Dave Revsine: "It's inexplicable that Wisconsin is not in the BCS top 25"

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SelectionSunday

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This is a direct quote from the Big Ten Football and Beyond's anchor man. Please Dave, other than beating up on a bunch of nondescript teams, what have the Badgers done to merit even a top 25 spot in the BCS?

Lets' start with this fact; the Badgers have two losses. They've lost to the only two truly good teams they've played, Arizona State and Ohio State. OK, there's no shame in that. So that must mean Revsine is impressed with who the Badgers have beaten for their five wins. Let's take a look.

UMass, new to the FBS, is 1-6, 1-2 in the MAC. However, the Minutemen can pound their chest about their 17-10 win over winless Miami-Ohio.

Tennessee Tech is 3-5, 0-4 in the FBS conference Ohio Valley. Tech has beaten stalwarts Cumberland (Tenn.), Hampton, and Indiana State.

Now let's look at the Badgers' three conference opponents to this point:

Purdue is 1-6, 0-3.

Free-falling Northwestern is 4-3, 0-3.

Illinois is 3-3, 0-2.

That's right, to date the Badgers' Big Ten opponents have combined for a whopping ZERO conference wins.

Yes Revver, that's mighty impressive. That's a resume that begs the question, "Why are they not in the BCS top 25?"
 

Gordon and Borland are tremendous football players and fun to watch.
 

Wisconsin should definitely be in the BCS top 25. They've been very impressive....6th in the nation in defense, 10th in offense. Looking forward to their game at Iowa.
 

No argument about Gordon and Borland being fantastic players and fun to watch. I'd add Jared Abbrederis to that list. One of my favorite Big Ten players to watch. I also agree the Badgers have been impressive.

However, that's not not the argument I'm laying out here. The argument is, is it "inexplicable" that the Badgers are not in the BCS top 25? My answer would be a resounding no, considering the competition they've played to this point, who've they've beaten, how their opponents have performed, etc.

I, too, am looking forward to their game vs. Iowa. One way or another, it will tell us more about Bucky. I hope the Badgers win because that would mean another conference loss for a Legends Division team (Iowa). A loss essentially knocks the Hawkeyes out of the title race, which would trim the Legends race down to Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota (if the Gophers beat Nebraska), and Nebraska.
 

Nebraska's #24 in the BCS and they haven't done anything impressive either. Lost in terrible fashion to the only good team they've played.

Beat improved Wyoming squad 4-3
Beat spiraling Southern Miss 0-6
Lost to UCLA
Beat FBS South Dakota State 4-4
Beat Illinois and Purdue (which is the topic of a thread....Who's worse) 3-3 (0-2) and 1-6 (0-3) respectively.

Wisconsin can't be that far out of the top BCS top 25 when you look at Nebraska's road.
 




Really, when you look at it. Another lost season for the Skunks. No BCS Championship game, no BTT.
And hey Rebecca. You will never be considered a " Helmet " school until you win a National Championship. Gag on that you bunch of delusional dick wads.
 

In fairness to Bucky, I'd like to have just one of their lost seasons. This (current) "lost" season very well may end up 10-2 and in another BCS bowl, maybe even the Rose Bowl again if Ohio State plays in the BCS title game. Hope not, but it's certainly a possibility with the schedule they have remaining.
 



SelectionSunday said:
In fairness to Bucky, I'd like to have just one of their lost seasons. This (current) "lost" season very well may end up 10-2 and in another BCS bowl, maybe even the Rose Bowl again if Ohio State plays in the BCS title game. Hope not, but it's certainly a possibility with the schedule they have remaining.
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They still have the Gophs standing in the way of that dream. I am graduating from grad school at the U this year, and after 8 straight years as a student, I would love for us to end with a big win against Wisconsin (it would be the first in my time here).
 

Sagarin has the Badgers in the top 10, ahead of even Ohio State. They're pretty good.
 

Ok, Dave here it is in black and white. The BCS is BS. But let me try to state the case that the season is a playoff. To be in the top 4 you must be undefeated. Its too early for the BCS poll. But here is my BS

1. Alabama
2. FSU
3. Oregon
4. Ohio State
5. Missouri
6. Miami
7. Baylor
8. Texas Tech
9. Fresno State
10. Northern Illinois.

Now the one loss teams
11. Virginia Tech
12. Stanford
13. Auburn
14. UCLA
15. Clemson
16. UCF
17. Oklahoma State
18. Nebraska
19. Oregon State
20. Michigan State
21. Michigan
22. Louisville
23. Oklahoma
24. Houston
25. Ball State

Now the two loss teams
But I would think you need to be undefeated in Conference
Texas, Rice, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Tulane,

If you are a two loss team and are not undefeated in conference you are not in the top 25. I don't care about computers, coaches, AP, or even Sagarin.
 

