Why records alone can mislead
4 min read
The stat
10–2 vs 7–5 is a start. Ask who they played.
What it means
Wins are real. Strength of schedule, injuries, and luck are also real.
Why it matters
A team that beat weak opponents can look identical in the standings to a team that survived a brutal slate.
Watch out
In fights, a padded record against limited opposition is not the same as a record against ranked names.
Team A is 10–2 against a bottom-tier schedule. Team B is 7–5 against top opponents. The “better record” is not automatically the better team.