Sumo wrestling might be far fetched - Miami fans covering the spread - not far fetched - probably right on.
You are right in that the spread probably does not mean much to Meyer.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [gatortalk] The Spread
From: John Vega <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Thu, September 11, 2008 3:23 pm
To: [email protected]
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
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