So hear me out on my theory of why we lost 3/4 games in which we looked sluggish and lackluster. I think it's attributed to the morning practices (which Tedford changed last year I believe). It's not so much the time change (waking up early), but the temperature/heat change. In the mornings (even in the summer/fall) the temperature in Berkeley is pretty cool with most of the time cloudy (even on hot days!). So I think our guys are not accustomed to the temperature and heat of noon games. If you pay attention to the body language and the fact that our guys have been hurt more (more cramps too) than the opposing team it makes sense. The one game (besides tonights' game against UCLA) that we did play well was tOSU and the average temperature during the game was 60F...
I will continue to evaluate this relationship, but if we ever have another noon sunny/hot game I think we will do poorly. The WSU game next week is at night so I'm predicting a solid win... we'll see if my theory holds up and if so I'll be sending Tedford a message...

Hmmmm....very interesting. Somebody should ask Tedford about this.

mechaniCAL;841971559 said:

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So hear me out on my theory of why we lost 3/4 games in which we looked sluggish and lackluster. I think it's attributed to the morning practices (which Tedford changed last year I believe). It's not so much the time change (waking up early), but the temperature/heat change. In the mornings (even in the summer/fall) the temperature in Berkeley is pretty cool with most of the time cloudy (even on hot days!). So I think our guys are not accustomed to the temperature and heat of noon games. If you pay attention to the body language and the fact that our guys have been hurt more (more cramps too) than the opposing team it makes sense. The one game (besides tonights' game against UCLA) that we did play well was tOSU and the average temperature during the game was 60F...
I will continue to evaluate this relationship, but if we ever have another noon sunny/hot game I think we will do poorly. The WSU game next week is at night so I'm predicting a solid win... we'll see if my theory holds up and if so I'll be sending Tedford a message...

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Balls. If you're in shape, you can play in any weather. The coaches and staff know what to do in extremes. The players have to heed the warnings. Mostly, it has to do with hydration, starting a few days in advance.

IMHO I think there was more energy at the stadium (like a party) because it was party night on campus. Everybody was amped. Teams take on different personalities and maybe this one likes playing under the lights. It sure seemed that way. It was a really nice night all around. It seemed like that was the real grand opening.

It seems that this team needs a gala type environment to play well. Either a ranked team or a packed stadium. I wonder what would have happened had our opener against Nevada been a night game. I hope the Big Game is no earlier than 5:00. It allows the whole bay area to build up to it all day.

Rushinbear;841971573 said:

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Balls. If you're in shape, you can play in any weather. The coaches and staff know what to do in extremes. The players have to heed the warnings. Mostly, it has to do with hydration, starting a few days in advance.

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Well that's the thing, I honestly don't think they are that well in-shape at the moment... and that's solely the coaches fault

It's an interesting theory, but I can assure you that the temp on the field at the tOSU game was a lot closer to 80 than 60. My wife complained the whole game that it was Africa hot and I changed into shorts at the end of the first quarter because I was dying.

I am by no means a super-athlete but the timing of events definitely can impact my performance in endurance sports. In the NFL, I think I saw a stat once that showed how poorly West Coast teams performed when they traveled to the East.

I have always been amazed by the guys who can always bring it, no matter the time, no matter the pressure (Carl Lewis is the best example I can think of). I think timing probably means a lot. There is a lot to this question that I think remains to be answered/studied. Given a lack of certainty on the subject, I would simulate the timing of very successful team programs such as the Rugby team (does anyone know their schedule?)



This is an interesting can of worms... because the most advantageous time to practice might be different than the most advantageous time to play and it might be true that poorly organized timing of practice to game time might be disruptive. We should get a CliffBar/Gu Physiologic Lab to sponsor studies with our student athletic center.

Rushinbear;841971573 said:

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Balls. If you're in shape, you can play in any weather. The coaches and staff know what to do in extremes. The players have to heed the warnings. Mostly, it has to do with hydration, starting a few days in advance.

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Balls back to you Rushin! While you may be right that you "can" play in any weather condition it's untrue that those conditions don't affect performance.

I run...a lot...like marathons and beyond. I train for morning races by running in the morning. For the upcoming Las Vegas Marathon in December my training is taking place at night because, the race starts at night. I have to hydrate more on days that are hotter than I'm used to and dress warmer when it's cooler. Yes, you can try to accommodate for different conditions, but it's still not as natural as if you're training in the conditions you'll be performing in.

This post, IMHO, has some likely merit.

BearlyAggie;841972342 said:

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Balls back to you Rushin! While you may be right that you "can" play in any weather condition it's untrue that those conditions don't affect performance.

I run...a lot...like marathons and beyond. I train for morning races by running in the morning. For the upcoming Las Vegas Marathon in December my training is taking place at night because, the race starts at night. I have to hydrate more on days that are hotter than I'm used to and dress warmer when it's cooler. Yes, you can try to accommodate for different conditions, but it's still not as natural as if you're training in the conditions you'll be performing in.

This post, IMHO, has some likely merit.

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I have read about studies that conclude that the optimal ambient temperature range for distance running is 45 to 60F. Deviations in either direction will produce progressively greater degradations in performance. It seems reasonable to hypothesize that this effect would extend to football.

But an afternoon game at 80F affects both teams. Whether it affects a team that practices in cold weather more than a team that practices in hot weather also seems reasonable. Though I am not aware of any data I agree that it is certainly possible there is some merit here.

MisterNoodle;841972365 said:

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I have read about studies that conclude that the optimal ambient temperature range for distance running is 45 to 60F. Deviations in either direction will produce progressively greater degradations in performance. It seems reasonable to hypothesize that this effect would extend to football.

But an afternoon game at 80F affects both teams. Whether it affects a team that practices in cold weather more than a team that practices in hot weather also seems reasonable. Though I am not aware of any data I agree that it is certainly possible there is some merit here.

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I agree it affects both teams, but SC and ASU probably normally practice in weather and temperature conditions similar to that of the noon games. For those that don't live in Berkeley morning temperatures are around 55-60F and cloudy... Last week we had a couple days in Berkeley that were quite warm (~85F) and yet you have guys like Treggs and Avery tweeting how ridiculously hot it was when really 85F is nothing especially if you live in LA...

If you feel great, many factors to that, you will play better. People feel certain ways on different days and times for different reasons. Sleep pattern, circadian rhythyms, food you ate, events in your life and how you feel about yourself, etc. Team performance is a collective quotient, how many feel great, how many plays are you involved in.

Clearly, if we woke everyone up at 3 a.m. and said, here, stay up for 10 hours then go play, the result would be different, likely not as good. Same thing feeding donuts, only, for 2-3 days. Tell everyone they got an F on their midterm, girl they like doesn't like them, (could crush or make mad), etc., see how they do.

Seems like more time to get ready for a night game with more excited fans in cooler night is obviously a good thing for this group.

Some of the best games are from the guys who say I feel really really good today and I don't know why. Some will say I just know I am going to have a great game today because I just feel it.

I noticed this too and was thinking the same thing.

We have an excuse for everything

Given that we will now start seeing some cold weather - I expect no fatigue here on out.