Someone mentioned us not doing so well after a bye, so I figured I'd look it up, since we have two bye weeks in the next month and change. It's kind weird when they do the Thursday night games, because you're getting a 12-day layoff followed by 9-day layoff, as opposed to 14 and 7. But here are the numbers:
2015:
Won at Virginia Tech 17-13 after traditional 14-day layoff. As I recall, our defense was phenomenal that day. This came after an emotional 3-point loss at Iowa.
We also lost 42-30 against Notre Dame after a 9-day layoff, but I don't think that should count, as it was after a Thursday night game that was played on a short 5-day week, as opposed to the 12/9-day layoffs I mentioned.
2016:
Lost to Virginia Tech 39-36 on a Thursday night after a 12-day layoff. We came out very sloppy for that one and dug ourselves in a huge hole. It was the night Narduzzi had a conniption with the officials.
Lost at Miami 51-28 after the 9-day layoff.
2017:
Lost to UNC 34-31 after a 12-day layoff. That was probably UNC's worst team, and it was the game we gave up a kick return for a touchdown and then Henderson fumbled at the goal line.
Lost at Virginia Tech 20-14 after the subsequent 9-day layoff. That was the goal line stand game.
2018:
Won against Duke 54-45 after the traditional 14-day layoff. V'Lique the Freak's coming-out party.
So, all in all, we're 2-2 after official bye weeks, and we're 2-5 in games following a layoff of at least 9 days. Given the opponents (ND was just plain better than us, and we struggle often against Miami), I'm not sure how much of a trend you can consider that.
This year, we will play at Syracuse after a 13-day layoff, against North Carolina after a 12-day layoff, and then at Virginia Tech after a 9-day layoff. Just going to have to stay hungry.
What are you opinions on the whole two bye week thing? It looks like it's simply a matter of how the calendar shakes out. We also had two bye weeks in 2013 and 2014. I actually don't hate it, and I think they should consider doing it every year (same goes for the NFL). You can lengthen the season a bit and allow the players' bodies to heal: Win/win, if you ask me. Miami actually has three bye weeks this year because of that Florida game.
2015:
Won at Virginia Tech 17-13 after traditional 14-day layoff. As I recall, our defense was phenomenal that day. This came after an emotional 3-point loss at Iowa.
We also lost 42-30 against Notre Dame after a 9-day layoff, but I don't think that should count, as it was after a Thursday night game that was played on a short 5-day week, as opposed to the 12/9-day layoffs I mentioned.
2016:
Lost to Virginia Tech 39-36 on a Thursday night after a 12-day layoff. We came out very sloppy for that one and dug ourselves in a huge hole. It was the night Narduzzi had a conniption with the officials.
Lost at Miami 51-28 after the 9-day layoff.
2017:
Lost to UNC 34-31 after a 12-day layoff. That was probably UNC's worst team, and it was the game we gave up a kick return for a touchdown and then Henderson fumbled at the goal line.
Lost at Virginia Tech 20-14 after the subsequent 9-day layoff. That was the goal line stand game.
2018:
Won against Duke 54-45 after the traditional 14-day layoff. V'Lique the Freak's coming-out party.
So, all in all, we're 2-2 after official bye weeks, and we're 2-5 in games following a layoff of at least 9 days. Given the opponents (ND was just plain better than us, and we struggle often against Miami), I'm not sure how much of a trend you can consider that.
This year, we will play at Syracuse after a 13-day layoff, against North Carolina after a 12-day layoff, and then at Virginia Tech after a 9-day layoff. Just going to have to stay hungry.
What are you opinions on the whole two bye week thing? It looks like it's simply a matter of how the calendar shakes out. We also had two bye weeks in 2013 and 2014. I actually don't hate it, and I think they should consider doing it every year (same goes for the NFL). You can lengthen the season a bit and allow the players' bodies to heal: Win/win, if you ask me. Miami actually has three bye weeks this year because of that Florida game.
