with unbeatable teams every year that are so far beyond the rest of college football, then why don't they just break away, play each other every year, and crown there own champ leave the big and Pac to play each other in the rose bowl every year. Tired of the BCS. Playoff or go back to the old bowl system.

That's what they are doing

<blockquote><div class="name-said">caltripper;644654 said:</div><hr>with unbeatable teams every year that are so far beyond the rest of college football, then why don't they just break away, play each other every year, and crown there own champ leave the big and Pac to play each other in the rose bowl every year. Tired of the BCS. Playoff or go back to the old bowl system.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />I agree - the SEC basically has set themselves up to "look" good every year - very little travel outside of their footprint, almost all patsies OOC and almost all OOC games on their home turf. Do you think the Oregon-LSU game might have been different if it was played in Oregon? I bet the Pac-12 will start to look a lot more like the SEC in the near future though under Larry Scott.<br /><br />As for the BCS, I hate it. I much preferred the traditional bowl system. It is true that we rarely knew who was the best team in the country, but the pollsters voted at the end of the season and a national champ, sometimes two, was named. Then we could all argue about who was the best team until the next year. Seeing Texas, or any other team not from the Pac or the Big 10, still makes me uneasy.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">WhipItOutJoe;644665 said:</div><hr>I agree - the SEC basically has set themselves up to "look" good every year - very little travel outside of their footprint, almost all patsies OOC and almost all OOC games on their home turf. Do you think the Oregon-LSU game might have been different if it was played in Oregon? I bet the Pac-12 will start to look a lot more like the SEC in the near future though under Larry Scott.<br /><br />As for the BCS, I hate it. I much preferred the traditional bowl system. It is true that we rarely knew who was the best team in the country, but the pollsters voted at the end of the season and a national champ, sometimes two, was named. Then we could all argue about who was the best team until the next year. Seeing Texas, or any other team not from the Pac or the Big 10, still makes me uneasy.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Get over it. The traditional bowl system is passe and no longer the way to determine the best teams. There was much unfairness associated with it. The BCS at least uses computers, but it seems the human vote overwhelms whatever the software determines, e.g., Okie State v. 'bama. I see the BCS as the transition to a final playoff system. It will develop in the years to come.

The Big-12 is the best conference this year. The Pac-12 was last year.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">WhipItOutJoe;644665 said:</div><hr>I much preferred the traditional bowl system. It is true that we rarely knew who was the best team in the country, but the pollsters voted at the end of the season and a national champ, sometimes two, was named. Then we could all argue about who was the best team until the next year.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Those were good days. Plenty of football, plenty to discuss through the off-season, meaningful (to fans and participants) bowl games.<br /><br />How did we let those corporate bastards screw up football?<br />Let's revive the traditional bowl system.

Who cares? A true playoff would suck. I'm for the old system, and the Pac and Big "10" go back to the old way, since we have the best, oldest and most lucrative bowl. The BCS was always, is, and has been for the SEC, and their apologists who believe the East Coast Media makes them believe that the SEC is the best conference of all and that the Big-East (a conference totally created by ESPN) deserves a BCS spot. I've had enough of it. College football is a regional game, with local traditions that make it special as compared with the NFL. This year is great, as Oregon plays Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl (as should be). I don't need a playoff to enjoy college football, and certainly don't enjoy the bastardized system we have now.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">GB54;644660 said:</div><hr>That's what they are doing<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Yes, but this isn't enough. Why shouldn't USCe get a shot at the title? Arkansas?<br /><br />Four-team all-SEC playoff is the only way to find a true champion. Can't agree with the OP on breaking away, though--how would the SEC remind other conferences of their inferiority without OOC games against The Citadel?<br /><br />No, we should work within the system, and alter the BCS so the SEC gets four teams playing each other for the title.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">oldblu86;644789 said:</div><hr>Who cares? A true playoff would suck. I'm for the old system, and the Pac and Big "10" go back to the old way, since we have the best, oldest and most lucrative bowl. The BCS was always, is, and has been for the SEC, and their apologists who believe the East Coast Media makes them believe that the SEC is the best conference of all and that the Big-East (a conference totally created by ESPN) deserves a BCS spot. I've had enough of it. College football is a regional game, with local traditions that make it special as compared with the NFL. This year is great, as Oregon plays Wisconsin at the Rose Bowl (as should be). I don't need a playoff to enjoy college football, and certainly don't enjoy the bastardized system we have now.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />+1 (agree with your comment, and I'm for a +1 system). Return to old bowl tie ins and THEN have your BCS vote to determine which two teams play in the National Championship Game (and if after they win their bowls against other conferences, it is decided the two best teams are from the same conference--FINE, let them play one more time for all the marbles, but first beat a top team from another conference.

