An interesting tidbit from The Sports Network:
The bullies on the block: At least either co-leading Harvard (7-1, 4-1) or Penn (4-4, 4-1), who meet Saturday in Philadelphia, will have a claim on the Ivy title for the 13th time in the last 16 seasons. The last Harvard-Penn matchup to not directly impact the league title was in 1996.
That's all true but read on . . .
•
Brown's game notes for
Kamis, 08 November 2012
Rabu, 07 November 2012
The history of computerized replay
I still am not a fan of replay in sports, in part because it does not so remove the human element of observation and inference. I am, however, more accepting of the Hawk-Eye system in tennis, which uses a computer model to predict flight-path. On that note, here is a short profile of the man who invented Hawk-Eye.
Listen Up, Listen In
Former Dartmouth linebacker Gordy Quist '02 of the Band of Heathens has written the very sweet Rainstorm Lullaby in honor of his new baby girl. You can listen to it here.
From a TBOH mailing:
This Thursday November 8th at 8PM CST you'll be able to watch Ed and Gordy perform from Gordy's living room on Stageit. The band took a short break in October while Gordy and his wife had their baby, so
From a TBOH mailing:
This Thursday November 8th at 8PM CST you'll be able to watch Ed and Gordy perform from Gordy's living room on Stageit. The band took a short break in October while Gordy and his wife had their baby, so
Maryville @ FerrumGame Preview
And so there is one regular season game left. This game will be meaningful in many ways. For one thing, Ferrum getting a win, guarantees themselves of a conference Co- Championship. (Co-Championship is better than no championship) Secondly, a Ferrum win squarely puts CNU into a must win situation.
While Ferrum handled Maryville last year, this is a much improved Maryville team. They are playing to assure themselves of a winning season, and a win, coupled with a CNU loss would make them part of a three way tie for first place, and considered one of three co-champions.(In that scenario, CNU would get the bid). Maryville is averaging 27 points per game, and for the most part has been successful in holding their opponents in check. They have lost to CNU, and LaGrange in conference. On defense, they have 5 of the top 15 leading tacklers in the conference....6 out of the top 20. Ferrum has 1 in Jatavious Adams at 14th.
This is no cakewalk...They will come in fired up, and with a lot to prove. To them, they cannot get into the playoffs, but they can be a spoiler. Ferrum has a strong team, and needs to remain focused on Maryville. This is the most important game of the year, and without a win, the season ends. Maryville puts their pads away after this game, win or lose, but Ferrum could play on....but only with a win, and some help from Methodist. There must be total focus for the Panthers.
The question has come up as to whether Ferrum may be in contention for an at large bid? There are three pools for the tournament, and at large bids (pools B and C) are awarded by a selection committee
Pool A is made up of teams that win their conference. (Automatic Qualifier teams AQ)
Pool B is made up of teams that are either independent, or their conference does not have an AQ. (This does not apply to Ferrum)
Pool C is made up of other teams that may have just one ot two losses, but did not win their AQ..
There are 32 teams in the tournament, 24 Automatic Qualifier bids, 1 Pool B bid, and 7 at large Pool C bids.
So can Ferrum, if they do not win the conference outright, get a Pool C bid?
Here is the written process from d3football.com
How are the at-large bids determined?
These are the selection (and seeding) criteria:
The following primary criteria (not in priority order) will be reviewed:
• Win-loss percentage against regional opponents.
• Strength-of-schedule (only contests versus regional competition).
- Opponents’ Average Winning Percentage (OWP).
- Opponents’ Opponents’ Average Winning Percentage (OOWP).
• In-region head-to-head competition.
• In-region results versus common regional opponents.
• In-region results versus regionally ranked teams.
If the evaluation of the primary criteria does not result in a decision by the committee, the following secondary criteria (for ranking and selections) will be evaluated:
• Out-of region head-to-head competition.
• Overall Division III won-loss percentage.
• Results versus common non-Division III opponents.
• Results versus all Division III ranked teams.
• Overall win-loss percentage.
