Quote:1. I think the week of practice leading up to a big game is much more focused and a lot more gets accomplished. Preparation in CFB is huge.

 

2. In most games, you're right. The players come out of the tunnel hyped, and by the 2nd drive the hype is gone. In a rivalry game, the hype is there for 60 minutes.

 

Go research the Michigan vs Ohio St. rivalry from 1969 to 2001. You could literally throw out the records/rankings because they really didn't matter. I

 

• In 32 total games, the lower ranked teams were 16-15-2.
  
• In 6 games where one opponent was ranked and the other was not, the unranked teams were 3-3.
  
• In 21 games where there was a 5 or more difference in ranking, the lower ranked team went 10-10-1.
  
• Look at last year. Michigan was terrible and Ohio St. was undefeated. Michigan plays out of their mind and nearly pulls off the upset. You don't think they were playing with a little extra pep in their step because it was vs Ohio St.? Come on.
  

 

3. You've never heard of teams "playing down to their opponents"? That is often attributed to playing carelessly and overlooking a weaker opponent.

 

4. You've never heard of "trap games"? What do you think "trap games" are?

 

When did we start talking about playing down to your opponents?  We are talking about rivalry games.

 

Regardless, and I'll reiterate the point that you actually agreed with that makes the rest not matter.  Even in rivalry games, after the 2nd drive everyone calms down and they play.  Are they a tad more heated with emotion, maybe...but for the most part it doesn't matter.  Football is football and I'd imagine Alabama plays just as hard against Auburn, LSU, FSU, Notre Dame, etc....

 

You're telling me someone tries harder to score a touchdown or throw a nice block depending on who they are playing?  I played way too long to believe that and played in rivalry games....the only difference is emotion, not effort.

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