Southern Miss!

[GatorGrad]

Our run to Omaha ended tonight in Gainesville after we choked away a 6-1 lead to give up three runs in the 8th and lose 7-6. A heartbreaking loss, but you couldn't help but appreciate this Southern Miss ballclub. They came in as a #3 seed and beat GaTech twice in the Atlanta regional, and then beat Florida twice in the Gainesville Super Regional to reach their first College World Series. Can they do what Fresno State did last year?

Too bad we will not see anything like Southern Miss or Fresno State (baseball) or George Mason (basketball) happen in football anytime soon. Not with only two "playoff" spots and such an emphasis on human polls. It's a shame really. As upset as I was about the loss tonight, I have to admit that as a college sports fan, I do appreciate what SMU just accomplished and will be rooting for them in Omaha.

[Blue Hen]

You're a good college sports fan, GG. We might put UVA's run with USM's. The Cavs, although having won the ACC tournament, get sent out to the toughest regional, get by college baseball's phenom pitcher and projected #1 draftee( Strassburg), win the regional, get sent down to Oxford , Ms and win the super regional. I'll be pulling for both CWS 'first timers'- UVA & USM.
Anyway, still no sign of poll voters interferring with the competition, and it's been dramatic competition to say the least. If college baseball had a moronic BCS type system wouldn't Florida and Cal-Irvine have been 'voted' directly into the championship game/series ? I think they were at the top of the polls at seasons end, weren't they ?

[NCT]

Anyway, still no sign of poll voters interferring with the competition, and it's been dramatic competition to say the least. If college baseball had a moronic BCS type system wouldn't Florida and Cal-Irvine have been 'voted' directly into the championship game/series ? I think they were at the top of the polls at seasons end, weren't they ?

I suspect if the poll voters knew they were selecting the championship series or game at the time of the last poll, they'd have voted for some combination among UC-Irvine, Texas, and LSU. Votes are different when selecting championship game participants.

[MasterBevo]

In the last "voter's poll", Texas WAS ranked #1... but, Texas Christian doesn't seem to be convinced yet.

You know... I never really thought about the BCS crap in this context before... but, you guys have nailed it here: We're all sports fans. As such, you learn to deal with '"losing"... it happens. There's always someone out there who plays better today.. Just ask Rafeal Nadal.

What's hard to take is: never having the chance to play for it because you lost a beauty contest.

[TommyTrojan]

You're a good college sports fan, GG. We might put UVA's run with USM's. The Cavs, although having won the ACC tournament, get sent out to the toughest regional, get by college baseball's phenom pitcher and projected #1 draftee( Strassburg), win the regional, get sent down to Oxford , Ms and win the super regional. I'll be pulling for both CWS 'first timers'- UVA & USM.
Anyway, still no sign of poll voters interferring with the competition, and it's been dramatic competition to say the least. If college baseball had a moronic BCS type system wouldn't Florida and Cal-Irvine have been 'voted' directly into the championship game/series ? I think they were at the top of the polls at seasons end, weren't they ?

Strasburg may be the #1 prospect, but Mike Leake from Arizona State is 16-1 with an era of 1.36 !!! :eek:

It'll be fun watching those two stud pitchers from UNC/ASU face off on Sunday.

[GatorGrad]

You're a good college sports fan, GG. We might put UVA's run with USM's. The Cavs, although having won the ACC tournament, get sent out to the toughest regional, get by college baseball's phenom pitcher and projected #1 draftee( Strassburg), win the regional, get sent down to Oxford , Ms and win the super regional. I'll be pulling for both CWS 'first timers'- UVA & USM.

UVA might have been the "most screwed" team in the history of NCAA Tournaments. The selection committee took this UVA team, who had won the ACC Tournament (#1 conference if I am not mistaken) and finished #6 in the RPI, and not only didn't give them a national seed, but they didn't let them host a regional. Then instead of at least keeping them on the east coast, they send them across the country to face the #1 pitcher in the country. Then they send them to Ox. I really didn't understand that. That has to be the biggest screw-job in selection committee history.


