[BostonCard]

Marty here,

Since nobody has volunteered to run the prediction game, I will bite the bullet and step up.  Please use the google docs form (link below) for all entries.  For this first game, I will accept entries not entered on the form.  If post entries differ from form entries, form entries will take precedent.  The rules are still being discussed.  Your input is appreciated.  This year, there will be physical prizes for winners (TBA).

https://goo.gl/forms/az1fhsI1JH3lhUT93

Regarding the rules, I am not a fan of the spread error counting as much as the error from the actual score.  I prefer that the winner be the person who chose the winner and was closest to the actual score, all entries that chose the correct winner should be ranked above all those who didn't, and those who didn't chose the correct winner will be ranked according to who came closest to the actual score.  I am open to suggestions/debate.


Original BC post below:
_____________________________________________
Unfortunately, I don't have time these days to "run" our informal prediction game (creating the google form, posting the predictions and calculating the results).  If anyone wants to take up the mantle, I am happy to share my old files.  If not, happy to make this a very informal thing where people just post their predictions in a single thread, and there is no formal compilation.

In any case, I'm going to guess that injuries and rust lead to a lackluster start to the season.  We win 21-17 or so, and Love is "held" to a rather pedestrian 112 yards and 1 TD.

BC

[BostonCard]

Marty here,

Since nobody has volunteered to run the prediction game, I will bite the bullet and step up.  Please use the google docs form (link below) for all entries.  For this first game, I will accept entries not entered on the form.  If post entries differ from form entries, form entries will take precedent.  The rules are still being discussed.  Your input is appreciated.  This year, there will be physical prizes for winners (TBA).

https://goo.gl/forms/az1fhsI1JH3lhUT93

Regarding the rules, I am not a fan of the spread error counting as much as the error from the actual score.  I prefer that the winner be the person who chose the winner and was closest to the actual score, all entries that chose the correct winner should be ranked above all those who didn't, and those who didn't chose the correct winner will be ranked according to who came closest to the actual score.  I am open to suggestions/debate.


Original BC post below:
_____________________________________________
Unfortunately, I don't have time these days to "run" our informal prediction game (creating the google form, posting the predictions and calculating the results).  If anyone wants to take up the mantle, I am happy to share my old files.  If not, happy to make this a very informal thing where people just post their predictions in a single thread, and there is no formal compilation.

In any case, I'm going to guess that injuries and rust lead to a lackluster start to the season.  We win 21-17 or so, and Love is "held" to a rather pedestrian 112 yards and 1 TD.

BC

[d4cohn]

My prediction is that I think this game will be similar to last year's ASU game. Stanford is better on paper, and gradually wears SDSU down. 34-21 Stanford.

[d4cohn]

My prediction is that I think this game will be similar to last year's ASU game. Stanford is better on paper, and gradually wears SDSU down. 34-21 Stanford.

[Wayno]

My prediction is that I think this game will be similar to last year's ASU game. Stanford is better on paper, and gradually wears SDSU down. 34-21 Stanford.

sounds very reasonable.

I'm going to say SDSU defense wreaks havoc with their blitzing. Turnovers decide this. 

Aztecs 24
Cardinal 13

p.s. are visitors allowed to post predictions? Sorry.

[Wayno]

My prediction is that I think this game will be similar to last year's ASU game. Stanford is better on paper, and gradually wears SDSU down. 34-21 Stanford.

sounds very reasonable.

I'm going to say SDSU defense wreaks havoc with their blitzing. Turnovers decide this. 

Aztecs 24
Cardinal 13

p.s. are visitors allowed to post predictions? Sorry.

[BostonCard]

p.s. are visitors allowed to post predictions? Sorry.

Yes, of course.  They just aren't allowed to predict that Stanford will lose ;-).  Thanks for stopping by.

BC

[BostonCard]

p.s. are visitors allowed to post predictions? Sorry.

Yes, of course.  They just aren't allowed to predict that Stanford will lose ;-).  Thanks for stopping by.

BC

[Phogge]

3-0 in the snow. JK

37-10 Stanford.

[Phogge]

3-0 in the snow. JK

37-10 Stanford.

[TinderForMidgets]

My prediction is that I think this game will be similar to last year's ASU game. Stanford is better on paper, and gradually wears SDSU down. 34-21 Stanford.

sounds very reasonable.

I'm going to say SDSU defense wreaks havoc with their blitzing. Turnovers decide this. 

Aztecs 24
Cardinal 13

p.s. are visitors allowed to post predictions? Sorry.

What the *****?

