THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2004 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN SPORTS 3B anielle or I not season favor n. we stay in can also in the miigan — be able to New BCS formula gets some action ating -0) and only Big conference on. Big Ten 1993. the nation- n crown finished words. Associated Press Poll criteria released in July will better determine football champion BY MIRANDA LENNING mlnening@kansan.com KANSAN SWIFT WRITER WEEK-ONE POLLS With the release of the first Bowl Championship Series poll on Monday, the reinvented BCS formula is finally being put to work.
TEAMASSOCIATED PRESSUSA TODAY/ESPNCOMPUTER RANKINGSBCS AVERAGE
Rank%Rank%RankComputer avg.
1. USC1.9911.9931.9912
2. Miami4.8913.9052.9187
3. Oklahoma2.9642.9645.9161
4. Auburn3.9104.8913.9036
5. Florida State5.8025.8096.8072
In July, the BCS unveiled its new formula, which relies on the rankings from three different polls. The formula factors in the Associated Press poll, the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' poll and a computer poll average. Each component counts for one-third of a team's overall BCS score in the standings. According to the BCS media guide, the new formula doesn't average teams' weekly rankings. It takes a team's score in the AP poll and divides it by 1,625 — the most points a team can receive. It takes a team's score in Southern California ranked No.1 in the first poll, with Miami University No.2 and Oklahoma No.3. Southern California and Oklahoma were ranked No.1 and 2, respectively, in the AP and USA Today/ESPN polls. So how did Miami sneak in at number two overall in the first BCS standing? It edged out Oklahoma in the computer rankings. Miami finished second overall in the computer rankings. behind Southern California, while Oklahoma finished fifth. the coaches' poll and divides it by 1,500. The third component is an average of six computer rankings. The team's highest and lowest scores are thrown out, and the other four determine the score. The strength-of-schedule component, which had been a factor in previous years, was eliminated from the formula. The strength of schedule accounted for a team's record and quality wins over other ranked opponents. This year, when FoxSports.net ranked Kansas' schedule the second most difficult in the country, the new BCS formula could work against the Jayhawks. In the past, the AP and Coaches' polls did not play as significant a roll in the in the BCS standings. They were averaged and then combined with other factors, such as bonus points for quality wins, which are wins over good opponents. reworked to be less complex and more accurate in determining the top two teams for the BCS championship game —this year it is the FedEx Orange Bowl. Last year, Louisiana State beat Oklahoma in the BCS title game, which ideally would have made Louisiana State the national champion. However, because Southern California, ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, defeated Michigan in the Rose Bowl, the BCS had to name Southern California and Louisiana State duel national champions. The BCS formula was The BCS standings will be used to select the teams that play in the Orange Bowl. They will also be used to determine whether any team that is not from a BCS conference will be able to play in a BCS Series. The conferences in the BCS are the Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pacific-10 and Southeastern. The BCS will also use its rankings to determine other automatic at-large selections, and teams that are eligible for those selections. selections. The Rose Bowl will host the Big 10 and Pac-10 champions. The Tostitos Fiesta Bowll will host the Big 12 champion and the Nokia Sugar Bowll will host the SEC champion. If one of those teams is ranked number one or two in the BCS standings at the end of the season, the BCS game scheduled to host that team will select a replacement from a list of eligible teams. This year, the Orange Bowl will be held on Jan. 4, 2005, in Miami, Fla., at Pro Player Stadium. It will take the No. 1 and 2 ranked teams in the BCS. Then the other BCS games—the Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Sugar Bowl—will make their selections. Finishing the season in the top six in the BCS standings ensures a BCS bid. Teams must finish in the top 12 in the BCS to qualify for an at-large bid. - Edited by Janette Crawford Chiefs use yellow tape to mellow out KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In an amusing twist to a possibly demoralizing controversy, the Kansas City Chiefs found yellow caution tape surrounding back Larry Johnson's locker yesterday. The same tape that is used to rope off disaster sites stretched about six feet into the room in front of the stall of Johnson, who had blasted the organization the day before. A former 2003 first-round pick who has been complaining about being third team, Johnson was furious on Tuesday that he was not traded by the NFL deadline. was already under strain. And it worked. Players coming in from practice roared at the joke. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Johnson insisted the tape was an idea that he and backlash Tony Richardson hatched together to try to lighten the situation for a 1-4 Chiefs team that "We're just having fun about it," said Johnson. "I told T-Rich we should do something, just be dumb about it, and that's what we did." BY JENIFER SHER jsher@kansan.com KANSAN SPORTWRITER The Jayhawk football team takes on the Oklahoma Sooners Saturday at noon. It has been two years since these teams faced each other and four years since the Hawks went to Norman, Okla.' This will also mark the first meeting between the teams since coach Mark Mangino left Oklahoma as the offensive coordinator. Editor's note: Each Thursday Kansan sportswriter Jennifer Sher will profile a recreational hot spot. If you know of a fun or interesting place or activity, e-mail jsher@kansan.com. The Jayhawks needs support, and with midterms winding down, it's the perfect time to gather friends and take a trip to Norman, Okla., to support the 3-3 Jayhawks. The Sooner's home field, another Memorial Stadium, is located in the heart of the campus. There is a lot to do in Norman outside the football stadium, but you'd better get there early. What sets Oklahoma's pre-game apart from Kansas' the wet campus. "It is crazy here. There is beer everywhere," Brak Hanson, Oklahoma University senior said. "People set their tents up days before the game to stake claim, and those who do not have tickets continue partying throughout the game." Campus Corner, an area of restaurants and shops just off campus, is generally lined with beer stands, and down the street is Louie's, a bar owned by Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. For the second weekend in a row, a Kansas team will serve as a homecoming opponent. Last weekend the soccer team spoiled Oklahoma State's homecoming. "Our football tradition is so rich, it is one of the best parts about being a Sooner," he said. This is one reason why Kansas students are choosing to make the trip to Norman. "I heard the OU stadium is amazing," Cohen said. "The Jayhawks are having a pretty good season, so we all decided to meet some friends down there and have a fun weekend." The Sooners' Memorial Stadium holds more than 82,000 people. After its recent $65 million expansion and renovation, it is one of the largest campus sports facilities in the nation. Karin Cohen, Plymouth, Minn., junior, will be driving there with her friends. After watching the game in Memorial, Hanson said the place to be is O'Connell's behind the stadium for a beer and burger. For night time activity, dress to impress on Campus Corner. This is where the nightlife takes place in a fashionable style. The crowd looks dressed for an evening at a nice restaurant. Every school has unique aspects, which is why former Kansas student Ryan Call, originally from Wamego, is going. "We are going for the tradition of OU football, which is similar to ours in basketball," Call said. "Plus it is always fun to see other college towns." After celebrating a Kansas victory, fans can crash at one of the lodging facilities near campus and Campus Corner, including a Days Inn, La Quinta or sooner Motel. Even without tickets, the five hour drive is well worth it, especially to see a school with rich football tradition and a great pre-game party. Just make sure that Rock Chalk Jayhawk is heard over the sounds of Boomer Sooner. Edited by Jon Ralston