ESPN Journalism Really Sucks

Submitted by FauxMo on

OK, this is maybe (probably) not thread-worthy, but this just shocked me in its shoddiness, especially since it was so clearly designed to undercut UM's worthiness in the CFP. This is in the lead CFP story on ESPN.com right now: 

"The Crimson Tide is 8-0 heading into Saturday's game at LSU. Clemson is also 8-0 after coming from behind to beat Florida State last Saturday in Tallahassee. Michigan (8-0) beat Michigan State last week, but has played only one ranked opponent all season (a 14-7 win at Wisconsin)."

Yeah, we have also played Penn State and Colorado, which are currently ranked in AP, Coaches and the initial CFP. Plus, our game with Wisconsin was not AT Wisconsin... 

 

MGoBoard

SLS

November 1st, 2016 at 7:36 PM ^

I believe that their criteria for a "ranked opponent" is that they were ranked when you faced them- in that case, they're correct.

I still think ESPN is shitty though.

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FauxMo

November 1st, 2016 at 7:48 PM ^

Who cares if they were ranked when we played them? If they got ranked AFTER we played (and beat) them, it almost will always mean (and does, in this case) that they went out and beat almost everyone else they played except us. It's a silly perspective... 

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LSBlue

November 1st, 2016 at 8:13 PM ^

The experts who make good money talking about this care. Still, this week, Wiscy is getting credit for beating a "top 10" MSU team. This wasn't even on ESPN, it was on the B1G network of all places. Folks need to remember why these cats are paid(and coached what to talk about according to Danny Kannell himself)what they are...to talk about this stuff in any way possible to promote as much "discussion" as possible.

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FrankMurphy

November 1st, 2016 at 8:15 PM ^

But that's an idiotic criteria. What really matters is how many teams you've beaten that are CURRENTLY ranked. There are plenty of overrated teams that are ranked on opening weekend and get exposed as they shit the bed over the course of the season (e.g., Notre Dame pretty much every other year). I think Michigan is the only team that has defeated three opponents that are CURRENTLY ranked (Wisconsin, Penn State, Colorado). That alone should put us ahead of Clemson. 

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ChiCityWolverine

November 1st, 2016 at 8:36 PM ^

I think we're the 2nd best team in the country, but Clemson also has three wins over Top 25 CFP teams (#7 Louisville, #9 Auburn, and #22 FSU). Two of those were on the road. I like the fact that Michigan has dominated most of their opponents, while Clemson has scraped by in many weeks. It doesn't bother me to see them at #2 now though. We have more chances to boost our profile in Columbus and (potentially) Indy. If M wins out, the #2 spot will be ours. 

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M Ascending

November 2nd, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^

Hey, if it's hot in Arizona, I would almost prefer to wear the white uniforms.   Am I right to assume that both teams get to bring the same number of players on the travel squad, regardless of who is designated the home team?  (Not like regular season?)

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Tony Soprano

November 2nd, 2016 at 7:01 AM ^

Louisville needed a score in the closing seconds just to beat a 2-5 Virginia team.  I don't think Louisville is all that good, so giving Clemson so much credit for beating them is just plain wrong.  Not to mention, NC State's missed 30-something yard field goal gift to Clemson - that should have a loss for Clemson, which needed overtime to get the lucky win.  

BTW, who remembers Florida's Urban Meyer campaigning for his team to get in the championship game in 2007 over Michigan because while Florida did lose a game, it was a loss in overtime, which he considered only "half a loss".  So, using that logic, Clemson has half a loss. 

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BuckNekked

November 2nd, 2016 at 6:32 AM ^

The fact they werent ranked 'when we played them' is the problem. SEC and ACC bias gets their teams ranked highly in meaningless preseason polls before anyone knows who is good and who is not. LSU, FSU, Tennessee have all been shown to be borderline fraudulent. Early wins against those teams boost other marginal southern teams. Just look how long an Ole Miss team with a losing record stayed in the top 15.

In the meantime teams like Wisconsin, PSU and Colorado recived little respect early but have shown they are damn good football teams. Early wins against these teams, blowouts versus PSU and Colorado, do nothing for Michigan yet these three teams are all top 15 in the initial rankings. 

I love the fact the playoff committee waits until week 8 for their initial rankings but when they say the AP and coaches poll dont factor in to their rankings I call bullshit. They absolutely do when the same southern bias shows in their rankings.

 

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Canadian

November 1st, 2016 at 7:48 PM ^

This is so stupid. If that's how you want to look at it then Sparty has as many top 25 wins as Michigan. Hate the "they were top 25 when the game was played" argument unless there was a major injury after the game was played (ie heisman hopeful qb who got hurt later leading to a collapse).



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TIMMMAAY

November 1st, 2016 at 7:38 PM ^

I gave up reading and watching ESPN (except for live games, of course) in all of its forms a few years ago. I have not missed it in any way whatsoever.

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not TOM BRADY

November 1st, 2016 at 7:39 PM ^

The only knock on our schedule is that we played one true road game and that was in the state we play in. All the resume talk is pointless. Win the big ten and we are in. Can't lose in Columbus. "Can't do it." - Mike Singletary.

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DrMantisToboggan

November 1st, 2016 at 7:39 PM ^

David Pollack insisting our game with Colorado was a nail-biter despite us outscoring them 38-7 in the final 3 quarters. He's always been a huge sack of hot air. 

 

LeBatard saying Peppers plays many positions but plays them forgettably. 

 

Heather Dinich speaking. 

 

ESPN doesn't give a rip about journalism quality.

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bo_lives

November 1st, 2016 at 8:26 PM ^

That should clue us in on how informed he actually is.

Outside of Alabama, the SEC's best OOC win this year was Georgia sqeaking by the mighty 6-2 Tar Heels. After that comes Arkansas's dominating performance against 4-4 TCU. There is just no way to justify having two SEC teams in the top 4. If they're going to do that we might as well not even have a CFP. We can just hand the MNC to the winner of the SEC West.

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Wolverine Devotee

November 1st, 2016 at 7:43 PM ^

Dienhart is doubling down on his tweet and is getting torched by everyone. 

Dienhart is Rutgers right now.

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DrMantisToboggan

November 1st, 2016 at 7:51 PM ^

We think TAMU is a good team. Tennessee is mega-butt. USC may not be butt at the end of the year, but they were on mega-butt on fire at the beginning of the year. 

 

Alabama is the best team in the country right now. But, let's not annoint them until they play LSU and Auburn and the #4 team in the playoff. They haven't played a brutal schedule.

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