From: gordons@netcom.com (Gordon Storga)
Subject: Re: Schmidt Computer Rankings through 8-Dec
Organization: Gizmonic Institute - Home of the "Super G Burger"
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 06:57:38 GMT

<1992Dec14.003133.4531@netcom.com> mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers) writes:
><1992Dec14.001230.2393@netcom.com> gordons@netcom.com (Gordon Storga) writes:
>><1992Dec13.025144.11262@netcom.com> mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers) :
>>><1992Dec11.185756.11680@coopsol.com> gordons@coopsol.com (Gordon Storga) :
>>>>If I read the "rankings" correctly above, why does Dallas need to prove
>>>>they are contenders.  They've compiled the exact same record as SF against
>>>>tougher competition.  It would seem that SF is the one who needs to prove
>>>>themselves.
>
>>>Get the chip off your shoulder, Gordon.  The only thing that either team
>>>has to prove is that they can knock the other off, in addition to the
>>>lesser teams on the road to the Big Party.
>
>>Then why have these rankings at all, Mike?  Heck, if that's all they have to
>>prove we don't need all these stats anyway.
>
>If you're looking for a numerical system to tell you which of those two
>teams is better, you're going to have to build it yourself.  Prepare to
>spend some time on it.

I did not post those numbers nor was I looking for a humerical system.  I
merely commented on their apparent inconsistent use of logic.

...
>>>In the first place, notice how close the Niners and Dallas are?  That,
>>>along with the fact that they've reversed positions from the previous
>>>week, tells me that the system isn't really able to determine a ranking
>>>on them.  
>
>>But, it did determine a ranking on them.  What are you talking about?
>
>It came up with a numerical difference.

Mike, re-read the original post.  It was a *ranking*, hence the subject of
this post.

>>Well, two things in their favor is that the 9ers don't have Aikman or
>>Johnson.
>
>I don't believe my ears.  Aikman, OK, but it's pretty harsh.  But you're
>knocking the guy who brought them back from 1-15 to the class of the 
>league in three seasons?  Man, you NFC East fans are brutal.

It's easy to excuse poor decision making and performance when a team has
little talent. When a team has as much talent as Dallas has and manages to
lose two games to inferior personnel (Rams, and not so much the Redskins)
I'm a little less forgiving.

>>>Anyway, this is only a tool (though a pretty good-looking one) and it's
>>>doing its job.  
>
>>What job is that?
>
>To give a rough indication of team strengh so that we can apply our
>judgement and intuition to make final estimates for ourselves.  

Gosh, you mean it's a *ranking* system?

>>>                I've got a pretty good feeling that Dallas and the Niners 
>>>are going to square off in about a month; that will end the discussion
>>>(except for the sore losers) once and for all.
>
>>Not unless Aikman gets hurt so we can get Beuerlein back in there.
>
>Don't be so sure.  If the season ended today, the Bowboys get a bye, then
>they'd take on the winner of the Vikings-Deadskins (right)?  They ought
>to be able to handle that at home.

I'm not that confident.  They lost to the Rams at home too.  If Dallas had
won this one I might have been more confident of their post-season
performance, but where other teams are peaking Dallas seems to be fading.

>>>BTW, Gordon, do we have a bet?
>
>>Nope.
>
>Schmart man.

I don't bet.  Make what you will of it.


Gordon
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