• Results versus all common opponents.
• Overall Division III strength of schedule
• Should a committee find that evaluation of a team’s win-loss percentage during the last 25 percent of the season is applicable (i.e., end of season performance), it may adopt such criteria with approval from the championships committee.
New for 2011: When all criteria are equal among teams with undefeated records in the primary criteria, the NCAA Division III Football Committee can use a team’s performance in the previous championship season as criterion.
Additionally, input is provided by regional advisory committees for consideration by the Division III football committee. In order to be considered for selection for Pools B or C, an institution must play at least 50 percent of its competition against Division III in-region opponents. Coaches’ polls and/or any other outside polls or rankings are not used as a selection criterion by the football committee for selection purposes.
While I would say it is possible, I would think it highly unlikely that Ferrum can get in unless it wins the conference outright...There will be many one loss teams ahead of Ferrum, and the Panthers strength of schedule is not strong enough when compared on a national scale.
So I would say that winning the conference is the most likely path to the playoffs, and that starts with beating Maryville.
So we are down to the final week, and that means my final week of predictions...here they are:
This may be the most difficult week to pick...
Maryville 21 @ Ferrum 34
Averett @ NCW
LaGrange @ Greensboro
and.....drum roll!
Methodist @ CNU
Ferrum Panthers are playoff bound...I hope
While Ferrum handled Maryville last year, this is a much improved Maryville team. They are playing to assure themselves of a winning season, and a win, coupled with a CNU loss would make them part of a three way tie for first place, and considered one of three co-champions.(In that scenario, CNU would get the bid). Maryville is averaging 27 points per game, and for the most part has been successful in holding their opponents in check. They have lost to CNU, and LaGrange in conference. On defense, they have 5 of the top 15 leading tacklers in the conference....6 out of the top 20. Ferrum has 1 in Jatavious Adams at 14th.
This is no cakewalk...They will come in fired up, and with a lot to prove. To them, they cannot get into the playoffs, but they can be a spoiler. Ferrum has a strong team, and needs to remain focused on Maryville. This is the most important game of the year, and without a win, the season ends. Maryville puts their pads away after this game, win or lose, but Ferrum could play on....but only with a win, and some help from Methodist. There must be total focus for the Panthers.
The question has come up as to whether Ferrum may be in contention for an at large bid? There are three pools for the tournament, and at large bids (pools B and C) are awarded by a selection committee
Pool A is made up of teams that win their conference. (Automatic Qualifier teams AQ)
Pool B is made up of teams that are either independent, or their conference does not have an AQ. (This does not apply to Ferrum)
Pool C is made up of other teams that may have just one ot two losses, but did not win their AQ..
There are 32 teams in the tournament, 24 Automatic Qualifier bids, 1 Pool B bid, and 7 at large Pool C bids.
So can Ferrum, if they do not win the conference outright, get a Pool C bid?
Here is the written process from d3football.com
How are the at-large bids determined?
These are the selection (and seeding) criteria:
The following primary criteria (not in priority order) will be reviewed:
• Win-loss percentage against regional opponents.
• Strength-of-schedule (only contests versus regional competition).
- Opponents’ Average Winning Percentage (OWP).
- Opponents’ Opponents’ Average Winning Percentage (OOWP).
• In-region head-to-head competition.
• In-region results versus common regional opponents.
• In-region results versus regionally ranked teams.
If the evaluation of the primary criteria does not result in a decision by the committee, the following secondary criteria (for ranking and selections) will be evaluated:
• Out-of region head-to-head competition.
• Overall Division III won-loss percentage.
• Results versus common non-Division III opponents.
• Results versus all Division III ranked teams.
• Overall win-loss percentage.
• Results versus all common opponents.
• Overall Division III strength of schedule
• Should a committee find that evaluation of a team’s win-loss percentage during the last 25 percent of the season is applicable (i.e., end of season performance), it may adopt such criteria with approval from the championships committee.
