It's 8:00 a.m. and Tuscaloosa Isn't Burning...Yet
by Nico2.0 on Aug 22, 2006 8:29 AM CDT
in Football
Email
Print
So far, the streets of Tuscaloosa are devoid of these guys
All summer long, I've been following The Tuscaloosa News countdown of the Top 25 football programs. I have received countless emails and comments from non-Bama fans that Alabama would be ranked #1 in the countdown and that it's a homer paper and that the categories were chosen to rig an Alabama victory.
Well, prepare to eat crow people, because Alabama comes in at #6 on the list.
What people forget is that the rankings are based on a combination of historical factors as well as factors from the 2005 season. It's a bit of "all-time best" mixed with "current relevance." Knowing that, there was NO WAY Alabama was going to finish #1. I do have to say though that I'm quite surprised they didn't crack the Top 5. I guessed that they would finish at #4.
Anyway, my office window is pointed towards The Tuscaloosa News building and so far, I see no smoke or flames and I can't hear any howling mobs, so perhaps the locals are taking the news in stride.
The Crimson Tide registered points in eight of ten categories:
- 1st in bowls
- 1st in coaching legacy
- 3rd in national titles
- 4th in all-time Top 25
- 8th in 2005 Top 25
- 11th in recruiting
- 14th in attendance
- tied for 15th in hall of famers
6 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Who the hell can be the top 5 ahead of BAMA?
by TNIRISHFAN on Aug 22, 2006 9:00 AM CDT reply actions
Yale
by Coolhand Mike on Aug 22, 2006 9:42 AM CDT reply actions
Odd ...
And Oklahoma at No. 7 is absurd.
You got to think that Oklahoma, Michigan, Notre Dame and Alabama are the top four, hands down.
The reason Notre Dame and USC - more USC considering the Irish's won/loss stats - get so much recognition comes from the visibility. Ranking All-Americans and Heisman Trophies is not an objective thing, particularly when the voting is done by humans and humans are swayed by bias and emotion. Consider the fact that Notre Dame is getting tons of recognition, despite going 9-3 last year with no significant victories to lean back on.
As for USC ... we're talking less than 500 wins since 1940 (which would be even less impressive had it not been for the 48-4 run the past four years) and sub-par head-to-head records against other prominent programs (including losing records against Alabama and Notre Dame).
by Jmac on Aug 22, 2006 1:31 PM CDT reply actions
Remember though...
USC, Ohio State & Penn State all finished higher than Alabama in 2005 in just about every category. They all have bigger stadiums, they all finished ranked higher, they all put more people in the NFL, they all finished with higher recruiting rankings. It isn't just an "all-time" list. I'm not saying I agree with the list, but it is what it is and based on their factors, those schools should all finish higher than Alabama. I can't possibly imagine who else it would be besides those five.
All-Americans and Heisman winners don't factor into the rankings. College Hall of Famers do though.
Oh yeah
That's a mighty weird points system those folks are using.
by Jmac on Aug 22, 2006 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
