University of Michigan Wolverines...

[Craig.]

Okay, but my understanding is, those getting into these top 25 polls at the end of the year get to the bowl games correct? If App state were to somehow get into the top 25 of the ap poll I believe right now, that makes up part of the BCS standings as is my understanding. What would happen?

[Felix/FFDS]

Okay, but my understanding is, those getting into these top 25 polls at the end of the year get to the bowl games correct? If App state were to somehow get into the top 25 of the ap poll I believe right now, that makes up part of the BCS standings as is my understanding. What would happen?

THe question is - just because they were to be in the AP poll standings, does that really count as far as the BOWL Championship standings?

That, I'm afraid, I don't know and I'll defer to someone more knowledgable on the subject.

[WebbPA]

The NCAA uses the most confusing nomenclature it can create.  Even worse, it didn't bother to tell anyone when it changed it for the 2007 season.

Former Divison I-A (the Big Boys) is now known as Division I Bowl.  These are the only teams that are eligible for the BCS (the National Championship).  Think Seminoles, Gators, Hurricanes ...

Former Division I-AA (not as big as the Big Boys) is now known as Division I Championship.  These teams are not eligible to play in the BCS, even if they win every game and beat a couple of Div I Bowl teams and every national poll says they are #1.  Appalachian State is in this division.

Then you have your Division II and Division III teams - much smaller schools that you never see on TV except during playoffs.  Curiously, the NCAA claims that it is impossible to have a true playoff system in Division I-A/Division I Bowl or Division I-AA/Division I Championship but it has no problem doing it in Division II and III.

[RichieB16]

Webb's correct...only Division I-A teams are eligible for the bowl games (including the BCS bowls).  Plus, it was always assumed that I-A teams were better than I-AA teams so the AP never included them in the polling.  Now that a I-AA team beat Michigan they allowed them into the polling.  The AP simply ranks college football teams...nothing more.  It has no baring on bowl games or anything.  In fact, the BCS no longer uses the AP poll in its formula (I think the AP forced them to stop because they were ruining college football and the AP wants no part).

The AP poll now ranks their opinion of the best 25 college football teams regardless of division.  But, at the end of the season, the I-AA teams will have a playoff for their national champion and the I-A teams will have the BCS to determine theres...regardless of who's ranked where.  Even if Appalachian St. was ranked #1 at season's end, they would still play in the I-AA playoff tournament.  

I guess the most important thing to remember is...at the end of the day, the AP poll has no official meaning.  The Associated Press is an independent organization from the NCAA who ranks their best 25 teams.  It has no official meaning or value.

[Felix/FFDS]

[quote]

[RichieB16]

What about the most important value of all for a fan?  BRAGGING RIGHTS!

Thats true, but its an "unofficial" function.  I would also imagine it makes a difference for the bowl committees.  For example, what if (lets say this season)...Oregon and California finish the season tied for #2 in the Pac-10; #2 in the Pac-10 goes to the Holiday Bowl...and there are no tiebreakers (and this does happen).  In this case, the Holiday Bowl committee would get to pick which team they want (Oregon or California).  If one is ranked higher in the AP poll (for arguments sake...lets say Oregon is #10 and Cal is #14) then Oregon might be the favored pick by the committee.  Again, its not an end all, but it could be used as a committee tiebreaker.

[Craig.]

Cheers guys.
In the end, its all too complicated but I think I am there. As a side note I am quite happy to see Bama jump into the top 25 this week. I thought it a bit generous after blowing two 21 point leads but I cant complain. They are looking a lot better than most people thought.
My question now has to be. What is with these big name teams that are losing to lesser opponents? Is it overhype or just early season jitters.

[RichieB16]

I think its just the fact that any team can win on any day.  The two that really jump out to me was Kentucky beating Louisville and Utah over UCLA.  With Kentucky, they are a good team that is up and coming.  A lot of people thought they might be able to beat Louisville because they have an excellent QB and its a rivalry game (so, you gotta throw out the numbers).  With UCLA, I think in part it is they were overrated.  I still think they are better than Utah (despite losing 44-6) but...they aren't as good as people thought.  But, I still think the Pac-10 is one of the toughest conferences this season (in the same area as the SEC).

[Flying Buckeye]

This year for Micigan the question is not are they going to lose, but how bad are they going to lose by

Go Bucks!!