🏈 Message for ESPN, Kannell, Joey, & the rest of poor predictors

[RollllTide!]

 

[rick4bama]

I don't know which is the most funniest the goat or the kids laughing!!!

 

[RollllTide!]

I don't know which is the most funniest the goat or the kids laughing!!!

it made my day. And Finebaum just had one of those asshats on and let him say BAMA had the number two class without a challenge.

 

[Trob]

it made my day. And Finebaum just had one of those asshats on and let him say BAMA had the number two class without a challenge.

Well, Finebaum is an ESPN employee and Bama did have the #2 class according to ESPN. I get where you're coming from but why would he, as an employee, publicly trumpet another company's rating system over the one that's paying him?

 

[TerryP]

Well, Finebaum is an ESPN employee and Bama did have the #2 class according to ESPN. I get where you're coming from but why would he, as an employee, publicly trumpet another company's rating system over the one that's paying him?

I don't remember what show it was on (SECN) where I heard him say the same thing—almost verbatim—and mention how other sites had the team ranked.

 

[Trob]

I don't remember what show it was on (SECN) where I heard him say the same thing—almost verbatim—and mention how other sites had the team ranked.

Perhaps, but maybe some of the higher ups had some words for him after he did that too, who knows? I sure don't. I'm just saying, if I'm endorsed by Nike I do myself no favors by telling people how good Adidas is. 247, Rivals and Scout are all owned by rival sports/media networks so it seems to make sense(to me) that Finebaum would toe the company line as much as possible and not muddy the waters too much about who had who ranked where.

 

[TerryP]

@Trob A few years ago there were a group that raised a little hell about ESPN quoting "sources" when it was other news companies/personality's that broke the story. The first one that really caught my attention was Dan Patrick. (This was before his station change a few years ago.)

Since then I've seen their reports cite sources, but they've also been quick to cite other sites as well. It was a marked change in their "editorial" practices in my eyes.

I say that to say this ...

Considering Finebaum's draw for the SECN right now I doubt, seriously doubt, they'd say something about him mentioning how 247 has a team/player ranked. That would come across as petty much like it did with their sources controversy. I just can't see them making that mistake.

My suspicion is there's already been calls into his show questioning their rankings. It wouldn't surprise me to hear of someone pointing to Lugs as a member of an Auburn family—literally—and that influencing rankings. Hell, if it's happening on message forums ...

 

[RollllTide!]

Well, Finebaum is an ESPN employee and Bama did have the #2 class according to ESPN. I get where you're coming from but why would he, as an employee, publicly trumpet another company's rating system over the one that's paying him?

Only for integrity, so I guess your right. If the other three services had us at number two then I could get it, but go on ESPN site and read their explanation of how they decide. Politics Politics and more Politics based on their opinion of how each player ranks. It is funny that most of the players with Ohio state ranked higher with them and it still didn't get them to number one. I just don't understand why there is such an ESPN bias against the SEC. The SEC network is paying them profit. In my opinion they are just a bunch of Yankee know it alls that is just envious of what we have in the south but just can't cope with it.

 

[TerryP]

I just don't understand why there is such an ESPN bias against the SEC. The SEC network is paying them profit. In my opinion they are just a bunch of Yankee know it alls that is just envious of what we have in the south but just can't cope with it.

A few things here...

ESPN has full ownership of the network. It's ESPN paying the SEC with a portion of the revenue.

When you have three SEC teams in the top five of the ESPN rankings, how can there be a bias against the SEC?

 

[RollllTide!]

A few things here...

ESPN has full ownership of the network. It's ESPN paying the SEC with a portion of the revenue.

When you have three SEC teams in the top five of the ESPN rankings, how can there be a bias against the SEC?

At first you would be correct, but read this article about how they make their decisions. It has a lot of grey area without explanation.

How we determine our class rankings
Jan 31, 2013

"Tom Luginbill & Craig Haubert & Billy Tucker
A combination of factors are considered when we sort through the teams and come up with our class rankings.

There is a formula that is used that takes into account our grades and position rankings to guide us when evaluating each program, but it is only part of the process. Working strictly off a mathematical formula can present a short-sighted view and our focus has always been on the program's big picture. Quantity doesn't always mean the same as quality because, simply put, having a big class does not always equate to a high ranking.

