After they play us in bowl games? Case(s) in point: Oklahoma (2003): In the 2000s, Oklahoma held 3 BCS Bowl wins 2000, 01, and 02 until they played us in 03, coming off a 12-1 season. They were hailed as an epic team all season (I remember this specifically being in Texas) with Adrian Peterson and Jason White. We all know what happened that year (21-14). The wheels came off after that...Bob Stoops has only won a single bowl game (non-BCS) since; 1 and 5. To his credit, he does have impressive win-loss ratios season after season but I digress. Miami (2005): After posting a 9-2 season, the #9 Hurricanes were touted as a great matchup against #10 LSU in the Peach Bowl. A decimation and, overrall, explosion of Tiger excellence was displayed that night in Atlanta with a 40-3 scoreboard leaving the Canes' in confusion. Larry Coker (now the coach of my brother's university; Univ. of Texas - San Antonio) posted one more season (7-6) before he was given the boot after pulling out a narrow win against Nevada (21-20) in the MPC Computers Bowl. 2007 yielded a 5-7 season under Randy Shannon. 2008 a 7-6 win/loss under Shannon with an Emerald Bowl loss to California. We are just now, and it is still early, seeing glimpses of Miami coming back to prominence. Notre Lame (2006) In 2005, Weiss had brought the Irish back into the spotlight with a 9-2 season (in 2004 they had a 6-6 season). That year they lost to the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl. 2006, Weiss brought about another winning season at 10-2 until they were set to rumble with the Bayou Bengals in the Sugar Bowl. It was a rout with the final score of 41-14. The following seasons? 2007 : 3-9 2008 : 7-6 (with a non-BCS bowl win over Hawaii) The interesting fact of our win over Notre Lame is that the talks of Weiss in the hot seat began right after. Ohio State (2007) Florida began the unwinding of Tressel in the 2006 Nat'l Championship. Ohio state was 4-1 with a Nat'l Champ Trophy under their belt until they played Florida. I will just say Florida took away their pride and LSU buried it, the following year, in SEC Glory & Domination. (Maybe not the best example but go with it) Georgia Tech (2008) LSU was looking down, we were, to much surprise (or perhaps unsurprise), underdogs in the Chic-Fil-A Bowl placed in the heart of Georgia. This was going to be a tough one but we showed our grit despite a season of dissappointment and leveled them 38-3. GT wasn't necessarily on the high road before we played them: 2006 : 9-5 w/ Gator Bowl loss to West Virginia 2007 : 7-6 w/ Humanitarian Bowl loss to Fresno St. However, this season will show whether we broke their will (barely skirted by Clemson and a loss to Miami already). So, what do you think? -Mackey
You did a lot of research there and it sure looks like you're on to something. I guess getting beat as bad as we have been beating some of those teams takes a little of their swagger away?
Didn't Bear Bryant die a few weeks after his last loss in Tiger Stadium. We might be on to something.
I've thought, especially in the Les Miles' era, that we crush teams so badly in bowls that they don't rebound. It's really fun.
I have wondered about this myself from time to time, good research. 'Notre Lame' - They were overated that year, and on their way down without our help. It was nice stomping them though. Plus, them not winning a bowl game went back a good ways, before that game. It was just another in a long line of bowl losses for them. But then again, the season after that loss was when they really fell from grace. Very good observation though. GT, wasn't really anwhere before hand, not really going anywhere now. I think peole just like seeing the Wing again.
Not sure about teams, although the research does bare some merit, but I do know we have changed a few college QB's future career choice.