If college baseball had a moronic BCS type system wouldn't Florida and Cal-Irvine have been 'voted' directly into the championship game/series ? I think they were at the top of the polls at seasons end, weren't they ?

Not Florida. We were the #8 national seed and honestly I was shocked. Several other teams deserved it more than we did, especially UVA (see above rant.) I wasn't complaining of course and it probably helped us beat Miami twice to get to the supers. But we proved that we didn't belong by losing two games in a row at home to SMU. Just like UVA proved that they did belong by overcoming their tough draw and winning on the field.

[HellYeahHokie]

Perhaps its because UVa ended its season by losing 2 out of 3 to Virginia Tech, a failure apparently too great to overlook by the NCAA.

I won't overlook it though. :)

[Blue Hen]

As you can see the host teams for the regionals and super regionals have beautiful and relatively large stadiums and lots of fans to fill up those seats. The NCAA is still in the sports business and that , unfortunately, factors in when pairings and hosting is announced. It is a definite factor in the D1 national football championship and that bothers me somewhat. It's not fair. Power teams like UMass and national champ, Richmond ,never get to host playoff games.........small fan base and dinky stadiums.

[Blue Hen]

Those Oregon State teams that won back to back championships would never have been 'voted' into the finals. Those back to back Florida national basketball champs would never have gotten the opportunity to compete for a championship if pollsters decided who plays and who doesn't. It goes on and on...every sport. You just can't decide who gets to compete for national titles with 'opinions'. YA GOTTA LET them PLAY !!!!! The only opinion or vote that should count is the scoreboard's. The BCS is greatest pox in sports history.

[MasterBevo]

well... Texas is the last team to punch their ticket. This team sure seems to have a flair for the dramatic.

It gets weird watching the sons of former players (some of whom I knew) now playing. That make a guy feel really old! ;-)

GO HORNS!!! Should be a very interesting CWS. Some powerhouse, legacy tradition teams... and, some very good, very deserving new-comers.

We get Southern Miss first!

[GatorGrad]

Too bad we didn't get a Florida-Texas matchup (had we beaten Southern Miss.) That would have been a rematch of the 2005 National Championship Series when Texas won two games to none. I think Texas wins it all this year too.

[Blue Hen]

Fullerton-UNC-LSU can do it also

[GatorGrad]

Hen, if you had to put money on one team, who would it be?

[Blue Hen]

Well, playing the percentages I guess I'd have to take the Pac10 team (Ariz St.) since P10 teams have won 42 % of all CWS played....but I have no idea GG. I think it's wide open. If forced who do you take ?

[MasterBevo]

First: I make no claim of objectivity... and, what I know about the other teams, I've only learned in the past two weeks...

But, I like our chances. Texas has a team that is built on pitching and defense. That's the kind of team that has brought us titles in the past.

With this kind of team, it's ALWAYS exciting.. since, the metal bats give the hitters such a big edge. NO LEAD, of any size is safe in NCAA baseball... ever.. period.

But... this team plays solid fundamentals, and doesn't do much to hurt themselves. If we can get in the winner's bracket... with the days of rest...I think this pitching staff can get the job done. This first game is crucial!

[Stumpy Stew]

Like Hen, I don't know who will win the CWS. I'd be surprised if S. Miss or Ark. wins it, but not shocked. All the teams have strengths and weaknesses and are playing good ball right now. I'll be pulling for Carolina to win it. They've got good pitching again this year and are playing good defense and their bats exploded in the Super Regional.

And this is one of the things I want to attend one year, the CWS. I'd love to go and spend the entire time out there, watching baseball players playing for the love of the game and a NC.

[Blue Hen]

Me too, stumpy. I want to get out to Omaha before I get too old. This might be the premier college sports event.

[GatorGrad]

I would have to go with Texas.