How The BCS Got It Wrong… 2011 Edition!

Last year, the BCS delivered on phenomenal bowl games, this year they reverted to their normal ways. One might naturally think this is going to go towards the OSU/Alabama debate, but that is not their fault. The 40 year old “man” named Mike Gundy gets to bear all the burden for that one! The problem is the games themselves will not be fun to watch. Currently, the games are just boring and they should not have been.

Here is a list of what they are verse what they should be:
ROSE – Is: Wisconsin vs. Oregon, should be: Wisconsin vs. Stanford.
This game poses two contrasting styles that will simply be boring to watch. Spread verse the run. New school verse old school… this has the makings of a terrible game for the viewers.

FIESTA – Is: OSU vs. Oregon, should be: OSU vs. Oregon
See Rose bowl notes. In all fairness, 3 vs. 4 sounds good on paper, but this game does not matter at all… none of the BCS games do this year. Can you imagine watching the ball flung throughout the stadium as these two offenses battle for who will have the ball last and go for the win?

SUGAR – Is: Michigan vs. VT, should be: Michigan vs. Baylor
VT deserves this bowl as much as Oklahoma does… not at all! However, if you put a resurgent historic Wolverine team against a team that has no history in Baylor, it would be awesome. In addition to this, football fans would come from all over to see RG3 battle Denard Robinson – call it the battle of the 2 most electrifying players in college football. This game would have been awesome. Some will point to KSU having a better ranking and beating Baylor, but remember that this game does not matter and KSU isn’t fun to watch!

ORANGE – Is: Clemson vs. WVU, should be: Bama vs. Boise
Let a legitimate team beat the dog out of Boise. It would shut them up for years and Bama’s Nick Saban would relish the opportunity to unleash all of his fury on a team he does not think deserve to be in the BCS, much less ranked in the top 25. I would love this game!

BCS TITLE: Is: LSU vs. Bama, should be: Highlights of LSU’s season.
LSU has nothing left to prove. Their season was as close to a playoff that we have seen in the history of the BCS. The fact that they have to play a team they beat on the road is stupid. Just give them the title… they already earned it. If you want to fill seats, put Nebraska in here, they corn faithful travel well and are no threat to ruining what LSU has already accomplished.

Gundy, the Pokes, and the BCS

So many people are lamenting “the rematch” as a travesty. They want to blame the humans, ignorant coaches like the one from Air Force that apparently does not own a TV or have common sense. However, all of those people are not the problem, it is not their fault, and ultimately this is not on the BCS… it is all on the 40+ year old “man” named Mike Gundy.

Having never been in that situation before, he said Bama deserved to be #2 on November 28. Instead of thinking they could actually beat OU and have a case for the BCS title game, he sheepishly submitted to Alabama being a better team. As a lifelong Dallas Maverick/Texas Ranger fan, I understand his thinking that they wouldn’t actually do it… but keep it to yourself Gundy!

That being said, he should have harped on the fact that his team lost in double OT to a team on the road the same day his school has the worst tragedy of any school all year. He should not have made excuses, but played the media in such a way to say something like, "today was an extremely tough day for OSU. The plane crash and deaths were a huge distraction, we played with heavy hearts, and I am glad we were able to play at all with such a tragedy." That is the truth everyone in the country knew, believed, and would’ve sympathized with. 18-22 year old kids played a competitive game on the road under the worst of circumstances…

Gundy should have also, in the same breath, harped on the fact that Bama lost at home, after a bye week. Bama had their shot, at home, and lost. Bama had their shot after an off week, and lost. Bama had their chance, and lost. OSU did loose to Iowa State, but on the road under the worst of circumstances, Bama lost at home after a bye week.

Les Miles has proven that there is no room for a high road when it comes to the BCS. You plead your case non-stop, and let everyone know why they would be idiots to put any other team ahead of yours. Gundy cost OSU a shot at the title; it is his fault and no one else’s. The BCS media and coaches should have had the common sense to see the situation for what it was, but ultimately Gundy is to blame for not wanting to “politic.”

Although the BCS blew the title game, the real question is why wouldn’t they after what Gundy said.

5'11 Jacob Tucker

Jacob Tucker (a senior guard for the (DIII) Illinois College Blueboys) = 5'11 + 50 inch verticle = Awesome.

