After seven weeks into the NFL season, I've posted my first release of my NFL rankings. I use exactly the same methodology in these rankings as I did with my MLB rankings (you can read more here). One difference you will notice is my program also prints out each team's top wins. I've set that number to three, currently.
Just a few quick interesting notes:
- Kansas City is #1, which isn't too much of a surprise since they are the only undefeated team remaining.
- Denver dropped to #8 after losing to Indy. This in large part is driven by the quality of competition: the best of their six wins is #14 ranked Dallas.
- Indianapolis is ranked #4 and is the highest ranked two-loss team. They have wins over #2 Seattle, #5 San Francisco, and #8 Denver.
BCS
This is the first week of the BCS standings, released after the 8th week of NCAA. Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, Ohio State, and Missouri make up the top 5 and are all undefeated teams. Miami (#7), Baylor (#8), and Texas Tech (#10) are also undefeated from major football conferences. If they win out, they would also likely be in the mix near the end of the season.
I know there is a lot of football left, and a lot of loses to hand out, but let's create some doomsday scenarios to spin our wheels out on for a while. After all, what else would we talk about for the Week 8 BCS standings?
Let's say that the top 4 teams remain undefeated. Who goes to the national championship game? Unfortunately for two schools, this is the last year for the current BCS system, and they would be left out. But which two? I believe we could assume Alabama would safely be in the championship game. And rightfully so. They are the two-time defending champs. In my mind, that alone should guarantee Alabama any tie-breakers over other conference champions with the same number of losses. They also have public perception on their side (mostly deserved, but I would argue to a lesser extent than most). Florida State and Oregon both have an inside track over Ohio State. This is likely due to strength of schedule and the perceived weakness of the Big Ten. Again, I wouldn't argue this too much, except for maybe how far many analysts take it. It would most likely come down to a very close number crunching between FSU and Oregon. And if you only considered this season, I think it would be fair, based on strength of schedule, for it to come down to FSU and Oregon.
However, and this is where I might get into some trouble, if the Buckeyes were able to finish this season undefeated, they would be 25-0 in the last two seasons combined. Could you omit that from a championship game? And before you get too bent out of shape at me for including last season in this argument, consider this: Did you feel the same way went I mentioned Alabama should be guaranteed a spot for being the two-time defending champs? Because that is the exact same logic that I just applied to OSU.
But, as I mentioned, there is still plenty of time for upsets. Undefeated teams ranked outside the top two should not be concerned with anything right now... except for beating their next opponent.
SSFFL
Time for a Stars and Stripes Fantasy Football League update!
It's been a very interesting first half of the regular season. Both divisions are being dominated by two teams, while the rest are struggling to reach the .500 mark. Eric and Zach top the Stars, while Jamie and Ashley lead the Stripes.
The race for the 3rd playoff spot in each division will be tight down the stretch. In the Stars Division, 2 games separates last place from the playoffs, and it's only one game difference in the Stripes.
And finally, after the mid-season two-week interdivisional play, the Stars v. Stripes competition is tied up at 6 all... leaving everything to be settled in Rivalry Week (week 13)!
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