[Rally]

If I am a coach looking at a schedule with only 8 conference games, and 4 OOC home games against weak teams from the other 5, or worse FCS teams, I would not want to support the narrative that a 2-loss Pac-12 team will get into the playoffs.

I would want to reinforce the idea that 1 loss or undefeated conference champs from the Power 5 should be taken above any 2 loss team with a strong SOS.  After all, a lot of these coaches KNOW they don't have the SOS to make the playoffs as a two time loser.  So yes, Oklahoma over UCLA or Stanford. 

It also does not shock me that collectively 20 coaches would predict that the Pac-12 will teams will knock each other out.  That is a narrative many need to support if they believe they have a chance to be a 1 loss conference champ and/or believe that the Pac-12 champ will have 2 losses.

The Coaches Poll was always a joke anyway.  What D1 coach looks at any team other than the next opponent?  They are a horrible source, and reports are few if any actually fill out the ballot; that falls to SIDs who only have self-interest to guide them.  This poll is no more than that.  If Shaw was a member, how much time do you think he has spent thinking about Oklahoma, Baylor, etc.?

[Rally]

If I am a coach looking at a schedule with only 8 conference games, and 4 OOC home games against weak teams from the other 5, or worse FCS teams, I would not want to support the narrative that a 2-loss Pac-12 team will get into the playoffs.

I would want to reinforce the idea that 1 loss or undefeated conference champs from the Power 5 should be taken above any 2 loss team with a strong SOS.  After all, a lot of these coaches KNOW they don't have the SOS to make the playoffs as a two time loser.  So yes, Oklahoma over UCLA or Stanford. 

It also does not shock me that collectively 20 coaches would predict that the Pac-12 will teams will knock each other out.  That is a narrative many need to support if they believe they have a chance to be a 1 loss conference champ and/or believe that the Pac-12 champ will have 2 losses.

The Coaches Poll was always a joke anyway.  What D1 coach looks at any team other than the next opponent?  They are a horrible source, and reports are few if any actually fill out the ballot; that falls to SIDs who only have self-interest to guide them.  This poll is no more than that.  If Shaw was a member, how much time do you think he has spent thinking about Oklahoma, Baylor, etc.?