BY BARRY ALVAREZ
UW Director of Athletics

MADISON, Wis. — I really haven't changed my Sunday routine over the last three years since I've been on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.

In the morning, I'll rank my top 30 teams. In the afternoon, I'll often watch game film. I like to see what people are doing schematically, the type of athletes they have and how they match up.

Every Sunday, I get together with Patrick Herb from our Athletic Communications office for about 90 minutes and we'll go over the numbers — the top five or six areas we feel are the most important.

The interesting thing about analytics is there may be some things that jump out. Like relative scoring offense versus scoring defense and vice versa. Or even starting field position. That type of thing.

I've been asked if I use the eye test maybe more or less than something else available to me. I definitely want to watch the teams play. But I use a combination of things in ranking them.

I'll use numbers to adjust my list or ranking if I think all things are equal.

As a former coach, I also understand that there may be traps in the road for some teams.

After somebody has had a hard game emotionally and physically one week, there's an opportunity for a drop-off the next week. But you still must find a way to win.

I feel very comfortable with my Sunday plan and preparation. You have to have a starting point when you walk into the committee meeting on Monday and you must have a feel for the teams.

All the committee members have been assigned conferences to monitor. Along with Jeff Bower (the former Southern Mississippi coach), I write a report each week on the American Conference.

When Wisconsin comes into play, I'm recused.

We have a suite of three rooms. One is a conference room — our meeting room. Another room is set up for lunch and dinner. A third room is set up to do personal business. I'll take a seat in that room.

While I'm waiting to return to the discussion, I'll normally call the office and check on any messages. Or I'll go over my e-mail.

I'm not recused for any other Big Ten school.

Our meeting will start at about 1 p.m. on Monday and we'll go until 6 or 6:30 p.m. We'll take a half hour to get something to eat. And then we'll go right back at it until usually 7 or 8 p.m.

Then we'll all sleep on it. When we come back on Tuesday morning, there may be things that we want to talk about. Maybe you want to take another look at a team's ranking and strength of schedule.

You need three committee members to ask for a revote. As we go through this two-day process, there's discussion throughout the whole thing. It's not much different from three years ago.

• • • •

One thing was very different last Saturday — my drive from Evanston to Madison.

It was so much more enjoyable to come home with a 21-7 victory at Northwestern.

Ryan Field is a difficult place to play. And the Wildcats were hitting their stride, they were playing well, including during a close loss at Ohio State, a game they could have won.

Once again, our defense was unbelievable. I can't say enough about how well they're playing together as a unit. For our guys to hold them to one touchdown, man, that was impressive.

Especially since they've been rushing for a lot of yards with their tailback Justin Jackson and they have an outstanding quarterback in Clayton Thorson and receiver Austin Carr, who is very good.

But I've said this before and I'll say it again: Jimmy Leonhard has done a great job coaching the back end. I love the way the secondary is playing with so much confidence.

At the end of the game, they still needed two scores and we're challenging five-yard throws. How many times have you seen us backing off and giving them easy things in that situation?

• • • •

It will be good to get back to Camp Randall for Homecoming against Illinois.

It's an opportunity for us to showcase our program and facilities to many of our alums and donors who might make one trip to campus every year and that's on Homecoming weekend.

In fact, I used to tell our guys, "This is the one time that many of our fans will get a chance to watch you in person, so let's go out and play our best for them."

I'm confident that will be the case Saturday.