Evaluating Teams with Early-Season September Bye Weeks

Two weeks into the college football season and we’ve witnessed the usual suspects, upsets and adjustments in price by the linesmaker. As we adjust our power ratings on teams and continue to evaluate the players’ performance on the playing field and the supporting statistics, it’s important to not only understand motivation and potential letdown situations for players and teams, but also how scheduling plays a part in the process. 

I have outlined the college football September bye week schedule along with each team’s pre and post-bye opponents. In college football, this can be a real benefit to the rested and prepared team, especially later in the season. When playing at home off a bye, there is a solid situational edge when playing an opponent that is not off a bye, and usually a motivational edge especially if a quality or capable team is off a loss. 

Plenty of situations and profiles to consider as you evaluate these bye teams, and we’ll review more as the season moves along. But recognize scheduling situations and take note of teams off a bye, and those playing at home that may also have additional motivation that includes significant redemption.  

This is another piece to add to your handicapping arsenal, but know that you still must evaluate the match-ups, motivation, injuries, statistical profiles and betting lines at the sportsbooks. The linemaker makes adjustments to early season results, power ratings and to the bye week situation, and especially to rested and ready teams playing with redemption.    

FairwayJay is a leading national sports handicapper and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. Read more great insights from Jay here and follow him on Twitter: @FairwayJay