If you want to crown their asses, crown em then. Although I never understood the actual protocol (hey, similar to "proctology"<img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="" />" />" />"> on how you would logistically do that. <br /><br /><img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="<img src="" />" />" />" />" />

probably not the best year to whine about OOC schedule, considering LSU started off the season handling the Pac-12 champ, and traveling to Morgantown, and Bama going to Happy Valley...

<blockquote><div class="name-said">mbBear;644864 said:</div><hr>probably not the best year to whine about OOC schedule, considering LSU started off the season handling the Pac-12 champ, and traveling to Morgantown, and Bama going to Happy Valley...<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Who's complaining about LSU?

WhipitoutJoe was talking OOC generalities...he also missed the point that was Oregon-LSU was at a neutral location...

<blockquote><div class="name-said">mbBear;644902 said:</div><hr>WhipitoutJoe was talking OOC generalities...he also missed the point that was Oregon-LSU was at a neutral location...<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Yeah, "neutral location". Sure. *wink*

I will give you that LSU recruits well in Texas, but its not like the game was in New Orleans...its 7.5 hours. But come on, you really want to make the argument that LSU loses in Eugene?

<blockquote><div class="name-said">mbBear;644918 said:</div><hr>I will give you that LSU recruits well in Texas, but its not like the game was in New Orleans...its 7.5 hours. But come on, you really want to make the argument that LSU loses in Eugene?<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Why not....they barely beat UDub the year they went to Seattle.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">mbBear;644918 said:</div><hr>I will give you that LSU recruits well in Texas, but its not like the game was in New Orleans...its 7.5 hours. But come on, you really want to make the argument that LSU loses in Eugene?<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Well, that was someone else's point, not mine. I think it'd be interesting to do a study linking distance to a neutral field game and home field advantage. Anyways, straight home field advantage is, on average, about a 3 point advantage for the home team.

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you mean this year (I won't say right now), Oregon beats LSU as long as they have the home-field advantage?

<blockquote><div class="name-said">GB54;644660 said:</div><hr>That's what they are doing<hr></blockquote><br /><br />:rollinglaugh:<br /><br />They have to do it. Otherwise they'd have to play <br />someone else who might prove better than them.<br />It makes sense. I hear incest is common in those<br />parts. It sounds to me like they're in the process<br />of screwing themselves right now.

yeah, just look at the way Oregon handled Auburn in the BCS Championship last year, and then LSU in the first game this year...

Do you think the Oregon-LSU game would look different if it had been at Baton Rouge (I think it would have added 10-14 pts for LSU)? LSU played @ West Virginia and Bama played @Penn St (I think they have/had a 10 year contract)? Arkansas has home and home with Texas A&M? South Carolina plays Clemson, Georgia plays Ga Tech and Boise, Florida plays Fl St? Not sure how oregon gets credit for playing LSU and LSU doesn't get credit for playing oregon. Cal I guess gets credit for scheduling Tennessee, but Tennessee doesn't get credit for scheduling Cal and UCLA? <br /><br />SEC has 8 game schedule, so they have 4 OOC and typically play 1 hard/rival, 1 medium and 2 wins. That is called smart scheduling and helps the mid-level schools become bowl eligible would should be their goal. But any team that goes through SEC undefeated and wins CCG is a real team, as proven by success in subsequent BCS CG. But whatever. As Cal fans we have had no room to talk for the last few years. Next year, ok.

please-don't let the facts get in the way of good SEC whining...

