Winning rivalry games, is it a skill?

[Jack of Arcades]

http://footballoutsiders.com/index.php?p=5505

[HorridSludgyBits]

This is sort of OT, but I think there is a 'big game' mentality that some coaches are better at than others. Since I think everyone will agree that rivalry games fit that category, I'll use it.

Using two pro examples, Schotenheimer and Holmgren are said to have had trouble in playoff games because they get too emotional/high-strung for them, and this nervousness gets passed on to the players. Not everyone will agree with these specific examples, esp. since Holmgren has 2 SB appearances and 1 win, but if you agree that such a concept is valid, then surely there are college counterparts as well?

[damaniac]

[ QUOTE ]
This is sort of OT, but I think there is a 'big game' mentality that some coaches are better at than others. Since I think everyone will agree that rivalry games fit that category, I'll use it.

Using two pro examples, Schotenheimer and Holmgren are said to have had trouble in playoff games because they get too emotional/high-strung for them, and this nervousness gets passed on to the players. Not everyone will agree with these specific examples, esp. since Holmgren has 2 SB appearances and 1 win, but if you agree that such a concept is valid, then surely there are college counterparts as well?

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course that's true, but you're basically just asserting that there is a "big game/rivarly mentality" that has a meaningful impact (independent of general ability) on who wins. It MIGHT be possible, but just because people say it all the time doesn't make it so. If anything, I'd say the default would be no meaningful difference unless otherwise proven.