We’re now into the homestretch as far as the college football regular season is concerned. This brings into play an aspect of analysis that’s really only beneficial, at least potentially, at this time of the season.
I’ll be actively seeking out also-rans as possible plays in one specific scenario. I’ve found over all these years that even bad teams who appear to have little to play for other than pride will often circle one battle as their “bowl game”. It might not be the real deal but if the team has that approach going in, peculiar things take place on more than an occasional basis.
There was a pretty good example of this mentality on display the other night as Clemson visited Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons won’t be going bowling this season. They’re a very weak team and the likelihood of them avoiding a winless ACC campaign is pretty remote. But if you watched the game on Thursday night, it was readily apparent that Wake was really up for a game effort. They eventually got overrun by a much better Clemson entry. But the Demon Deacons came out of the locker room buzzing and ended up battling the heavily favored Tigers to a first half standstill.
This was the proverbial bowl game for Wake Forest. National TV at home, against a long time rival and I think it’s fair to say the Demon Deacons were much more into this game than the Tigers, at least for a good portion of the proceedings. The talent eventually took over and Clemson dominated the second half. But from a spread standpoint, Wake Forest was a wire to wire winner and they were a cinch as far as the first half option was concerned.
Keep an eye out for teams in similar circumstances. It’s not a slam dunk, as some teams are going to simply pack it in and hoist the white flag. But by perhaps deriving some feel via pre-game media coverage from the various schools, I think it’s very possible to pick up on what will some very live dogs, with that first half wager perhaps the best move.
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