I think the Ducks probably do win that game in Eugene; homefield advantage is huge in college football. See Cal's bi-annual 30 point beatdown of UCLA followed by losing at the Rose Bowl the next season.<br /><br />Obviously LSU's profile makes them deserving of the championship game. Alabama... OK state has a legitimate gripe.

ANY Bowl game featuring 2 teams from the same conference is *stupid*...let alone the championship game. The entire point of the Bowl system is to pit the best teams from different conferences against each other to give conferences bragging rights. Can you imagine any bowl having two tie-ins with one conference? Of course not...it would be stupid.<br /><br />This has NOTHING to do with SEC bashing...If Oregon is number 1 next year and Cal number 2 with only loss coming to Oregon, I wouldn't want to see an all pac12 rematch, even though it would mean Cal not going to the championship game.<br /><br />As it stands now...we will learn *nothing* from the championship game. LSU wins? Well duh they already won on the road. They lose? Bama is 1-1 vs them and lost to them at home...LSU still has a claim as the better team. In either case no SEC dominance is proved. If they are so dominant, how are they not eager to prove it? LSU Oklahoma State and Stanford Bama would set the stage for the SEC to show its strength, and LSU being so obviously number 1 would roll over Oklahoma State and Bama would end up number 2 in the final standings anyways...right? Whats the worst that could happen? Both teams getting blown out like Ohio State/Michigan in 2006?<br /><br />~MrGPAC

<blockquote><div class="name-said">mbBear;644902 said:</div><hr>WhipitoutJoe was talking OOC generalities...he also missed the point that was Oregon-LSU was at a neutral location...<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Yeah - I was talking OOC in general. I think just about everyone agrees LSU deserves to be in the title game. As for missing the point about where the LSU-Oregon games was played, I am aware it was at a "neutral" site way closer to SEC territory than Oregon territory. I seem to remember the vast majority of the crowd was wearing LSU colors. That is why I said do you think the game would have turned out differently if it was played in Oregon - think Portland - as opposed to Autzen. I suppose I should have said Seattle or the Northwest in general. And yes, I think any of those sites very well may have ended with Oregon winning that game. But LSU is a very good team -

I don't like the current system. Teams get selected to bowl games because their fans travel better (See Michigan rather than Michigan St).<br /><br />I would like to see an 8 an team playoff for the National Championship. 8 vs 1, 7 vs 2, etc. First games 4 games played in mid Dec, the next 2 games to be played between Christmas and New Years, and the National Championship Game 10 days later.<br /><br />The other bowl games should go forth as planned

