Hlas’ AP Top 25 ballot for Week 12

[PlannedSickDays]

http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2009/11/22/hlas-ap-top-25-ballot-for-week-12

[Edgecrusher7711]

http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/the-hlog/2009/11/22/hlas-ap-top-25-ballot-for-week-12

If someone runs into this guy sometime just punch him in the face.

[Mr. Hawk]

will do.

[Wild Onion]

I moved 10-2 Penn State ahead of 10-2 owa by a spot. Yes, yes, yes, Iowa beat Penn State at Penn State. In September. And yes, yes, yes, Penn State was lousy at home against Ohio State, a team the Hawkeyes gallantly fought to overtime.

But we’ve got 12 weeks of material to work with here now, people. Penn State won six Big Ten games by double-digits and five by 18 or more points. It steamrollered Michigan State at East Lansing Saturday.
How can any thinking person write these two paragraphs? It baffles me.

[PipeDaddy]

I moved 10-2 Penn State ahead of 10-2 owa by a spot. Yes, yes, yes, Iowa beat Penn State at Penn State. In September. And yes, yes, yes, Penn State was lousy at home against Ohio State, a team the Hawkeyes gallantly fought to overtime.

But we’ve got 12 weeks of material to work with here now, people. Penn State won six Big Ten games by double-digits and five by 18 or more points. It steamrollered Michigan State at East Lansing Saturday.
How can any thinking person write these two paragraphs? It baffles me.

I don't agree with him on this point, but I understand the dilemma. I face the same dilemma whenever I ask myself how good this Iowa team is. In my opinion they aren't as good as last year, they definitely aren't as good as 2002, and may not be as good as 2003.

They are the most difficult team to pin down and categorize that I remember in my lifetime as a Hawkeye fan. Sometimes frustratingly so.

[Wild Onion]

You're making it far more complicated than it needs to be.

[PipeDaddy]

You're making it far more complicated than it needs to be.

Not necessarily.

Given the crappy system that we have right now for determining a "champion", you have to try to determine who is the better team based upon the entire season's work. Now, style points aren't the most important factor in that, but let's be honest here - they do matter in determining how good a team is. Iowa struggling with Arkansas State at home isn't really very impressive. Iowa struggling and flat out getting lucky to beat UNI at home isn't really impressive. And Iowa's wins at Michigan State and Wisconsin are a bit diminished now as opposed to when they happened. And Iowa, deservedly to some degree, has suffered in the polls because of it.

The frustrating part is that there are other teams that don't suffer the same fate when they should.

So while I don't agree with Hlas, I understand the dilemma. That said, he's still a moron. Iowa beat Penn State at Penn State. We beat Penn State on a neutral field 7 times out of 10 this season (when healthy).

[Edgecrusher7711]

You're making it far more complicated than it needs to be.

Not necessarily.

Given the crappy system that we have right now for determining a "champion", you have to try to determine who is the better team based upon the entire season's work. Now, style points aren't the most important factor in that, but let's be honest here - they do matter in determining how good a team is. Iowa struggling with Arkansas State at home isn't really very impressive. Iowa struggling and flat out getting lucky to beat UNI at home isn't really impressive. And Iowa's wins at Michigan State and Wisconsin are a bit diminished now as opposed to when they happened. And Iowa, deservedly to some degree, has suffered in the polls because of it.

The frustrating part is that there are other teams that don't suffer the same fate when they should.

So while I don't agree with Hlas, I understand the dilemma. That said, he's still a moron. Iowa beat Penn State at Penn State. We beat Penn State on a neutral field 7 times out of 10 this season (when healthy).

They played a tougher schedule with 4 hard road games. They have the same record. They beat them at their place. No, really it's not that hard.

[nolookpass]

what an idiot. Iowa has the same record as PSU, played a tougher scheule and beat them head to head-but PSU is better?

no wonder print is dying with guys like him writing.

[Mr. Hawk]

what an idiot. Iowa has the same record as PSU, played a tougher scheule and beat them head to head-but PSU is better?

no wonder print is dying with guys like him writing.
And guys like Pipedaddy eating it up.

[Edgecrusher7711]

what an idiot. Iowa has the same record as PSU, played a tougher scheule and beat them head to head-but PSU is better?

no wonder print is dying with guys like him writing.
And guys like Pipedaddy eating it up.

