4B
SPORTS
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2007
》 SPORTS POLLS
Auburn student says fans' votes matter
top picks
> FansPoll Top 10:
1. LSU
2. USC
3. Florida
4. Oklahoma
5. West Virginia
6. California
7. Texas
8. Wisconsin
9. Louisville
10. Penn State
AP Top 10
1. USC
2. LSU
3. Oklahoma
4. West Virginia
5. Florida
6. Texas
7. Wisconsin
8. California
9. Louisville
10. Ohio State
USA Today Coaches' Polls
2. LSU
3. Florida
4. West Virginia
5. Oklahoma
6. Texas
7. Wisconsin
8. California
9. Louisville
10. Ohio State
FansPoll.com recognizes crowds' favorite college teams
BY THOR NYSTROM
tnystrom@kansan.com
George Brown was just like any other outraged Auburn football fan at the end of the 2004 season. The Tigers, 12-0 and perfect through the rugged Southeastern Conference, were
100,000 people around them that buy the hot dogs and the tickets and currently don't have a say?
bypassed for a spot in the national championship game by USC and Oklahoma. Brown decided to do something about it, creating FansPoll.com, a site that allows fans to pick a national champion.
"What about the fans? What about the 100,000 people around them that buy the hot dogs and the tickets and currently don't have a say?"
A prognostication contest throughout the season determines the committee of fans who will ultimately name the FansPoll national champion. Every week, the site selects 10 college
GEORGE BROWN FansPoll.com creator
B r o w n
described his
Photo courtesy of FansPoll.com
invention as an alternative to the Associated Press and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' polls.
football games.
Registered users pick the winners of those games.
At the end of the year, Brown said this gives the site an idea of who are the most qualified fans. They are then put on a selection committee.
"The way we see it is the third element that has been missing," Brown, Auburn University junior said. "At Neyland Stadium on a given Saturday, Phillip Fulmer is coaching and the reporters are covering the game. They have a say in the rankings. What about the fans? What about the
tee selects the National Champion along with about 20 other awards, such as Quarterback of the Year and Coach of the Year.
The commit
with cumulative ratings from other schools, to remove bias.
The site has a weekly Top 25 poll that works like the-Electoral College. When users first register, which is free, they are prompted to select their favorite college team. Top 25 poll votes are taken from each fan of each team and combined
But even the site's creator doesn't think voting is the ideal way to crown the national champion.
George Brown, creator of the college football fan's poll, presents the FansPoll.com national championship trophy to Florida's head coach Urban Meyer after last season. Brown said he would like his award to be recognized with the same prestige as the AP and BCS awards.
"The only thing that is fair is a playoff system." Brown said. "Everyone agrees on this, but until someone who has the power does, you won't have a playoff system."
Brown said in the future he'd like to see FansPoll.com rankings alongside the AP and Coaches' polls.
"I absolutely believe that it has the potential to get there," Brown said. "We have established our credibility. Fans know what they are talking about."
Cory Buckingham, Littleton, Colo., junior, said he could accept a fan's poll next to the traditional rankings.
"I like it in addition to but not in place of the AP and Coaches' polls," Buckingham said. "I think fans probably use too much emotion in their voting, but the coaches and writers are set in their ways. Those two polls still have USC at number one, and I don't agree with that."
FansPoll awarded Auburn the national championship in 2004, Texas in 2005, and Florida in 2006. Brown personally gave the Fanspoll.com
People's National Champion trophies to Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville and Florida coach Urban Meyer.
Brown began the site as a high school senior.
"I have always been a huge fan of college football," Brown said. "It's something that is a big part of people's lives. I know it's just a game,
but it is something that we take seriously. And I think we deserve to play a part in it."
Buckingham grabbed the opportunity to play a part. He said he would rank the Jayhawks 25th in his first poll.
— Edited by Meghan Murphy
NFL
Belichick apologizes for sideline spying scandal
BY JIMMY GOLEN ASSOCIATED PRESS
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — This
videotape needs no interpretation: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick walked out of his news conference Wednesday when pressed repeatedly about the sideline spying scandal that landed him on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's crowded docket.
was apologizing for his actions or the distraction it has caused his team as it prepares for Sunday night's marquee game against San Diego.
Life is calling How far will you go?
Ten minutes before his regular availability, Belichick issued a one-paragraph statement apologizing to
with the media, Belichick grimly refused to respond to a half-dozen questions about the scandal, possible punishments and the potential effect on his team. Begging for a football question, he seemed ready to abort the news conference after just a few minutes at the podium.
But if he thought — or even hoped — that the standing-room crowd of media was there to talk about the Chargers, he failed to prepare in the manner that has made him one of the most successful coaches in the history of the leaue.
his team and confirming that he has spoken to Goodell about an "interpretation" of league rules that ban videotaping of the opposing sideline.
"Although it remains a league matter, I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players," Belichick said. "Following the league's decision, I will have further comment."
Peace Corps Information Session Tuesday, Sept 18 7-8:30 p.m. Kansas Memorial Union Kansas Room (6th floor)
"Any questions about the Chargers?" he pleaded in his standard, other-things-to-do monotone. "Want to talk about the football game? If not, I think that statement pretty much covers it."
or contact
Heather Sutter
110 Burge Union
785.864.7679
peacecorps@ku.edu
It was not clear whether Belichick
peacecorps.gov
It appeared that there were none, before one reporter asked about Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
The prospect of defending against the reigning NFL offensive player of the year is not the sort of thing that usually cheers up opposing coaches.
But Belichick smiled.
"I think the Chargers are a concern. Their football team is a concern. That's what were concerned about," he said. "Whatever happens out there Sunday night, out there on the field, that's when everybody will make their statement."
After another 15 minutes of football questions, though, the subject returned to the spying scandal.
NFL security confiscated a video camera and tape from Patriots video assistant Matt Estralla on Sunday when he was working on the New York Jets' sideline during New England's 38-14 victory. The league has confirmed that it is investigating whether the Patriots were taping the Jets' defensive coaches as they signaled to players on the field.
"Is there any other question on the Chargers?" Belichick said before walking out. "OK. Yep. That's all. OK. Thank you."
Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, a co-chairman of the NFL's competition committee, said the league is trying to keep technology from overtaking the game.
"If they are in fact found guilty of this, it only shows that the steps the league has taken are good steps," Fisher said. "There's no place for it. Everybody clearly understands the rules. The competition committee's responsibility is to protect the integrity of the game. With technology the way it is right now, things could get out of hand in a matter of weeks if we don't protect the integrity of the game."
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