<blockquote><div class="name-said">biely medved;645089 said:</div><hr>Do you think the Oregon-LSU game would look different if it had been at Baton Rouge (I think it would have added 10-14 pts for LSU)? LSU played @ West Virginia and Bama played @Penn St (I think they have/had a 10 year contract)? Arkansas has home and home with Texas A&M? South Carolina plays Clemson, Georgia plays Ga Tech and Boise, Florida plays Fl St? Not sure how oregon gets credit for playing LSU and LSU doesn't get credit for playing oregon. Cal I guess gets credit for scheduling Tennessee, but Tennessee doesn't get credit for scheduling Cal and UCLA? <br /><br />SEC has 8 game schedule, so they have 4 OOC and typically play 1 hard/rival, 1 medium and 2 wins. That is called smart scheduling and helps the mid-level schools become bowl eligible would should be their goal. But any team that goes through SEC undefeated and wins CCG is a real team, as proven by success in subsequent BCS CG. But whatever. As Cal fans we have had no room to talk for the last few years. Next year, ok.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />I think you're exaggerating their OOC strength. It's more a play one team that can give them a game, and 3 wins model. And play as many games at home as possible (to be fair, this is for financial reasons, not football reasons). That said, yes, the SEC tends to produce legitimate teams at the top, HOWEVER, they also play the system so it pretty much guarantees at least one SEC team in the championship game. This year, somehow, it got them two. LSU and Alabama are really good teams, but the rest of the conference is pretty weak overall - that's the SEC model. Have a bunch of weak teams so the top 2 can go undefeated, play each other once, with one of them getting into the championship. Those teams have respectable SOS, they aren't the Big 10 or anything, but it's not a coincidence that you won't find them at the very top of the nation in SOS. The rest of the conference just isn't that hard, and they make sure their OOC isn't <i>too </i>hard. That said, I honestly believe LSU should just be handed the championship right now. Not saying they'll definitely win the championship game, but based on the regular season, they are the clear cut #1 team with no argument. Hooray for broken systems.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">BTUR;645245 said:</div><hr>I think you're exaggerating their OOC strength. It's more a play one team that can give them a game, and 3 wins model. And play as many games at home as possible (to be fair, this is for financial reasons, not football reasons). That said, yes, the SEC tends to produce legitimate teams at the top, HOWEVER, they also play the system so it pretty much guarantees at least one SEC team in the championship game. This year, somehow, it got them two. LSU and Alabama are really good teams, but the rest of the conference is pretty weak overall - that's the SEC model. Have a bunch of weak teams so the top 2 can go undefeated, play each other once, with one of them getting into the championship. Those teams have respectable SOS, they aren't the Big 10 or anything, but it's not a coincidence that you won't find them at the very top of the nation in SOS. The rest of the conference just isn't that hard, and they make sure their OOC isn't <i>too </i>hard. That said, I honestly believe LSU should just be handed the championship right now. Not saying they'll definitely win the championship game, but based on the regular season, they are the clear cut #1 team with no argument. Hooray for broken systems.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Nope, not exaggerating the strength because I am not arguing that it is that strong. (It is strong ENOUGH not to cost them when it comes to BCS/Sagarin type stuff. One really tough OOC will do it.) It IS, however, SMART. Once the system sets the rules a smart player figures out how to use the rules to win. It is ultimate whining when you complain that someone (Stupid hillbillies, at that) is playing by the rules better than you are.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">mbBear;645101 said:</div><hr>please-don't let the facts get in the way of good SEC whining...<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Since you're so dedicated to the facts<br />How about coming up with an objective <br />reason for 'bama being better than OSU.<br />I went through each teams season and I find<br />that OSU's overall body of work is superior to<br />'bama's. What are your criteria for deciding <br />'bama's superiority? Please don't tell me it's the polls.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">heartofthebear;645440 said:</div><hr>Since you're so dedicated to the facts<br />How about coming up with an objective <br />reason for 'bama being better than OSU.<br />I went through each teams season and I find<br />that OSU's overall body of work is superior to<br />'bama's. What are your criteria for deciding <br />'bama's superiority? Please don't tell me it's the polls.<hr></blockquote><br />I'm not mbBear and I would prefer to see OSU in the game instead of Bama. And I think there are good reasons to put the Cowboys in instead of the Tide. But there are 'objective reasons' in both directions.<br /><br />Here's one for Alabama: Sagarin Predictor (Bama #2, OSU #3). Unless you think the SEC is paying off Jeff Sagarin to rig his algorithms. <br /><br /><a href="<a href="<a href="<a href="<a href="http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"""""" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"""""</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""""</a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""""</a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"""</a>"" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"""</a>"</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"""</a></a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"""</a></a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="<a href="http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a>""" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a>""</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a>"</a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a>"</a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a></a>"" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a></a>"</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a></a></a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://"http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a></a></a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="<a href="<a href="<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""""" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""""</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"""</a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"""</a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a>"" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a>"</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a></a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm""</a></a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"</a>""" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"</a>""</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"</a>"</a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"</a>"</a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"</a></a>"" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"</a></a>"</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"</a></a></a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm"</a></a></a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="<a href="<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br"""" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br"""</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br""</a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br""</a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br"</a>"" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br"</a>"</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br"</a></a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br"</a></a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br</a>""" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br</a>""</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br</a>"</a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br</a>"</a></a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br</a></a>"" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br</a></a>"</a> class="postlink " target="_blank"><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br</a></a></a>" class="postlink " target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/sagarin/fbt11.htm</a></a><br</a></a></a></a> /><br />Here's one for OSU - Sagarin Strength of Schedule: LSU #18, Bama #23, OSU #6 (Cal #24, Furd #36 as an aside). This Sagarin SoS metric may be an objective reflection of what you were looking at when you (subjectively) determined that OSU's overall body of work is superior. And again, I agree with you, but wanted to point out that there are reasonable arguments to be made both ways, as galling as it is to have 2 SEC teams in there.