[TinderForMidgets]

My prediction is that I think this game will be similar to last year's ASU game. Stanford is better on paper, and gradually wears SDSU down. 34-21 Stanford.

sounds very reasonable.

I'm going to say SDSU defense wreaks havoc with their blitzing. Turnovers decide this. 

Aztecs 24
Cardinal 13

p.s. are visitors allowed to post predictions? Sorry.

What the *****?

[SteveAztec]

My prediction is that I think this game will be similar to last year's ASU game. Stanford is better on paper, and gradually wears SDSU down. 34-21 Stanford.

sounds very reasonable.

I'm going to say SDSU defense wreaks havoc with their blitzing. Turnovers decide this. 

Aztecs 24
Cardinal 13

p.s. are visitors allowed to post predictions? Sorry.

What the *****?

Well...The spread is big for Stanford...The Aztecs are sneaky...I am going to say...31-30 Aztecs.

[SteveAztec]

My prediction is that I think this game will be similar to last year's ASU game. Stanford is better on paper, and gradually wears SDSU down. 34-21 Stanford.

sounds very reasonable.

I'm going to say SDSU defense wreaks havoc with their blitzing. Turnovers decide this. 

Aztecs 24
Cardinal 13

p.s. are visitors allowed to post predictions? Sorry.

What the *****?

Well...The spread is big for Stanford...The Aztecs are sneaky...I am going to say...31-30 Aztecs.

[PVTree]

When's the last time Stanford lost an OOC home opener? More than a decade ago? Early Harballs? Wlat era?

Tree 31 Aztecas 10, Bryce 175 rushing, Costello 2 TDs.

[PVTree]

When's the last time Stanford lost an OOC home opener? More than a decade ago? Early Harballs? Wlat era?

Tree 31 Aztecas 10, Bryce 175 rushing, Costello 2 TDs.

[Hurlburt88]

24-17 Trees in somewhat boring start that creates plenty of angst

[Hurlburt88]

24-17 Trees in somewhat boring start that creates plenty of angst

[JustAnotherFan]

Sloppy game. Defense is not ready for Aztecs' run game. Costello has a slow start with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Bryce Love saves the day. Rushes for 2 TDs and 200 yds with at least one 50 yd touchdown. Also catches one out of the backfield for 25 yds for the other TD. Bet on it.

Cardinal 21
Aztecs 18

[JustAnotherFan]

Sloppy game. Defense is not ready for Aztecs' run game. Costello has a slow start with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Bryce Love saves the day. Rushes for 2 TDs and 200 yds with at least one 50 yd touchdown. Also catches one out of the backfield for 25 yds for the other TD. Bet on it.

Cardinal 21
Aztecs 18

[Mick]

Sloppy game. Defense is not ready for Aztecs' run game. Costello has a slow start with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Bryce Love saves the day. Rushes for 2 TDs and 200 yds with at least one 50 yd touchdown. Also catches one out of the backfield for 25 yds for the other TD. Bet on it.

Cardinal 21
Aztecs 18

Bryce Love is going to be amazing, but so will Aztecs ground game.

Stanford 31
Aztecs 21

[Mick]

Sloppy game. Defense is not ready for Aztecs' run game. Costello has a slow start with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Bryce Love saves the day. Rushes for 2 TDs and 200 yds with at least one 50 yd touchdown. Also catches one out of the backfield for 25 yds for the other TD. Bet on it.

Cardinal 21
Aztecs 18

Bryce Love is going to be amazing, but so will Aztecs ground game.

Stanford 31
Aztecs 21

[martyup]

Unfortunately, I don't have time these days to "run" our informal prediction game (creating the google form, posting the predictions and calculating the results).  If anyone wants to take up the mantle, I am happy to share my old files.  
BC

This is where someone is called in from the sidelines to save the game.  I wish I could do it, but I don't have the time.  Who will step up and become a Cardboard hero?  

[martyup]

Unfortunately, I don't have time these days to "run" our informal prediction game (creating the google form, posting the predictions and calculating the results).  If anyone wants to take up the mantle, I am happy to share my old files.  
BC

This is where someone is called in from the sidelines to save the game.  I wish I could do it, but I don't have the time.  Who will step up and become a Cardboard hero?  

[82lsju]

When's the last time Stanford lost an OOC home opener? More than a decade ago? Early Harballs? Wlat era?

2006 vs Navy
2005 vs UCDavis

[82lsju]

When's the last time Stanford lost an OOC home opener? More than a decade ago? Early Harballs? Wlat era?

