Conventional wisdom presumes that momentum is a key factor in winning and losing. Wins and losses spawn repetition, becoming expectations and even habits. Eight SEC football teams fit into the categories of either ‘Big Mo’ or ‘No Mo’ from last season.
How much does momentum matter in the transition from one season to the next? There is no clear answer. The outcomes of rival games certainly carry positive and negative momentum forward until the next contest.
Late season wins also carry momentum forward. Losses do as well, but all losses are not the same. Losing to a better team in a conference or playoff championship game can be mostly discarded.