From: mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers)
Subject: Re: Schmidt Computer Rankings through 8-Dec
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 00:31:33 GMT

In article <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 think NO is ranked lower because of the strength of their schedule.
>>>Strange how NO with a better record against weaker opponents is behind
>>>Philly, but Dallas with the same record against tougher opponents is
>>>behind SF.  Something isn't right here.

>>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.  Measure close enough and you'll
always find something.  It's up to human judgement where the noise level
begins.  I'd say that the last two weeks ought to be called a toss-up.
(Though next week might be a bigger spread.)

>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.

>>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.  I'd
find such a tool *very* useful if I were still handicapping, but I
wouldn't expect it to produce a definitive ranking from 1-28.

>>                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.

>>BTW, Gordon, do we have a bet?

>Nope.

Schmart man.
-- 
Michael Zimmers                                    |  Home:  408 996 1984
SoftHelp                                           |  Work:  408 996 1965
Software Solutions for Open Systems                |  Data:  408 996 1974
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