The Coaches' Poll Debate

[volimhtown]

Since there has been alot of talk about making the coaches' individual vote public after Texas mysteriously jumped over Cal in the last poll, I want everyone's feelings on this!! Does making the coaches' vote public insure the integrity of the poll??? I say "no"! MAYBE instances like what happened to Cal would be avoided, but at what expense?? The problem I have with the coaches' poll, in general, is that the coaches RARELY see any games that don't involve themselves or teams from the conferences they come from. For starters, where's the integrity in that. Furthermore, if the coaches' votes were public knowledge, it would be used as "bulletin board" material for their opponents....Example: The week prior to the TN/FL game, do you believe you're going to get a non-biased, honest opinion from Coach Fulmer and Coach Meyer as to where they feel the other teams ranks nationally?? Hell no...Meyer will have the Vols ranked higher than most, while Fulmer will have the Gators ranked higher than most. Where's the integrity in that?? In addition, in the instances where you are playing a lesser opponent, how is the coach going to tell his players to "respect and not overlook the opposition" if his players will be able to know that perhaps their coach doesn't think highly of them by his vote?? That makes it tough. Finally, the underlying solution is to once again go to a playoff and eliminate the coach's poll all together as it is obviously no better than the opinions of sportswriters!!

[Neo]

Since there has been alot of talk about making the coaches' individual vote public after Texas mysteriously jumped over Cal in the last poll, I want everyone's feelings on this!! Does making the coaches' vote public insure the integrity of the poll??? I say "no"! MAYBE instances like what happened to Cal would be avoided, but at what expense?? The problem I have with the coaches' poll, in general, is that the coaches RARELY see any games that don't involve themselves or teams from the conferences they come from. For starters, where's the integrity in that. Furthermore, if the coaches' votes were public knowledge, it would be used as "bulletin board" material for their opponents....Example: The week prior to the TN/FL game, do you believe you're going to get a biased, honest opinion from Coach Fulmer and Coach Meyer as to where they feel the other teams ranks nationally?? Hell no...Meyer will have the Vols ranked higher than most, while Fulmer will have the Gators ranked higher than most. Where's the integrity in that?? In addition, in the instances where you are playing a lesser opponent, how is the coach going to tell his players to "respect and not overlook the opposition" if his players will be able to know that perhaps their coach doesn't think highly of them by his vote?? That makes it tough. Finally, the underlying solution is to once again go to a playoff and eliminate the coach's poll all together as it is obviously no better than the opinions of sportswriters!!


To be honest, I respect the coaches poll a lot more than the AP poll. These coaches are out at the games, playing the teams. They know better than anyone who the top teams are. :)

As for publishing their votes, I say no. No coach should have to answer to some sleezy reporter why he voted the way he did. Given the circumstances around Cal getting bumped down, I think Texas Tech showed them why they didn't deserve to be in a BCS bowl. So in a sense, the coaches poll got it right. :)

[volimhtown]

To be honest, I respect the coaches poll a lot more than the AP poll. These coaches are out at the games, playing the teams. They know better than anyone who the top teams are.

As for publishing their votes, I say no. No coach should have to answer to some sleezy reporter why he voted the way he did. Given the circumstances around Cal getting bumped down, I think Texas Tech showed them why they didn't deserve to be in a BCS bowl. So in a sense, the coaches poll got it right.

Well, it is rumored (there's that dirty word, again) that Stoops had Texas ranked #2 on his ballot....if that's not a problem (if true), I don't know what is. However, you would have to say it would make sense. The Big 12 benefitted big-time by having Texas in the Rose Bowl. Say what you will about the AP poll, but at least the voters don't personally benefit form their votes.
Furthermore....how can you say that you respect the Coaches' Poll over the AP??? Maybe 20 to 30 years ago I could see your case, but today's college coach has a 24/7 job during football season and ONLY sees, worries about HIS team and that of his OPPONENT. I mean, honestly, how many PAC-10 games do you think Fulmer watched this year to be able to make an educated opinion of where those teams rank nationally?? At least a good representation of the AP voters see multiple games from week to week!! The coaches can't say that!!

[Neo]

Well, it is rumored (there's that dirty word, again) that Stoops had Texas ranked #2 on his ballot....if that's not a problem (if true), I don't know what is. However, you would have to say it would make sense. The Big 12 benefitted big-time by having Texas in the Rose Bowl. Say what you will about the AP poll, but at least the voters don't personally benefit form their votes.

If that's the case, how would his "1" vote really matter? Either way, to assume that the PAC-10 coaches weren't doing the same thing is insane. We all saw how bad Cal looked against a middle of the road Southern Miss.


Furthermore....how can you say that you respect the Coaches' Poll over the AP??? Maybe 20 to 30 years ago I could see your case, but today's college coach has a 24/7 job during football season and ONLY sees, worries about HIS team and that of his OPPONENT.

Now you may have a point there. I didn't look at it from that angle.


I mean, honestly, how many PAC-10 games do you think Fulmer watched this year to be able to make an educated opinion of where those teams rank nationally?? At least a good representation of the AP voters see multiple games from week to week!! The coaches can't say that!!

The AP writers can't really lay claim to watching a lot of games either. I personally know a writer at the State newspaper in Columbia, SC. He told me on numerous occasions that he's really too busy at the USC games and writing his stories up for Sunday's edition to watch all or most of the Top-25 games every week. He said "Saturdays" are most sports writers busiest days of the week hands down. :)

[OrangeCrush]

I am all for the coaches poll being open to the public. I understand why the coaches do not want it public and would probably feel the same if I was a coach. There is to many chances for distractions because of it. Cry me a river. Coaches should have no problem standing behind their votes.

The real question is "Should they delay the coaches poll until the 5th/6th week of the season?" Would this help sort out some of the bias that is associated with the pre-season polls? Some teams do get favortism because of past success. I would argue that by the 5th or 6th week, the poll tends to sort themselves out.

[smokeydog]

How about a player's poll?