Superstitions on gameday?

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
I’ll be sporting my lucky red boxer briefs.

Go ahead and laugh, they’re batting .777 this year so far!
Good scotch and weed... this is my bball night though out on the west coast so going to have to watch sober. Hope that doesn't cost us a W
 
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Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
I could try the ole "just one drink" lie and see where that goes

Game day superstition will be to wear my sick Rutgers throwback jersey when it arrives
 
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ruman

All-American
Nov 30, 2001
12,456
9,099
98
We have been so awful for so long that I'm sure that all the superstitions out there HAVE NOT WORKED
 

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,110
15,542
72
Have at it, but I find the whole thing a bit silly.
Numbers, did you ever wonder if the outcome of a game we won would have been different if you weren’t there, or vice versus? There’s no way to know for sure, but it’s possible, right?

That’s how I look at superstitions. It’s just another way of putting a positive vibe in the air. And who’s to say for sure that it doesn’t help?
 

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
247,844
177,542
113
I wore a hat the first two conference games of 2020 and well I missed the third game so not sure if I have to wear at hat for Nebby but I have worn the same shirt for the first two games so it looks I will be wearing it again
 
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RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
113
Numbers, did you ever wonder if the outcome of a game we won would have been different if you weren’t there, or vice versus? There’s no way to know for sure, but it’s possible, right?

That’s how I look at superstitions. It’s just another way of putting a positive vibe in the air. And who’s to say for sure that it doesn’t help?

Sorry, but no, never. I hate to be harsh about it, but as someone who has been a scientist for decades looking for rational cause and effect, believing that some tiny, odd behavior, which is wholly unconnected to the game, might have an impact on that game is completely nonsensical. Especially when there are likely thousands, if not millions (depending on how big the event is) all doing various odd behaviors meant to help their teams, so to think that your one behavior actually makes a difference is just a wee bit irrational. Same thing for things like "board jinxes" they simply don't exist. It's also akin to believing that some deity interceded on behalf of one player or team, but decided to screw the other team - I'm still waiting for the day when a player from the losing team blames God for their loss.

This is different from being a vocal fan at a home game, though. It's well established that fan support energizes the home team and, more importantly, influences the judgment of game officials to some small extent, which can make a difference in the outcome of a game (several studies have shown this, especially in soccer where a single goal is so important). I assume you're not talking about the collective effect of fans.
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
Sorry, but no, never. I hate to be harsh about it, but as someone who has been a scientist for decades looking for rational cause and effect, believing that some tiny, odd behavior, which is wholly unconnected to the game, might have an impact on that game is completely nonsensical. Especially when there are likely thousands, if not millions (depending on how big the event is) all doing various odd behaviors meant to help their teams, so to think that your one behavior actually makes a difference is just a wee bit irrational. Same thing for things like "board jinxes" they simply don't exist. It's also akin to believing that some deity interceded on behalf of one player or team, but decided to screw the other team - I'm still waiting for the day when a player from the losing team blames God for their loss.

This is different from being a vocal fan at a home game, though. It's well established that fan support energizes the home team and, more importantly, influences the judgment of game officials to some small extent, which can make a difference in the outcome of a game (several studies have shown this, especially in soccer where a single goal is so important). I assume you're not talking about the collective effect of fans.
Lol thanks captain obvious
 

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,110
15,542
72
Sorry, but no, never. I hate to be harsh about it, but as someone who has been a scientist for decades looking for rational cause and effect, believing that some tiny, odd behavior, which is wholly unconnected to the game, might have an impact on that game is completely nonsensical. Especially when there are likely thousands, if not millions (depending on how big the event is) all doing various odd behaviors meant to help their teams, so to think that your one behavior actually makes a difference is just a wee bit irrational. Same thing for things like "board jinxes" they simply don't exist. It's also akin to believing that some deity interceded on behalf of one player or team, but decided to screw the other team - I'm still waiting for the day when a player from the losing team blames God for their loss.

This is different from being a vocal fan at a home game, though. It's well established that fan support energizes the home team and, more importantly, influences the judgment of game officials to some small extent, which can make a difference in the outcome of a game (several studies have shown this, especially in soccer where a single goal is so important). I assume you're not talking about the collective effect of fans.
Ok so how about this: the players read this board and get incredibly inspired and pumped up to hear that their fans are so dedicated that they follow routines and superstitions in the hopes that it will give our team an edge. So they perform just a tad better knowing we’re with them all the way, just like at home games!
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
113
Lol thanks captain obvious
Did you read the post I'm responding to? He asked, so I answered. Of course it's obvious fan superstitions are meaningless, but a surprising number of people still engage in them.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
113
Ok so how about this: the players read this board and get incredibly inspired and pumped up to hear that their fans are so dedicated that they follow routines and superstitions in the hopes that it will give our team an edge. So they perform just a tad better knowing we’re with them all the way, just like at home games!
Nice try, but no. I think they're slightly influenced by fans showing up and being vocal (as are refs), so maybe there'd be a little inspiration if 1500 RU fans unexpectedly showed up tonight in Iowa, but I can't believe they give any weight to fan superstitions going on at home.
 

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,110
15,542
72
Nice try, but no. I think they're slightly influenced by fans showing up and being vocal (as are refs), so maybe there'd be a little inspiration if 1500 RU fans unexpectedly showed up tonight in Iowa, but I can't believe they give any weight to fan superstitions going on at home.
Ok fine. At least we have Indian raindances that still work, thankfully.
 

