New No. 2 Tech controls BCS destiny
By Ralph D. Russo | ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK – No scoreboard watching necessary for Texas Tech.
Less than 24 hours after the Red Raiders gave the national championship race a makeover by defeating then-No. 1 Texas, they received more good news when the BCS standings were released Sunday.
Texas Tech's Eric Morris fights for yardage against Texas during their game Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock. (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Texas Tech was in second place, behind Alabama and just ahead of third-place Penn State.
If the undefeated Red Raiders of the Big 12 and undefeated Crimson Tide of the Southeastern Conference win out, they will likely meet in the BCS national championship game Jan. 8 in Miami.
The unbeaten Nittany Lions still need help in the form of an Alabama or Texas Tech loss to reach the title game.
The Raiders will have to earn it with upcoming games against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, both 8-1, and the latter on the road.
“We know it’s not going to be easy,” Tech quarterback Graham Harrell said. “We’ve got a tough road ahead of us.”
Even if they miss out on the national title game, Tech still could make a BCS bowl appearance, much like a one-loss Kansas team did last year. Representatives from all the BCS bowls – Fiesta, Orange, Rose and Sugar – were in Lubbock on Saturday.
“It would be wonderful to have a team like Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl,” committee member Joseph Millsaps said. “They’re going to be around for a long time. Texas Tech, they’re going to be a contender.”
No matter how it ends, the Raiders have accomplished more than usual. They’re 9-0 for the first time since 1938 and 5-0 in conference play for the first time since 1953.
They also have sole possession of first place in the Big 12 South, a division that has four teams ranked in the top nine.
The computer rankings made the difference for the Red Raiders.
Texas Tech was a close No. 3 behind the Nittany Lions in the USA Today coaches’ poll and the Harris Poll. Alabama was a solid No. 1 in each poll.
However, the Red Raiders were tied with Alabama for first in the computer ratings, while Penn State was rated fourth in the compilation of six computer ratings the Bowl Championship Series uses.
Alabama had a BCS average of .9747. Texas Tech was at .9372 and Penn State .9286.
With Texas Tech facing top-10 teams in its next two games, plus a possible Big 12 title game down the road, the Red Raiders should be in position to expand their lead over Penn State if they can keep winning.
Though one of the teams ahead of the Nittany Lions has changed (Texas Tech instead of Texas), their problem remains the same: a so-so schedule.
Penn State from the Big Ten plays at Iowa (5-4) next week, then finishes the season at home against Indiana (3-6) and Michigan State, 18th in the BCS standings. The only team the Nittany Lions have beaten that is currently ranked is Ohio State.
The Nittany Lions also better watch their backs. Fourth-place Texas (.8531), fifth-place Florida (.8268) and sixth-place Oklahoma (.8220), all have one loss but will ultimately face tougher schedules than Penn State.
Eighth-place Utah is in position to earn a bid to the Bowl Championship Series from the Mountain West Conference if it can get through the toughest part of its conference slate. One team from the five conferences without an automatic spot can earn a bid to a BCS game by finishing in the top 12 of the standings.
Staff writer Don Williams contributed to this report.
Nov. 2
–Harris Poll– –USA Today Poll– –Computers– BCS
Rank Points Pct. Rank Points Pct. Rank Avg. Pct. Pvs.
1. Alabama 1 2798 0.9818 1 1498 0.9823 t1 0.960 0.9747 2
2. Texas Tech 3 2644 0.9277 3 1409 0.9239 t1 0.960 0.9372 7
3. Penn St. 2 2689 0.9435 2 1437 0.9423 4 0.900 0.9286 3
4. Texas 6 2322 0.8147 7 1227 0.8046 3 0.940 0.8531 1
5. Florida 4 2391 0.8389 5 1268 0.8315 5 0.810 0.8268 8
6. Oklahoma 5 2366 0.8302 4 1290 0.8459 9 0.790 0.8220 4
7. Southern Cal 7 2273 0.7975 6 1232 0.8079 10 0.660 0.7551 5
8. Utah 9 1864 0.6540 9 1018 0.6675 7 0.770 0.6972 10
9. Oklahoma St. 8 2021 0.7091 8 1066 0.6990 11 0.590 0.6660 9
10. Boise St. 10 1797 0.6305 10 958 0.6282 8 0.700 0.6529 11
11. Ohio St. 11 1576 0.5530 12 843 0.5528 12 0.560 0.5553 12
12. TCU 12 1560 0.5474 11 862 0.5652 13 0.520 0.5442 13
13. Georgia 14 1380 0.4842 14 693 0.4544 9 0.670 0.5362 6
14. Missouri 13 1416 0.4968 13 794 0.5207 14 0.460 0.4925 14
15. BYU 16 1179 0.4137 16 591 0.3875 t17 0.320 0.3737 20
16. LSU 15 1241 0.4354 15 683 0.4479 19 0.230 0.3711 19
17. Ball St. 17 1053 0.3695 18 503 0.3298 t15 0.370 0.3564 16
18. Michigan St. 18 857 0.3007 17 516 0.3384 t15 0.370 0.3364 21
19. North Carolina 19 670 0.2351 19 359 0.2354 t17 0.320 0.2635 22
20. Georgia Tech 20 561 0.1968 20 289 0.1895 21 0.180 0.1888 NR
21. California 21 432 0.1516 22 192 0.1259 t26 0.060 0.1125 NR
22. Florida St. 24 237 0.0832 24 150 0.0984 25 0.080 0.0872 15
23. Maryland 23 249 0.0874 21 243 0.1593 NR 0.000 0.0822 NR
24. Northwestern 26 212 0.0744 25 120 0.0787 t23 0.090 0.0810 NR
25. West Virginia 22 369 0.1295 23 172 0.1128 NR 0.000 0.0808 NR
This story first appeared on our Web site at 10:21 p.m. Sunday.