2006 vs Navy
2005 vs UCDavis

[ADPinWDC]

Unfortunately, I don't have time these days to "run" our informal prediction game (creating the google form, posting the predictions and calculating the results).  If anyone wants to take up the mantle, I am happy to share my old files.  If not, happy to make this a very informal thing where people just post their predictions in a single thread, and there is no formal compilation.

In any case, I'm going to guess that injuries and rust lead to a lackluster start to the season.  We win 21-17 or so, and Love is "held" to a rather pedestrian 112 yards and 1 TD.

BC

Maybe simplify the tabulation:  1) Closest to the final point spread; 2) Closest to Stanford score as the tiebreaker.  
Someone can list the predictions made in this thread before Kickoff.

---

24-17 Trees in somewhat boring start that creates plenty of angst

Vaunted Cardinal 45; Errant Aztecs 24 -- set aside the skepticism, for now.  
Shaw has taken Stanford to the Pac12 Title Game four of the last six seasons [2012*, 2013*, 2015*, 2017 -- *won 3]  
OPPOSITE OF BORING:  Shaw is more confident of this team, than 2017.  He knows he has to open it up on Offense because the Defense may not keep foes under 28. 
SO -- Costello gets plenty of green lights, and has the receivers to do it... plus a Heizer finalist.  
Stanford averages >40 this season because the O-Line gels earlier, and lights it up AT HOME on Aztecs with 45 points.  
Point spread is 2 TDs; I'll give the visiting southland warriors 24 with Chapman.  
Bryce zips for 2 TDs and gets plenty of help. I think Wedington and Kaden Smith do some dancing with the pigskin.  
If we get turnovers on Defense, something we did well last season, then the spread runs more like 2009 @U$C (55 -21).  
"Hey, what's your deal?"  Our deal this year is lighting up the scoreboard while the Defense comes around.  
We need to set the bar for arrogant Troyens coming to town on Week 2.

[ADPinWDC]

Unfortunately, I don't have time these days to "run" our informal prediction game (creating the google form, posting the predictions and calculating the results).  If anyone wants to take up the mantle, I am happy to share my old files.  If not, happy to make this a very informal thing where people just post their predictions in a single thread, and there is no formal compilation.

In any case, I'm going to guess that injuries and rust lead to a lackluster start to the season.  We win 21-17 or so, and Love is "held" to a rather pedestrian 112 yards and 1 TD.

BC

Maybe simplify the tabulation:  1) Closest to the final point spread; 2) Closest to Stanford score as the tiebreaker.  
Someone can list the predictions made in this thread before Kickoff.

---

24-17 Trees in somewhat boring start that creates plenty of angst

Vaunted Cardinal 45; Errant Aztecs 24 -- set aside the skepticism, for now.  
Shaw has taken Stanford to the Pac12 Title Game four of the last six seasons [2012*, 2013*, 2015*, 2017 -- *won 3]  
OPPOSITE OF BORING:  Shaw is more confident of this team, than 2017.  He knows he has to open it up on Offense because the Defense may not keep foes under 28. 
SO -- Costello gets plenty of green lights, and has the receivers to do it... plus a Heizer finalist.  
Stanford averages >40 this season because the O-Line gels earlier, and lights it up AT HOME on Aztecs with 45 points.  
Point spread is 2 TDs; I'll give the visiting southland warriors 24 with Chapman.  
Bryce zips for 2 TDs and gets plenty of help. I think Wedington and Kaden Smith do some dancing with the pigskin.  
If we get turnovers on Defense, something we did well last season, then the spread runs more like 2009 @U$C (55 -21).  
"Hey, what's your deal?"  Our deal this year is lighting up the scoreboard while the Defense comes around.  
We need to set the bar for arrogant Troyens coming to town on Week 2.

[Papa John]

Former Indians 35

Current Aztecs 21

[Papa John]

Former Indians 35

Current Aztecs 21

[martyup]

Unfortunately, I don't have time these days to "run" our informal prediction game (creating the google form, posting the predictions and calculating the results).  If anyone wants to take up the mantle, I am happy to share my old files.  If not, happy to make this a very informal thing where people just post their predictions in a single thread, and there is no formal compilation.

In any case, I'm going to guess that injuries and rust lead to a lackluster start to the season.  We win 21-17 or so, and Love is "held" to a rather pedestrian 112 yards and 1 TD.

BC

Maybe simplify the tabulation:  1) Closest to the final point spread; 2) Closest to Stanford score as the tiebreaker.  
Someone can list the predictions made in this thread before Kickoff.