I think with the BBall team being horrible people like Pipe are just bored and are over analyzing things to fill time until next fb season.

[PipeDaddy]

what an idiot. Iowa has the same record as PSU, played a tougher scheule and beat them head to head-but PSU is better?

no wonder print is dying with guys like him writing.
And guys like Pipedaddy eating it up.

Yeah, I'm eating it up. That's clearly what my posts here are saying.

[scottsdalehawk]

if iowa had 3 losses then i could see his point. with the records being the same and iowa winning at penn st, it really makes no sense.

[Aloha Mr. Hand]

It makes perfect sense because PSU scored 5 2d half TDs in East Lansing!

[Gushawk]

There is no defensible argument that PSU "deserves" to be ranked higher than Iowa or to go to a BCS bowl more than Iowa. There may be a defensible argument that a BCS bowl wants PSU more than Iowa.

I'm sensing the national college football media is starting to try to set the stage that a BCS bowl picking Penn State over Iowa is okay because it is arguable who deserves it more. They will, of course, be utterly full of shit.

This will be part of a subtle, though perceptible push to get Joe Pa another BCS game because the talking heads view it as a more interesting (and watched) matchup. They will say stupid things like "PSU is playing better or a better team right now" (despite the fact that Iowa's will be back to full strength by a bowl game) in the hope of influencing the selection committees in Tempe and Miami.

And in the end, it will be okay if PSU is picked over Iowa, not because they deserve it more (only a moron could think that), but because outside of the championship game the BCS isn't about picking the teams who deserve it most. Unfortunately, the folks who cover college football are almost universally incapable admitting that fact and earnestly discussing it. It's as if they fear that bringing it out in the open will somehow be an indictment of the system and threaten to bring it down.

[Edgecrusher7711]

There is no defensible argument that PSU "deserves" to be ranked higher than Iowa or to go to a BCS bowl more than Iowa. There may be a defensible argument that a BCS bowl wants PSU more than Iowa.

I'm sensing the national college football media is starting to try to set the stage that a BCS bowl picking Penn State over Iowa is okay because it is arguable who deserves it more. They will, of course, be utterly full of shit.

This will be part of a subtle, though perceptible push to get Joe Pa another BCS game because the talking heads view it as a more interesting (and watched) matchup. They will say stupid things like "PSU is playing better or a better team right now" (despite the fact that Iowa's will be back to full strength by a bowl game) in the hope of influencing the selection committees in Tempe and Miami.

And in the end, it will be okay if PSU is picked over Iowa, not because they deserve it more (only a moron could think that), but because outside of the championship game the BCS isn't about picking the teams who deserve it most. Unfortunately, the folks who cover college football are almost universally incapable admitting that fact and earnestly discussing it. It's as if they fear that bringing it out in the open will somehow be an indictment of the system and threaten to bring it down.

QFMFT. I don't care if they choose Iowa. Just don't tell us it's because they deserve it more. Or they have a better resume. There is no reasonable argument for putting PSU above Iowa. It's just retards jacking each other off at this point.

[PipeDaddy]

There is no defensible argument that PSU "deserves" to be ranked higher than Iowa or to go to a BCS bowl more than Iowa. There may be a defensible argument that a BCS bowl wants PSU more than Iowa.

I'm sensing the national college football media is starting to try to set the stage that a BCS bowl picking Penn State over Iowa is okay because it is arguable who deserves it more. They will, of course, be utterly full of shit.

This will be part of a subtle, though perceptible push to get Joe Pa another BCS game because the talking heads view it as a more interesting (and watched) matchup. They will say stupid things like "PSU is playing better or a better team right now" (despite the fact that Iowa's will be back to full strength by a bowl game) in the hope of influencing the selection committees in Tempe and Miami.

And in the end, it will be okay if PSU is picked over Iowa, not because they deserve it more (only a moron could think that), but because outside of the championship game the BCS isn't about picking the teams who deserve it most. Unfortunately, the folks who cover college football are almost universally incapable admitting that fact and earnestly discussing it. It's as if they fear that bringing it out in the open will somehow be an indictment of the system and threaten to bring it down.

Good post.

[MikeyJoe]

Couple HaLo posters representing in that comments section.

