When we last spoke with you, it was undecided whether we would present football ratings for 2011-12. At the time, there was no end in sight for the NFL lockout, and we were head strong in support of boycotting the college football season as a show of opposition to the post-season bowls.
In July, as our gardens became tumbleweeds in the oppressive heat, we had some extra time on our hands to discuss just what we would do this year. Upon further review, we have decided to issue our college ratings as usual, but only after we make a special post concerning the bowl games. That will come next week.
As for the NFL, it will be at least three to three and a half weeks before we can update the ratings due to the tight window of wheeling and dealing. We will not be able to offer an in-depth preview of each NFL division like in past years—it will just be ratings and a brief synopsis of how we see the races and playoffs. We will offer a brain-teasing trivia quiz dedicated to those 50 and over who remember the NFL/AFL at its best—in the 1950’s and 1960’s. For those not gifted with gray hair or hairlessness yet, you just might learn some very interesting facts that you can spring on your friends at your local watering hole. Some will be very tricky indeed.
Beginning August 15, we will begin previewing the college conferences. Here is the schedule for those conference previews:
Monday, August 15:SunbeltConference
Tuesday, August 16: Mid-American Conference
Wednesday, August 17: ConferenceUSA
Thursday, August 18: Western Athletic Conference
Friday, August 19: Independents
Monday, August 22: Mountain West Conference
Tuesday, August 23: Big East Conference
Wednesday, August 24:AtlanticCoastConference
Thursday, August 25: Pacific 12 Conference
Friday, August 26: Big 12 Conference
Monday, August 29: Southeastern Conference
Tuesday, August 30: Big Ten Conference
We realize that about 15% of you reading this are fans ofVanderbiltUniversitydown inNashville, who followed our founder when he wrote for Vanderbilt Athletics. We also realize that about 35% of you reading this are residents of the great state ofWisconsinor Badger fans living in the hinterlands. Thus, on August 29, there will be expanded coverage of the Vanderbilt Commodores, and on August 30, there will be expanded coverage on the Wisconsin Badgers, as they compete for the first Leaders Division title and another conference championship in the exciting, expanded Big Ten.
Check back next week for an all-inclusive post about how you can boycott the bowl sponsors and help bring about a post-season playoff. We have a fresh way of satisfying both the bowls and a playoff at the same time. To those that have heard our proposal, we have received 100% approval of our idea. Check back next week for that idea.
The Pi-Rate Ratings 