Stats from Opening Weeked (CFB rule changes)

[Austiger]

"The missing plays were back. So was a good chunk of the missing yardage and scoring. Major-college games produced an average of 55 more yards and three more points than last season's openers."

USA Today Article

[MyTurn2Raise]

argh.....still significantly less than the 51.1 put up in 2005

No wonder I was crucified betting overs this week...scoring was 1.8 pts below what I thought

I told Thremp and maybe some others that I was projecting at least a 4.8 increase....BAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dankhank]

decent article

my working thesis last season was that the increased athleticism overall meant that scoring would gradually decrease, due to defenses becoming the dominant, controlling element on the field.

even if that thesis is true, maybe this year's rule changes make the whole thing a wash, and totals will retreat to pre-2006 scoring.

a new possible thesis is that an increased number of plays especially benefits the elite teams (or just teams much better than their opponent), since they get more bang for their offensive buck overall. this might be offset by the weaker team getting more-better kickoff returns, however the article indicates, that maybe the rule changes to kickoffs won't have a tremendous impact on field position.

we'll see. i don't know what the overs vs unders record was in 2006, or in week one. so basically i am clueless. i would love to be a fly on the wall while the mathematicians for billy walter's group or some other million dollar betting operation are working overtime this month.

[MyTurn2Raise]

new kickoff rules will benefit the stronger teams much more often in general

[Nate_Dogg]

[ QUOTE ]
new kickoff rules will benefit the stronger teams much more often in general

[/ QUOTE ]

What is your reasoning here? (I'm not disagreeing, just curious)

[MyTurn2Raise]

stronger teams typically have

-more depth in talent level
---typically, they can use their non-starters and still have speed and size, while weaker teams usually struggle and are left with the dilemma of using starters on special teams and risking injuries/fatigue v using less skilled bench players

-highlight reel gamebreaking return men
--stronger teams are more likely to have the McFaddens, Jacksons, Harvins, Ginns of the world

-better kickers
--stronger teams usually have the kicker with the better leg


all-in-all, the rule is a boon for the stronger programs across the country

[NajdorfDefense]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
new kickoff rules will benefit the stronger teams much more often in general

[/ QUOTE ]

What is your reasoning here? (I'm not disagreeing, just curious)

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree with this blanket statement. You can only take it on a case-by-case basis. It benefits the team with better KO coverage and KO returners more. Anything else is purest speculation.