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Well, it’s Monday morning and Tech is sitting at the BCS dinner table ranked #2. Oh dear, oh my, we only live to beat UT and A & M. What is a little Tech cock roach to do. Oh dear, oh my, so this is what it’s like for Texas and OU every year. Oh dear, oh my, don’t they know we have never won a game after upsetting Texas every five or six years. We just want to be like the old TCU cock roaches, oh dear, or my what are we doing to do? You will choke like you almost did with a three touchdown lead on Saturday night-good luck Tech the world is about to see what you really are.
Hook Em
Sammy J
(Report comment)
Typical short horn fan. Get over it you lost!!!
(Report comment)
Sammy,
the only ones wringing their hands are you and those like you….bad and sore losers.
Wreck Em Tech
(Report comment)
Nice post Sammy J! Way to represent your School. It is sad that one uneducated person that probably didn’t even go to college, much less ut reflect so poorly on a school. You’re the kind of horns fan that makes it easy to pull for whoever is playing the texas. I think both teams played hard Sat. night, and I believe that both schools are still in the hunt for the title game. Wreck Em’ Tech!
(Report comment)
Watch the RED RAIDERS defeat Texas!
Go to http://www.ioffer.com/i/81614346
GO TECH!!!
(Report comment)
How would the South champion be determined in case of a three way tie among Texas, Oklahoma, and Tech if each has beaten one of the others?
(Report comment)
Typical UT response. They get the best recruits (even in their 1990s lean years) , huge donations for facilities, and a legislature-sponsored endowment —- and ,like George W, are “born on 3rd base and think they hit a triple.” Tech has had to work with so much less, but has hung in there year after year. Give Tech some credit. UT should be honestly nervous now. Recruits (not just state, but national) will take another look at Tech after this year. UT and A&M won’t get them all from now on. Go Tech!
(Report comment)
Well ignore all you want, I’m just stating the facts. I too am from West Texas and I grew up in the 80’s. Tech was a frat school and still is. Tech is a fine school but it doesn’t come close to UT at Austin. Why in the world would our kids from the inner city’s of Dallas or Houston or even the small towns across the great state of Texas pick Tech over UT? The kids that will go to Tech will be the one’s that UT, OU and LSU could not accept. It’s the truth and not mean spirited. Enjoy your victory, all I’m doing is stating the facts.
(Report comment)
I think that’s an opinion
(Report comment)
John,
If the South ends in a tie then the team with the highest BCS ranking will go to the championship game in Kansas City. Hope Tech doesn’t get too big of heads.
GO RED RAIDERS!!
(Report comment)
Michael, no, you’re not stating facts, save that you’re a sore loser. It’s funny that you’re not even talking about football, which is the subject of the story above. UT and A&M are indeed fine school that have (gasp!) frat tradtitions of their own. There a lots of fine students who pick Tech over those schools and others like them. You grew up in Lubbock, but did you ever take classes at Tech? Did you ever read the nationally-recognized research its professors and students produce? Did you ever earn a degree from Tech? Well, did you?
(Report comment)
Just heard on ESPN that Mike Leach is talking to Tennessee, now that Fulmer is out.
(Report comment)
Hey Sammy…
You lost… time to get on another band wagon since you probably didn’t even go to UT. Try an Alabama hat…. they’re #1 now.
You loser.
