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Traditional Powers with Motivation - Bryan Leonard 9/7/2009

This past week in college football we saw
something to keep an eye on in the future, as
teams with strong traditions coming off a
disappointing season had something to prove. And
when playing at home against a inferior opponent
they took out an offseason of frustrations.

Michigan was the first team on the list coming off a
3-9 season after winning 83 combined games the
previous nine seasons. It's the second year of the
Rich Rodriguez regime and he finally had a chance
to recruit some players to fit into his type of
scheme. The Wolverines took advantage of a plus
two turnover margin and beat Western Michigan
31-7 easily covering the -14 spread. Extra
motivation for the host with all the controversy
surrounding the program the past few weeks did
nothing but unite the team.

Notre Dame was another squad who has had a
great tradition that has been down the past two
years. Off of 3 and 7 win seasons many in the
media had suggested that the Irish would never
again achieve greatness. In fact, Nevada +14 1/2
was a popular upset play as the game approached.
But Notre Dame never faltered with an easy 35-0
victory over the Wolf Pack. The Irish averaged 8.4
yards per play and dominated time of possession
keeping "The Pistol" in its holster.

Auburn had won 75 games the previous eight years
before a 5-7 season a year ago. The team brought
in former defensive coordinator Gene Chizik to
bring them back to prominence. While his hiring
was questioned all around the country based on his
lack of success at Iowa State, the Tigers took no
prisoners in opening the season hosting Louisiana
Tech. Auburn won 37-13 easily besting the -12
tariff while holding the Bulldogs to only 3.5 yards
per play.

Tennessee rounded out our motivated foursome
with an easy 63-7 victory over Western Kentucky.
The Vols under new head coach Lane Kiffin had all
kinds of controversy in the offseason, but put it all
aside to blow past the -31 price against the
Hilltoppers. Tennessee had won 80 games the past
nine seasons before a 5-7 record last year cost Phil
Fulmer his job.

Other teams with good histories coming off a bad
season also had strong showings at home with
something to prove. Purdue, Texas A&M and
Washington also took home the money in the
opening weekend.

Keep in mind what we learned last week when these
type of plays present themselves in the future.
Motivated teams playing at home with plenty of
time to prepare are what we want to back,
especially considering the talent level of recruits
still being brought into the system.

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