This week's observation is about Auburn.
Currently ranked #4 in this compilation, the BCSCG-bound Tigers have enjoyed a positively meteoric rise from the beginning of the season, where they entered the combined ranking at #67, right at the center of the entire FBS pack.
Massey historical compilations for the entire season only go back to the 2002 season.
In that time, until this year, the farthest back anyone had ever started and made it to the BCSCG was in 2010, when one of the teams came up from #30, not nearly as impressive as rising from #67. That team also won the game: Auburn! Other than that year, no one ever started worse than #22 before landing in the big game.
Also in that time, the farthest that anyone came up to finish in the top ten was in 2003, when Miami OH came from #61 to finish at #6. Next closest was 2005 when Penn State climbed from #44 to #3. No other teams in this entire time frame ever started worse than #40 and finished top ten.
Coming from #67 just to land in the top ten is setting a precedent by itself. Playing in the big game is just icing. And if they win?
Currently ranked #4 in this compilation, the BCSCG-bound Tigers have enjoyed a positively meteoric rise from the beginning of the season, where they entered the combined ranking at #67, right at the center of the entire FBS pack.
Massey historical compilations for the entire season only go back to the 2002 season.
In that time, until this year, the farthest back anyone had ever started and made it to the BCSCG was in 2010, when one of the teams came up from #30, not nearly as impressive as rising from #67. That team also won the game: Auburn! Other than that year, no one ever started worse than #22 before landing in the big game.
Also in that time, the farthest that anyone came up to finish in the top ten was in 2003, when Miami OH came from #61 to finish at #6. Next closest was 2005 when Penn State climbed from #44 to #3. No other teams in this entire time frame ever started worse than #40 and finished top ten.
Coming from #67 just to land in the top ten is setting a precedent by itself. Playing in the big game is just icing. And if they win?