MMBSD: Voice of Moderation

"This is the Voice of Moderation. I wouldn't go so far as to say we've actually SEIZED the radio station . . .(http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/)

I want to start off the usual MMBSD with a follow up to a point that the Hitman made about the BCS standing. While certainly the logic of rating is moving up when losses occur no matter what I think its also a function of how the BCS has reified conferences. In other words a school's ranking, shot at the BCS and standards are by in large set based on its conference of origin. Conventional wisdom here plays a roll. Reflexively voters consider close wins and a loss to bottom rung Kentucky ok for LSU as it plays in the SEC. One loss or undefeated Big 12 teams must be better than OSU as the Big 12 is considered a better conference. In this vein a lot of rivalries hatred have been (see SEC solidarity) or should be rethought. While in theory I should rejoice in an Appalachian State victory it merely makes the Big 10 look bad and furthers the conventional wisdom of a down Big 10 making the struggle for a good bowl all the harder for any other Big 10 team.

In that vein tOSU's loss to Illinois wasn't as big of a scissor kick to the head as the Brown's loss was this weekend. The Buckeyes have by in large overachieved as this year's rebuilding of replacing nearly the entire offense has almost surpassed the predicted 3 loss season. A stomping at the hands of the SEC LSU would have set the program back far further and frankly that of the Big 10 (see above) far more than last year's debacle. Would any Big 10 team be given a shot in the future if OSU fell short two year's in a row? In the meantime an OSU victory over that team up North would yield a successful season, a loss merely hitting expectations.

Other Thoughts
I realize its only about half way through a season but can any remember a year where there was so little impact by rookie quarterbacks? None of the top 5 QBs taken have seen the field. In fact outside of Edwards in Buffalo I can't name a rookie QB that has played at all. While retreads like Testaverde or Rattay are given new opportunities even teams like Baltimore whose quarterbacks that can't operate Chinese fire drills have stuck with the known falling commodities rather than turn it over to at least rookie Troy Smith. Is this a trend? Is it just a continuation of conservative coaches becoming even more conservative? I'm all ears if its coincidence or part of a larger trend.

Quick Hits
I'm not sure the difference between Quick hits and Other Thoughts but in any event at the tops of coaches that should be fired Romeo Crennel and Joe Gibbs. I realize earlier I had lay quite and Ninja like in my Crennel Death Watch but RAC struck again in Pittsburgh with his shortcomings playing old favorite that arent getting the job done (Jamal Lewis), making bone head clock management decisions, and pulling a Gibbs going ultra conservative in the second half. The Browns and Redskins can't be elite teams till they have decision makers that have more Browns then a head of lettuce.

Is there any sport that the early part of the season counts less than the NBA? I'm all ears. However the duel trends of Chicago plummeting and Boston soaring bears watching. Apparently The Three Headed monster can play together. Bill Simmons I'm sure has a book ready for publishing if all 3 Boston teams win Championships. He must be stopped. Please...This is the Voice of Moderation here