Computer Rising: Every little bit helps
I’m no expert on the BCS. I don’t know enough to even be dangerous. But after studying the rankings, and getting email pointers from some of my wise readers, I think OU could be in decent shape.
Here’s one reason why. Two computer rankings — Wolfe and Sagarin — still have Texas Tech ahead of OU. I don’t know how that is possible; I think it’s goofy, considering the non-conference schedules, but that’s beside the point.
What is possible is this. Seems to me OU surely would jump Tech in both of those computers, if the Sooners beat OSU at Stillwater. Tech hosts Baylor.
Huge, huge difference in finishing games. Road game against an excellent team, home game against 4-7 Baylor.
It doesn’t take much to swing the tide in the computers. The computers aren’t compiled on a weighted scale. The polls are; in other words, if you’re No. 3 but barely behind No. 2, as Texas is in the Harris Poll, that’s almost as good as vice versa.
But in the computers, point totals aren’t a factor. You’re either No. 2 or No. 3.
Texas is No. 2 at .960, which means the ‘Horns have 96 percent of a perfect score. The Sooners have 90 percent. If every computer ranks you No. 3, you’re at .920. If every computer has you second, you’re at .960.
So gain a little on Texas, leapfrog Tech, and the Sooners have closed the gap.
The human polls will still determine the bulk of the decision, and both OU and Texas could use some voters jumping to their sides.
But the computers will have a say, too.
Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel.
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Who cares about Stoops and his comments about the fans? I was a Sooner long before him and will be long after he’s gone. It’s tempest in a teapot.