The 16 former head coaches in the Master Coaches Survey say they will use their expertise to create a better, more credible, college football poll. But you don’t have to be in the Hall of Fame, they admit, to know Southern California is No. 1.
The MCS released its first poll Wednesday, and USC received all 16 first-place votes from the group that includes former Colorado coach Bill Mallory, Vince Dooley (Georgia) and Bo Schembechler (Michigan).
The top three selections in the MCS mirrored The Associated Press media poll, the USA Today Coaches poll, and the Harris Interactive poll, which also debuted this week. Texas was No. 2 after receiving 15 second-place votes, while Virginia Tech was No. 3.
Each of the 16 coaches in the MCS receives as many as 20 game films on DVD by overnight mail Monday. They study the games and begin to formulate their polls. On Wednesday they have a conference call to discuss the rankings.
“I like the opportunity to get together with these coaches I’ve known over the years and exchange ideas,” Dooley said. “I think the process lends itself to sound judgments and a thorough evaluation of the teams. I think that we do have some credibility.”
Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, Miami, Tennessee and California round out the top 10, with Michigan State, Arizona State, Notre Dame, UCLA, LSU, Alabama, Texas Tech, Virginia, Wisconsin, Boston College, Minnesota, Purdue, Louisville, West Virginia and Auburn completing the rankings.
The goal is to raise the stature of the poll so it will be included as part of the formula that determines the BCS standings.
“That’s something we hope could happen down the road, but I think these coaches just want to be involved in the game again,” former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum said. “Just about everything good that has happened to us has been because of football. This is a chance for us to give something back.”
Georgia: Offensive guard Josh Brock suffered a possible concussion in practice and might give up on his injury-plagued career. Brock was hurt in a scrimmage Tuesday and didn’t practice Wednesday.
“I don’t know if it’s a concussion, but he got dinged enough that he didn’t practice,” coach Mark Richt said, acknowledging the possibility of Brock quitting the team. “I’m sure that’s all being considered.”
Brock played in every game as a freshman in 2002, including three starts for Georgia’s first Southeastern Conference championship team in 20 years.
He missed practice the following spring with a sprained ankle, and battled shoulder problems throughout his sophomore season even though he made 12 starts. Brock underwent shoulder surgery after the season and missed all of 2004 while rehabbing. He returned this season in a backup role.
North Dakota: The Fighting Sioux will remain on the list of college nicknames the NCAA doesn’t want used in postseason play.
The university’s appeal was rejected by an NCAA review committee because it did not have the support of the three federally recognized Sioux tribes of North Dakota, the association said.
“Although the University of North Dakota maintained that its logo and nickname are used with consummate respect, the position of the namesake tribes and those affected by the hostile or abusive environment that the nickname and logo create take precedence,” NCAA vice president Bernard Franklin said.
North Dakota president Charles Kupchella said he would appeal the decision to the NCAA’s executive committee.
“We do understand there are people who would prefer we not use this nickname. There may be even some who say they’re not honored by it,” Kupchella said. “But that certainly doesn’t constitute a test for what is hostile and abusive.”
The school also is considering a lawsuit against the NCAA, Kupchella said.
North Dakota was among 18 schools barred last month from using Native American mascots, logos and nicknames in postseason tournaments. Florida State, Central Michigan and Utah were later exempted because of their support by local tribes.
“It is not at all obvious to us why the NCAA finds the nicknames Chippewas, Seminoles and Utes worthy of exceptions, but somehow Sioux is deemed hostile and abusive,” Kupchella said. “We must press our case.”
Basketball
UCLA sophomore forward Josh Shipp, one of four returning starters for the Bruins, had arthroscopic right hip surgery and is expected to need up to three months for recovery and rehabilitation.
