The Running Dogs: Final tally

Search

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2004
Messages
28,799
Tokens
The Potential Running Dogs (PRD's) barked loud this bowl season going 9-3 (75%). I can only remember one season where they did better. And that was about 10 years ago in the first year that Tim and I started keeping track. That year they hit 80%. Here is the list:



And the actual bowl running dogs went 12-3 (80%):








Hindsight is always 20/20, but looking back at the 3 Running Dogs who lost their games, here is the way I saw it: Despite being the PRD, Washington looked to me like a team who was at best stuck in neutral or taking a small step back in the second half of the season and from last year's playoff team season. Especially after they lost on the road to ASU, and then a few weeks later to Stanford to lose their division title. Their opponents Penn St. looked like a team that started their rise in college football last year, and were still a rising program at the end of the year. They had their balloon burst against tOSU and MSU in close competitive back to back games. But it was early and with a month still left in the season to where they had plenty of time to recover from those losses. So I liked PSU's overall momentum at the end of the year, and they were able to overcome the running dogs. Boston College actually out rushed their opponents, and did have their chances to win that game. But I think BC's main problem was their starting QB getting hurt with a couple games left in the season. Their easy games against their last 2 weak opponents kind of masked their problem, but in a close game like that with Iowa, a better more experienced QB could have made all the difference. So Iowa was able to overcome the rushing stats and pull off a win. And lastly, running dogs NIU lost to Duke. Tim and I both concluded years ago that a non-Power 5 PRD jumping up in class in these bowls isn't always a good betting opportunity. So I usually leave these teams alone unless I'm getting a generous amount of points. Many times the overall strength of a team can overcome the running dogs. Especially when that Power 5 team is focused and wanting a bowl win. That was the case with Duke. Overall, it's ALWAYS about the match ups with the running dogs. Some years they have bad match ups in these bowls, and some years everything falls well into place like they did this year. But you can automatically drop some of these teams where you feel there are simply too many disadvantages for the PRD's. I didn't pick UW or NIU for the reasons I stated. I did however have BC because I felt that having pretty much the home advantage and better running game they could overcome their young QB. But it wasn't to be. I'm still very satisfied the way things played out this bowl season. I think the PRD's are still a very solid method to handicap the bowl games.
 

New member
Joined
Nov 29, 2006
Messages
15,087
Tokens
"I once thought about joining the Democrats, but I didn't want to go on Welfare to qualify."
 

Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2010
Messages
9,660
Tokens
Damn Auburn didn't want to be there....90 yards total on the ground? They can break the century mark in their sleep.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
1,106,767
Messages
13,438,805
Members
99,337
Latest member
hbs_solutions
The RX is the sports betting industry's leading information portal for bonuses, picks, and sportsbook reviews. Find the best deals offered by a sportsbook in your state and browse our free picks section.FacebookTwitterInstagramContact Usforum@therx.com