From: davem@uvmark.uucp (Dave Meeks)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Re: AP Top 25 (Was Re: Miami Can Not Be Denied!!!)
Date: 13 Oct 92 18:28:02 GMT
Article-I.D.: uvmark.1992Oct13.182802.36785
Distribution: usa
Organization: Vmark Software, Inc.

In article <1992Oct13.132230.2261@u.washington.edu> echen@hardy.u.washington.edu (Ed Chen) writes:
>
>Why do I get this feeling that if Miami had smashed AZ 45-0 or something you
>guys would be exclaming how good a measuring stick this common opponent is?
>
>IMHO, the common opponent IS a more valid data point than "We've beaten the
>#3,7...& you the #12, 21 23 (or something)".  Eventhough not much better.
>
>Last year Miami beat AZ in AZ by a score of (from memory) 29-3.  UW beat AZ
>at UW 54-3 (or was it 0?).  In that case, IMHO, there were no significant
>information from it - both teams crushed AZ.  This year, if the GAME (not simply
>the final score) between UW & AZ is also really close (say within 7 points - 
>AZ still in the game in the last 4 mins), then same thing could be said, no
>significant info.  But if UW beats AZ handily in AZ - then I do believe there
>is valid point in arguing UW is better than Miami.  Now, Just to Show My 
>Objectivity (JSMO), if AZ beats UW in a close game - no info, but UW will
>drop from #1 contention & Miami deserves the #1 (note this still doesn't
>give any data as which team is better).  If AZ crushes (no way!) UW, then
>the data indicates Miami is much better than UW. 
>
>There is obviously a lot of variables - but this is college football - you
>have to wave you hands a little.....

Yes, but this is reality, and you need a check up.  Last year, both Miami
and Washington played Nebraska.  Going into the 4th quarter, Nebraska had
a lead, but lost a close game.  Miami played them and absolutely demolished
them, 22-0.  Someone mentioned that Nebraska never even threatened.  I can't
remember whether they came close to scoring, but, they didn't.  So tell us,
Mr. Ed...   Are you now in total agreement that Miami deserved the MNC all
by itself??  After all, Miami beat the tougher teams (higher ranked), they
beat more bowl-bound teams, and they beat Nebraska MUCH more convincingly
then Washington did...  If you want to talk about such things as "data 
points", then Washington obviously did not deserve any part of last years
MNC.  

As another point of "your argument doesn't hold...", 
Washington State is 5-0, and they beat Arizona (in Arizona), 23-20.  Therefore,
they MUST be the much better team, right??  Of course, Oregon St. TIED 
Arizona, so Oregon St is ALMOST as good, right???  And then, UCLA got beat,
so UCLA must be much worse.  

Another example..  California travelled to Purdue.  They got beat 41-14...
A 27 point advantage.  The way I look at it, in comparing Washington and
Purdue, you have "one data point", the Cal game.  Cal travelled to Washington
and the final score was what???  Did they beat Cal by 27 points??  If not,
by your reasoning, it is obvious that Purdue is better than Washington.

Ready to admit your mistake yet, or not???
-- 
David T. Meeks                    ||" We are jigsaw pieces, aligned on the 
VMark Software, Inc.              ||  perimeter edge, 
uvmark!davem@merk.com             ||  interlocked through a missing piece"
davem%uvmark@merk.com             ||" ...This world is totally Fugazi"