The Curse of the Consecutive Thursday Night Game

Before the 2009 season began, I picked up on a trend from the prior year involving ACC teams which played consecutive Thursday night games. Upon looking at my team's 2009 schedule, I was concerned and for a good reason. Apparently, as Georgia Tech lost to Miami. But before I get ahead of myself, let’s take a look at the trend I’m referring to.

Simply put, ACC teams which play two consecutive Thursday night games tend to win the first (typically played at home) and lose the second (typically played away).

Let’s have a look at the 2008 season.

Virginia Tech

Thursday, November 6th 2008: Maryland at Virginia Tech. VT wins.

Thursday, November 13th 2008: Virginia Tech at Miami: VT loses.

Miami

Thursday, November 13th 2008: Virginia Tech at Miami. Miami wins.

Thursday, November 20th 2008: Miami at Georgia Tech. Miami loses.

I know this isn’t really enough games to be a statistical trend but it was enough for me to pick up on.

If I were a Coach or athletic director I would avoid scheduling consecutive Thursday night games like the plague. However, I would welcome with open arms catching other teams on the back end of their consecutive Thursday night stretch.

Now let’s take a look at the 2009 season.

Georgia Tech

Thursday, September 10th 2009: Clemson at Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech wins.

Thursday, September 17th, 2009: Georgia Tech at Miami. Georgia Tech loses.

North Carolina

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009: Florida State at North Carolina: Winner TBD (Prediction UNC Wins)

Thursday, October 29th, 2009: North Carolina at Virginia Tech: Winner TBD (Prediction VT wins).

Virginia Tech

Thursday, October 29th, 2009: North Carolina at Virginia Tech: Winner TBD (Prediction VT wins).

Thursday, November 5th, 2009: Virginia Tech at East Carolina: Winner TBD (Prediction ECU wins). Upset Alert!

So the curse basically predicts that UNC will beat FSU, VT will beat UNC, and ECU will beat VT.

However, this trend thus far has only applied to ACC teams playing each other. So throwing ECU into the mix is an unknown.

Also of note, both UNC and VT get a bye week prior to their consecutive Thursday night games. Will this be a factor?

Has this trend shown up in other conferences that play consecutive Thursday night games? 

So fans of UNC and VT, enjoy your home win that first Thursday night, but beware of the curse of the second consecutive Thursday night game.

FSU fans, sorry for your luck.

And ECU fans, you would be wise not to miss this year’s game against VT.