I hear this, but what about the fact that we've already got guys playing 11 and 12 games in a season and breaking records that were set years ago when seasons were only 8 or 9 games long? The same is true for overtime games -- there are teams playing into 3 and 4 OTs, and the NCAA counts those stats against regular 60-minute games.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 02.22.06 - 10:43 am | #

I agree with Matt. Good points. If we start to go retroactive with these stats, it will open up a whole other can of worms about how the stats cannot be compairable, like Matt addressed. Doesn't seem to be a great solution to this one.
However, going retroactive on these stats could please enough people that they will not complain about the other "padded" stats (overtimes, more games in season, ect). Chances are though, no matter what is decided someone will scream out about the unfairness of something.
ND101 | Email | Homepage | 02.22.06 - 10:53 am | #

You can't change the past, re: the fact that seasons were shorter by a few games. However, it is unfair to discount games that were actually played (bowl games) when compiling records, so I think Notre Dame should redo its own record book to include past bowl games in its accounting.
Lawnmower8 | Email | Homepage | 02.22.06 - 11:22 am | #

I don't understand any of this.

If you're concerned about comparing old and new, why not look at stats that are based on per game or per minute.

That way the number of games in the season become irrelevant, right?

I've always thought total yards, total TD's and total tackle numbers were kind of silly when you don't know how many games the player collected those numbers in.

Seriously, if a guy has 85 tackles but only played in 8 games versus 12 games, isn't it obvious what the difference is?
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 02.22.06 - 11:39 am | #

Great point, atepesm.
Per game stats seem to be a lot more reliable than just cumulative stats. This goes for the NFL, too, where career length can have a huge effect on the accumulation of yardage.
spewingnonsense | Email | Homepage | 02.22.06 - 1:19 pm | #

I just want to point out that my SAT scores date from a period of time prior to Excel, the Internet, rampant plagurism and spell check.

I do hope ND properly accounts for the changes over the years and rightly adjusts my score to -- let's say -- 1470.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 02.22.06 - 8:07 pm | #

yeah that crap would've helped your GPA Yago...don't think it would've done a darn thing for a standardized test score.
dannynd01 | Email | Homepage | 02.22.06 - 10:51 pm | #

you cant argue with the-yards per game stat.regardless of 10 games or 12. that stat remains the most relevant to the ages. brady quinn has thrown more 400+ yard games himself than the rest of the prior notre dame quaterbacks combined. i dont think that 4 possible passes per overtime in a game, should matter much to increase the stats per game enough to include the dreaded asterisks.
matt t | Email | Homepage | 02.22.06 - 11:02 pm | #

Yago the SAT is out of 2100 now I believe... I think Notre Dame would have retroactively not accepted you :)
Matt | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 3:59 am | #

Ah Matt -- how right you are.

Retroactively I would not have had to suffer through the Faustian era either. So there's always a bright side.
Yago | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 10:34 am | #

I had a 1350 SAT, but by today's standards that would make me functionally retarded, right?

I'm not sure which comforts me more.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 11:10 am | #

well, we're all idiots cause the new test is 2400 possible points. 800 math, 800 verbal, 800 wirintg sample. I banged out a 1410 last time, apparently that'd translate to a 2115 on the new one.
Wooderson | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 12:08 pm | #

Wooderson-
No one cares about what you "banged out" on your last SAT score.

Let's stick to football talk.
pink | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 12:29 pm | #

I have to disagree with you pink. I find it fascinating that on a football blog you have people with 1300+ SAT scores. Bet you don't find that in many other schools football blogs (except Ivy League and that shouldn't really count).
JohnWA | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 2:49 pm | #

Ivy League has football?
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 4:00 pm | #

Oh yeah, I heard about this months ago, but I thought it was a joke. I can't believe Weis actually went through with it.

(I know...but it's a classic. Had to do it)
paulwesterdawg | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 6:09 pm | #

I had noticed that und.com seemed to have took away the .pdf documents that detailed every year's record and complete list of players who ever played for the Irish. I've glanced through the new format, but haven't noticed those stats.
Joe | Email | Homepage | 02.23.06 - 11:25 pm | #

Speaking of jokes, check out this gem from I got from sean-doggy:

Calling all D-1A Coaches!!!
c-stone | Email | Homepage | 02.28.06 - 4:33 pm | #