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Ohio Football Topic
Topic: "Losing sucks," or "Why so many of us are so down on the program right now"
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C Money
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C Money
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Posted: 10/27/2015 9:54 AM
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Two words: Loss Aversion.

Basic economics/psychology. Losing causes more unhappiness than winning creates happiness. It's why a blackjack player that is up early will quit once he has lost all his winnings. It's why marketers use trial periods to boost sales. And it's why defensive coordinators created the prevent defense.


Here's the data on average margin of conference wins and average margin of conference losses during the Solich Era:

2005
Margin W 11.5
Margin L -23

2006
Margin W 11.625
Margin L -16.5

2007
Margin W 10.5
Margin L -10.75

2008
Margin W 9.67
Margin L -13.2

2009
Margin W 10.14
Margin L -9.5

2010
Margin W 18.5
Margin L -14.5

2011
Margin W 8.5
Margin L -2.33

2012
Margin W 11.75
Margin L -15.5

2013
Margin W 30.25
Margin L -27.5

2014
Margin W 8
Margin L -16

2015 (through conference 4 games)
Margin W 16.5
Margin L -29.5

The average margin of wins was greater than the average margin of losses in only 4 seasons, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013. In only one of those seasons (2011) was the average margin of wins more than twice the average margin of losses, which is generally thought to be the psychological tipping point of happiness.

And 2015 is on pace to be Solich's worst season by this measure.

TL;DR: It's not just wins and losses, it's the way we win and lose that is bothering people.
100%Cat
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Posted: 10/27/2015 11:36 AM
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Honestly, I'm sure this data has some meaning, but you're over-complicating it. At least for me, it's much simpler. I'm sick of the same routine. Show enough promise early to get your hopes up that "this year could be different" only to have the rug pulled out from beneath your feat at the mid point of the season. After the WMU debacle, I knew it was coming. I expected to get housed by a mediocre Buffalo team, and we did. I'll be shocked if we stay within 21 points of BG. We'll win enough games to be bowl eligible, go to a crappy bowl, and call it a year. I don't look at it as being pessimistic, just being realistic with what we have come to expect.
Ohio69
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O69
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Posted: 10/27/2015 1:07 PM
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Solich hasn't won a MAC Championship. If he had, we'd see a bit less upset folks.

And, familiarity breeds contempt. Just ask Larry Hunter.
Last Edited: 10/27/2015 1:07:36 PM by Ohio69
Casper71
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Posted: 10/27/2015 3:09 PM
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I can agree with that sentiment 69. Who thought in year ten with this coach we would not have won at least ONE MACC? I still say the guy can coach. What they haven't done is recruit enough talented football players.
Bcat2
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Posted: 10/27/2015 3:45 PM
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Casper71 wrote:expand_more
I can agree with that sentiment 69. Who thought in year ten with this coach we would not have won at least ONE MACC? I still say the guy can coach. What they haven't done is recruit enough talented football players.
You know Nebraska is on their third coach since Solich and their most recent conference championship remains the one Solich won in 1999.
Recovering Journalist
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Posted: 10/27/2015 3:51 PM
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Bcat2 wrote:expand_more
I can agree with that sentiment 69. Who thought in year ten with this coach we would not have won at least ONE MACC? I still say the guy can coach. What they haven't done is recruit enough talented football players.
You know Nebraska is on their third coach since Solich and their most recent conference championship remains the one Solich won in 1999.
Our most recent one happened around the time Solich was playing at Nebraska. He's been eligible for Medicare for six years now. What's your point?
Parkersburgwvcat
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Posted: 10/27/2015 9:47 PM
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Recovering Journalist, THAT's funny!!!!! Those of us who appreciate thoughtful ( and clever) banter owe you one.
Parkersburgwvcat
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Posted: 10/27/2015 9:49 PM
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Just sayin'.
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