Well, because by definition they aren't playing in the championship game. For me, taking the best team in the country to OT and almost beating them means a lot. I also think what they did to Arkansas means more than what Ok St. did to any opponent because I happen to think Arkansas is very good.<br /><br /> Hey, I have no problem with your research. I don't think Alabama did anything to lose their number 2 position that's all, but I was never really lobbying for them, and I really did want to see Ok St. vs. LSU. No matter what examination of the body of work you do, losing to Iowa St. can't be easily explained. <br /><br /> I find the SEC whining/conspiracy theories to be the weakest link on the board relative to showing off Cal intelligence. The OOC scheduling of the SEC teams(as someone else pointed out)is them using the system that's out there, and, this just in-there are still 80,000 to 100,000 in attendance when they play the equivalent of Presbyterian, and no whining about it either.<br /><br /> My comment was also referring to the post talking about Georiga/Ga. Tech, Florida/FSU, S.Car/Clemson as OOC games every year as huge rivalry games...SC/N.Dame is the only Pac-12 game that even comes close.

<blockquote><div class="name-said">biely medved;645089 said:</div><hr>Do you think the Oregon-LSU game would look different if it had been at Baton Rouge (I think it would have added 10-14 pts for LSU)? LSU played @ West Virginia and Bama played @Penn St (I think they have/had a 10 year contract)? Arkansas has home and home with Texas A&M? South Carolina plays Clemson, Georgia plays Ga Tech and Boise, Florida plays Fl St? Not sure how oregon gets credit for playing LSU and LSU doesn't get credit for playing oregon. Cal I guess gets credit for scheduling Tennessee, but Tennessee doesn't get credit for scheduling Cal and UCLA? <br /><br />SEC has 8 game schedule, so they have 4 OOC and typically play 1 hard/rival, 1 medium and 2 wins. That is called smart scheduling and helps the mid-level schools become bowl eligible would should be their goal. But any team that goes through SEC undefeated and wins CCG is a real team, as proven by success in subsequent BCS CG. But whatever. As Cal fans we have had no room to talk for the last few years. Next year, ok.<hr></blockquote><br /><br />Great point...this year. But their reputation has deservedly preceded them through many years of claiming tough OOC opponents in the same state, which nobody was buying. <br /><br />This trend started to come apart with Tennessee scheduling cross country trips, and now LSU is starting to as well. While Florida on the other hand still hasnt played an OOC outside of Florida since 1991.

"nobody was buying"....I'm not sure what you mean by that. Was that a year in particular that you point to that the OOC was hurting a specific team? Even when strength of schedule was more of a factor, I don't believe it hurt a SEC team? Maybe I missed your point...<br /> Why should Florida play outside of the state if its not helping their recruiting base? Obviously, a Furman or even Florida Atlantic would rather play in Gainesville for the gate...<br /> Tennessee's recruiting base is much more diverse than some of the other schools...

<blockquote><div class="name-said">mbBear;645652 said:</div><hr>"nobody was buying"....I'm not sure what you mean by that. Was that a year in particular that you point to that the OOC was hurting a specific team? Even when strength of schedule was more of a factor, I don't believe it hurt a SEC team? Maybe I missed your point...<br /> Why should Florida play outside of the state if its not helping their recruiting base? Obviously, a Furman or even Florida Atlantic would rather play in Gainesville for the gate...<br /> Tennessee's recruiting base is much more diverse than some of the other schools...<hr></blockquote><br /><br />"nobody was buying it" meant that that was a influence to deserving their reputation as conference that scheduled "weak OOC games". Scheduling in state OOC games as your "A" doesnt appeal to the national audience and therefore they tend to look at it as not as difficult as actually traveling for a tough OOC game.<br /><br />If Florida wants better recruiting rather than playing tough OOC games, so be it. They just wont get support for lobbying for a BCS bid over somehow who has. Thats there choice.