Smart handicappers alike agree on one thing – preparation is the key to success. The better prepared you are the better chance you stand at succeeding.

With the 2008 College Bowl season now upon us it’s time to get ready for the thirty-four games that await. While a myriad of different techniques and approaches exist one simple element is often overlooked and that is how teams are or have been performing on the playing field ‘In The Stats’ (ITS) as they enter into its bowl game.

As handicappers we know better than most that the scoreboard does not tell the entire story. Like a doctor examining an MRI or an X-Ray it’s vitally important to look inside the patient before rendering a diagnosis.

Listed below are noteworthy results of how various teams have fared ITS this season…

Alabama – held 8 foes to season low – or 2nd low – yardage

Boise State – won the stats in 11 of its 12 games

Boston College – 3-4 ITS in its final 7 games

Central Michigan – 1-3 ITS in its final 4 games

Connecticut – held final 3 foes to season low – or 2nd low – yardage

Florida - held 3 of final 4 foes to season low – or 2nd low – yardage

Houston – won the stats in each of its final 10 games

Iowa – 1-4 ITS in its final 5 games

Kansas – 1-5 ITS in its final 6 games

Kentucky – 0-5 ITS in its final 5 games

LSU – 0-3 ITS in its final 3 games

La Tech – 0-3 ITS in its final 3 games

Maryland – 4-7 ITS vs lined foes

Memphis – 4-0 ITS in its final 4 games

Miami Fla – 0-3 ITS in its final 3 games

Minnesota - 0-3 ITS in its final 3 games

Mississippi – held final 3 foes to season low yardage

Nebraska – 6-1 ITS in its final 7 games

Nevada – 5-1 ITS in its final 6 games

No Illinois - 1-3 ITS in its final 4 games

No Carolina - 5-7 ITS this season

Northwestern – 1-5 ITS in its final 6 games

Notre Dame – 8-1 ITS in its final 9 games

Oklahoma – held 3 of final 5 foes to season low – or 2nd low – yards

Oklahoma St – 3-5 ITS in its final 8 games

Penn State - held 6 of its 12 foes to season low – or 2nd low – yards

Rice – 5-1 ITS in its final 6 games

So Florida – 1-3 ITS in its final 4 games

So California – held 8 foes to season low yardage

TCU – held 9 foes to season low yardage

Texas - held 5 of its 12 foes to season low – or 2nd low – yards

Troy – 8-0 ITS in its final 8 games

Utah – 3-4 ITS in its final 7 games

Vanderbilt – 3-9 ITS this season

Wake Forest – 5-7 ITS this season

Wisconsin – 6-0 ITS in its final 6 games

Given the fact that teams who outgain their opponent win the game better than 80% of the time, it’s crucial to your success when evaluating a team’s chance of winning the yardage wars.

Just another slant on handicapping the Bowl contests. Add it to your arsenal and enjoy the games!

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