Since we don't have Brett Favre to obsess over, the ACC blogosphere needs a topic to get us to Aug. 28. Last month, ESPN steered the subject to the "toughest" places to play in the ACC.
I offered these numbers in the post-expansion era, but they are pittance compared to this research by Patrick Stevens of the Washington Times (which is experiencing some server issues right now so keep trying if it doesn't work at first). If you haven't done so already, bookmark Patrick's D1scourse blog.
Patrick runs the numbers through 20- and 10-year cycles and compares home records to road records, which tells us which team plays measurably better at home — the true mark of a "home-field" advantage.
Patrick's numbers, while a much wider in sample, lead us to the same conclusion as my limited post-expansion numbers in that Virginia, surprisingly enough, has the best "home-field" advantage in the ACC. I'm using quotes on "home-field" for emphasis in that neither statistical list considers stadium size, fan passion or the quality of the opponent. The numbers are just that, numbers.
You'll be relieved to know an actual football game will be played in 24 days, so there will soon be a new diversion.
