Nonetheless, this is what you do this time of year, so lets go.
West Division
2013 Record: 11-7
Pythagorean Wins: 10.1 (over-performed by 0.9 wins, 3rd luckiest)
Record in Close Games (decided by 7 points or fewer): 4-1
Simple Rating: 3.0 (3rd)
Turnover Differential: +2 (4th)
The math suggests that the Lions were a bit lucky in 2013; they had the best record in the league in close games, and they over-performed their point differential by a small margin. The math also suggests that despite these factors, the Lions were the 3rd best team in the league last year. Unfortunately for BC fans, they were also the 3rd best team in their own conference. Teams that over-perform in the 0.5-1 game range tend to regress by around a game and a half the next year, but in this case, with Calgary and Saskatchewan looking vulnerable and an extra game against Winnipeg on the schedule, I wouldn't expect that to happen.
Prediction: 11-7, 2nd in the West.
2013 Record: 14-4
Pythagorean Wins: 12.3 (over-performed by 1.7 wins, luckiest in the league)
Record in Close Games : 3-2 (4th)
Simple Rating: 7.2 (1st)
Turnover Differential: +19 (T-1st)
Just because the numbers say a team is the luckiest in the league, doesn't mean they aren't also a very good team. The Stamps were a very good team in 2013, one of only 12 teams since 1990 to finish with at least 14 wins. They were good in close games, but not overly so, good at taking care of the ball, and solid on defense against the pass. The loss of Kevin Glenn may hurt them if Drew Tate is unable to stay healthy, but Mitchell has shown flashes of brilliance in his time under center, so the QB play should remain solid. Teams that over-perform in the 1.5+ range tend to fall back to the pack a bit though, and I expect the Stampeders to follow suit this year.
Prediction: 12-6, 1st in the West.
2013 Record: 4-14
Pythagorean Wins: 6.5 (under-performed by 2.5 wins, unluckiest in the league)
Record in Close Games: 1-6 (last)
Simple Rating: -3.8 (7th)
Turnover Differential: -15 (7th)
Lets get this out of the way early: the Eskimos were tremendously unlucky last year. Only 5 teams since 1990 have fallen short of their expected win total by more then Edmonton did in 2013. The good news for Eskimo fans? Of those which played a season the next year (the 1995 Shreveport Pirates folded after their season), each of them finished with at least 9 wins the next season. Of course, there is also the 1997 Bombers, who come out just ahead of the Eskimos at -2.4 wins, and finished with just 3 the next year. That said, their record in close games is bound to improve, so it's a good bet that they'll see some improvement.
Prediction: 8-10, 3rd in the West.
2013 Record: 11-7
Pythagorean Wins: 12.1 (under-performed by 1.1 wins, 2nd unluckiest)
Record in Close Games: 3-5 (6th)
Simple Rating: 6.2 (2nd)
Turnover Differential: +19 (T-1st)
The 2013 Riders were a very good team by the numbers; nearly the equal of the Stampeders, despite a 3 game difference in the standings. Of course, we all know how it turned out in the end. Normally, a team that falls short of expectations by 1+ wins would be expected to show improvement next year, in the range of another 1-1.5 wins. Sadly, this Rider fan doesn't see that happening here. These math functions can be a great way to judge performance beyond the standings, but they lack situational awareness, and what they don't know, is that the 2014 Riders do not look all that much like the 2013 Riders. Hits to the receiving corps and the loss of Kory Sheets are bound to hurt the offense. The upside for Rider Nation? The 2013 team was the best defense in the league, allowing a league-low 398 points and only 20 passing touchdowns.
