Why did USC move ahead of Michigan in the BCS poll?

Question

Both teams have one loss. Michigan loss to the number 1 team, Ohio State, at Ohio State, in a close game. USC loss to the number 24 team. Michigan gave the only loss to number 7 Wisconsin, and beat number 10 Notre Dame badly at Notre Dame. USC beat number number 9 Arkansas and beat Notre Dame at USC.

So what logic dictates that USC is ranked higher than Michigan? Or is it just that a so-called national championship game between OSU and USC would be better than one between OSU and Michigan?

Isn't the BCS a total farce?

Thatchelp, You say Michigan had only 2 big games, OSU and ND? How about Wisconsin? The only loss Wisconsin has was against Michigan, and they're ranked 7. That's not a big game???

Jefferson, "bigger margin"? Michigan lost by 3 points, to the number one team in the country, at their stadium. USC lost by 2 points against a fairly weak team. Do you really think 3 points verses 2 points makes all the difference?

Answer 1

It's politics plain and simple. The BCS changes it's own rules after each season because they realize their system doesn't work. The voters are biased. Boomer Esaison, who is a voter in the Harris Poll stated he planned on putting Michigan at #4 this week. Most voters are simply trying to create a matchup for the title game, instead of ranking the teams correctly.

Answer 2

Well, I think after this season you will see a major push for a playoff system in college football. USC was able to leapfrog Michigan because Michigan's loss came more recently. If Michigan had lost to OSU 8 weeks ago and USC had lost 2 weeks ago it might be reversed. Usc has had a difficult schedule and are the most deserving team, besides Michigan. The controversy will come if USC gets blown out in the title game against OSU. There is still a chance that USC loses to UCLA this Saturday and then Michigan fans just have to hope that Florida doesn't surpass them. Either way it kind of looks like Rose Bowl for the Wolverines. Next season the Maize and Blue will be the favorites and OSU will have to win in the big house.

Answer 3

Strength of schedule is part of the component in the BCS computers.

Michigan played only two ranked teams this season, beating only #2 Notre Dame. Unfortunately, this win was early in the season too. Closing out their season with a loss, even if it was to the #1 ranked team, hurt them. To top that off, it was a conference loss that cost them the Big 10.

USC, on the other hand, beat four ranked teams, Nebraska, Oregon, Cal, and Notre Dame. Three of those victories came in November, towards the tail end of the season.

They also beat Arkansas, who was ranked as high as #5 during the season. Arkansas also beat then #13 Tennessee and then #2 Auburn, and had only one other loss to a ranked LSU team.

Michigan, on the other hand, did not have as tough a schedule. Only four of their opponents had winning records, two of them had four losses though (Penn St and Central Michigan). Michigan's only 'quality' wins were against Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

Just a point of example for how important strength of schedule is, look at Boise St. The only other undefeated team is ranked #8 in the BCS because of strength of schedule. Playing in the WAC, with only one game against a PAC 10 team, with the rest of the games against WAC, MWC, and Big Sky teams, leaves Boise St. barely eligible for a BCS game. The same thing happened to Utah a few years ago.

Unfortunately, a down year for many Big 10 teams probably cost Michigan a #2 spot. The best you can hope for in that in a rivalry game (USC vs UCLA), that anything can happen.

Answer 4

The biggest reason is the Strength of Schedule. Michigan had two big games, Notre Dame and Ohio State. USC had Arkansas, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Cal. I think that is the biggest reason. Plus College Football has always been about how you play at the end of the season. It's hard to put a team in the Championship who lost their last game and didn't even win their conference. The last time that happened the Huskers ended up beating out Oregon and Colorado for the spot and ended up getting killed by Miami.

I agree the BCS sucks, it's time for a playoff.

Answer 5

not sure how they are calculating this strength of schedule in favor of Southern Cal.

Michigan had to play and beat many challenging Big 10 teams.. Wisconsin, Iowa, Penn State, etc.. those wins should count for more than USC's wins against a very mediocre Pac-10 field.

i think strength of loss should also be more meaningful here.. Michigan lost to the #1 team. USC didn't even have to play the #1 team. USC lost to a low ranked Oregon State, a team Michigan would clobber if they had the chance.

you could also look at record against common opponent.. michigan beat notre dame much more badly than usc did.

the computer polls always spit out different numbers than the human polls.. the human polls are biased towards their own agenda.. Allowing Michigan a rematch would create such a huge revolt by the rest of the country, so they can't allow it.

speaking of strength of schedule and strength of victory, why isn't florida rated ahead of USC? they have played a tougher schedule than any other one-loss team.

Answer 6

yet again, another simplistic analysis from a michigan crybaby who only wants to consider who a team loses to and the quality of the wins agains notre dame...

if you REALLY follow college football, then you would know that the rankings, which are largely determined by AP sportswriters, coaches, and analysts, are based on a lot of factors including:

1. overall strength of schedule (who a team plays & where)
2. win-loss record
3. "style points" (how those games were won or lost)
4. is a team getting better, maintaining or getting worse?

yes, USC lost to a fair oregon state. but have you seen them play lately? they have achieved quality wins over oregon, cal and notre dame; and it looks like they are getting even better!

the trojans' strength of schedule is slightly better than michigan's. arkansas, nebraska and notre dame were all non-conf opponents. michigan played the mighty vanderbilt, central mich and ball state. what's next...HIGH SCHOOLS?


so when michigan lost to ohio state and when USC thrashed cal, the rankings were michigan #2 and USC #3. you didn't hear trojan fans crying did you?

then USC convincingly buries notre dame to earn the #2 spot and now you're crying?

okay, in the eyes of many, michigan IS the #2 team. i'll agree, but what does that matter? there won't be any rematch. get over it. who wants to be #2 anyway? the goal is to be #1.

give the trojans a chance. if they beat ohio state, then they've earned it. if the trojans lose, it really doesn't matter who is #2. will you go around bragging that you are second to someone else when you think that you are really better than them?

what a joke...

Answer 7

Because the BCS sucks! It's rigged! Michigan beat Notre Dame by 26 points in South Bend. USC only beat them by 20 on their own turf! What the hell is going on!?

Answer 8

Wisconsin isnt a big win...wisconson has a crappy out of conference schedule (all against teams with loosing records) and they didnt even play ohio st in conference or else they would be a 2 loss team. Look at wisconsins out of conf schedule....they beat up on terrible teams....they dont deserve to be in the top 10
San Diego state 2-9
Buffalo 2-10
W.Illinoise 5-6
Bowling Green 4-8


And penn st isnt a big win....hell, usc killed notre dame who killed penn st.

Answer 9

everybody seen OSU take out michigan and could care less that they want a rematch they want to see OSU beat usc like a drum but you should feel pretty good michigan will still get a bowl game that they will be able to win if they had to play OSU you would just see them get beat again so look at it like that

Answer 10

no its correct... USC lost on a lst minute play, michigan lost by a larger margin and usc has a tougher schedule.. ND and Wisconisn are UMs only big wins..USC has Cal, Arkansas, ND, Oregon, and this week will be ucla.. quit your crying