Momentum




Research details on Bobby Crockett vs. Texas proved that there was some reinforcement for the idea that momentum is not the end-all.

It seems that mo-flow is overrated in forecasting the outcome of athletic competition, particularly when the team that falls behind is talented.

Momentum is a killer only when one team crumbles. At this point, note Indianapolis vs. New England in the NFL playoffs and Florida vs. Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

A classic example happened when Chris Leak went into a funk that should have inspired Arkansas and deflated the Gators. He threw an interception over the middle to Weston Dacus and then ignored Antwain Robinson on the usually safe shovel pass. When Robinson crossed the goal and Jeremy Davis added the extra point, Arkansas was in front 21-17. Truly, momentum was colored red.

Florida's conversion on a fourth-down fake punt was supposed to turn things for the Gators, but they punted four plays later. Reggie Fish's fumbled punt should have zapped Arkansas, but the Razorbacks came right back. Cedric Washington's TD pass to Felix Jones made the Gators look silly, but they never flinched and ran eight plays for 80 yards and a 10-point lead.

As division champions are supposed to do, both teams had fought back.