4th MDIA Div. A Poll (4/6/05). Thoughts, Predictions, etc.

[EARL THE PEARL]

WHAT IMPRESSES ME IS THE PREDICTED GOAL DIFFERENTIAL ON LAXPOWER, FOR A RANDOM COMPUTER SPITTING OUT LINES ON A GAME ITS PRETTY DAMN ACCURATE.

IF A TEAM HAD A BAD OR GOOD GAME IT AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS FOR IT IN THE NEXT UPDATE. ITS KINDA COOL AND FRANKLY I THINK ANYTHING THAT CAN GUESS GOAL DIFFERENTALS RIGHT 60% OF THE TIME, RIGHT ON THE MONEY, IS A PRETTY GOOD TOOL FOR ASSESSMENT.

SPEAKING OF WHICH IM GONNA START BOOKING MDIA GAMES ANYONE WANNA WAGER?

[monkeylax]

WOW LAXPOWER RULES, but please, LAY OFF CAPS!

I have to agree though, I am not sure what bizarro formula they use for that goal differential? I just don't understand why they predict 10+ goal differentials and then penalize a team for winning by 10+ goals (Ten Goal Limit Correction) can anyone explain what in the world that means?

[CATLAX MAN]

I think it's a good guide as to the AREA a team should be in. There's no exact science, but it's a good indicator to a team's general whereabouts in the poll.

I don't think it's a good indicator at all. Look at the latest TSI rankings:

1 Brigham Young
2 Sonoma State
3 Colorado State
4 Michigan
5 Arizona
6 UC Santa Barbara
7 UC San Diego
8 Colorado
9 Oregon
10 Florida State
11 Oakland
12 Virginia Tech
13 Georgia Tech
14 Utah
15 Chapman
16 Miami - OH
17 Chico State
18 Cal Poly San Luis O
19 Indiana
20 Arizona State
21 Boston College
22 Lindenwood
23 Illinois
24 Washington
25 Pittsburgh

Just to point out the obvious ones other than CSU which has already been mentioned, Chico lost to Boston College, but is rated higher than them, Arizona State at #20???, Indiana is 3-5, but they're above Lindenwood???, etc., etc. I could go on like rating a 2-8 UCLA team at #26 while a 6-0 Michigan State team is #46, but I think it's obvious that this poll/ranking system leaves a lot to be desired. Laxpower's rating system uses a formulaic mathematical approach. It removes the one thing necessary for properly rating teams. . . .good judgement.

[dukeuniv21]

I'm just curious why UCSD is ranked so high at #7. Who have they beaten to be ranked so high CATLAX MAN? I'm just curious why you have them there?

[bste_lax]

I'm just curious why UCSD is ranked so high at #7. Who have they beaten to be ranked so high CATLAX MAN? I'm just curious why you have them there?

Not his rankings......

I don't think it's a good indicator at all. Look at the latest TSI rankings:

[Daniel Morris]

I'm just curious why UCSD is ranked so high at #7. Who have they beaten to be ranked so high CATLAX MAN? I'm just curious why you have them there?

UCSD had wins against ranked teams: GTech+4; CalPoly+2; Chapman+6; Formerly ranked teams: Texas+10; TA&M+3; and unranked AZSt+6. With losses to top 6 Arizona-1 and UCSB-8. Not too shabby.

But overall, these rankings are a mess. Sure, they have 95% of the top teams in the poll, but most everyone can agree who on 23 out of the top 25 teams in the MDIA. Goal differential is taken into account by most voters, but I think all of us would also agree that the computer program is just spitting out numbers and doesn't take things like injured players, lousy weather, inability to schedule outside of the region easily, etc. into account when placing teams. 25 of the MDIA's best pick the poll. I would listen to that consensus any day over a machine.

[LaxGuru]

It has Indiana ahead of Pittsburgh....who beat Indiana AND has a better record

[Dan Wishengrad]

15-25 was tough, very tough. I bumped SFU back up a few spots -- which I'm sure some of you will howl about. But who else besides the Clansmen (8-4) have two wins over top 20 teams?

[LaxGuru]

Actually, i applaud the move. They were ranked what 24 tie with Pittsburgh and a few teams in fron tof them lost so it's only logical for them and others to move up if they went undefeated in between polls.

[Sonny]

25 of the MDIA's best pick the poll.

Actually, it's 30 voters for Div. A.

[Chuck Norris]

Sonoma is a great team, but why is it that when Sonoma (the current #2 team) loses to CSU by 1goal they move up two spots, and when Chico lost to Sonoma by one goal Chico get no respect. I know that the loss to Simon fraiser scares some people but Oregon also lost to them and they are ranked in the top 10. Also UCSD is a joke, there is no way they are #11, Chico wants a game against them. Chico dominated them in the Irvine tourney this fall and would do the same again. Every like opponent the two teams have played, Chico has won by a larger goal margin. Can someone please explain to me why this team is #11? The strength of their schedule is piss-poor. Just because they beat some crappy teams does not mean that they are good. Only three of the teams on their schedule are ranked in the top 25, and they lost to two of the three.

[CATLAX MAN]

Chuck, you are way off base. First, I wish I had a dollar for every time someone had to point this out, but here it goes again. . . .FALL BALL RESULTS MEAN NOTHING. Second, you should get your facts straight about their schedule. UCSD absolutely deserves their ranking. They played UCSB very tough, much tougher than the score would indicate. They almost beat Arizona, losing to them in overtime, I believe. They defeated rated Georgia Tech, Chapman & Cal Poly. I've been a supporter of Chico in the past, but there is no evidence to support your wild claims.

[Chuck Norris]

I not saying Chico should be ranked higher then UCSD because of a fall ball game score. UCSD is a solid team and their record this season will prove that, but a ranking of 11 is a little too generous. UCSD’s one goal loss to Arizona improved their ranking. Chico's one goal loss to Sonoma, a better team then Arizona, didn't improve anything. The only reason the Chico does not get the same respect as UCSD is because of their Simon Fraser game. At the time of the game, Fraser was ranked higher then Chico. Fraser also beat a solid Oregon team that weekend, yet Oregon keeps climbing up the ranks.

A proposal for future seasons, every team should leave the last weekend of the season open for a challenge game. This will help put all the arguments to rest. Chico calls out UCSD and the rest is history….


I’ll leave it open to let your mind wonder...

[Chuck Norris]

Further more, can some one give me a reason why Chico Should not be ranked in the top 16, and UCSD should be ranked # 11.

[CATLAX MAN]

Further more, can some one give me a reason why Chico Should not be ranked in the top 16, and UCSD should be ranked # 11.

How about looking at your record which is 6-5 while UCSD's is 9-2? That would be one. Another would be the embarassing loss to Simon Fraser, but those are just the obvious ones.

A proposal for future seasons, every team should leave the last weekend of the season open for a challenge game. This will help put all the arguments to rest. Chico calls out UCSD and the rest is history….

Yeah, right. In your dreams.