way the BCS is laid out, it is not that hard for mid-majors to get there. There are 4 at-large spots available, and mid majors merely have to be in the top 10 (I believe) to be GUARANTEED a BCS spot. We saw Boise State and Hawaii do it the last 2 years, I would expect more of the same this year. This was the mid-majors reward for the BCS conferences giving them ZERO shot to even compete for a national title. And ultimately, mid-majors are happy with it, because they get the big pay day for participating in a BCS Bowl game.

Not pointing out an error or anything here, just helping to make your point.

 

{info here from bcsfootball.org}

 

{ 3. The champion of Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Sun Belt Conference, or the Western Athletic Conference will earn an automatic berth in a BCS bowl game if either:

 

A. Such team is ranked in the top 12 of the final BCS Standings, or,

B. Such team is ranked in the top 16 of the final BCS Standings and its ranking in the final BCS Standings is higher than that of a champion of a conference that has an annual automatic berth in one of the BCS bowls.}

 

Now here's a fun one for you guys. Let's suppose BYU(#14 / #11) or Utah(#20) run the table and win the Mountain West. Then we get to see this in action...

 

{No more than one such team from Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Sun Belt Conference, and the Western Athletic Conference shall earn an automatic berth in any year. If two or more teams from those conferences satisfy the provisions for an automatic berth, then the team with the highest finish in the final BCS Standings will receive the automatic berth, and the remaining team or teams will be in the pool of teams eligible for selection by the bowls as at-large teams.}

 

Not entirely out of the question, eh?

[GWPFFL BrianW]

So its Top 12. I knew it was Top 10 or Top 12. Couldnt remember which. No that scenario would be pretty painful for fans of those schools who didn't get in. I think unlike Hawaii last year, all 3 of those teams are pretty decent, and would hold their own in a bowl game against the majority of BCS schools. Hawaii last year was just totally overmatched, and they really didn't do anything. Utah, ECU, and BYU all have wins over some pretty decent competition thus far. Hawaii can't claim that last year. Their best win was vs Washington and they barely snuck by them.

[whoopazz]

Well that's that. Losing to NC State (whom suck) pretty much seals the Pirates fate.

[Slugs]

KABOOM!!!!

 

Yikes Batman the end has come!!!!

[BS Miscreant]

And another interesting thread dies an untimely death. Goodbye East Carolina thread. I enjoyed you while you lasted.