Texts From Texas Game Day
November 14, 2016 by Mike CasazzaA quick note about polls: They’re rubbish. I’m not even sure why they exist now with the College Football Playoff except for people to tout their votes and sometimes even the work they put into them and then to critique the CFP voting, which is the only one that matters.
If we’re being honest, what the polls and the CFP have done is give teams like WVU two ladders to climb during the season. I count seven teams in last week’s CFP ranking with no losses or one loss. The Mountaineers are lowest in the rankings at No. 16 meaning nine two-loss teams were above them. The other six of the no-loss or one-loss teas were the top six. Each was ranked in the top 25 in both presaeson polls. It took WVU a third of the season to get into the top 25, and if you don’t think the polls establish a starting point or a train of thought for the CFP, I don’t know what to tell you.
That said, the media and coaches poll stimulate interest, discussion, matchups and attention, and that’s very good for our fair sport, but they’re still rubbish. I’ll confess I went to bed Saturday night Sunday morning under the assumption WVU would be a top-seven team in the polls, but that’s only because I assumed people have affection for Texas and voters would drop teams that lost and elevate teams that won.
Nope. Nope.
Many people are mad about this. People were mad about a lot of stuff Sunday, like ESPN choosing Western Michigan, which is a really cool story, for College GameDay. I’d like to comfort you by saying I’m certain WVU is relieved by this, not for the disrespect but for the ability to focus on the Sooners without having to devote time and effort to all the ancillary stuff that comes with GameDay. And if you’re miffed about not getting the spotlight, man, where have you been? WVU is a top-10 team that has a chance to win the Big 12. All the games are on national TV. Things are just fine, and the 8 p.m. spot on ABC is as good as it gets. Deep breaths.
As for the polls, I’m perplexed but not surprised. You can take just a little time to make a case that supports the order – or to dismiss it – but I’m not sure why anyone would care. Now, Tuesday night? Different story. From now until the CFP reveal, we can ponder the possibility of the Big 12 champion getting into the final four. It didn’t look good before, but a two-loss Oklahoma has a shot, so it’s not impossible for the Mountaineers. If WVU finishes 11-1/8-1, that could do it, but I think WVU better be in the top 12 Tuesday, and I don’t know how that’s going to be the case.
I wish that I could stay forever this young. Not afraid to close my eyes. Life’s a game made for everyone, and love is the prize. My edits are in [brackets].
9:02 a.m.:
OMG we just saw Bevo go by in his trailer.
10:47:
I’m still depressed, can WVU football save me? Will TFGD provide me peace?? I mango farming hope so!
11:14:
Is it Noon yet?
11:14:
11:35:
Already fightin’ [fight] yeah
11:54:
Desmond, Joel McHale & Herby all just took Texas. Corso was the lone wolf. uh-oh.
11:56:
Texas’s band just played our alma mater song. Not gonna lie. I cried a little.
12:03 p.m.:
Nervous about this one
12:03:
I actually like Charlie Strong. He seems like he doesn’t take himself that seriously.
12:16:
Oh Lort.
12:16:
They’re gonna score 100
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