Chuck the BCS Football Rankings

There’s no shortage of comments out there about how the BCS system fails to accurately rank college football teams. But, I thought I’d add my $.02 in anyway.

My specific complaint centers around West Virginia. They started out the 2012 season at #11 in the first AP poll. I have no idea what this ranking was based on, other than these polls do exist in the early season, and somebody has to be #11.

Their first three games were against Marshall, James Madison and Maryland (who barely beat William & Mary, 7-6). They won these three games to rise to #9 in the AP poll. I have no idea what this ranking was based on, other than these polls do exist in the early season, and somebody has to be #9.

Their next game was against unranked Baylor (#25 at the time). Baylor had beaten Southern Methodist, Sam Houston St. and Louisiana-Monroe to “achieve” their Top 25 slot. West Virginia beats Baylor at home, giving up 63 points in the process, and jumps to #8. Still no wins against a “good” team, or a team who had beaten anybody good (La. Monroe did beat (#8 at the time) Arkansas, but the Hogs are terrible.)

Next up for West Virginia was #11 Texas. How did Texas get this ranking? They beat Wyoming, New Mexico and Mississippi. They also beat unranked Oklahoma St. West Virginia wins a 48-45 shootout. Again, Texas had not beaten anyone that is now in the Top 25.

Of course, West Virginia gets absolutely thrashed 49-14 by Texas Tech in their next game. But, not before they had risen to #5 in the AP poll. So still, none of their wins had come against a good team, and none of the teams they have beaten had won against anyone good. They drop to #17. What they were even doing in the Top 25 at this point is a mystery.

Soon after, West Virginia got demolished by Kansas State. K-State had beaten a Top 15 squad in Oklahoma, and it showed in the game against West Virginia. WV drops to #25. But they were still in the AP top 25 poll! Not only that, but West Virginia was still #19 in the poll that matters – the BCS.

My argument is that this team should have been nowhere near the Top 25. In my opinion, there was no good logical basis for this ranking.