I don't think the complexity of the formula has anything to do with the time it takes to do this job.  BC has an online form for entering the predictions.  I think that the data produced by the form is imported into a spreadsheet that does the calculations.  BC can tell us how much time it takes each week, but I don't think it is extensive.

[martyup]

Unfortunately, I don't have time these days to "run" our informal prediction game (creating the google form, posting the predictions and calculating the results).  If anyone wants to take up the mantle, I am happy to share my old files.  If not, happy to make this a very informal thing where people just post their predictions in a single thread, and there is no formal compilation.

In any case, I'm going to guess that injuries and rust lead to a lackluster start to the season.  We win 21-17 or so, and Love is "held" to a rather pedestrian 112 yards and 1 TD.

BC

Maybe simplify the tabulation:  1) Closest to the final point spread; 2) Closest to Stanford score as the tiebreaker.  
Someone can list the predictions made in this thread before Kickoff.

I don't think the complexity of the formula has anything to do with the time it takes to do this job.  BC has an online form for entering the predictions.  I think that the data produced by the form is imported into a spreadsheet that does the calculations.  BC can tell us how much time it takes each week, but I don't think it is extensive.

[SteveAztec]

Hey Wayno...I see you are coming down from Portland for the game.  I will see you there.

[SteveAztec]

Hey Wayno...I see you are coming down from Portland for the game.  I will see you there.

[SamuelMcF]

Some predictions (Deltas from last year in parentheses):

Cardinal Points: 34 (+17)
Aztec Points: 24 (+4)
Total Holders starting: 1 (-1)
"F*** DAVID SHAW"s screamed by my friend during an end-of-game meltdown: 1, for posterity (-18)
Stadium blackouts (lights, not people): 0 (-1)
50+ yard Jake Bailey punts (not counting return yardage): 3 (+2)
Stanford QB completion percentage: 60 (+15)
Stanford time of possession, minutes (rounded to nearest minute): 32 (+13)
SamuelMcFs at the game: 0 (-1) (I'll be on a plane)

[SamuelMcF]

Some predictions (Deltas from last year in parentheses):

Cardinal Points: 34 (+17)
Aztec Points: 24 (+4)
Total Holders starting: 1 (-1)
"F*** DAVID SHAW"s screamed by my friend during an end-of-game meltdown: 1, for posterity (-18)
Stadium blackouts (lights, not people): 0 (-1)
50+ yard Jake Bailey punts (not counting return yardage): 3 (+2)
Stanford QB completion percentage: 60 (+15)
Stanford time of possession, minutes (rounded to nearest minute): 32 (+13)
SamuelMcFs at the game: 0 (-1) (I'll be on a plane)

[Snorlax94]

A proposal for how to solve the problem of The Cardboard Prediction Game.

Presumably, the difficult part is not the tabulation. Once the numbers are in a spreadsheet, the results can be easily and automatically calculated. The difficult part is getting it set up on time each week, collecting the numbers, and transferring the data between the various programs, then transferring the results.

My proposal is to eliminate the administrator's work as much as possible, to the point that anyone can do it, and I can do it, but this proposal should make it so easy anyone should be willing to do it, and a different person could actually do it each week if the tabulation spreadsheet were made available. Basically, make the people entering their predictions handle all the data entry and setup for the administrator. Actually, this solution requires no game administrator -- people can do it themselves.

1) Each week, anyone can start the prediction thread. They can write all they want, but when it comes to the score, the *MUST* follow a comma-separate format at the end of their post, like this:
-------------------------
BostonCard,21,17
-------------------------
(any arbitrary number of dashes can be used)
<User Name>,<Stanford Score>,<Opponent Score>
separated by commas with no spaces

The user name must match the handle EXACTLY and be the same every week. If you screw up, you no longer have 1 person competing for the end-of-season recognition (IE, if Snorlax_94 wins weeks 1-4, and Snorlax 94 wins weeks 5-8, and Snorlx 94 wins weeks 9-12, then that is viewed as three different players with very poor 12 week totals). The administrator may take mercy on you and try to make the correction, but is not at all required to do so.
The second person posting must append their prediction at the end of their post, using the exact same format:
-------------------------------------------------
BostonCard,21,17
d4cohn,34,21
-------------------------------------------------
The third person must append their prediction in the following line. They might first write a bunch of colorful text and reasoning, but the prediction section at the end of their post must use this dry format.
-------------------------------------------------
BostonCard,21,17
d4cohn,34,21
Wayno,13,24
--------------------------------------------------
etc.
1) If you want to EDIT your score, you simply ADD A NEW REPLY TO THE THREAD, EDITING ONLY YOUR PREDICTION LINE IN THE TABLE.
2) You NEVER, NEVER go back and edit an old post. You must ONLY keep adding new posts. 
3) We must trust everyone keeps others' scores accurate. Anyone caught editing others' data is in trouble. You are copying and pasting.
4) If, in the rare instance, two people simultaneously post, the latter post must add a new post, correctly resolving/reconciling the collision. IE, if Users 1, 2, 3 made predictions, and User 4 posts 1,2,3,4 and User 5 was posting at the same time, and posted predictions for 1,2,3,5, the latter post is responsible for entering a new post that correctly lists predictions 1,2,3,4, and 5.