March Madness and Jesus' Mission

March Madness is my favorite sports event all year. I love how NCAA basketball is on television from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep (well, for the most part anyway). I love the purity of those who are playing, as exhibited by Cornell University and Northern Iowa this year. I love how the tournament through filling out brackets gets my wife into interested, as well as creating an avenue for my friends and family to reconnect. I also love how exciting the games are with the buzzer beaters, strategies, competition, and amazing athletes. When thinking through this, I was brought to a point where the greatness of March Madness is parallel to the greatness of our faith.

Jesus’ Mission is All-day, Everyday. He says that we are to be in the world not of it, and he prays for our protection from the evil one, that we would be protected when faced with temptation, opposition, persecution, etc. While far too many of us have adapted to the world instead of transforming it (In our language, entertainment, attitude, reactions), we must remember that we no more belong to the world than Jesus himself does.

Another similarity is that Jesus’ Mission is Pure. We all need to be sanctified. Sanctified comes from the Greek word hagios, which means holy or different or separate with 2 meanings: To set apart for a special task and to equip with the qualities of mind and heart and character which are necessary for that task. Simply put, we need to trade the rubbish of the world for something better God has for us! Here is the irony of the world we live in: the world is the enemy of our purity, yet in Jesus’ prayer it is the object of a living purpose expressed in mission.

Jesus’ Mission is also All-Inclusive. The directive to proclaim Christ to others is to the calling of every believer. Many think to live on mission equals us going on a mission trip (to Nicaragua, Alabama, Dallas, Nicaragua, etc), but the reality is going is as central to Christianity as love is. It is part of his nature, and you cannot spell God without GO! It is not special for the pastors or those on mission trips – its for every Christ follower. Evangelizing, sharing Jesus with others is the call of everyone who calls themselves Christian. To take the pressure off we need to understand 2 things: Our job is to share Jesus with others, not save them and we cannot save anyone, only Jesus can do that.

The problem is that we tend to see ourselves as business people trying to earn a paycheck when Jesus sends us out as His representatives or His missionaries. Thus, we need to think like missionaries. This occurs by being constantly aware of the lostness around you; constantly prayerful of those outside of a relationship with Christ; constantly looking for opportunities to share Christ; and constantly living as a person in a relationship with Christ. God’s mission is fulfilled through you and me and everyone else who identifies with Him

The final parallel is that Jesus’ Mission is Exciting. Jesus told us, “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” The same mission Jesus came to earth to fulfill is the same we are to fulfill. We are to bear witness to God (and produce followers of God), just as Jesus has done. God equips you for His work – the Holy Spirit is constantly moving, working through and around you.

Recently, I had the opportunity to lead a person to Christ. It was exhilarating to listen to this man I had not seen in 9 months refer to our previous conversation where I shared Christ with him by saying when asked if he had thought about our conversation, “I think about it very much, many times.” Although I was not around to share with him and although no one had spoken to him about Jesus, the Holy Spirit was speaking to him “very much, many times!” There is nothing as exciting as leading a person to Christ and it is my hope we will all join in the excitement our Lord and Savior calls us to engage in!

Cole's Poll (Final Standings)

1. Alabama – They are happy to win… and that Colt didn’t play
2. Texas – Poor Colt.
3. Florida – Where was the effort against Bama; great bowl recovery.
4. Boise State – Trickery and shenanigans = another Fiesta win and no real respect.
5. Ohio State – Huge (BCS Bowl) win to finish their year.
6. Cincinnati – Reality sunk in at the Sugar bowl, and their future isn’t sweet!
7. Iowa – Magical season ended with oranges.
8. TCU – Do they qualify for “letdown syndrome” against Boise?
9. Nebraska – Suh you later!
10. Penn State – Good win over an overrated LSU to cap of their year.

2010 Sport Predictions

Tiger – He ended 2009 being dropped by AT&T; he will end 2010 on top of the competition with the ability to pick who he wants to sponsor him. My guess is all those who’ve questioned him will regret going with morals (public opinion) over reason (Tiger is the greatest golfer ever). Although I am not going to predict on his family life, I do hope he works the major issues out and stays married for his kid’s sake.


Tony Romo – He has been the best QB in the NFL the 2nd half of the season this year. Not only will he win a playoff game this year, he will bring legitimate hope of a Cowboys Super Bowl in their own Cowboy’s Stadium next season.


Texas Tech and Kansas – As a Sooner, it bothers me that 2 of Stoops’ most highly regarded former coaches have been fired due to mistreatment of players… their firings also make me feel like the Big 12 just got easier. For their fans who like winning, you’ll be sorry. For the Tech administration, you are pathetic!


