Monday, October 19, 2009

Why I Hate Strength of Schedule

The BCS was released and it blows my mind that Florida is ahead of Alabama and USC is #11 in the computers. What could be causing this? Well it is simple, Strength of Schedule (SOS) is the main culprit. According to this formula, Washington's home win over 6-1 Idaho would be the BEST WIN in the country so far. SAY WHAT???

Strength of Schedule
Florida (8th), Alabama (43rd), USC (67th)

Opponents Record To Date
Florida 20-16, Alabama 22-22, USC 18-20

Opponents Record on Season
Florida 37-39, Alabama 42-34, USC 42-33

Record vs Ranked Opponents
Florida 1-0, Alabama 3-0, USC 3-0

The SOS formula discounts all games vs 1AA teams and only factors in your opponents to date.

Florida sits at 8 right now at 17-7. Here is how:
Florida's opponents are 20-16.
Subtract Charleston Southern's (1AA) record of 2-4 to get 18-12.
Subtract Florida's Record of 5-0 to get 18-7.
Subtract Arkansas's win vs 1AA team to get 17-7.

Take notice that when the ENTIRE schedule is factored in the following occurs:
- Florida goes from 8th to tied for 66th
- Alabama goes from 43rd to tied for 26th
- USC goes from 67th to 32nd

Here are my main issues. These SOS only takes into account the records of your opponents. It doesn't take into account where the games were played our how your opponent got to their record. Also, this formula helps teams that play 1AA teams! Better to schedule a 1AA team and take a 0-0 than take a chance that your out of conference opponent doesn't finish with a winning record. Teams are being penalized for playing DI programs, which is ridiculous. USC getting hammered because San Jose State is 1-5. Alabama is getting murdered because Florida International and North Texas are both 1-5. Florida is prospering by playing a 1AA team even though San Jose State, North Texas, and FIU are better than Charleston Southern. How does this make any sense. You have to love a system that discourages competition. Long live the BCS!

2 comments:

Dewey said...

great points.... Dawgs did show impressive character versus the Vandals

The Sports Chef said...

Love the Huskies! Hope they beat Oregon this weekend...oh wait...BCS makes USC fans have to root for Oregon for stupid Strength of Schedule reasons. Go DUCKS!