It's November, so here they come: complaints about the BCS standings, specifically their computer rankings. Can't you just hear your uncle? "Stupid computers! How the heck can they have TCU ahead of Oregon but LSU ahead of Boise State?" If you find this as tiresome as I do, here's how you respond: Grasp your uncle by both shoulders, look him in the eye and say: "This is 2010, not '2001: A Space Odyssey.' The all-knowing, all-powerful supercomputer doesn't exist. The computer rankings are just models programmed by people." Or something like that. Feel free to improvise.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
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Peter Keating
Keating's blog covers the world of statistics and analytics. He will examine concepts for evaluating athletes and teams across all sports, not just those commonly associated with sabermetrics. He'll introduce researchers who are developing sports analytical tools. And he will present and examine "Next Level" findings from ESPN -- data analysis that goes beyond official statistics to explain strategies and performance.
Keating is a senior writer at ESPN the Magazine, where he has covered investigative and financial stories since 1999. He coordinates The Mag's annual "Ultimate Standings" project, which ranks all pro franchises according to how much they give back to fans. His work on concussions in football has earned awards from the Deadline Club, the New York Press Club and the Center for the Study of Sport in Society.
As an athlete, Keating has always combined the speed of Lou Piniella with the glovework of Darryl Strawberry, two childhood favorites. He lives in Montclair, N.J., with his wife, Karen, and their daughters, Eleanor and Samantha.
E-mail Peter: pkeating.nj@verizon.net or follow him on Twitter: @PKStatsBlog.