Scarlet83

Heisman
Feb 4, 2004
9,541
10,700
103
Sorry, but no, never. I hate to be harsh about it, but as someone who has been a scientist for decades looking for rational cause and effect, believing that some tiny, odd behavior, which is wholly unconnected to the game, might have an impact on that game is completely nonsensical. Especially when there are likely thousands, if not millions (depending on how big the event is) all doing various odd behaviors meant to help their teams, so to think that your one behavior actually makes a difference is just a wee bit irrational. Same thing for things like "board jinxes" they simply don't exist. It's also akin to believing that some deity interceded on behalf of one player or team, but decided to screw the other team - I'm still waiting for the day when a player from the losing team blames God for their loss.

This is different from being a vocal fan at a home game, though. It's well established that fan support energizes the home team and, more importantly, influences the judgment of game officials to some small extent, which can make a difference in the outcome of a game (several studies have shown this, especially in soccer where a single goal is so important). I assume you're not talking about the collective effect of fans.

Got it. But if one of those weather dudes or gals had a favorite weather tie or superstitious necklace, maybe more of their forecasts would be accurate?

just maybe?

;-)
 
Last edited:

Sweet Pea's Corner

All-American
Sep 10, 2001
17,834
5,690
113
Sorry, but no, never. I hate to be harsh about it, but as someone who has been a scientist for decades looking for rational cause and effect, believing that some tiny, odd behavior, which is wholly unconnected to the game, might have an impact on that game is completely nonsensical. Especially when there are likely thousands, if not millions (depending on how big the event is) all doing various odd behaviors meant to help their teams, so to think that your one behavior actually makes a difference is just a wee bit irrational. Same thing for things like "board jinxes" they simply don't exist. It's also akin to believing that some deity interceded on behalf of one player or team, but decided to screw the other team - I'm still waiting for the day when a player from the losing team blames God for their loss.

This is different from being a vocal fan at a home game, though. It's well established that fan support energizes the home team and, more importantly, influences the judgment of game officials to some small extent, which can make a difference in the outcome of a game (several studies have shown this, especially in soccer where a single goal is so important). I assume you're not talking about the collective effect of fans.


I think it can if you do something to change what had happened. Say if you are sitting in the lower section and make some kind of gesture or some kind of distraction to a player. Say it makes him a second slower or distracts him enough that the timing is different than it would have been if he was there. What if you spill a drink on the court and maintenance has to clean it up. The timing would be off on what would have happened if you weren't there.
 

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,110
15,542
72
Nice try, but no. I think they're slightly influenced by fans showing up and being vocal (as are refs), so maybe there'd be a little inspiration if 1500 RU fans unexpectedly showed up tonight in Iowa, but I can't believe they give any weight to fan superstitions going on at home.
Ok numbers, one more try: as a scientist I understand you deal in measurables and observation and cause and effect, etc. My question is, do you assign any impact to things that are unseen, like say inspiration, for example? Sorta like, “win one for the gipper” and stuff like that.

Do you believe you can get a better performance from inspiration and/or motivation? Also, do you place any value on one team having “momentum” in a contest, where they seem to get on a roll and then it just feeds on itself until they steamroll the opponent?

Don’t know if there’s ever been any scientific proof of these things, but I’d be curious to know.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
113
Ok numbers, one more try: as a scientist I understand you deal in measurables and observation and cause and effect, etc. My question is, do you assign any impact to things that are unseen, like say inspiration, for example? Sorta like, “win one for the gipper” and stuff like that.

Do you believe you can get a better performance from inspiration and/or motivation? Also, do you place any value on one team having “momentum” in a contest, where they seem to get on a roll and then it just feeds on itself until they steamroll the opponent?

Don’t know if there’s ever been any scientific proof of these things, but I’d be curious to know.

Yes, of course, the psyche of the team is important, but I it's ludicrous to think that the psyche of the team is affected by what some fans wear or don't wear or whatever. The psyche can certainly be affected by fans direct "contact" with the team, i.e., being psycho fans at a home game or even making a great showing at an away game. And there's certainly confidence/momentum in a game, but again, there's no way that's affected by what fans are eating, wearing, saying at home.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
113
I think it can if you do something to change what had happened. Say if you are sitting in the lower section and make some kind of gesture or some kind of distraction to a player. Say it makes him a second slower or distracts him enough that the timing is different than it would have been if he was there. What if you spill a drink on the court and maintenance has to clean it up. The timing would be off on what would have happened if you weren't there.
Can't tell if you're just trolling me or not, but if serious, yeah of course, a direct impact on the players can affect the game - but that's not what some goofy superstitious behavior is.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
113
Got it. But if one of those weather dudes or gals had a favorite weather tie or superstitious necklace, maybe more of their forecasts would be accurate?

just maybe?

;-)
You mean like this? :>)

 

RW90

All-American
Feb 2, 2002
8,345
7,584
113
Said it before, but RU has won every home game I attended this season.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,217
44,292
113
Thank God for hi res graphics that can be expanded without distortion. I wanted to see if that was a key fob she was holding ..:HeartEyes:
Yeah, I had to closely inspect the "lapel" microphone...