Zeb wrote: So, Meyer derived no real benefit from covering the spread (like the Sumo wrestler whose rank is not in jeopardy) and Shannon was harmed.
----- Meyer doesn't benefit, except that our kicker gets real game experience. That is a benefit that could make a huge difference down the road. So Randy Shannon should save his phony rage for someone else. By the way, my wife is Japanese, and she has been a sumo fan since she was a kid. (I went for the first time earlier this year. It is a lot more interesting than it looks. These guys could teach any offensive lineman a hell of a lot). She has read the Freakonomics argument about sumo wrestlers throwing matches, and she thinks it is a lot of nonsense. FWIW. Go Gators!!!! Ken B. (NYC Gator) Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with SprintSpeed -----Original Message----- From: John Vega <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:23:29 To: <[email protected]> Subject: [gatortalk] The Spread In Sumo wrestling, it frequent in towards the end of a round-robin that two wrestlers will face each other in a bout that will have absolutely no effect on the standings. If one of the wrestlers is in danger of having his rank downgraded, it is customary for the wrestler whose rank is not at risk to throw the match; throwing a bone to the other wrestler. While no one admits to this, it has been validated statistically. A good analysis is in Freakonomics. I wonder if that is the real source of Shannon's ire and opinions as to Meyer's character. Assuming Miami boosters also wager on their team (as Florida boosters do), then the Miami boosters lost their wagers when we kicked the FG. Florida boosters now happy, Miami boosters unhappy. As the happiness of boosters has an effect on job security, Meyer's position became more secure and Shannon's less secure. However, Meyer's position is secure anyway. Shannon's; not so much. So, Meyer derived no real benefit from covering the spread (like the Sumo wrestler whose rank is not in jeopardy) and Shannon was harmed. Far-fetched, sure, but it's about the only thing that has made sense to me. -Zeb --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
