Abolish the coaches' poll!

Jim Tressel abstains from voting in the final poll. Let's talk about it.

Here is the primary problem:
“We are disappointed with coach Tressel’s decision, but our oversight role does not grant us authority to compel his participation,” USA Today’s managing editor for sports Monte Lorell said Sunday in a statement. “The agreement with the American Football Coaches Association obligates the panel of coaches to disclose final regular season ballots, without exception.

Coaches are said not to vote, anyway. Some are even on record as saying they have their assistants or ADs fill out ballots every week. And because USA Today stupidly doesn't require any disclosure until season's end, coaches are unaccountable. To think that something so important (at least in this backwards realm) is met with such apathy is truly frightening.

In college basketball, polls are unoffensive because, like any other reasonable sport, college hoops determines their champion on the court. Polls are merely a talking point, nothing more. To that end, they're harmless as they contribute close to nothing when things get hashed out on Selection Sunday.

Honestly, though, don't people realize how demanding and time-consuming life is for a Division I-A college football coach? Doesn't anyone grasp the scope of how impractical an idea it is and how impossible it must be for coaches to rank and grade every team in the country. THEY'RE COACHES. 150 billion hours a week of practice, footage, gameplans, dealing with your "student-athletes" and all the trouble they get into either socially or academically, their own family life, boosters, fundraisers, etc. It is quite literally impossible to concentrate on anything but your team. Maybe you have an idea of how good other teams in your conference or on your schedule are, but come on, what does the ACC representative know about competition in the WAC? They know nothing!

Ah, but here's the rub, people. Here's why Jim Tressel's actions are defensible:

“After consultation with my director of athletics, Gene Smith, and based upon our unique position in the BCS standings, I believe it is only fair that we not participate (in) the final poll,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said in a statement Sunday.

He's right. He's right! As the system stands, Jim Tressel has no business casting a vote in that final ballot. Why? Well, for the same reason that betting among athletes is supposedly taboo: he has insider information that will directly benefit his team. Let's say Tressel voted for Florida, what would the fallout be? Well, I'll tell you. Tressel would've been flayed for dodging a rematch with Michigan, an opponent he barely beat at home. Why would he take his chances at a neutral site? And why would he reward his arch rival with an appearance in the national title game? Bias, bias, bias. Now, let's say Tressel voted for Michigan over Florida. Well, in that case, Tressel already has full knowledge of what the Wolverines are capable of. Maybe a little Big Ten "homer" backlash, too? Definitely. It's lose-lose, no matter which way Tressel goes and remember that this situation is unique because his vote actually goes toward determining who his team will play. He and the Buckeyes will have a perceived edge regardless of which way they voted. Either take Florida because you're afraid of Michigan or take Michigan because they've already shown you all they've got and you're biased towards the Big Ten.

Jim Tressel made the right choice by abstaining because there is no way of eliminating a bias, here. What the hell does Tressel know about Florida? Up until this weekend, they've been completely off his radar! The coaches' poll offers no perspective. Even with full disclosure, how can you prevent a situation like the one Ohio State was presented with this weekend? It is impossible. Yet another reason (number 308, if anyone's counting) why we need a playoff system.

- Side note. While we're ripping on college football and chopping down a coach who actually deserves commendation for his foresight, I think it sucks that out of 207 bowl games, there isn't any room for UofA. Granted, all bowl games except for the championship game are utterly meaningless, but still. I see 8 wins next year for Arizona, though, and a top four finish in the Pac Ten. Bear Down.