What's inexplicable is that this thread has been up for more than three hours without a single Becky fan chiming in. Very unlike them.

You lay out good points, SS. Based on the eye test, I would say Wisky looks better than Michigan or Nebraska, but of course they don't play either of those teams, or Michigan State. In the preseason, I had Wisky going 10-2, simply because of the ridiculously easy schedule, and I haven't seen anything to change my mind. Hopefully, it isn't good enough for a BCS bid.
 



SelectionSunday said:
In fairness to Bucky, I'd like to have just one of their lost seasons. This (current) "lost" season very well may end up 10-2 and in another BCS bowl, maybe even the Rose Bowl again if Ohio State plays in the BCS title game. Hope not, but it's certainly a possibility with the schedule they have remaining.
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Is this true? I think the loser of the Big Ten Championship game is supposed to go to the Rose Bowl if the winner goes to the BCS championship game. I don't know that for sure though. (There's some rule related to the runner-up, I just can't remember what it is.) Someone here knows.
 

Hates Monikers said:
Is this true? I think the loser of the Big Ten Championship game is supposed to go to the Rose Bowl if the winner goes to the BCS championship game. I don't know that for sure though. (There's some rule related to the runner-up, I just can't remember what it is.) Someone here knows.
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Than why did scUM sparty spot in the BCS two years ago?
 

Jike Spingleton said:
What's inexplicable is that this thread has been up for more than three hours without a single Becky fan chiming in.
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zeeyYGd.jpg
 

Jike Spingleton said:
What's inexplicable is that this thread has been up for more than three hours without a single Becky fan chiming in. Very unlike them.
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Was thinking the same thing. ... and I'm someone who begrudgingly gives Wisconsin more respect (ahem, relatively speaking) than folks here wanna' hear, especially on the basketball side of things.
 

bemidjigopher said:
Than why did scUM sparty spot in the BCS two years ago?
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Exactly, and it could happen again, especially if MSU/Nebraska falls to OSU in the title game. I know Sparty (#17) wasn't in the top 15 of the BCS that year (had to be in the top 15 to be eligible for BCS game) and Michigan was, despite the fact MSU beat Michigan head-to-head.

I'm not sure what the selection rules are for the Rose Bowl, but I'd imagine if Ohio State goes to the BCS title game the Rose's preference will be to replace the Buckeyes with another Big Ten squad. Presumably, their choices could be a 10-2 Badger squad or a 11-2 or 10-3 championship-game appearing MSU/Nebraska. Basically, that would mean the loser of the Big Ten title might get punished for playing in it (and losing).
 

The ASU game was a fluke (although I still think they helped blow it with their time management) and they played well against OSU. With two losses....yeah I can see them sitting right outside the BCS top 25. Do I think they are better than that ranking? Yes. I guess I don't see the issue. If they are really that good, they should be able to have only one more loss or win out the rest of the season. It's early. Teams will lose and others will earn their spots.
 

SelectionSunday said:
Exactly, and it could happen again, especially if MSU/Nebraska falls to OSU in the title game. I know Sparty (#17) wasn't in the top 15 of the BCS that year (had to be in the top 15 to be eligible for BCS game) and Michigan was, despite the fact MSU beat Michigan head-to-head.

I'm not sure what the selection rules are for the Rose Bowl, but I'd imagine if Ohio State goes to the BCS title game the Rose's preference will be to replace the Buckeyes with another Big Ten squad. Presumably, their choices could be a 10-2 Badger squad or a 11-2 or 10-3 championship-game appearing MSU/Nebraska. Basically, that would mean the loser of the Big Ten title might get punished for playing in it (and losing).
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I'm glad you included the parenthetical there. I am not a fan of people saying that someone is punished for playing a game. You are right, they are punished for losing the game.
 

I think it's interesting that some are poo-pooing Wisconsin's dominating win over Northwestern - but in the same breathe discussing the Gopher's win over Northwestern as a possible signature win? Which is it?

The Badgers have looked been impressive overall but I agree that they've mostly beat up on bad teams. Regarding their easy schedule - they don't control their Big Ten slate and they scheduled ASU and BYU in non-conference. That is far from weak.
 

MinnesotaBoiler99 said:
I think it's interesting that some are poo-pooing Wisconsin's dominating win over Northwestern - but in the same breathe discussing the Gopher's win over Northwestern as a possible signature win? Which is it?
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In the thread a few days ago titled "Can we call this a signature win?" there were 46 respondants. Only three said it could be considered a signature win.

Also, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of a double standard here. Beating Northwestern on the road was a good win for where our program is, but for where Wisconsin's program is, beating Northwestern at home is nothing particularly impressive.
 