New for 2011: When all criteria are equal among teams with undefeated records in the primary criteria, the NCAA Division III Football Committee can use a team’s performance in the previous championship season as criterion.
Additionally, input is provided by regional advisory committees for consideration by the Division III football committee. In order to be considered for selection for Pools B or C, an institution must play at least 50 percent of its competition against Division III in-region opponents. Coaches’ polls and/or any other outside polls or rankings are not used as a selection criterion by the football committee for selection purposes.
While I would say it is possible, I would think it highly unlikely that Ferrum can get in unless it wins the conference outright...There will be many one loss teams ahead of Ferrum, and the Panthers strength of schedule is not strong enough when compared on a national scale.
So I would say that winning the conference is the most likely path to the playoffs, and that starts with beating Maryville.
So we are down to the final week, and that means my final week of predictions...here they are:
This may be the most difficult week to pick...
Maryville 21 @ Ferrum 34
Averett @ NCW
LaGrange @ Greensboro
and.....drum roll!
Methodist @ CNU
Ferrum Panthers are playoff bound...I hope
Selasa, 06 November 2012
Wallpaper Wednesday: 900... Make That 901
Our friend and the Meeechigan super fan behind the popular @SupportBradyHoke on Twitter, Michigan Sports Girl, has sent us a wallpaper for you, the loyal MZone reader.
The idea for the wallpaper was hatched after the Wolverines became the only team in NCAA history with 900 wins. But work got in the way and, well, being Michigan, the Maize and Blue didn't rest at 900. Hence... 901!
As MSG said in her email, she tried to incorporate all the all the generations of Michigan football that got us to the magic number...and now beyond.
Go Blue!
The idea for the wallpaper was hatched after the Wolverines became the only team in NCAA history with 900 wins. But work got in the way and, well, being Michigan, the Maize and Blue didn't rest at 900. Hence... 901!
As MSG said in her email, she tried to incorporate all the all the generations of Michigan football that got us to the magic number...and now beyond.
Go Blue!
Sports and politics
This is interesting--no necessary rhyme or reason for the split. This, on the other hand, is obnoxious; the notion that any citizen should stick to his profession--and implicitly that he is not qualified or entitled to engage in the democratic process--reflects the height of arrogance.
And one more: Slate's Hang Up and Listen podcast this week includes an interview with David Meggyesy, an NFL player in the 1960s who was active in opposing the Vietnam War, attracted the wrath of the league, and wrote about the experience of being an activist athlete. He discusses his experiences, as well as commenting on the many current NFL players who have spoken out on marriage equality. The podcast was recorded on Monday, before the election happened. As you all probably know, the Minnesota initiative that Vikings punter Chris Kluwe wrote about (which would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman) failed. The Maryland initiative establishing marriage equality, which the Ravens'Brendan Ayanbadejo vocally supported (drawing to him the ire of an insane state representative) passed.
And one more: Slate's Hang Up and Listen podcast this week includes an interview with David Meggyesy, an NFL player in the 1960s who was active in opposing the Vietnam War, attracted the wrath of the league, and wrote about the experience of being an activist athlete. He discusses his experiences, as well as commenting on the many current NFL players who have spoken out on marriage equality. The podcast was recorded on Monday, before the election happened. As you all probably know, the Minnesota initiative that Vikings punter Chris Kluwe wrote about (which would have defined marriage as between one man and one woman) failed. The Maryland initiative establishing marriage equality, which the Ravens'Brendan Ayanbadejo vocally supported (drawing to him the ire of an insane state representative) passed.
Few if Any Have Been More Dedicated to the Panthers
In 2008, a Freshman named Chris Duble came to play football at Ferrum College. On the roster, Duble stood 6' and weighed 185 lbs. As a Freshman, he was not assigned a number on the roster, but I am sure he had one. He saw action in one game that year, against Southern Virginia University. Duble was not destined to be the greatest receiver in Ferrum history, but he brought hustle, determination and desire to the team. He also brought something else to the college's program, and for those of us that follow Ferrum football closely it was something that we will not soon forget. Duble brought his Mom.