Similarly, having the same quantity of a prospects at a certain star range doesn't always equally compare. When looking at classes, we look at more than just how many stars a prospect might have and take into account their numerical grade as well. For example, a class with a group of three-stars who grade out at 78 and 79 is going to carry more weight than a class with an equal amount of three-stars but who are mainly in the 72-73 range.

While looking at commits and player rankings are key, there is a human element to the game of football and there is also a human element to the class rankings as well. In addition to utilizing a formula, we also place an important emphasis on roster examination as well. After looking at the rankings of players picked up, we also examine how a program addressed its needs, recruited in advance of early NFL departures and if it brought in players whose strengths found during film study fit the team's schemes and philosophies.

The key thing to remember is we won't truly be able to tell how good a class is for a few years, but in the here and now, we feel our approach is the only fair way to evaluate and immediately rate a class."

In other words ESPN has their own beliefs not based on general facts that the other three reporting services use like the ranking of the 5 stars, 4 stars, 3stars, etc. It is ok that they have their bias, I just want everyone to recognize it. It also permeates into other sports. It is just like the liberal media favors one party over another. They are in my humble opinion liberal sports media that can't accept the dominance of the SEC.

 

[TerryP]

In other words ESPN has their own beliefs not based on general facts that the other three reporting services use like the ranking of the 5 stars, 4 stars, 3stars, etc. It is ok that they have their bias, I just want everyone to recognize it. It also permeates into other sports. It is just like the liberal media favors one party over another. They are in my humble opinion liberal sports media that can't accept the dominance of the SEC.

There isn't a site that doesn't have their own beliefs and feelings affect their rankings. There were several who publicly said they'd adjust the way they ranked players when they weren't invited to join the 247Sports venture. You'll find those people on Rivals. Every evaluator out there has their opinion and belief—many swayed by allegiances.

However, ESPN's model is set up just like the others with a few minor adjustments.

This season the ESPN rankings had nine, five star players. FSU, with the number one class in their rankings, had one. Alabama did not. Both teams had the same number of players in the ESPN 300.

The five star prospect on ESPN is graded on a scale of 1-100; they finish between 90-100 on their grading scale. They consider this type of prospect to be rare, not one that contributes immediately but a player that has an impact, immediately. Your All-American, your three and out kind of guy.

Chew on this one ... ESPN's 300 had nine, five stars ... 291 four stars.

I do realize that Lugs has his thing. But, I don't see it as a big deal this season or with ESPN, at all. Their think tank assumes where players are going to fit on depth charts is one of their biggest blunders with Saban recruited teams: see Lugs on Derrick Henry.

 

[JoshB]

The notion that ESPN is "biased" AGAINST the SEC is just silly...

 

[UAgrad93]

There isn't a site that doesn't have their own beliefs and feelings affect their rankings. There were several who publicly said they'd adjust the way they ranked players when they weren't invited to join the 247Sports venture. You'll find those people on Rivals. Every evaluator out there has their opinion and belief—many swayed by allegiances.

However, ESPN's model is set up just like the others with a few minor adjustments.

This season the ESPN rankings had nine, five star players. FSU, with the number one class in their rankings, had one. Alabama did not. Both teams had the same number of players in the ESPN 300.

The five star prospect on ESPN is graded on a scale of 1-100; they finish between 90-100 on their grading scale. They consider this type of prospect to be rare, not one that contributes immediately but a player that has an impact, immediately. Your All-American, your three and out kind of guy.

Chew on this one ... ESPN's 300 had nine, five stars ... 291 four stars.

I do realize that Lugs has his thing. But, I don't see it as a big deal this season or with ESPN, at all. Their think tank assumes where players are going to fit on depth charts is one of their biggest blunders with Saban recruited teams: see Lugs on Derrick Henry.

Where they fit on the depth chart and whether a team met needs is the real head scratcher. They are simply assuming that player A will best help the team at position A as opposed to where the staff has built the relationship telling the kid where they best see him making it to the next level.

 

[RollllTide!]

The notion that ESPN is "biased" AGAINST the SEC is just silly...

I am just silly as $hit. That koolaid will give you heartburn.