re: Record vs Final AP Top 10 teams over the last 20 years

This is an interesting list, but I tend to think that it is of limited value without context. Sorry for the length of this reply, skip ahead to the end if you like.

I'll use Bama as an example. I'm sure there will be heat given, but it's the example I know and the current SEC team most easily understood by opposing fans. I bet you could just as easily use the 20 yr spanned for Florida State or Miami that bridged the 80's/90/00's, maybe Nebraska in the 70's, Oklahoma in the 50's, etc etc.

The problem with this list is that it is a self defeating statistic. Consider the possible population of "final top ten teams" - under the BCS and current playoff scenario, Bama would likely eliminate teams along the way. Giving good teams a loss near the end of the season - likely for Bama - helps REDUCE the amount of "final" top 10 teams in the pool of opponents they played. And in general, Bama is also handicapped because they can't play themselves every year. Conversely, teams that beat Bama get a poll bump UP beyond the value of playing a normal opponent and winning.

Any team that rarely goes to the playoffs (and if so, wins out) will have a natural advantage against final top ten opponents. This fits LSU to a tee. This would mean that they got a handful of wins in their playoff years, but during the regular season, only had to win a few. LSU picked up three wins in this category due to the SEC and national playoffs (guaranteed) and had two chances during the regular season, beating both Florida and Alabama. Basically, they went 5-0 and made the most of every chance they had. Compare to Alabama in 2017 - we won our three playoff games but all other opponents finished outside of the top 10, except Auburn which barely squeaked in at #10, so we went 3-1. LSU finished #18 that year, and Miss St #19, so Bama did not get the benefit of two wins that were actually of high quality..

The word "final" is a very limiting descriptor as well because it severely reducing the number of potential opponents to be considered. Furthermore, this favors mid-to-high level teams that plays a schedule with strong conference opponents. Again, this fits LSU better for opportunities - and especially Auburn, since they annually play LSU, Bama, and Georgia.

Again, I am not exactly pushing Bama in this thread, just using an example I know. I am talking about the process of statistics and available sample population. I would be particularly interested to see the span covering Florida State and their opponents, when FSU under Bobby Bowden finished in the top five for 14 years in a row or something like that.

The bottom line is that...

1) You really can't control how other teams finish in the final rankings other than yourself, and if you go to the playoffs, those teams will be in the final top 10 anyway.

2) Clearly, the statistic is not a measure of overall success - proven in that Alabama does not have the best stat in this category, but they have the most championships.

3) Furthermore, take the top SEC team on this list - LSU. Consider that the SEC is undoubtedly the best conference in the NCAA during this span, with about half the total number of championships - and their best team in this stat has a below .500 percentage?

4) And finally, if a team is a perennial top ten finalist - you can't play yourself on your schedule.

JMHO. Interesting thread, though.

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If it's based on the ranking when the game is played, A&M has 9 wins

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In 20 years. You should not have posted that.

Didn’t LSU have 7 of those last year alone?

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Only one team in the nation has a winning record - Ohio State.

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I cannot help but think Penn State and Michigan being a bit overrated helped out with that. It'd be interesting to see it broken down and incorporate rankings 11-15. A lot of times, those rankings could easily have been top 10 (esp 11 & 12).

I don't understand how they think this is a gotcha.

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I don't understand hoe they think this is a gotcha.

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I don’t understand how you think that we think that this is a gotcha.

It was a simple thread with a few interesting stats involving SEC schools to jumpstart a discussion.

A few Alabama fans couldn’t help themselves and started melting before the discussion got started because Alabama wasn’t in 1st.

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Rip N Lip

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And another melty little bitch appears.

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You started a weak arse thread, crunt. Stick a tampon in your vag and call it a night.

Oh, and print the fricking shirts. Your trophy case is lacking in the last 20 years and even more in the last 30.

RMFT

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Did you get all of the melt out yet? Or do you want to give it another shot?

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I guess pulling a trophy out of your arse once every 10 years in the last 30 seasons is satisfying for a swamp trash taint licker? Enjoy the smell.

RMFT

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Feeling better about your insecurities that this thread triggered yet? Or do you still need to keep going?

You’re nearly there bubba. Let. It. All. Out.

I really want some of those T-shirts. Will pay top dollar and trade two female cousins that are Auburn fans for them T-shirts!

RMFT