(Report comment)
Well…. I posted too soon before addressing Michael Robinson.
I can say that you made one good point… kind of. Kids should not choose a school based on their athletic prowess. Schools like Baylor, and Duke often have poor football teams.
However, you really showed your ignorance Michael. If you are all for stating the facts… then learn them, don’t assume what you heard from someone is true. While I admit that UT is an excellent school academically… OU and LSU are not known for their academic achievements. If you really think that, then you are uninformed, as well as uneducated.
Get over it… you lost… GUNS UP!!!
(Report comment)
Your ignorant if you think that All American athletes choose Tech over UT, OU and LSU.
Go win a conference championship first, in another sport then womens basketball and then come talk to me.
(Report comment)
Hey Sammy if it’s cockroach….well I guess the cockroaches beat your ass this year.
(Report comment)
Michael
You and the other sore losers are pathetic. Why can’t you just give them credit and move on? I’ve never heard so much negative talk about a football team and the crummy wishes of them losing to one or both of the OK teams. Go back to T sipping and shut it.
It is obvious you have no idea what you’re talking about and just sound bitter and misinformed.
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Hey Michael let the Tech fans enjoy the moment. This is after all their first time in the national spotlight.
What they do with it remains to be seen.
Going back to my T sipping.
(Report comment)
Jim
I applaude your sportsmanship.
(Report comment)
Poor Michael Robinson, just a sore loser making an idiot of himself. His team lost, now he’s trying to criticize academics. Sounds like sour grapes to me!
Wreck ‘em Tech!
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im am pleased at our ranking dispite the media not wanting to give it to us the unbiased computer does. we did indead win better teams than penn state and michael explain why mike leach wants to leave a program he finnaly took to the next level for a sinking program in eastern tennessee? cmon do you really belive every rumor you hear? it just dont make sense for leach to leave a thriving tech program for an sec team in a conference that it would take years before you could get the recruits to have a thriving offense not to mention leaving the fertile texas recuting grounds. i am glad that we are not ranked #1 the #2 team has not lost yet this year. we are in control of our own fate so lets stay at #2 till the nc!!!!!!!!!
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I can’t believe you ‘Horns, claim to be of the same ilk, with the exception of JimBob. That was a great win for Tech and frankly I am glad to see them get some run. The Red Raiders came with gun’s up and brought the wood. I hate it that we lost but we got WHOOPED plain and simple. I am however disturbed that my son was spit on by some Tech students, I always went to the away games in Lubbock and always had a great time but is that the way the students are acting these days? Any way great win Tech.
Hook ‘Em
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I grew up in West Texas but was born a Longhorn and went to school at UT. I’ve been to all the big 12 schools football games except Iowa State and I have to agree that the Tech fans are the worst.
My friends and I used to go to the Tech games back in the 80’s and even then they were bad.
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Well we made sure to treat all visiting schools and thier fans cordially and hell we even drank beer with most.
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They still drink those schooners up there? I think that is what they were called
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Hey Michael Robinson…. quit changing the subject you idiot.
You start by talking about what wonderful schools LSU and OU are… but then talk about all Americans choosing Tech???
You are not only ignorant, but foolish as well if you believe that students at LSU and OU get a better education than those who choose TECH! They are machines for pushing athletes through the system to be athletes… not scholars.
Lots of National Championships… lots of people who can’t read.
WRECK ‘EM TECH!!!
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Hey Michael Rob, Jim and Sammy J.. overconfidence as usual at UT. Tech is going to be on a short list of national title contenders every year for years to come because Leach has spent 9 years building a solid program… just like Mack Brown has done.. Recruits will come to tech and top ones at that.. most fun offense to play for in the country. Secondly, let me remind you of some facts about those 3 schools you mentioned.. OU, LSU, and Texas. Horns sucked or semi sucked in the mid to late 80’s and most of the 90’s under stellar coaches such as Fred Akers, David Mcwilliams, and John Mackovic. Before Mack Brown showed up you were getting your ass waxed like seven straight times by the Aggies. OU was horrible for 5 years in the mid nineties under John Blake before Bob Stoops showed up. Ditto, middle of the pack for LSU in the nineties before Nick Saban got there.
The days of top recruits only going to schools with history on their side are over my friend. They will pick schools like Tech, Okie State, Kansas, Mizzou… Hell it is already happening.
Besides at UT.. you should go back to Football 101 and relearn how to beat the Aggies..lol
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the buke let me school you a little bit.
Go get a copy of Texas Monthly for this month.
As a personal friend of Michael Crabtree he would tell you out of his own mouth the only reason he came to Tech was because UT and OU passed on him.
