Does it matter when polls (BCS or otherwise) are released? If so, when is the best time to release them? Why?
I still can't get it through my thick head why it matters WHEN the polls are released. Friends have told me that releasing them later, as the BCS does, leads to better end rankings. (If they get it wrong in the beginning they can't correct it.) Since we see changes in every poll regardless of the week or time of year, I don't see why not ranking teams throughout couldn't be just as accurate.
Georgia started out last season ranked ~19, lost their opening 2 games and dropped out of the polls, but climbed back in (reaching #18 in week 9, I think). In the end, everyone saw Georgia roughly the same way. Along the way the polls gave mirrowed what we all thought of them; A team with potential, who started out heading the wrong direction, but righted the ship and realized much of its potential through the season. "Day One" polls didn't get this wrong.
I had one friend who suggested that polls should only be released when seeding for the Plus One or BCS NCG came about. Instantly I thought of all the character of the game that woudl be lost. Hearing a September game billed as "#6 Oregon vs #8 Ohio State" sounds better than "Oregon (2-0) vs Ohio State (2-0)". Ranking enable some to be earn being "Impressive", while No Rankings allow "So Far, So Good" at best.
I still can't get it through my thick head why it matters WHEN the polls are released. Friends have told me that releasing them later, as the BCS does, leads to better end rankings. (If they get it wrong in the beginning they can't correct it.) Since we see changes in every poll regardless of the week or time of year, I don't see why not ranking teams throughout couldn't be just as accurate.
Georgia started out last season ranked ~19, lost their opening 2 games and dropped out of the polls, but climbed back in (reaching #18 in week 9, I think). In the end, everyone saw Georgia roughly the same way. Along the way the polls gave mirrowed what we all thought of them; A team with potential, who started out heading the wrong direction, but righted the ship and realized much of its potential through the season. "Day One" polls didn't get this wrong.
I had one friend who suggested that polls should only be released when seeding for the Plus One or BCS NCG came about. Instantly I thought of all the character of the game that woudl be lost. Hearing a September game billed as "#6 Oregon vs #8 Ohio State" sounds better than "Oregon (2-0) vs Ohio State (2-0)". Ranking enable some to be earn being "Impressive", while No Rankings allow "So Far, So Good" at best.
