[needle]

Is there any data on playoff or bowl rematches?

I remember several years ago UW beating Nebraska in a bowl game after earlier in the season getting thumped pretty badly. There was also the LSU-Bama rematch in the title game a few years back, with Alabama winning after a loss earlier in the season to LSU.

I also remember the Pac-12 title game against UCLA being much closer than the game played a week (I think) earlier against the same team.

I would like to see data, but I suspect the rematch favors the team that lost earlier. I would guess it might be a psychological advantage, as the loser knows with certainty that they must execute at a higher level than previously.

[needle]

Is there any data on playoff or bowl rematches?

I remember several years ago UW beating Nebraska in a bowl game after earlier in the season getting thumped pretty badly. There was also the LSU-Bama rematch in the title game a few years back, with Alabama winning after a loss earlier in the season to LSU.

I also remember the Pac-12 title game against UCLA being much closer than the game played a week (I think) earlier against the same team.

I would like to see data, but I suspect the rematch favors the team that lost earlier. I would guess it might be a psychological advantage, as the loser knows with certainty that they must execute at a higher level than previously.