USF coach Jim Leavitt has a ballot in the USA Today Coaches Poll, which has made for some difficult decisions this season. This week, balloters had to help decide which team would represent the Big 12's South division in its league championship game, as Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech finished with identical league records, so the deciding tiebreaker was which team had the highest BCS ranking.
Oklahoma had a higher ranking than Texas, despite the Longhorns beating the Sooners head-to-head. (Texas lost to Texas Tech, which lost badly at Oklahoma to create the three-way tie). Leavitt hasn't talked about his ballot much this season, but took time this week to explain his take on a difficult vote:
"It's a very difficult situation, honest to God. It's too bad that two teams got burned, Texas Tech and Texas. Somebody was going to be on the outside looking in. I kept my relationship out of it (he and Sooners coach Bob Stoops have been close friends since coaching together at Kansas State) because I knew people would know how I voted and I didn't want that to be a factor.
"I tried to decide who did I think was the better team today, and that's what I went by. I thought Oklahoma, the way they beat Cincinnati, who won the Big East, and the way they played nonconference, TCU, and the way they played the last four games, I just thought they got a slight nod over Texas. But if I'm the head coach at Texas, I'm not going to understand it when I beat a team head-to-head on a neutral field. I totally understand that.
"Texas Tech, they had a rough time the way Oklahoma beat Texas Tech, but it was at Oklahoma. Would it have been the same at Texas Tech? I don't think it would be like that, though I think Oklahoma would have won. It was a very difficult situation. I had Alabama 1, Oklahoma 2, Texas 3, which I thought was appropriate, Florida 4, USC 5. I had Texas Tech 6 or 7, Utah was up in there.
"Every week, I've thought it through well. I felt like I could explain why I put somebody in. This week was very tough from 15 through 20, through 23 even. Where do you put Oregon, Oregon State, Georgia, Georgia Tech? I always do it that night, get it in before 6 a.m. (Sundays). I don't usually sleep after a game anyway. Watching, seeing what's going on, I try to follow it the best I can. I cannot be an authority on it, and I understand why people gave up their votes if they felt like they could not do an adequate job of it. But I feel like, to be asked to do it, it's something I think is a privilege, and I would rather have it that coaches have a say, so that's why I do it."
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Boomer Sooner all the way to Miami for the NC!!!
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Posted by: Rickey | December 04, 2008 at 08:16 AM
LenHen makes an excellent point. Texas fans who feel Texas was shafted would have a point if there was a two way tie. However, since there were three teams that were tied, why is there a discussion about a head to head meeting between OU and Texas? To have a head to head discussion is misleading the unknowing and shielding them from very important facts that must be considered in order to arrive at a proper conclusion. Texas spend less time crying like a baby and more time practicing so you can play better. The Sooner The Better!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Rhyan T | December 03, 2008 at 09:30 PM
LenHen makes an excellent point. Texas fans who feel Texas was shafted would have a point if there was a two way tie. However, since there were three teams that were tied, why is there a discussion about a head to head meeting between OU and Texas? To have a head to head discussion is misleading the unknowing and shielding them from very important facts that must be considered in order to arrive at a proper conclusion. Texas spend less time crying like a baby and more time practicing so you can play better. The Sooner The Better!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Rhyan T | December 03, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Is everyone crazy or is it me? I have read so many post saying TU was wronged. People YOU CANNOT CHANGE FACTS!!! Thre was a THREE WAY TIE It is a fact. Oklahoma,Tec, and Texas! Why is there ANY discussion about a head to head meeting between OU and Texas? Who decided to eliminate a historical FACT? The three way rule was decided before the season began, it was the 5th tie breaker. OU should be in the CS game Saturday. Dont try to eliminate the facts that ruin your point. If OU should not go because Texas beat them head to head that Texas should not go because Tec beat them head to head? Or put another way, if there is a three way tie and OU is eliminated, because they were beated head to head by Texas, wouldn't that make Tec next in line since they beat Texas head to head? So either I'm crazy or Mac Brown and all the other Texas fans have been in to many bars! GO OU
Posted by: LenHen | December 03, 2008 at 09:16 PM
I think Texas and USC are the best teams in college football. I don't give a rats a@@ what the polls say.
A betting mans money tells me Texas v USC would be a classic
Posted by: Ari Hinkelberger | December 03, 2008 at 08:45 PM
Another thing on the BCS. What makes a 1 loss Florida team more deserving of a national title game appearance than a 1 loss Penn State or 1 loss USC or a 1 loss Texas Tech or a 1 loss Texas? They all played better competition this year than Florida did in a very bad SEC this year.
Posted by: | December 03, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Head to Head doesn't make sense. Sure Texas beat Oklahoma head to head, but Texas Tech beat Texas head to head and Oklahoma beat Texas Tech head to head. It's a circle with three teams, so there is no clear head to head winner. I wish the idiotic talking heads on TV would recognize this.
BCS = Awful
Posted by: | December 03, 2008 at 05:12 PM
In response to the question if Stoops is trading votes with Leavitt: neither Bob Stoops or Mike Stoops are voting this year.
Posted by: sean | December 03, 2008 at 03:26 PM
See, if it had been just "dicision" or "presedence," I might have taken it as a genuine bad-spelling post. Both, though, and I know you guys are actually taking time to fake dumb. C'mon, now ...
Posted by: Greg Auman | December 03, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I think Oklahoma is the better team right now. But I would hate to be in Texas' position...
The relationship with stoops had to have some effect. I wonder if he is giving USF any votes? Hmmmm...
Posted by: Teabag | December 03, 2008 at 02:56 PM
His explanation only shows that coaches do not have the time to make an informed dicision. Head to head should also take presedence.
Posted by: | December 03, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Leavitt and Grothe both need to enroll in all the speech classes USF has to offer.
Posted by: Pacman Jones | December 03, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Eric S,
I am positive. I just stated a fact. Leavitt always sounds less than intelligent in his conversations with sideline reporters. I hope we are never on national TV again.
Posted by: It's the truth | December 03, 2008 at 02:01 PM
"Good job! Way to stay positive! Let me shake your hand!"
Posted by: Eric S | December 03, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Whe was the last time Leavitt was coherent in any conversation?
Posted by: | December 03, 2008 at 12:24 PM
We need a play off...
I just can't see why we use the Bowl system that we have now and make the Fiesta, Orange, Rose, and Sugar Bowl a part of the Elite 8...
And then we could add 2 more spots for the Final Four and Championship game, such as Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston...etc.
There of course will be politicing...But sure would help solve the issue that we seem to have year after year...
Look at Penn State...I think that they are really getting shafted!
Posted by: Bulliever | December 03, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I wonder how many other coaches take the time to explain their vote ? ever
Posted by: Richard Todd | December 03, 2008 at 12:08 PM