What am I missing here? How does deflating game balls give a team an advantage? Student Manager Fired for Deflating Game Balls
I read somewhere it in theory makes the ball easier to throw and catch. Didn't seem to matter much to the Ducks that seemed to be getting about 8 yds. every time they rushed the football. Isn't this the same program that accused ND of letting the grass grow high? :roll:
axxording to Jims disucssion with my son re this last night is makes it easier for the receiver to catch and hold on to the ball.....
I find it hard to believe that a student manager would do this on his own. Afte rall, it is USC. PJ in Jersey
I was wondering how long until someone posted this. Delaying three ball makes it easier to maintain a grip, thus making one handed circus grabs slightly easier. This wouldn't have affected Oregon (or tipped them off) because each side uses their own set of game balls.
I'm aware of the supposed advantage re: throwing and catching, and even gripping to avoid fumbles, but I have to ask, WHY? As far as the coaches' involvement, why would a student manager make that kind of decision on his own? Certainly, as many hundreds of times a week he handles the ball, Barkley was aware that they felt different. How about the referees who handled the balls? We haven't heard the last of this fiasco.
Someone, somewhere, will find the fired student manager and get his side of the story, if Kiffin hasn't bribed or threatened him to stay silent.
Hey Bill, I looked at the first half stats vs. the second half stats, and the number of incompletions vs. completions was not significantly different first half to second half when taking out the three passes broken up by the D in the first half. I also looked at the play selection, and there were about as many rushing plays in the second half in the second half. There were two long passes in the first half that made up the huge yardage discrepancy so I'm not convinced there was a drastic advantage gained. It was a stupid thing to do with no real benefit in the end.
:roll: re: "It was a stupid thing to do with no real benefit in the end." Sounds like USC...sounds like Little Kiffin. The idea of competing on the level just never occurs to them...
Kesley, it isn't whether it worked or not but that it was done. I don't trust Kiffin and will believe the worst unless evidence comes out the other way.
Bill, I'm right there with you. Its ******** he even tried it, and i doubt he had nothing to do with it. I was just responding to the article that indicated there was a big change in production.
:x Earlier in the year, Little Kiffin also had his players switch jerseys (and numbers) to confuse an opponent.... The idea of cheating with air pressure is this: 1. Each team provides it's own footballs on game days. 2. They don't use each other's, except on kickoffs, punts and interceptions. 3. The refs found that HALF of the USC footballs were under-inflated. 4. Under-inflated footballs are easier to throw and catch. 5. Over-inflated footballs go further when thay are kicked or punted. 6. That's why only half were under-inflated. 7. USC was cheating......again.