While We’re Waiting…Cavs Record an Illusion, Figuring out Jaguars, OSU vs. Iowa

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Statistical look at the Cavs season so far:  “Just like the Heat, the Cavaliers record is also a bit of an illusion. Unfortunately for fans of the Cavs, the won-loss record actually overstates how good this team has been. Currently the Cavaliers’ efficiency differential is -2.8. Such a mark is consistent with a team that will win about 34 games across an 82-game season. And that mark — prior to the games played on Thursday night — currently ranks 10th in the Eastern Conference. So although the Cavs would be in the playoffs if the season ended today, the team’s efficiency differential (a better predictor of the future than won-loss records) indicates this team will not be in the playoffs when the season ends.”   [Dave Berri/Huffington Post]

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“Trying to figure out those Jags:  “A big difference between the Jaguars this week and the Jets last week? The Jaguars aren’t very good defensively. On average, they give up more points than any of the opponents Cleveland has faced this season — 27.8 points per week. You can pretty much pick and choose how you want to attack them, as they don’t particularly excel at defending the run or the pass. When it comes to making plays on defense, they don’t come very often either — they rank below average in sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions, and passes defended.  The bottom line is that Cleveland can’t head into this game expecting to have an easier matchup than the ones they’ve had over the past three weeks. Based on the way Jacksonville’s season has gone, this could end up being the toughest game since the one against Pittsburgh. Cleveland also has big holes to fill with the definite absence of Scott Fujita on defense and the probable absence of Joshua Cribbs.” [Chris Pokorny/Dawgs by Nature]

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Previewing Iowa-OSU:  “Last week in Evanston, Northwestern’s win only served as another stinger in a season that has seen its share of painful outings for Kirk Ferentz’s squad. The Hawkeyes took a number #9 ranking into Tucson for a week three matchup with Arizona and Mike Stoops emerged with a rare big game win. Wisconsin would deliver the next dagger, closing Iowa out late in Iowa City, just one week after handing Ohio State it’s first loss of the season.  At this point, the Hawkeyes are just trying to play themselves into a quality bowl appearance, but Saturday is Senior Day and with Stanzi, Johnson-Koulianos, Karl Klug, Adrian Clayborn and others playing their final game in Kinnick, you can expect the affair to be nothing short of a barroom brawl.” [Jason/11Warriors]

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Tribe offensive prospects in the minors: “I have qualified this list of “interesting” hitters more than I did with the equivalent list of pitchers.  This group consists largely of mediocre players near the big league level and guys with short track but interesting track records deep in the minors.  The position prospects who spent the second half of the season at Lake County and Kinston were, largely, forgettable. With the crop of 2010 draftees filtering through, and a few young international players improving, that will likely change in 2011.” [APV/LetsGoTribe]

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First hand account from the guy who moved to Cle for the Browns:  “I was putting along when I finally made the Ohio border. A weird feeling passed through my body as I beeped my horn across the state line. It was becoming a reality. Arrival at my apartment was 4:00PM Friday the 17th of September. My landlord came over to give me the lease and read the rules. She was in shock as she finally got to meet me.  Some fan that wants to move for his team.  It was so nice to see the lady that actually gave me a chance to live there. I signed over a check and got the keys. She said “Thank you, and have a great weekend”.  I moved what few belongings I brought with me and looked at the time. It would be less than 12 hours before my friends from Connecticut would arrive for the season opener…But this is the happiest I have been in a long, long time. Home Sweet Home.”  [Eric Barr/The OBR]

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)