WSJ article on the apparent decrease in CFB on-field performance this season
In short, article points out the decline in various performance metrics compared to last season (completion rates, interceptions/turnover rates, total points per game scored, penalties, upsets, etc.) and attributes much of it to the effects of reduced practice times, rosters, and other fallout from Covid shutdowns.
October 5th, 2020 at 1:42 PM ^
Okay, also water is wet and we landed on the moon!
October 5th, 2020 at 1:45 PM ^
I agree and thought the same thing. But it is interesting to have data to back up was originally just theoretical conjecture. We have proof that practice matters now ??♂️
October 5th, 2020 at 3:22 PM ^
I can't read the whole article because I don't have a subscription, but aren't these numbers affected by the fact that the big power 5 schools aren't beating up on the cupcakes they would normally play early in their schedules? No big paydays for MAC schools and similar conferences.
October 5th, 2020 at 5:08 PM ^
Yeah was thinking the same thing that there are less games vs creampuff opponents. I would think defense needs the reps more than offense as blown coverages can still allow a less than perfect throw (from less practice) turn into a touchdown, but the blown coverage would have been solved with more reps.
So while I understand play may be sloppier and therefore less points overall, I think a lot of offense and bad defense could have also been a thing. So creampuff games may be a missing link?
October 5th, 2020 at 4:09 PM ^
I think practice matters for say route timing between a QB and a WR, but nothing really compares to live game action, so Iverson had a point.
October 5th, 2020 at 2:01 PM ^
I thought it was a hoax filmed at a sound stage in Arizona.
October 5th, 2020 at 1:55 PM ^
Yeah, I have not been impressed with a lot of the games I've watched, but it's football, so I'll take it.
I watch someone like Brock Purdy (Iowa State) who threw for over 300 yards/game last year, threw 27 TDs, and completed 66% of his passes. This year he's down to 203 yards/game, 2 TDs, and 56% completions through 3 games. He just doesn't look nearly as crisp.
And defensively, I feel like there are some big plays happening that don't usually happen, with just some terrible blown coverages due to a lack of practice time.
October 5th, 2020 at 3:22 PM ^
Are we noticing more defenses blow coverages or is it the fact that we're all being forced to watch Big 12 football and defensively they're always horrible? I've watched probably 4-5 Big 12 games so far and its absolutely maddening.
October 5th, 2020 at 4:10 PM ^
He threw a purdy ball last year.
October 5th, 2020 at 1:57 PM ^
Viruses are bad for sports performance. Who knew???
October 5th, 2020 at 2:56 PM ^
Viruses are bad for performance.
October 5th, 2020 at 2:02 PM ^
Refs seem to be in mid-season form. After one quarter Texas-TCU was on pace to set the FBS record for penalties in a game. They had 9 in the 1st 5 minutes and 14 after Q1.
October 5th, 2020 at 2:19 PM ^
Allen Iverson might have an opinion on this.
October 5th, 2020 at 2:28 PM ^
It will be a little better by end of season
October 5th, 2020 at 2:38 PM ^
It's because the best teams aren't playing yet!
October 5th, 2020 at 2:56 PM ^
I am not looking forward to this place's reaction when Michigan inevitably struggles in their first couple of games.
October 5th, 2020 at 4:12 PM ^
I personally am going into the season with a different mindset. It’s kind of a shrug your shoulders year to me, so the season is just a novelty this year.
October 5th, 2020 at 2:56 PM ^
The results do seem obvious. Practice is crucial for getting everyone working together as a unit.
However, individuals are more variable, and I wouldn't have been surprised if on-field performance stayed the same or even improved. We've all seen athletes unable to practice but then the game starts, adrenaline kicks in, and they play well.
October 5th, 2020 at 3:54 PM ^
Could it be because Oklahoma is opening with Kansas State and not 4 weeks of coastal carolina southwest
October 5th, 2020 at 7:33 PM ^
... except they purposely opened with a payday game against Missouri State... a contest of such high quality that it was only available on pay-per-view.
*Then* they lost to Kansas State... which is still fun to watch!
October 5th, 2020 at 4:05 PM ^
Not surprising given how screwed up everything has been since March. Players and teams just haven't had the same amount of time working together, and their schedules are all messed up. But, it will eventually work it's way out.
October 5th, 2020 at 4:34 PM ^
Jumping the gun a bit since so many teams have yet to take a first snap. Lets look a this again say around Thanksgiving time.
October 5th, 2020 at 5:24 PM ^
This comports with my subjective reaction to watching the games as well. Only LSU/Wazzu was watchable, and in every other year there were at least two and as many as ten of those type of games every week.
October 5th, 2020 at 5:40 PM ^
Yes, Captain Obvious.
October 5th, 2020 at 7:25 PM ^
I have not watched enough football this fall to opine. Fun Fact however: The author, Laine Higgins, is the daughter of former Michigan Wide Receiver, Ken Higgins. I believe Ken was class of '86. She has done some thorough work covering COVID impacts on this season among other writing. Worth a follow.
October 5th, 2020 at 9:41 PM ^
A little harsh to be so critical of Michigan without having played a game yet. Hardly a good omen...