It’s very easy to tell how much a team has to play for by how they show up on Saturdays.
Having something to play for is a very loose term. Teams like Georgia and Alabama have a lot to play for in the way that they are competing for a national championship. Teams like Oregon State also have a lot to play for in the way that the team loves it coach and want to defend its home stadium and continue to build the base for future success.
Herm Edwards said the Sun Devils had a lot to play for a few weeks ago after an embarrassing loss at home against Washington State.