On the way to work this morning, I heard the announcement of the final NCAA football rankings for the 2008 season. The entire list can be seen here. Florida, fresh from knocking off No. 1 Oklahoma, is now No. 1 and recognized as the AP national champion. They are followed by the undefeated Utah Utes at No. 2. Then, fresh from their trouncing of Penn State in the Rose Bowl, it's USC at No. 3. Texas slipped to No.4 after surviving Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, but finished ahead of Oklahoma, who fell to No. 5.
It does seem a little odd that the 13-1, National Champ Gators are such, when the team right behind them finished the year 13-0. Of course everyone says that Florida and Utah are where they are because of the strength and/or weakness of their collective schedules. I know why things are the way they are. The BCS system is a money-maker and a playoff system isn't. It could be, but it would take innovation that noone in this country seems motivated to assert. I'm sure this won't be the last time people are disappointed by this system. But what if next year more non-BCS teams knock off the BCS members in the BCS championship series? Wouldn't that be a sight!? Perhaps the BCS era would finally come to the crashing ending it deserves. Sure, it's wishful thinking. But, really, what if...I'm getting way more excited about this than I ever intended.
At least the football gods saw fit to see to it that Texas finished ahead of Oklahoma in the polls this year. I guess the results of the Red River Rivalry actually did mean something afterall - and that makes sense.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Who's No. 1 Now?!
I have to chime in on the debate about the BCS championship game tonight. Oklahoma, a team that lost to the No. 3 team, Texas, by 10 points on a neutral field earlier this season was No. 1, by a computer's calculations. They were paired with the computer-ranked No. 2, Florida and lost on a neutral field. Florida's only loss, by a mere 1 point, came earlier in the year to a team that finished the season ranked No. 25, Ole Miss. Texas' only loss was by 6 points in the waning seconds of an away game by a Texas Tech team that had been ranked as high as No. 2 before a big loss to Oklahoma and Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl.
So should No. 2 be No. 1 now? What about No. 3? What do the computers say? How about the coaches? Everyone knows anything knows the BCS system is a joke and this season should be reason enough to trash the system. With the national championship game in the rear-view mirror, has anything been resolved? It seems there's far more questions than answers. What about the nation's only undefeated team - Utah? I think I agree that Utah has as good a claim on national prominence as anyone. But, I'm still pulling for the Horns to get a piece of the title this year. Why not?
Hook 'em!
So should No. 2 be No. 1 now? What about No. 3? What do the computers say? How about the coaches? Everyone knows anything knows the BCS system is a joke and this season should be reason enough to trash the system. With the national championship game in the rear-view mirror, has anything been resolved? It seems there's far more questions than answers. What about the nation's only undefeated team - Utah? I think I agree that Utah has as good a claim on national prominence as anyone. But, I'm still pulling for the Horns to get a piece of the title this year. Why not?
Hook 'em!
Friday, January 02, 2009
Hope Abounds
"I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame..." Psalm 119:46
As this new year begins, there are all sorts of uncertainties all around. Conflict in the middle-east is heating up, the financial state of the country is in total upheaval and the government is in the midst of significant transition. Many are concerned about the stability of their employment and those who are seeking jobs are finding that new jobs are hard to find. Like the story of "Chicken Little" everyone is is saying the sky is falling.
In the face of such uncertainty, where does one turn? Scripture is clear - those who trust the Lord will not be put to shame. At a time when so many are looking for answers, those who place their trust whole-heartedly in the Lord God can demonstrate the reality of His existence to an unbelieving world.
As one of the pastors at my church, the Vineyard Church of Conroe, Brian "the Distinguished Friar" Fox, has said "what better opportunity to demonstrate hope than when the world is crying out "the sky is falling" by living a life of thanksgiving to and trust in the living God.
It is my sincere hope, wish and prayer while surrounded by those who may be crying out that the "sky is falling" you will witness the goodness of God's provision and the reality of His grace in 2009.
As this new year begins, there are all sorts of uncertainties all around. Conflict in the middle-east is heating up, the financial state of the country is in total upheaval and the government is in the midst of significant transition. Many are concerned about the stability of their employment and those who are seeking jobs are finding that new jobs are hard to find. Like the story of "Chicken Little" everyone is is saying the sky is falling.
In the face of such uncertainty, where does one turn? Scripture is clear - those who trust the Lord will not be put to shame. At a time when so many are looking for answers, those who place their trust whole-heartedly in the Lord God can demonstrate the reality of His existence to an unbelieving world.
As one of the pastors at my church, the Vineyard Church of Conroe, Brian "the Distinguished Friar" Fox, has said "what better opportunity to demonstrate hope than when the world is crying out "the sky is falling" by living a life of thanksgiving to and trust in the living God.
It is my sincere hope, wish and prayer while surrounded by those who may be crying out that the "sky is falling" you will witness the goodness of God's provision and the reality of His grace in 2009.
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