In case anyone is still thinking of time of possession as a meaningful stat...

Submitted by Brhino on

Points:
Michigan 63
Delaware State 6

Yardage:
Michigan 727
Delaware State 216

Time of Possession:
Michigan 29:50
Delaware State 30:10

dang. Almost broke even this week!

darkstrk

October 17th, 2009 at 7:43 PM ^

... of putting it.

Other ways:

"OMG! We lost the game (of TOP) again!"

"RR should be fired! He doesn't understand that you need to win the TOP to be successful in this league."

"Horror II: We lost the TOP against an FCS team (again)!"

The King of Belch

October 17th, 2009 at 7:47 PM ^

You're right--TOP doesn't mean shit. This is the same kind of retarded shit like on Scout day in and out:i.e. stars don't matter. Dumbasses love the anomalies--it proves their points.

In reply to by The King of Belch

SonoAzzurro

October 17th, 2009 at 8:13 PM ^

you can express your opinion without swearing or offending others? I remember a post where you were swearing at a young UM fan that had attended the MSU game, and blaming him for misrepresenting M fans as jerks in front of Sparty fans. If rivals fans read your posts full of swearing and name-calling, is that a true representation of M fans? Might wanna think about it... I'm just saying.

In reply to by The King of Belch

SonoAzzurro

October 17th, 2009 at 8:28 PM ^

but you should then realize that others enjoy those American liberties also, even when they are wrong. And if you criticize others about how they behave, but don't hold yourself to the same high standard, you might (just might) seem like a hypocrite.

Blue McMaize

October 17th, 2009 at 7:59 PM ^

TOP matters somewhat but its not a defining stat. The worst one i've heard is Gary Danielson saying he doesnt believe theres such thing as momentum in football. Thats just ridiculous.

AAB

October 17th, 2009 at 11:12 PM ^

no. There is absolutely no such thing as clutch. There are clutch plays. There is no ability to be clutch. Tom Brady has failed in critical situations, but no one remembers it. Much like how David Ortiz has the exact same stats with RISP as he does with the bases empty.

"Clutch" is a myth created by the human tendency to construct narrative to explain the world.

Tater

October 17th, 2009 at 8:39 PM ^

The final score is what really counts.

I think total number of plays may be an interesting stat, but it doesn't take into account an eighty-yard TD. Stats are fun, but only one is really definitive.

weasel3216

October 17th, 2009 at 8:40 PM ^

I really believe that TOP significance depends upon the type of game and the two teams involved. For example, if one team is a offensive juggernaut and is averaging 45 or 46 PPG then the opponent, who is a defensive power or running offense, TOP maybe one of the most important stats of the game. If you are able to keep the offensive juggernaut to only 20-25 minutes on offense then you may have a really good chance to win. Otherwise, if both teams are pretty much the same i see the point that TOP is pointless. Or if you are playing Delaware State.

SonoAzzurro

October 17th, 2009 at 8:52 PM ^

Assuming that they're getting scores, that stat would not be a problem for a quick-scoring, high-power offense. In the last few years of Carr, a short time of possession might have implied inability to move the ball. So at the end the final score is what counts, and Dred Scott hit the nail in the head (+1).

FGB

October 17th, 2009 at 9:22 PM ^

As others have stated above, the point shouldn't be that TOP isn't meaningful. The point should be that various statistics can all be of some use, provided they are viewed within context and weighted properly. Plays, yards per attempt, yards per rush, TOP, sacks, passing efficiency....they all provide a PART of the picture. You just have to know how to value that part (which is dynamic from team to team and game to game).

The problem is that most media types are dumb and/or lazy, and want to be able to look at only one or a couple stats to decide how good a team is, and then they can whip through their stupid picks column for ESPN and get out of Bristol for the day.

TESOE

October 17th, 2009 at 9:34 PM ^

The first string didn't even play in the 2nd half. In a knock down, if your offense isn't making first downs, it's hard to ask your D to be on the field longer than the O.

TOP means less in the hurry up, but it could be interesting when your depth is not where you want in on D in a tight game.

Dred Scott gets last word.

CarlisleWolverine

October 17th, 2009 at 10:46 PM ^

Through 7 games this season Michigan has already surpassed last years point total for the 2008 season. 243 (2008) vs. 269 (2009). With 5 games left...who knows. (This stat is from BTN)