How does Addazio do as a big underdog

The spread for the BC-Clemson game opened at BC+17.5 and seems to have moved to +18. While big, the point spread is a bit encouraging. It was worse against Clemson just last year. Here are all the times Addazio was a big underdog while at BC and the final results.

2017. +34 at Clemson.
Final Score: Clemson 34, BC 7

2016. +25 vs Louisville.
Final Score: Louisville 52, BC 7

2013. +24 at Clemson.
Final Score: Clemson 24, BC 14

2013. +23 vs Florida State.
Final Score: FSU 48, BC 34

2017. +21 at Louisville.
Final Score: BC 45, Louisville 42

2016. +20 at Florida State.
Final Score: FSU 45, BC 7

2014. +17 vs USC.
Final Score: BC 37, USC 31

2014. +17 at Florida State.
Final Score: FSU 20, BC 17

2015. +17 at Clemson.
Final Score: Clemson 34, BC 17

2016. +17 vs Clemson.
Final Score: Clemson 56, BC 10

2017. +16 vs Virginia Tech.
Final Score: Virginia Tech 21, BC 10

2016. +15 at NC State.
Final Score: BC 21, NC State 14

2016. +15 vs Notre Dame.
Final Score: Notre Dame 19, BC 16

As a two TD or more underdog, Addazio holds his own. Against the spread in these games he is 9-3-1. In true W-L, he is 3-10, which isn't bad for a big underdog.

Reading between the lines

BC is favored this Saturday night. Most sports books have it as a 2.5 or 2 point spread. What's the big deal about being favored? It is a very rare occurrence when we face Virginia Tech.

BC has played Virginia Tech 15 times with the first game coming in 1993. According to Phil Steele's records, we have officially been the underdog in every game since 2000.

I don't have point spread data beyond 2000, but if you look at game recaps from 1995 to 1999, you'll see that Virginia Tech entered each of those games with a higher ranking than BC. I would assume they were favored in all of those contests.

The last time I believe that BC was favored was 1994. It was Dan Henning's first home game...BC lost. Assuming that the very good 1993 team was also favored, that means BC has only been favored twice in 15 games.

Point spreads don't win games. They are merely a reflection of perspective (the betting public's and the oddsmakers'). I am glad to see it shifting in BC's favor.