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: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 00:12:30 GMT

<1992Dec13.025144.11262@netcom.com> mzimmers@netcom.com (Michael Zimmers) :
><1992Dec11.185756.11680@coopsol.com> gordons@coopsol.com (Gordon Storga) :
>><3100@devnull.mpd.tandem.com> dwelch@mpd.tandem.com (Dan Welch) said:
>>><1g35nhINNhv7@gap.caltech.edu> schmke@cco.caltech.edu (Kevin Todd Schmidt) :
>>>>Rank Team                      Points  Record Sch. Str.  Last Week   Change
>>>>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>1    San_Francisco             80.873  11-2-0  70.320  (  2,  80.080)  +1
>>>>2    Dallas                    79.867  11-2-0  70.896  (  1,  80.192)  -1
>
>>>Much as I hate this part, I have to agree with it.  Dallas has to show
>>>something in Washington this week to really prove their status as contenders.
>
>>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.

>>>>3    Philadelphia              79.679   8-5-0  73.570  (  3,  79.208)  +0
>>>>4    New_Orleans               76.889  10-3-0  70.423  (  4,  77.235)  +0
>
>>>I also don't see putting Philadelphia ahead of New Orleans.  The Saints'
>>>defense is playing unbelievably well right now -- they look like the Eagles
>>>of last year.  Their offense has also picked it up recently.  If they can
>>>get over their San Francisco jinx, they are as likely to make the Super
>>>Bowl as anybody.
>
>>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?

>This is consistent with intuition.  It's *very* difficult to make a case
>for either team being a cut above the other.  Favoring the Niners is an
>incredible offense; favoring Dallas is a slightly better defense (which
>I personally find to be more important than offense).
>
>Second, the Niners are 4-1 against teams I'd call very good.  And the
>difference in the two teams' schedule difficulty isn't that large.

Well, two things in their favor is that the 9ers don't have Aikman or
Johnson.

>Anyway, this is only a tool (though a pretty good-looking one) and it's
>doing its job.  

What job is that?

>                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.

>BTW, Gordon, do we have a bet?

Nope.


Gordon
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