[Gushawk]

Be leery hawk fans. Alot of "experts" are going to piss on your shoes and try to tell it's raining in the next couple weeks. It's sad that Hlas is among them.

[RiotFan]

Be leery hawk fans. Alot of "experts" are going to piss on your shoes and try to tell it's raining in the next couple weeks. It's sad that Hlas is among them.

Sad yes. But its not unexpected with this guy.

[funnelcake]

good stuff gus

[Edgecrusher7711]

He replied with more stupidity...

I admit I may have been overly taken with how Penn State obliterated Michigan State at East Lansing yesterday and not overwhelmed with Iowa's play in three of its last four games.

After 12 weeks, there are other criteria than just head-to-head, especially when that head-to-head was in September, not November. Would you rank USC ahead of Cal or Ohio State today given how the last month of the season has played out for those teams? Would you rank Houston ahead of Oklahoma State, when the Cowboys are 6-1 in the Big 12 with only a loss to Texas while Houston lost to UTEP?

But the only poll that matters is the final one, and Iowa will secure a high place if it wins. I've voted Iowa ahead of Penn State in every poll from Week 4 through Week 11, and if I think Iowa had a better season than Penn State (or Ohio State) after the bowls, that's where I'll vote it.

[Gushawk]

Someone with an account should explain to him why these are all terrible analogies:

After 12 weeks, there are other criteria than just head-to-head, especially when that head-to-head was in September, not November.

Would you rank USC ahead of Cal or Ohio State today given how the last month of the season has played out for those teams?

USC has lost more total games than both those teams, sparky.

Would you rank Houston ahead of Oklahoma State, when the Cowboys are 6-1 in the Big 12 with only a loss to Texas while Houston lost to UTEP?

Actually, I probably would rank 1 loss Houston ahead of 2 loss OSU, given that Houston beat them head to head on the road. But let's it was a 2-loss Houston team vs. 2-loss OSU team. OSU probably would get the nod due to, and only due to, it's tougher subsequent schedule and better subsequent wins. PSU holds no such advantage when it comes to Iowa...if anything, Iowa's subsequent schedule has been considerably tougher.

Dude is a ritard.

[MikeyJoe]

Someone posted it, Gus.

[ivan_drago]

Fuck Hlas. He fucking sucks.

[Edgecrusher7711]

Fuck Hlas. He fucking sucks.

We should thank God their poll no longer matters. Now if we could just kill the coaches poll too.

[Gushawk]

Someone posted it, Gus.

Lol. He did get "me" on the Houston has lost twice, which admittedly I hadn't realized. Good thing I argued that one in the alternative.

[Edgecrusher7711]

Someone posted it, Gus.

Lol. He did get "me" on the Houston has lost twice, which admittedly I hadn't realized. Good thing I argued that one in the alternative.

Now people are just piling on. I'm sure he'll ignore the rest.

[MikeyJoe]

Someone posted it, Gus.

Lol. He did get "me" on the Houston has lost twice, which admittedly I hadn't realized. Good thing I argued that one in the alternative.
I edited it so it made the same argument but acknowledged the 2 losses.

[Mr. Hawk]

College football needs to establish a commission of experts (probably between 10-15 people) that have proven resumes and knowledge of the game. All must have played or coached, and they should be removed if they're playing gay favorites. All must watch and review most of the games each week.

It is BEYOND ridiculous to have newspaper writers deciding who goes to the national championship game.

[Edgecrusher7711]

The need to establish a commission of experts (probably between 10-15 people) that have proven resumes and knowledge of the game. All must have played or coached, and they should be removed if they're playing gay favorites. All must watch and review most of the games each week.

It is BEYOND ridiculous to have newspaper writers deciding who goes to the national championship game.

Yeah but it might be even worse that the "coaches" do. Talk about not watching the games. And they're obviously biased. If you're the Florida coach/SID of course you're going to give advantages to the rest of the SEC because it only makes you look better. It just goes to show the utter-stupidity of this system.

[Mr. Hawk]

That's why it should be former players and coaches, and the regions of the country should be represented proportionally. And, you get thrown out if you get caught playing games.

[Edgecrusher7711]

That's why it should be former players and coaches, and the regions of the country should be represented proportionally. And, you get thrown out if you get caught playing games.

Agreed. Of course they'd probably start with Lou Holtz, Jesse Palmer, Craig James...