Tammi Armstrong has for the last five seasons been a fixture on the Panthers sideline. She, with her shoulder length blond hair, has paced the sidelines with the ferocity of any head coach, and with the photographic talent worthy of Sports Illustrated publishing. For five years, Armstrong has, to my knowledge never missed a game...home or away. Living in Northern Virginia, Tammi would for 10 straight weeks drive to wherever the Panthers were playing. Whether it be Shenandoah in Winchester, or Methodist in Fayetteville, Armstrong would be there to take pictures of the Ferrum Panthers.
Not only did she attend all of the games, she has been at Fall Camp to assist in any way she could, and at the awards banquet every year. ( If she ever missed any of these, I am not aware of it)
As a rough and likely low estimate, I would guess that by this final awards banquet, Tammi would have taken over 15,000 pictures, and driven over 15,000 miles with, to my knowledge, no compensation or reimbursement from the college. Strictly for the love of her son Chris, and her passion for sports, Tammi has provided Ferrum with a service, that will forever be a part of the Ferrum football program.
Not only has she left a mark on the program, Tammi has left a mark on those around her. Former and current players, parents, coaches, and dare I say a few referees will not forget Tammi.
She has seen and captured a lot of the Ferrum football program, but two things she did not see were a win over rival CNU, nor a win over her beloved alma mater Emory and Henry. I am guessing that if she could be guaranteed either, she would make the trip to photograph it.
I write this with the purpose of not only drawing attention to a fervent supporter of the Ferrum program, but with the purpose of expressing my personal thanks for allowing me to use her photo's on the blog. It adds a lot.
So what will happen next year? Chris, who has completed his playing eligibility, has served as a student assistant this year, and will soon graduate. As for Tammi, I would expect that she will follow Ferrum, but my guess is that she will likely stay closer to Northern Virginia...but that's just a guess. On the other hand, she may just find herself next August loading her camera and Pineapple Fanta into her car, and headed to Franklin County.
My personal favorite
Thanks Tammi- Great Job!
Tammi Armstrong has for the last five seasons been a fixture on the Panthers sideline. She, with her shoulder length blond hair, has paced the sidelines with the ferocity of any head coach, and with the photographic talent worthy of Sports Illustrated publishing. For five years, Armstrong has, to my knowledge never missed a game...home or away. Living in Northern Virginia, Tammi would for 10 straight weeks drive to wherever the Panthers were playing. Whether it be Shenandoah in Winchester, or Methodist in Fayetteville, Armstrong would be there to take pictures of the Ferrum Panthers.
Not only did she attend all of the games, she has been at Fall Camp to assist in any way she could, and at the awards banquet every year. ( If she ever missed any of these, I am not aware of it)
As a rough and likely low estimate, I would guess that by this final awards banquet, Tammi would have taken over 15,000 pictures, and driven over 15,000 miles with, to my knowledge, no compensation or reimbursement from the college. Strictly for the love of her son Chris, and her passion for sports, Tammi has provided Ferrum with a service, that will forever be a part of the Ferrum football program.
Not only has she left a mark on the program, Tammi has left a mark on those around her. Former and current players, parents, coaches, and dare I say a few referees will not forget Tammi.
She has seen and captured a lot of the Ferrum football program, but two things she did not see were a win over rival CNU, nor a win over her beloved alma mater Emory and Henry. I am guessing that if she could be guaranteed either, she would make the trip to photograph it.
I write this with the purpose of not only drawing attention to a fervent supporter of the Ferrum program, but with the purpose of expressing my personal thanks for allowing me to use her photo's on the blog. It adds a lot.
So what will happen next year? Chris, who has completed his playing eligibility, has served as a student assistant this year, and will soon graduate. As for Tammi, I would expect that she will follow Ferrum, but my guess is that she will likely stay closer to Northern Virginia...but that's just a guess. On the other hand, she may just find herself next August loading her camera and Pineapple Fanta into her car, and headed to Franklin County.
Thanks Tammi- Great Job!
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