Data..for what it is worth

[Eric]

I went to check out Penn State's previous games against the MAC since I know they faced Youngstown State and Kent State / Temple this year. They beat Youngstown 44-14 and went on to beat Kent State 24-0 (who went on to beat 6-5 Murray State by 31 points) and Temple 22-13. 2009, they beat Akron by 24 and Eastern Illinois by 49. 2008 they beat Coastal Carolina by 55 and Temple by 42 (that was the team that won the Big 10, Temple was still rebuilding). 2006, Akron lost by 18 and Youngstown lost by 35.

A loss is a loss is not necessarily a loss. Losing by 35 and losing by 13 does not suggest the same level of competitiveness. You of all people should know how to qualify wins and losses.

[billybud]

But...the BCS does not qualify losses....a loss is a loss. (Unless you use Sagarin Predictor who accounts for scoring).

No score differentials in BCS. Does it really matter if you beat a team by 13 or 30? Nah! Not when you look at a team's record.

Now, a very few savvy voters will be aware of the relative scoring differentials of games through the season ands it will affect their vote.

[donovan]

...and isn't it correct that most rankers have a cut off point where the differential no longer makes a difference? i.e. after 40 points on 40 point is considered. And if that is correct, what is that margin?

[Spence]

...and isn't it correct that most rankers have a cut off point where the differential no longer makes a difference? i.e. after 40 points on 40 point is considered. And if that is correct, what is that margin?

I don't think it is an actual point total. More a system of diminishing returns.