Softball Rankings

[overseasbbfan1]

I waited until the most recent polls came out yesterday but have been wanting to comment on this for a few weeks. There is no way the Horns should be ranked below any other Big12 squad, yet the USA Today/NFCA poll has MU, OSU and OU all ahead of us (9th, 11th & 12th respectively, with the Horns 14th). Having MU ranked highest among conference teams is ridiculous (the Tigers are 4th in Big12 standings, 3rd in batting, 5th in pitching and 9th of 10 programs in fielding...Horns are #1 in every category) and almost makes me wonder if this poll is legitimate or taken seriously by anyone. The ESPN/USA Softball poll is better (finally), with the Horns ranked 12th (just ahead of #13 OSU and #14 MU, and behind #9 OU). However the ESPN poll has LSU, a team we beat twice, one place higher than the Horns. And just for the record, we also beat #2 Michigan and #7/8 Arizona State this season, but it is how they have the Big12 squads ranked that makes no sense whatsoever. Pollsters almost always look at conference stats, for obvious reasons, when ranking teams...but you really have to wonder in this case. The Horns lead the Big12 in hitting, pitching and fielding (how often have you seen a program on top in every category), and by a significant margin...we also lead the conference in individual batting and pitching catgegories. Regardless of what happens from this point forward, in the conference tourney or NCAA play, there really isn't any justification for the rankings as they currently stand. I know some will say that polls don't matter but that isn't always the case. On another thread someone wondered whether the Horns might creep up and nab one of the top 8 seeds in NCAA post season play, and I certainly think their performance thus far merits such a distinction....best of luck to the squad in the upcoming conference tourney.

 

[4th_and_18]

Until Texas proves otherwise, they will always be seen as the team that can pitch, but can't score. I know the numbers have been up and I am not saying this is my opinion of the team so don't crucify me on this, but this is how everyone else in the country views Texas Softball. I've read some of the comments on the national message boards and this is the common theme; "Yeah, but they won't be able to score runs for Luna when it counts." When Texas proves them wrong, the polls will work themselves out.

 

[overseasbbfan1]

I won't argue with your point about some people's perceptions but that still has nothing to do with polls, which are based on current performance. There are plenty of teams who have never won a NC including many in the current top 10 or who are ranked above the Horns in the polls. In fact of 27 total NCAA championships, 18 have been won by just two programs. A lot of teams that haven't won a title have also had big name players or were better in a specific area in the past but that has nothing to do with how they are currently ranked. Even if MU or OSU were to make a deep run in post season play and the Horns suffered an early exit that still wouldn't justify the current poll.

 

[4th_and_18]

I agree. The polls suck. When i ask others online why...they tell me Texas can't score. I hope we prove them wrong.

 

[overseasbbfan1]

In reply to:

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[4th_and_18]

what happened against OSU the next day? Like i said before, i'm just playing devil's advocate. This point of view is not necessarily my point of view, but it is shared by many out there; "Yeah, but they won't be able to score runs for Luna when it counts."

There's been a season long discussion on this issue on one message board.
Can LUNA get run support at Texas?

 

[overseasbbfan1]

Yeah it sounds like a few on that board have hidden agendas but that's okay, most of their questions were answered pretty resoundingly this year. Thus far our batting has been every bit as good, and in some instances even better, than our pitching. Overall we have been firing on all cylinders...number one in the Big12 in every team category, top individual hitter and pitcher, and conference champion. And best of all the team is really young and have lots of talent on board for the next several years. No matter what happens from this point forward this season the team has already exceeded expectations by a wide margin...no one expected them to be this good with such a young squad....great job by everyone involved.

 

[torre]

Great comments, overseas. Your comment in another thread about focusing on the present and not the past (Cat's years) is right.

Fans should not worry about rankings/polls worry about the next game, the next inning, the next pitch. This is a great softball team. My only concern is that in the NCAA post season, you normally need more than 1 pitcher.

Hope to see alot of burnt orange in Waco on Thursday.

 

[overseasbbfan1]

At least the NCAA got it right...congrats to the squad on being named the #7 national seed!! Seven conference teams make the field so good showing for the Big12. Horns are the only top 8 seed but MU and OU are 9th and 14th respectively. If we make it out of our regional we might face #10 seed Arizona, or Oklahoma State, for a spot in the WCWS. Well deserved and good luck to the squad in the upcoming tourney!