Does being ranked No. 1 matter?

Patrician said:
Since the start of the Bowl Championship Series, only Florida State (1999) and USC (2004) went wire-to-wire as No. 1.

The Trojans also started 2012 at No. 1, then finished 7-6 and unranked.

Four of the last five Preseason No. 1 teams finished No. 10 or lower in the final AP Poll.


http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-fo...-state-no-1-bcs-champions-usc-auburn-oklahoma
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I don't think the preseason polls mean much. College football teams change drastically from year to year.

I think it may put a bigger target on the team. But that is not a huge deal.
 
Outside of painting a bulls eye on a team, not really. But then if a team can't carry the bulls eye they won't be ranked #1 for long.
 
For the second time since 2010, Alabama is the No. 1 team in both the preseason Associated Press and USA TODAY Sports Coaches Polls.

The Crimson Tide, winners of the past two BCS National Championships and three of the past four, received 58 of 60 first-place votes in The Associated Press poll released Saturday morning. Alabama's percentage of first-place votes tied Florida in 2009 for the most in the preseason poll's 63-year history.

'Bama does pretty well carrying that bulls-eye, I'd say.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/rankings/2013/08/17/coaches-poll-associated-press-poll-comparison/2666969/
 
Patrician said:
For the second time since 2010, Alabama is the No. 1 team in both the preseason Associated Press and USA TODAY Sports Coaches Polls.

The Crimson Tide, winners of the past two BCS National Championships and three of the past four, received 58 of 60 first-place votes in The Associated Press poll released Saturday morning. Alabama's percentage of first-place votes tied Florida in 2009 for the most in the preseason poll's 63-year history.

'Bama does pretty well carrying that bulls-eye, I'd say.



http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/rankings/2013/08/17/coaches-poll-associated-press-poll-comparison/2666969/
Click to expand...

In 2010 we were ranked #1 and lost 3 games. 2 were close and South Carolina kicked our ass. It was a talented team, but they believed the hype and got complacent.

This year is the most talented team Saban has had since he came to UA. If they stay focused they can run the table.
 
Patrician said:
Since the start of the Bowl Championship Series, only Florida State (1999) and USC (2004) went wire-to-wire as No. 1.

The Trojans also started 2012 at No. 1, then finished 7-6 and unranked.

Four of the last five Preseason No. 1 teams finished No. 10 or lower in the final AP Poll.


http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-fo...-state-no-1-bcs-champions-usc-auburn-oklahoma
Click to expand...
In the current BCS configuration, hell yea it matters. If OSU and Bama go undeafeted or have the best two records in the Big Six conferences it's an automatic bid to the NCG. Of those top 12 teams the to two with the best records at the end of the season are virtually guaranteed a slot in the NCG. With this years preseason polling the SEC champ is virtually guaranteed a slot in the NCG. It's just a matter of which SEC team it is. Same with Ohio State. The Big 10 could completely blow chunks this year. It could be the worst conference in Div I and if OSU goes undefeated they'll be in the NCG. So yea....with the current BCS set up.......being ranked #1 means a lot.

This is the last year though. Next year rankings will still be important but not as important as it is now. Next year we have a four team playoff, it should be very difficult for a team that doesn't win it's conference to be chosen for the playoff. In fact it should be next to impossible. Next year will work out like this.

Most likely the 4 conference champions, of the big six conferences (SEC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, Big East and ACC), with the best records and highest rankings will be chosen for the playoff. The following exceptions would be made. If Notre Dame is at least 10-2 and a top 8-10 ranking, they'll get an invite and if there is an undefeated mid major conference champ with a top 8-10 ranking will get an Invite.
 
But what I like most about the 4 game playoff is that you know it's going to be so popuar and that will little effort it will evolve to an 8 team tournament which is what I think it should be. Then rankings become more of a device for seeding the tournament. With an 8 team tournament and to make it a truly national tournament then Big 6 conference champs would all get automatic bids. Regardless of what their over all record is. That would leave two at large teams to be selected. I wouldn't have a problem with the scenario I listed above. If ND is 10-2 and ranked #10 or better would get an automatic bid and a mid major conference champ (i.e. Mid American Conf, Mtn. West Conference, etc) with an undefeated record would get an automatic bid. If there are any at large spots, and there could be up to two, then a selection committee would determine which two get invites.

Where national rankings would become important is match ups in the tournament. A #1 team is going to start off against a #10 team, #2 team the #8 team, etc. That will be exciting. It will blow college football up in popularity.
 
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