Urban Meyer – Does anyone else remember the Billy Donovan/Orlando Magic saga of a few years ago? He was losing all of his star players, and then bolted for the Magic only to second guess himself and return… sound familiar? Well, it might be the sun, water, or lack of confidence to rebuild, but the Florida coaches are straight flakes! What really blows my mind is that the administration enables it. My guess is that U of F will suffer the loss of recruits and games because of Urban.


Kobe Bryant – People who never saw Jordan play will argue Kobe (who hit his 3rd game winner of the season yesterday) is the greatest ever, but he will not be the best player of this decade… neither will LeBron.

Cole’s Poll (Week 14)

1. Alabama – After spanking Florida, they have earned the top spot!
2. Texas – Barely, barely, barely survived McCoy’s worst decision ever… and that dude named Suh!
3. TCU – Will lose if they play Florida, by a bunch
4. Cincinnati – What a way for this team to remain undefeated, reminiscent of the Iowa Hawkeyes run.
5. Florida – Tebow, there’s no crying in football!!!
6. Ohio State – Yawn…
7. Boise State – Congratulations on beating one quality team all year.
8. Iowa – Got into the BCS after a great season and will have their horses back to showcase if they deserve it!
9. Oregon – Most of me would like to remove them from the top 10 for losing to Boise to kick off this football season.
10. Georgia Tech – The way the run football is old school and fun to watch!


• Kudos to the BCS this year for the imagination and getting it right. Sure Texas looked pathetic in the Big 12 championship, but no one can rightly argue any of the big bowls. They also put the matchups together that people want to watch.
• I am interested in watching TCU verses Boise State, Florida verses Cincy, & Texas verses Bama. Last year TCU snuck past Boise in the Poinsettia Bowl by 1 point, it will be another good game as the Broncos return to the spot of their greatest moment. Florida verse Cincy has the making of a letdown game for the Gators, a la Utah’s destruction of Bama last year. It will be interesting to see how Tebow goes out… and aren’t you glad the messiah coverage will be limited this year! Texas for Bama will not be a blowout as many experts are predicting. It will be a competitive game, just remember back to Bama verse Auburn. As much as it pains me to repeat this, kudos to the BCS!
• Outside of the Oregon and Ohio State, nobody cares, but that is preset… and it’s about time do away with the Rose Bowl tradition. Also, the Orange Bowl is perfect too, Iowa verses Georgia Tech is fitting. The Heart attack Hawkeyes verse Ramblin Wreck will be a good game and measuring stick for both teams.

Cole’s Poll (Week 13)

1. Texas – I think they will lose the championship game, but they, unlike Florida (see where the refs gave them the game against Arkansas) earned an undefeated season.
2. Florida – Should handle Bama and it will not be close.
3. TCU – Too bad there is not a 4 team playoff so they could lose in the 1st round of it and know they are where they should be.
4. Alabama – Saban will be made as satan’s residence after he loses again to Tebow’s gators.
5. Cincinnati –Pittsburgh should not beat them. This will leave them on the outside looking in, able to complain, and hoping they don’t have to prove their argument by playing one of my top 4 teams.
6. Ohio State – Yawn…
7. Boise State – Does anyone think they could beat anyone in my top 5 or Ohio State… I think not!
8. Iowa – Will win whatever bowl they play in, unless they play someone ranked higher than them in my poll!
9. Penn State – Not really sure who else to put here.
10. Oregon or Oregon State – They can play each other for this spot in my poll… and a trip to the Rose Bowl!!!

• Forget all the allegations, Mark Mangino deserves to get fired for the way he handled the final 2 minutes against Mizzou… it was the worst time management of the year. Yes worse than Harvard vs. Yale and worse than the Hat from LSU against Ole Miss!
• Charlie Wies deserved to get fired last year, if not the year before… it was long overdue.
• FSU should be ashamed to have forced out the man who made them into what they are or were last decade….

Cole’s Poll (Week 12)

1. Texas – Be sure not to overlook A&M, who has won 2 of 3 from the longhorns
2. Florida – FSU is hungry to prove Bowden belongs
3. TCU – As good as a non-BCS school has ever looked
4. Alabama – Great win over Chattanooga… seriously, Chattanooga?!?
5. Cincinnati – At Pittsburgh in 2 weeks, but don’t overlook a Cuse team that just beat a top 25 team yesterday
6. Georgia Tech – Will face Clemson for a BCS birth
7. Ohio State – Yawn…
8. Pittsburgh – 2 tests the next two week: @ WVU then Cincy for a Big East title
9. Boise State – Still do not like them in my top 10, but they finally dominated a doormat opponent
10. Oklahoma State – My feeling is that this will only last for a week due to their weak offense!