[Edgecrusher7711]

Mikey's bringing some thunder in that thread.

[L. Wade Childress]

i find it hard to believe that a JVB-led iowa team would win @ PSU right now.

[RiotFan]

i find it hard to believe that a JVB-led iowa team would win @ PSU right now.

I find it hard to believe that a JVB led Iowa team would take OSU in OT at the 'Shoe right now.

[L. Wade Childress]

my point is that only W's count

[MikeyJoe]

A funny comment on one of his other columns:

"The Hawkeyes have gone 29 games without losing a game by a double-digit margin."

Pretty impressive, indeed.

Penn State, for example, has gone only two games without losing a game by a double-digit margin. In fact, Penn State has lost two games by double-digit margins this season, both at home, including 21-10 against Iowa.

Yet, inexplicably, you rank Penn State ahead of Iowa.

[blacklespaul]

I think we need to play up how we both matched up against OSU in back to back weeks. Iowa takes it to OT with its back up QB and PSU looks like PU.

[Mr. Hawk]

i find it hard to believe that a JVB-led iowa team would win @ PSU right now.

I find it hard to believe that a JVB led Iowa team would take OSU in OT at the 'Shoe right now.pwn3d

[nolookpass]

it cracks me up to see all you armchair writers weighing in. Until youve ate crappy food in the pressbox, lugged your typewriter up and down the bowels of Kinnick Stadium and been asked by Al Grady to "pull my finger", you have no idea how complex writing a column is. I know most you guys, and your writing experience is limited to posting anonymously on websites. You dont know what decision led Hlas to write this column..maybe his dog ate his first column, maybe his wife had PMS and he had to run to Wal Mart to get her some chocolate so she could sleep. The average poster here has no clue what goes into column writing decisions.

[MikeyJoe]

it cracks me up to see all you armchair writers weighing in. Until youve ate crappy food in the pressbox, lugged your typewriter up and down the bowels of Kinnick Stadium and been asked by Al Grady to "pull my finger", you have no idea how complex writing a column is. I know most you guys, and your writing experience is limited to posting anonymously on websites. You dont know what decision led Hlas to write this column..maybe his dog ate his first column, maybe his wife had PMS and he had to run to Wal Mart to get her some chocolate so she could sleep. The average poster here has no clue what goes into column writing decisions.
P.W.N.E.D.

[PipeDaddy]

it cracks me up to see all you armchair writers weighing in. Until youve ate crappy food in the pressbox, lugged your typewriter up and down the bowels of Kinnick Stadium and been asked by Al Grady to "pull my finger", you have no idea how complex writing a column is. I know most you guys, and your writing experience is limited to posting anonymously on websites. You dont know what decision led Hlas to write this column..maybe his dog ate his first column, maybe his wife had PMS and he had to run to Wal Mart to get her some chocolate so she could sleep. The average poster here has no clue what goes into column writing decisions.

:rotf:

[MikeyJoe]

Updated comment on his blog:
In a capsule - and hopefully the entire post shows up here eventually - you make good, rational arguments that would be hard to argue against even if I were so inclined. Next week, my ballot may look different.
Internet: 1
Mike Hlas: 0

[L. Wade Childress]

i find it hard to believe that a JVB-led iowa team would win @ PSU right now.

I find it hard to believe that a JVB led Iowa team would take OSU in OT at the 'Shoe right now.pwn3d

riiiiight. a loss is a loss dude. just because JVB played above expectations doesnt mean that he played exceptionally well.

[HawkLax6]

I could only imagine MikeyJoe if Hlas came on here to explain his reasons and messed up the quote function.

[PipeDaddy]

I could only imagine MikeyJoe if Hlas came on here to explain his reasons and messed up the quote function.

And used apostrophes incorrectly.

[RiotFan]

I find it hard to believe that a JVB led Iowa team would take OSU in OT at the 'Shoe right now.pwn3d

riiiiight. a loss is a loss dude. just because JVB played above expectations doesnt mean that he played exceptionally well.

:rollfloor:

[Gushawk]

Updated comment on his blog:
In a capsule - and hopefully the entire post shows up here eventually - you make good, rational arguments that would be hard to argue against even if I were so inclined. Next week, my ballot may look different.
Internet: 1
Mike Hlas: 0

Good for him. Being able to admit his error shows he's not all bad.