Bad Gopher said:
Sagarin has the Badgers in the top 10, ahead of even Ohio State. They're pretty good.
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I think WI should be in the top 25, but anyone that has them ahead of tOSU at this point is absolutely out of their mind.
 

bleedsmaroonandgold said:
I'm glad you included the parenthetical there. I am not a fan of people saying that someone is punished for playing a game. You are right, they are punished for losing the game.
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Going by the Michigan/Michigan State BCS bid scenario, it's basically saying that the team that wasn't even good enough to go to the conference title game is better than the team that lost it, not to mention the Spartans beat the Wolverines head to head. Is the team that loses the Super Bowl then considered worse than the team they beat in the conference title game? Not a perfect analogy I know.

I just think it's kind of dumb that winning your division, which should prove that you are better than all the other teams in your division, but losing in the conference title game knocks essentially knocks you down a peg in your own division. Winning the division seems like it should be absolutely better than not winning it, but as it stands, you're probably in a better spot for bowl selection by finishing 2nd in your division than by winning your division and losing the conference championship game.

Long story short, there is a scenario where finishing second in your division is advantageous to finishing first, which doesn't seem right.

MinnesotaBoiler99 said:
I think it's interesting that some are poo-pooing Wisconsin's dominating win over Northwestern - but in the same breathe discussing the Gopher's win over Northwestern as a possible signature win? Which is it?

The Badgers have looked been impressive overall but I agree that they've mostly beat up on bad teams. Regarding their easy schedule - they don't control their Big Ten slate and they scheduled ASU and BYU in non-conference. That is far from weak.
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On the "Is this a signature win?" thread, most responses seemed to be "not even close," so I don't think there are very many posters saying that beating an unranked Northwestern team is something to hang your hat on, and more a sign that Northwestern is either overrated or lacking depth.

They don't make their Big Ten schedule, but that doesn't mean it's not relatively easy. They dodge Michigan, Michigan State, and Nebraska, arguably the three best teams in the Legends right now, and they haven't played BYU yet. The Badgers are 5-2 right now, and I think the Gophers probably would be too if they played the same schedule, or at least 4-3.
 

MinnesotaBoiler99 said:
I think it's interesting that some are poo-pooing Wisconsin's dominating win over Northwestern - but in the same breathe discussing the Gopher's win over Northwestern as a possible signature win? Which is it?

The Badgers have looked been impressive overall but I agree that they've mostly beat up on bad teams. Regarding their easy schedule - they don't control their Big Ten slate and they scheduled ASU and BYU in non-conference. That is far from weak.
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No one is ripping on WI for having a weak schedule. They've scheduled a tough non-conference and they deserve an extra bump in the polls because of that. However, when arguing who should be in the top 25, you do look at strength of schedule. Those are the kinds of things that you look at. That will change by the end of the year for WI.
 


Cayman said:
The Badgers are 5-2 right now, and I think the Gophers probably would be too if they played the same schedule, or at least 4-3.
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I don't disagree with that. I've thought the same thing regarding Purdue. The Boilers are by no means a good squad - but their futility and 1-6 record thus far has come against a brutal schedule. I would like to think they would be 4-3 with the Gopher's schedule.
 

SelectionSunday said:
I, too, am looking forward to their game vs. Iowa. One way or another, it will tell us more about Bucky. I hope the Badgers win because that would mean another conference loss for a Legends Division team (Iowa). A loss essentially knocks the Hawkeyes out of the title race, which would trim the Legends race down to Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota (if the Gophers beat Nebraska), and Nebraska.
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I'm actually rooting for Northwestern to beat Iowa, since NW is out of the Legend's race already with 3 losses and one to us (at least H2H with Gophers), and then Iowa to beat Wisconsin to keep them from reaching the BTCG if for some reason OSU falters 2x. Also to keep Wisconsin from a potential at-large bid (which is possible if they finish 10-2 with Michigan losing to OSU, potentially twice).

I know, different topic, but the Gophers do have a chance yet this year if they win out:

- Michigan would need 3 total losses for us to pass them (counting on OSU and potentially one other, hopefully MSU).
- MSU and Nebraska would each need one loss from us and another from some other team. Michigan beats Nebraska, Nebraska/Northwestern beats MSU.
- Someone beats Iowa once, preferably Northwestern so Iowa can rain on Wisconsin's parade. It's likely that Michigan and/or Nebraska will also beat Iowa.

If that's the case, all we have to do is beat Nebraska, Indiana, Penn St, Wisconsin, and MSU to play OSU in the CG for a Rose Bowl berth. Totally reasonable.

Oh, and f%ck Wisconsin.
 

ruppertflywheel said:
Really, when you look at it. Another lost season for the Skunks. No BCS Championship game, no BTT.
And hey Rebecca. You will never be considered a " Helmet " school until you win a National Championship. Gag on that you bunch of delusional dick wads.
Click to expand...

So Minnesota is a leather helmet school, huh? It's too bad they're made of plastic, padding, metal, and polycarbonate these days.
 


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