August 31, 2010 · 12:37 PM

Regression to the mean by any other name

From Pat Forde’s column today:

… Here are 10 wild cards that could alter the predicted course of the season between now and January:

… Georgia turnover margin (27). Bulldogs were a putrid minus-16 in that department last year. They recovered exactly two fumbles, which is why Willie Martinez is now coordinating elsewhere, and Bulldogs QBs threw 17 interceptions. Some of the turnover margin is aggressiveness on defense and some of it is prudence on offense — and some of it is just luck. After never having a year anywhere near that bad in turnover margin, Mark Richt is due for some better bounces this time around. If Georgia gets back into plus-turnover margin on the season, it could well win the SEC East.

At least.

(By the way, make sure you catch Forde’s note about former Vanderbilt coach Woody Widenhofer – one of the weirder “where are they now?” stories you’ll see.)

7 Comments

Filed under Georgia Football, Media Punditry/Foibles

7 responses to “Regression to the mean by any other name”

  1. Dog in Fla
    August 31, 2010 at 12:57 PM

    “Woody Widenhofer”

    It’s good work if you can get it plus you get to wear this as a jersey http://www.cintas.com/_images/company/news_media/press_releases/Shirt2.JPG

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  2. Rocketdawg
    August 31, 2010 at 1:16 PM

    I met Coach Widenhofer when he was Vandy’s coach and I was living in Nashville. He seemed like a very nice guy and his defenses were really really good. They almost beat Notre Dame in Nashville one year on a Thursday night to open the season mostly on the strength of the Defense. I wonder if he is doing this by choice or if he can’t get another coaching job.

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    • Dog in Fla
      August 31, 2010 at 1:49 PM

      No idea but do recall that Woody’s ouster at end of 2001 season was helped along by our good friend Steve:

      “Steve Spurrier knows how to pour it on.” Nov. 3, 2001, Gainesville, Florida (Ticker) —

      Rex Grossman passed for 306 yards and three touchdowns as
      third-ranked Florida rolled to a 71-13 Southeastern Conference
      rout of Vanderbilt.

      Spurrier, one of the nation’s most aggressive coaches, did not
      hold anything back. In the fourth quarter with his team ahead
      71-0, the Gators were still throwing the ball all over the
      field.

      “I don’t really like these kind of games,” Spurrier said.

      http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101307/101307427.htm

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  3. W Cobb Dawg
    August 31, 2010 at 3:41 PM

    Ya know, the dawgs are getting a lot more love from the press now that we’re poised to kick-off. Are cooler heads prevailing? Or are they hedging their bets?

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