Motivation is among the most misunderstood concepts in sports handicapping. The \u2018square\u2019 views motivation in very simplistic terms and as a binary construct. In their view, it\u2019s either there or it isn\u2019t. Furthermore, the lifetime loser at sports betting considers motivation as a situational occurrence. If \u2018State University\u2019 beats \u2018State Tech\u2019 one season the \u2018square\u2019 will look at the rematch one year later and assume that \u2018State Tech\u2019 will have \u2018motivation\u2019 simply because they lost last time out. They might, but it\u2019s not guaranteed simply because they play a team they lost to one year ago on a specific Saturday.<\/p>\n
Some of the handicappers that oversimplify motivation also consider it as exclusive to college sports. The rationale works something like this\u2014professional athletes are paid handsomely for their services and for that reason \u2018come to play\u2019 every game with a certain level of intensity. If they win they get paid, if they lose they get paid. Since the game is a \u2018job\u2019 to them there\u2019s no reason to expect a higher or lower level of effort due to the circumstances surrounding an individual matchup. College players, on the other hand, are driven by emotional\/subjective concepts like \u2018revenge\u2019 and \u2018in state bragging rights\u2019. If the aforementioned \u2018State Tech\u2019 has lost to \u2018State University\u2019 for three years running the rising senior class will be \u2018sky high motivated\u2019 to avoid leaving school without having beaten their rival.<\/p>\n
The 2018 Cleveland Browns are perfect example of how important the mental\/emotional component is at the professional level. The line of demarcation is clear with the performance of the Browns before and after their midseason coaching change in near diametric opposition. In-season coach firings are typically a \u2018desperation move\u2019 and particularly in the NFL. It\u2019s often an admission that a team\u2019s fortunes have hit rock bottom and immediate action is necessary so as to not alienate the fanbase. When the Browns fired both head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley it was seen by some as a desperation move. The two men were reportedly engaged in a battle of wills over the development of generational quarterback Baker Mayfield. Instead of taking sides in the feud, Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam did the smart thing and sent them both packing.<\/p>\n