Not one football athlete that was considering Tech or UT has picked Tech over UT. Not one.
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Texas is only the third winningest program in the country.
Where does Tech rank?
Back to sipping T
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Way to go Jim Bob, you tell them.
The way Notre Dame and Michigan are playing lately, Texas might be the winningest program in all of college football in a few years.
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Hey congrats Tech but lets be honest. You always get up for Texas. I doubt you have what it takes to beat OSU and OU.
In a few weeks no one will be talking about Tech.
Aggie power will return
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Bold prediction:
Tech will lose one game in the next three weeks and Texas will win out and go to a BCS game and Tech will go to a second tier game.
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Good point Jim Bob, but you are misinterpreting the point I was trying to make. Of course more of the top recruits are considering the old school tradtional powers. Crabtree is probably thankful that Texas and OU passed because he has been able to develop in Mike Leach’s genuis system. Last year the two top recieving blue chips in the nation were AJ Green(of Georgia) and Julio Jones(of Alabama). Tech was one of the top 3 schools both were considering and they both lived and went to high school in the states they chose for schools. Recruiting inroads can happen when you build a program. And by the way, there were top recruits at this game witnessing in person what Tech has going.
Are you going to tell other schools they have no chance for BCS bowls or national championships because they are not LSU, UT, Or OU? Try telling that to Utah, Boise State, Kansas, or even TCU.
Personally it is fun to see teams like Michigan and Tennesse down and the Red Raiders on the rise for years to come!!!
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Oh yeah and Wes Welker was thankful that OU and UT passed on him too.
Bold prediction:
Todd Reesing(austin native) who UT passed on because he was not worthy lights up Texas secondary.. Texas packs bags and goes to Holiday bowl
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Michael Robinson, Jim Bob,Sammy J No matter what you all say it does not matter. All these schools are great, and all these kids play great week after week. Just cheer on your team and hope they win. Good sportsmanship is what football is about. Friendly rivalry is what it is supposed to be. We do not play the game, those kids do. Give them all credit no matter what.
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ESPN blogs are reporting that Leach is wanting to leave Lubbock.
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We choose where we work. If Leach did leave, that is his choice. Hope you do not begin hating… To me, that would be an opportunity for another great coach to lead Tech past UT…
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Hey Jim Bob… sorry to interrupt your tea sipping, but here’s a few recruits that chose Tech over Texas the past few years. Hope it doesn’t make you feel ignorant… you were just misinformed.
1) Daniel Johnson Safety
2) Taylor Potts QB
3) Leonard Hewitt DB
4) McKinner Dixon DE
5) Louis asquez OL
6) Marquis Johnson WR
7) Jerrod Gooch OL
Not to rub it in…. but OU did offer Crabtree, in two sports.
We have taken just enough quality recruits from UT, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU to create what we have now. You can keep your high profile recruits… they’re really good at choking.
WRECK ‘EM TECH!
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Get ready Fans, Mike Grundy is not too concerned with the crowd being a factor:
On playing in Lubbock:
“There will be a lot of rowdy fans. It’s a crazy environment. With the success they are having right now, it is going to be even tougher. We have been in these types of positions this season, and it hasn’t been much of a factor.”
To Tech Fans and Students, don’t sit on your hands and be hppy we beat Texas. Show more support, if possible, then we did last week and get just as rowdy and noisey and make them make the mental mistakes just like Texas did.
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Hi, I am a Tennessee Vol fan. How do you think Mike Leach will look in Orange and White?
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Hey Mike McLaughin…..
Mike Leach would look the same… a great coach….
Tennessee would look different…. changing back to winners.
GUNS UP!!
ESPN is famous for rumors…. what else are you goning to do after you discect about 900 games per week?
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I find it funny that all you are still bickering over the game. It was an amazing performance on both parts, primarily the defense of Texas Tech and a Shippley punt return (that should’ve come back) and a typical 91-yard coverage breakdown.
I used to ride the UT bandwagon for 2 reasons, I love my state, and I love to win. During high school I had a free ride to Texas on an academic scholarship so I went to visit, only to find the most frat-tastic atmosphere ever created by liberals in our great conservative state. That, coupled with the scores of men who would’ve taken me home that weekend, solidified my decision to look elsewhere.
I chose Tech because the people here are great. We fans are rowdy, yes, but we WANT you to hate us. Even our own administration can’t stand us. We’re doing our job. If you don’t leave Lubbock with a sick feeling in your stomach after losing to Tech then we’ll only try harder.
I just hope that you guys find something else better to do than argue about who’s better than who. We find out week to week, and last time I checked, Tech beat Texas
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