Watching Texas last night it made me think of the highly touted QB’s going into the season, here are my thoughts:
• Colt McCoy will be the next Mark Bulger
• Tim Tebow will be the next Kordell Stewart
• Sam Bradford will be the next Phil Simms

Cole's Poll (Week 10)

1. Texas – Only 35 against UCF… really?
2. Florida – Tebow is getting into form with another title in his sights.
3. TCU – They get the nod over Bama because I think they would beat them.
4. Alabama – Their offense is offensive.
5. Cincinnati – Perfect place for their perfect record.
6. Georgia Tech – I am ashamed to put them here, but who else deserves it?
7. USC – See Georgia Tech, back in and up a week after their worst loss in the Pete Carroll era!!!
8. Ohio State – In the driver’s seat for another Big Ten title…
9. LSU – Only losses are to Florida and Bama.
10. Boise State – This goes against everything in my reason, but they did beat Oregon… the only team they played this year and have look ordinary against pathetic “competition”!

• OU, Notre Dame, USC, OSU, Va Tech, Ole Miss, Cal & Georgia should all be ashamed of themselves and their seasons.
• Northwestern topples Iowa… shameful!
• Hawaii should be ashamed of letting June Jones get away, SMU has won 5 games so far this year, 5!

Cole’s Poll (Week 9)

1. Texas – Looked like the best team in the country for the first time this year
2. Florida – Dominated a bad Georgia team and seem to be hitting stride at the right time
3. Alabama – Had a bye week for people to remember how they escaped Tennessee
4. Cincinnati – Outside looking in
5. TCU – Hoping to be out Boise in the BCS poll!
6. Iowa – Unreal 4th quarter saved their season… Ohio State is around the corner.
7. LSU – The start of the default teams in my top 10
8. Penn State – Only loss is to an undefeated Iowa team.
9. Georgia Tech – Do they really belong in the top 10?
10. OU – not going to define which OU this is…

• Saturday hope – Louisiana Tech upsets Boise Overrated State, LSU upsets Alabama… neither are very likely!
• End or regular season hope – Cincy, TCU, & Iowa all undefeated
• Cotton Bowl hope – Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame

Cole’s Poll (Week 8)

1. Texas
2. Alabama
3. Florida
4. Cincinnati
5. TCU
6. Iowa
7. USC
8. LSU
9. Penn State
10. OU

• How can a 3 loss team be in the top 10? 3 losses by a combined 5 points and they will not lose again this year, that is how.
• Boise State was shocked Sunday afternoon to see they fell below TCU in the BCS, they better get used to that position.
• Saturday was a rare day for me, no college football watching at all. Instead of football, we spent the day at Baylor’s homecoming and on the road… so this poll reflects more of the USAToday’s coaches poll than usual.

Cole’s Poll (Week 7)

1. Alabama – I have no idea how I feel about this team.
2. Texas – Congrats on beating OU’s 2nd string offense by 3.
3. Florida – They really are # 1, but deserve to drop for a week since the zebras gave them a win against the razorbacks!
4. Cincinnati – They look for real and have no one left on their schedule.
5. Iowa – All of a sudden they look legit to win the Big Ten.
6. USC –They looked poorly coached and undisciplined in the 4th quarter, but still go the “W.”
7. Miami – The Canes should win out, it will be interesting to see where they end up
8. Penn State – Looking back, the Iowa loss is not so bad
9. TCU – BYU is the only team left on their schedule, but their real battle is with Boise State who is still getting props for their Fiesta win…
10. LSU – Default pick for the top 10.

• The Big 12 North took a beating with Kansas, Nebraska, & Missouri all loosing.
• Boise State looked pathetic this week. Although they beat Tulsa, that should count as 2 losses and take them out of BCS consideration. It is too bad OU lost and will not be able to have a rematch with them in the Fiesta Bowl.
• Is it possible for a team to lose and move up in the rankings? If so, OU and Notre Dame would both be moving up…

Cole's Poll (Week 6)

1. Florida – Passed their only real test of the regular season, 13-3.
2. Texas – Passed the test of not losing before their season begins (and ends with OU)
3. Alabama – Passed the “test” of Ole Miss (who will say goodbye to the top 25)
4. Virginia Tech – Passed everyone they will pass in the poll already!
5. USC – Passed on playing the week before dominating Notre Dame in South Bend
6. Iowa – Passed by Michigan when the most exciting true freshman in the country had an off night
7. Kansas – Passed for 442 yards against a terrible Iowa State team (a loss is coming).
8. Cincinnati – Passed over for any real recognition this year
9. Miami – Passed by FLAM… is that an airport?
10. Ohio State – Passed for 87 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT… terrible!

