[SeattleTree]

National perception. As CornFed has said, when one's stock rises in the national perception, one starts getting the benefit of the doubt.  That benefit of the doubt can help a team be ranked higher, get more coverage on ESPN, get more attention for Voldemort candidates, etc.  You have to beat the teams that are perceived as strong nationally to be perceived that way yourself. Perception of Stanford would have risen more if Stanford had beaten tOSU in the Rose Bowl than if Stanford beats Iowa. They will be expected to beat Iowa and perception will go down if they lose. That's what I meant by a no win situation.

I'm thrilled Stanford is going to the Rose Bowl and I'll be there. I just think they deserved tOSU as the opponent.

Let me ask it this way: which game do you think people nationally are more excited to see, the Rose Bowl (Stanford - Iowa) or the Fiesta Bowl (ND - tOSU)? 

[SeattleTree]

National perception. As CornFed has said, when one's stock rises in the national perception, one starts getting the benefit of the doubt.  That benefit of the doubt can help a team be ranked higher, get more coverage on ESPN, get more attention for Voldemort candidates, etc.  You have to beat the teams that are perceived as strong nationally to be perceived that way yourself. Perception of Stanford would have risen more if Stanford had beaten tOSU in the Rose Bowl than if Stanford beats Iowa. They will be expected to beat Iowa and perception will go down if they lose. That's what I meant by a no win situation.

I'm thrilled Stanford is going to the Rose Bowl and I'll be there. I just think they deserved tOSU as the opponent.

Let me ask it this way: which game do you think people nationally are more excited to see, the Rose Bowl (Stanford - Iowa) or the Fiesta Bowl (ND - tOSU)?