Prediction: 6-12, 4th in the West
2013 Record: 3-15
Pythagorean Wins: 3.8 (under-performed by 0.8 wins, 3rd unluckiest)
Record in Close Games: 1-4 (7th)
Simple Rating: -11.4
Turnover Differential: -27 (last)
The Bombers were really bad in 2013. The single game they finished behind the Eskimos in the basement of the CFL doesn't tell the full story here, by simple ranking system (which ranks team by average point margin adjusted for opponents), they were a full touchdown per game worse than the Eskimos. By this metric, the Eskimos were closer to the 3rd place team (BC), than they were the Bombers. There are faint signs of hope, however; the turnover margin is likely to improve in 2014, and they were unlucky in close games last year, a stat which is likely to be closer to 50-50 over time. Still, they have an unproven starter under center and they play in the difficult West; 2014 may be a long season as well.
Prediction: 5-13, 5th in the West
East Division
2013 Record: 10-8
Pythagorean Wins: 8.6 (over-performed by 1.4 wins, second luckiest)
Record in Close Games: 5-3 (3rd)
Simple Rating: -1.9 (6th)
Turnover Differential: -13 (6th)
Hamilton had a nice run to the Grey Cup final in 2013, but a strong record in close games and the second luckiest W/L percentage in the league are all signs for regression. However, this is a team with a strong coach and a pair of young QBs who have shown they can play. Couple those with a schedule against the weak East Division, and you may have a team able to make another run in 2014.
Prediction: 9-9, 2nd in the East
2013 Record: 8-10
Pythagorean Wins: 8.7 (under-performed by 0.7 wins, 4th unluckiest)
Record in Close Games: 5-5 (5th)
Simple Rating: -1.1 (5th)
Turnover Differential: -2 (1st)
Montreal finished just about right where they should have last year, ending up closer to their expected win total than any other team. They were .500 in close games, just about even in turnover differential and near zero (average) in simple rating. The defense was still good, first in the league for takeaways and yards allowed, but the offense will need to take much better care of the ball in 2014 for things to get better. I think they will, but not by much.
Prediction: 9-9, 2nd in the East
Prediction: 9-9, 2nd in the East
2013 Record: n/a
Pythagorean Wins: n/a
Record in Close Games: n/a
Simple Rating: n/a
Turnover Differential: n/a
How do you make a stats-based prediction for a team that's never played a down of football? You really can't, but we do have some historical data to work with. Since 1990, seven CFL teams have started from scratch (technically 9, but the 1996 Texans and Alouettes were both relocations). Their combined record was 49-77 (.389). A veteran QB and a promising backup will provide some optimism, but history is not on Ottawa's side.
Prediction: 7-11, 4th in the East
How do you make a stats-based prediction for a team that's never played a down of football? You really can't, but we do have some historical data to work with. Since 1990, seven CFL teams have started from scratch (technically 9, but the 1996 Texans and Alouettes were both relocations). Their combined record was 49-77 (.389). A veteran QB and a promising backup will provide some optimism, but history is not on Ottawa's side.
Prediction: 7-11, 4th in the East
2013 Record: 11-7
Pythagorean Wins: 10.2 (over-performed by 0.8 wins, 4th luckiest)
Record in Close Games: 6-2 (2nd)
Simple Rating: 1.7 (4th)
Turnover Differential: -13 (6th)
Mathematically, the best team in the East would have been a mere 4th in the strong West Division, but this was a well balanced team in 2013. They were 3rd in points for, 3rd in points allowed, and 3rd in turnover differential. A late season loss to Ricky Ray in the midst of an all-time great season hurt, and they fell short of expectations in the playoffs. The record in close games is likely to take a hit, but the turnover differential should balance out as well, and a full season with Ray at the helm should keep them at the top of the East again.
Prediction: 11-7, 1st in the East
Mathematically, the best team in the East would have been a mere 4th in the strong West Division, but this was a well balanced team in 2013. They were 3rd in points for, 3rd in points allowed, and 3rd in turnover differential. A late season loss to Ricky Ray in the midst of an all-time great season hurt, and they fell short of expectations in the playoffs. The record in close games is likely to take a hit, but the turnover differential should balance out as well, and a full season with Ray at the helm should keep them at the top of the East again.
Prediction: 11-7, 1st in the East
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