Ratings dissapoint for Kraft Bowl

One often overlooked asset of BC football is that we are a historically good TV draw. We have had high ratings on all ESPN platforms. Raycom usually jumps at the chance to broadcast our games. Up until this year our ability to spike TV ratings was the only silver lining to selecting BC in a bowl game. Maybe that isn’t the case anymore. Ratings for the Kraft Bowl were down 65%. That is a huge drop. When you consider that the game was moved to January 9th and to a Sunday night the number should have been much better. Since BC was in both games, logic would point to the opponent as the driving force in the decline. USC is a great TV draw and Nevada, not so much. But if BC is going to take credit for the stellar ratings vs USC, than we have to take some of the blame for the stinker against Nevada.

The lack of Neilsen Eagle fans can be attributed to many things. I think the long layoff, the lack of storylines and the frustrating style of play turned off many casual BC fans. But there is also something to be said for how BC presents itself to its own fans. The constant lowering of expectations and playing up “the little engine that could” narrative grows stale or leaves BC fans wondering when are we ever going to get better. BC is quick to remind people of the turmoil of the Jags firing but like TOB touting the gambling scandal eventually it becomes a tired crutch. And a narrative, while important in selling a program to the media and recruits, doesn’t make the product on the field any more exciting.


I think a new offensive coordinator and maturing team will win back some of BC’s casual/TV only fans. But it is only a step. I think Gene needs to use his influence on Spaz to be more aggressive in his game management. Why should people watch if we keep playing it safe and not to lose. I also know it is hard for Spaz to be something he is not, but a little more optimism in his interviews would go a long way. His candid assessments at halftime would be charming if we were winning big. When you are barely over .500 they often come off as defeatist.


In the long run BC will always be a big market team that is an attractive TV partner. But I hope Gene works with ESPN and the ACC on how to make BC a better ratings generator. It our only hope to ever get into a decent bowl game.

Eagle in Atlanta — atleagle.com

Positive Impact Factor: Bowl Week Four

Jordan Jefferson Cotton Bowl

Jordan Jefferson Turned in a Positive Performance in the Cotton Bowl

There was no movement this week in the Top Ten of the Positive Impact Factor. Jordan Jefferson threw three TDs in the Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M and rushed for another TD. He scored a TD on 12.9% of his touches which ranked him second in the bowl season behind Andrew Luck who produced a TD on 14.8% of his touches in the Orange Bowl. Jefferson had only thrown four TDs during the regular season. The performances by the other quarterbacks in the final bowl games are listed below the table.

If you’re new to the PIF ratings, here’s a quick primer (or, check out a podcast about the PIF): 100 point scale based on passing, rushing and receiving contribution (touches) to one’s team. Total TD reflects passing+rushing+receiving (or maybe even fumble recovery) TD. Negative plays are defined as incompletions, fumbles and sacks taken. Extremelynegative plays are interceptions and fumbles lost. Extremely positive plays are touchdowns. The PIF rating is calculated using the following formula:

Negative plays (incompletions, fumbles, sacks) divided by total touches (pass attempts, rush attempts, catches)=negative play percentage (Neg Play). Extremely negative plays (INTs/incompletions plus fumbles lost/rush attempts) multiplied times 2=extremely negative play factor (XNeg Play). Total TD divided by total touches=extremely positive play factor (XPos Play). 100-Neg Play+XNeg Play(total negative number)+XPos Play=PIF.

If you want to see what the final regular season PIF for each of these QBs was, click here. The complete bowl PIF standings can be seen here: 1-36, 37-74. To see the previous Bowl Weeks click on the week: Bowl Week One, Bowl Week Two, Bowl Week Three.

2010 FBS Top Ten QB PIF Through Bowl Week Four
Rank QB Team Touches Total TD Neg Play XNeg Play XPos Play PIF
1. — Ryan Lindley SDSU 24 2 20.8 0 8.3 87.5
2. — Corey Robinson Troy 43 4 23.3 0 9.3 86
3. — Carson Coffman Kansas State 31 2 22.6 0 6.5 83.9
4. — Jordan Reed Florida 37 0 16.2 0 0 83.8
5. — Greg McElroy Alabama 18 1 22.2 0 5.6 83.3
6. — E.J. Manuel Florida State 22 1 22.7 0 4.5 81.8
7. — Andy Dalton TCU 32 2 25 0 6.3 81.3
8. — Nathan Scheelhaase Illinois 32 1 21.9 0 3.1 81.3
9. — Chandler Harnish Northern Illinois 36 3 27.8 0 8.3 80.6
10.— Terrelle Pryor Ohio State 40 2 30 0 5 75

In The Bleachers – A College Football Blog and Podcast

Condoleezza Rice Thinks She Knows Who’s Going To Win The Super Bowl

After an interview with Piers Morgan that will air Wednesday, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told CNN what she thought about Morgan, social media sites and, of course, the NFL.
SportsGrid

Ines Sainz Predicts Jets Will Win Super Bowl

Ines Sainz, the TV Azteca reporter who briefly dominated news headlines after she was allegedly harassed by New York Jets players at a practice earlier this year, is talking about the Jets again – and she thinks the team will win it all.
SportsGrid

US Army All-American Bowl Open Thread

Roll ‘Bama Roll

Did Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor Steal An Arkansas Fan’s Sign At The Sugar Bowl? (Video)

The actual sign-snatching happens slightly out of frame, but it also happens immediately after Pryor disappears from view. Video after the jump, from which you can draw your own conclusions.
SportsGrid

Mobile Bowl Open Thread: Miami (Ohio) v. MTSU

Roll ‘Bama Roll