No posts after the moment of kickoff are accepted.

If the calculation spreadsheet is made available, anyone can copy the table into a text file, save it on their desktop, open it as a comma separated value (CSV) format spreadsheet, and instantly calculate that week's results with virtually no work. Then you just sort the results by the best performer, and copy and paste it into the Cardboard.

[Snorlax94]

A proposal for how to solve the problem of The Cardboard Prediction Game.

Presumably, the difficult part is not the tabulation. Once the numbers are in a spreadsheet, the results can be easily and automatically calculated. The difficult part is getting it set up on time each week, collecting the numbers, and transferring the data between the various programs, then transferring the results.

My proposal is to eliminate the administrator's work as much as possible, to the point that anyone can do it, and I can do it, but this proposal should make it so easy anyone should be willing to do it, and a different person could actually do it each week if the tabulation spreadsheet were made available. Basically, make the people entering their predictions handle all the data entry and setup for the administrator. Actually, this solution requires no game administrator -- people can do it themselves.

1) Each week, anyone can start the prediction thread. They can write all they want, but when it comes to the score, the *MUST* follow a comma-separate format at the end of their post, like this:
-------------------------
BostonCard,21,17
-------------------------
(any arbitrary number of dashes can be used)
<User Name>,<Stanford Score>,<Opponent Score>
separated by commas with no spaces

The user name must match the handle EXACTLY and be the same every week. If you screw up, you no longer have 1 person competing for the end-of-season recognition (IE, if Snorlax_94 wins weeks 1-4, and Snorlax 94 wins weeks 5-8, and Snorlx 94 wins weeks 9-12, then that is viewed as three different players with very poor 12 week totals). The administrator may take mercy on you and try to make the correction, but is not at all required to do so.
The second person posting must append their prediction at the end of their post, using the exact same format:
-------------------------------------------------
BostonCard,21,17
d4cohn,34,21
-------------------------------------------------
The third person must append their prediction in the following line. They might first write a bunch of colorful text and reasoning, but the prediction section at the end of their post must use this dry format.
-------------------------------------------------
BostonCard,21,17
d4cohn,34,21
Wayno,13,24
--------------------------------------------------
etc.
1) If you want to EDIT your score, you simply ADD A NEW REPLY TO THE THREAD, EDITING ONLY YOUR PREDICTION LINE IN THE TABLE.
2) You NEVER, NEVER go back and edit an old post. You must ONLY keep adding new posts. 
3) We must trust everyone keeps others' scores accurate. Anyone caught editing others' data is in trouble. You are copying and pasting.
4) If, in the rare instance, two people simultaneously post, the latter post must add a new post, correctly resolving/reconciling the collision. IE, if Users 1, 2, 3 made predictions, and User 4 posts 1,2,3,4 and User 5 was posting at the same time, and posted predictions for 1,2,3,5, the latter post is responsible for entering a new post that correctly lists predictions 1,2,3,4, and 5.

No posts after the moment of kickoff are accepted.

If the calculation spreadsheet is made available, anyone can copy the table into a text file, save it on their desktop, open it as a comma separated value (CSV) format spreadsheet, and instantly calculate that week's results with virtually no work. Then you just sort the results by the best performer, and copy and paste it into the Cardboard.

[StanfordIndians1]

Aztec fans must not know tat since 2010, Stanford is ranked as the 5th HARDEST PLACE TO GET A W...we simply dont lose at home. Top 5  in the country close to 54-5 (5th I believe).

Does SDSU really think they will come in here and win?  Sorry Montazumas Revenge.

31-16   Trees.

[StanfordIndians1]

Aztec fans must not know tat since 2010, Stanford is ranked as the 5th HARDEST PLACE TO GET A W...we simply dont lose at home. Top 5  in the country close to 54-5 (5th I believe).

Does SDSU really think they will come in here and win?  Sorry Montazumas Revenge.

31-16   Trees.