[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

Interesting article SS, I wanted to ask College FB fans about one statement in it though:



Do those numbers really seem eerily similar? a 5% difference in completions, in a college season seems different, in fact each stat seems to be significantly better and in Griffins favor. But maybe the difference in opponents makes up for that? Just wanted to get some feel from the college afficianados on the Warpath.

edit: I was curious about rushing as well, which the author left off, in their senior years, Kolb had a 1.4 yd rushing avg, and Griffin had a 3.9yd rushing avg. if anyone else cared.

Statistical comparisons between two players are mostly worthless without some sort of baseline to determine which constitutes a meaningful discrepancy and what isn't.

But even if two players are the "same" statistically, that does not mean they are "the same". This is because the stats are results affected by various factors. Different combination of contribution from factors can lead to the same result. It's a giant mess to pore through.

For example, passing yards can be treated as a function of QB physical ability, QB mental ability, WR quality, OL quality, etc.
Or in equation form:

Passing yards = QB arm strength+ QB "intelligence"+ QB mobility + WR1 hands+WR1 speed+WR1 route running+WR1 intelligence +etc +error term