[CrazedZooChimp]

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.

I would think you're right if the games are close to each other, but with the $C game being so early in the season, and with a different head coach, hard to see it having much effect.  Bowl games are hard to compare because that includes several weeks of preparation, not one week.  The best comparison may be our game two years ago against ASU who we had played in September as well.  Those two games showed no significant difference in resistance by the Devils :)

There may be some rematches in other conference champ games, but it's probably less common because of their wimpy 8 game schedules.

[CrazedZooChimp]

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.

I would think you're right if the games are close to each other, but with the $C game being so early in the season, and with a different head coach, hard to see it having much effect.  Bowl games are hard to compare because that includes several weeks of preparation, not one week.  The best comparison may be our game two years ago against ASU who we had played in September as well.  Those two games showed no significant difference in resistance by the Devils :)

There may be some rematches in other conference champ games, but it's probably less common because of their wimpy 8 game schedules.