re: Bret Beilema #1 coach to boost BCS chances for a School according to study.

quote:

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In part two of our analysis we looked at incremental participation rates in BCS bowl games (not just the BCS championship). Our approach was similar as in the winning percentage analysis and used the same set of predictor variables. On this metric, the top performer was Bret Bielema. Bielema’s record includes taking Wisconsin to the last three Rose Bowls. In terms of percentages, we find that with Bielema in charge, Wisconsin improved their rate of BCS bowl participation by 28%. It looks like Arkansas made a great choice! In positions two through five we have Chris Petersen, Bob Stoops, Frank Beamer and Urban Meyer. And where does Coach Saban fall? Just behind Urban Meyer in 6th place.

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Wisconsin doesn't go to a BCS bowl last year if either Penn State or Ohio State had not been on probation...so, by their logic, Bielemia's ability to get Arkansas to a bowl game would be diminished in a conference where every team is bowl eligible. Either that or they believe that solely by his presence, the liklihood that two SEC West teams will not be bowl eligible is increased.

If you take into account that Wisconsin went to the Rose Bowl in 2010 because of Big 10 rules, then his stock drops further. Michigan State had the same record (both in conference and overall), and won the head-to-head match-up...but the Big 10 sends the highest ranked team as their BCS representative. In the SEC, the winner of the head-to-head matchup gets the nod in post-season play...so, in the SEC...Bielema would have only gone to 1 BCS game, instead of 3.

So, where it is true that Bielema raised Wisconsin's chances of participating in a BCS bowl, the same relative performance within the guidelines and history of the SEC would have resulted in a 66% lower BCS bowl participation.