It seems counter-intuitive, but a group that doesn’t fear getting blown out is more likely to be blown out than one that is paranoid approximately being humiliated. If a football crew is a heavy underdog who appears to be in hard shape heading into a sport then there is a lot they can do to hold the sport closer – play a greater passive shape of offense that limits massive gains, or maintain the ball on the ground to preserve it out of the hands of the opposing qb, for instance. A team that is closely preferred and appears headed for a massive recreation is likewise not going to be as hungry and prompted as they might otherwise be due to the fact they recognize that they can in all likelihood win despite the fact that they carry out at far much less than full attempt.