• It was good the see Bradford return to the field this week, but if OU (offensive, double meaning, life) plays that way again next week it might be short-lived.
• Did anyone doubt the player the media has dubbed the messiah would return to the field? Welcome back Tebow and kudos for the sneak to secure final first down to run out the clock.
• FSU needs a clue. Sure Bobby Bowden has lost 3 weeks in a row to sub par teams, but 1). He doesn’t even call the plays or wear a headset or look involved in the games, and 2). You don’t call out the man who built your program into what it is through a board of trustees meeting… that is just bad form!

Cole's Poll (Week 5)

1. Florida – Is there any doubt that next week is their biggest all regular season?
2. Texas – Are the Stankhorns licking their chops for OU or are they nervous???
3. Alabama – Does no one remember what happened to them against Utah last year?
4. Virginia Tech – Can they jump Bama if Bama looses?
5. USC – Fearful of playing in the Rose Bowl instead of at it come January?
6. Iowa – Beat Penn State in Happy Valley and struggle against Arkansas State?
7. Cincinnati – Forget Boise State, why aren’t people talking about this team going undefeated and missing out on the BCS championship game?
8. Miami – Was this the same team that got destroyed last week?
9. Ohio State – Think they still have nightmares about their USC choke job?
10. Oregon – Where was this team in week 1?

• OU should call this the year of the injuries... just imagine if their 2 best players were playing this year, do you think they would still have 2 losses by a combined 2 points? Too bad for Sooner Nation!
• LSU pulled out another close win. Although it is not being discussed, this year is eerily similar to their last championship year when the pulled out close win after close win.
• Boise State in the top 5 or 10 is a joke!

Cole's Poll (Week 4)

1. Florida – Uh-oh Tebow got hurt.
2. Texas – Making a case for #1
3. Alabama – Many thought they would get upset, but they dominated the hogs.
4. LSU – Great goal line stand to win the game, but they need that against MSST?
5. OU – Have you heard… Bradford is trying to get cleared for Miami next week!
6. Michigan – Forcier is fun to watch.
7. Va Tech – Bama loss + Nebraska miracle + Miami domination = Top 10
8. Cincinnati – Watch out… nasty nati might just go undefeated, because they don’t play ANYONE all year!
9. Houston – A great win thanks to bonehead coach (Mike Leach)
10. Boise State – Maybe the Oregon game was worthy of respect

• The 4, 5, 6, 9, 18, 22, 24 all lose… rankings are worthless… outside of this poll!
• It is unbelievable to think that Penn State lost to Iowa again after Iowa knocked them out of the championship game last year.
• Mike Leach cannot help himself. He cost his team a likely victory by going for it when he could have put his team up by 8 in the 4th quarter with a field goal. To top it off, he had horrendous play calling on the final drive to seal the deal. Congrats to Houston.

Cole's Poll (Week 3)

1. Florida – where was the beating they were to give Tennessee?
2. Texas – waiting for OU 10/17
3. Alabama – Ole Miss in 2 weeks
4. Ole Miss – Bama in 2 weeks
5. California – USC in 2 weeks
6. Penn State – cupcakes until 10/24
7. Miami – has the game of the week, the next two weeks (@ Va. Tech, v. OU)
8. LSU – Georgia in 2 weeks, Florida the following week = goodbye top 10!
9. Oklahoma = @ Miami in 2 weeks… will Bradford make the trip?
10. Michigan – They are probably not this good...

• Washington went winless last year (0-12), then beats USC this year? This speaks more to how pathetic Pete Carroll is after big games than it does to how good Washington already is in year one of Sarkisian. Pathetic Pete!
• Michigan and Kansas look really good as of now, but it is hard to believe they will keep winning once they play real competition.
• Nebraska won’t be sleeping for a few days… tough loss.

Cole's Poll (week 2)

1. Florida
2. USC
3. Texas
4. Alabama
5. Ole Miss
6. Penn State
7. California
8. North Carolina – Probably too high after last week
9. LSU – Here by default, not because they’ve earned it
10. Utah

Boise State, BYU, & TCU get no love from me in my poll and will most likely not appear this season. Boise State plays no one all year. BYU beat OU, but would have lost big if Bradford would not have gotten hurt. TCU needs to beat someone before they get respect. Utah… maybe they have a case after last year’s dismantling of Alabama.