[NU Sports] Bowl pool update ...

Fri Jan 9 13:07:08 CST 2009

If we're analyzing game situations, I'll take a stab at these two.

- Regarding running on 3rd down and more than one yard: yes, the run game
may be working well, but the fact is that 3rd and short is clearly a running
opportunity and it makes it easier for the defense to focus on clogging the
middle of the field.  On 1st and 2nd downs, though, with the defense more
spread out, it opens up more for the run.  It's easy to sit back and judge
them for an incomplete pass, but it's quite possibly more likely to get
stuffed if attempting a run - and if they would have run it and not made it
everyone would be jumping up and down about "being too conservative."

- Now specifically regarding the OSU game - when your team is down (in this
case, down by 2, 15-17), you ALWAYS go for the score.  I can understand if
people are upset for them not running more time off of the play clock, but
"wasting" downs just for the purpose of bleeding the clock while you're
losing is just plain dumb.  OSU's defense was doing a great job of holding
back Texas that game and the very least you can do is leave it up to them to
hold them one last time to win the game.  If your offense has an opportunity
to take the game-winning score, even if that means leaving time on the
clock, go for it.  Running it up the middle 3 times and then failing to
convert a FG and then losing by 2 points does you no good - if the
opportunity is there to punch it in, then go for it.  Plus, with over 2:00
left to play and already in the red zone, chances are that they couldn't run
off that much time anyways (I believe Texas had at least 2 timeouts left
too).  AND remember that OSU scored on a running play, so one would think
that they were trying to be conservative in that situation, but don't expect
the RB to just fall down to try and run off more time when the end zone is
there for the taking.

Regarding the 2 point conversion, OSU was up by 4 already (meaning Texas
needed a TD), and at least if a 2 point conversion is made, the other team
feels some pressure to make that XP for the win - which is not a sure thing,
especially at the collegiate level.  A 5-point lead does you absolutely no
good.

While other coaching decisions during the respective games may have cost
teams the game, I do not agree at all that these 2 specific decisions cost
teams the game - in fact, both of the aforementioned drives resulted in
points that left those teams with the lead close to the end of the game -
it's hard to argue that that puts your team in a bad position.  It is
perfectly suitable, though, to argue that the defense allowing long
last-minute drives for game-winning scores is unacceptable.  OSU was finding
ways to stop Texas for much of the night but then lost it at the end.

Jonathan

On Fri, Jan 9, 2009 at 12:14 PM, Trey McAdams <tmcadams at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Not only was this an ugly OSU/Big Ten loss, It was the second BCS game that
> a Big Ten Coach has GIVEN to the opponent.
>
> Case in Point #1:
>  - Mich versus Texas in the Rose Bowl - Mich has a 3rd and short with under
> 2 mins to play.  They are getting 8-10 yards a rush because Texas is worn
> down.  Carr decides to throw the ball - incomplete.  Field Goal Michigan.
>  Texas has time to have Vince Young drive Texas and get a field goal to win
> the game on a last second field goal. Run the ball on the 3rd down and
> Michigan likely gets the 1st down and wins the game on the their own field
> goal (or TD with a new set of downs).
>  - OSU versus Texas this Year.  Texas leading by 2 and has 2 timeouts left.
>  OSU has 1st and 10 at the UT 23 and gains 8 yards on 1st down.  2nd and 2
> OSU scores.  This was the mistake, OSU did not let the play clock run down
> and should have tried to run the ball for 2-3 yards and then fallen down.
>  You CANNOT GIVE TEXAS THE BALL BACK IF YOU CAN HELP IT.  At worst you need
> to force Texas to call its timeouts.  Since they did not have to call their
> timeouts, Texas had the entire field to work with on their drive.  OSU must
> try to run the clock out with 2 mins to play and in easy field goal range,
> but no OSU scores quickly.  Then to make it worse - THEY GO FOR 2!!!!!  In
> that situation there is huge differnence in being up 4, or 5/6.  Up 4, Texas
> could score a TD,  kick an extra point and OSU needs a field goal to tie.
>  Up 5/6, Texas scores kicks an extra point and then OSU can kick a field
> goal to win.  Up 6, Texas will kick a field goal and be up 1, OSU
>  still needs a field goal to win.  SO WHY GO FOR 2!!!!!  It made no sense.
>
> Simple coaching lost both of those BCS games or the Big Ten.  I hope Fitz
> is watching and learning from these mistakes that others are making.  NU
> will be in this type of situation in the future (ie. - MSU comeback game -
> we failed to let MSU score when it was obvious they were going to get a
> field goal and leave us with very little time).
>
> It drive me nuts when coaches make these types of simple mistakes.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: "neonrye at aol.com" <neonrye at aol.com>
> To: sjtruog at yahoo.com; nwu-sports at tssi.com
> Sent: Monday, January 5, 2009 11:11:30 PM
> Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Bowl pool update ...
>
> Another loss by the Big Ten--ugh!? I even found myself rooting for the
> Buckeyes, notwithstanding my nearly four decade hatred of everything about
> tOSU.? I especially liked the fade play TD from Boeckman to Pryor.? Can you
> imagine, though, if Terell had been badly injured on that play.? Tressel
> would have never lived it down.? But seriously, are there 2 major programs
> that are more easy to dislike than those based in Austin and Columbus?? And
> two more arrogant sets of fans?
>
> Anyway, on another note, 60 Minutes had a terrific piece last night on Mike
> Leach of Texas Tech.? I highly recommend it if you can catch the replay
> later in the season.
>
> Paul Levinson
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SjT (Stephen J. Truog) <sjtruog at yahoo.com>
> To: NUSPORTS <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
> Sent: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 11:00 pm
> Subject: [NU Sports] Bowl pool update ...
>
>
>
> Well, I'm ready to stick a fork in the Buckeyes. Almost like our bowl game
> (and
> not just in the endless shots of the QB parents - sheesh! I think the only
> parents on TV more than Chase/Colt's was Grant Hill's dad in that 1994
> tourney)
> - great first half but they didn't take advantage in scoring as much as
> they
> should have given the yardage/time domination.
>
> But at least we seemed to make adjustments and come out with some life in
> the
> second half. The Buckeyes just looked dead. No will. No adjustments. And
> once
> that bad call gave the first Texas drive new life, they were toast.
>
> In any case, in terms of the bowl pool the Buckeyes have foiled my comeback
> plans and means congratulations go out to RAY STAHL, who at 12-7 has
> clinched no
> worse than a tie for the title. (Lots of .500 or below marks this year!).
>
> If Florida wins, Ray claims the title alone at 13-7.
> If Oklahoma wins, Ivars Embrekts ties him at 12-8.
>
> Updated Hall of Fame and final results after the game in Miami on Thursday.
> Thanks for playing and another great year!
>
> GO CATS!!!
> -SjT
>
> * * * * * * * * *
> STEPHEN J. TRUOG
> sjtruog at yahoo.com
> GO CATS!!!
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nwu-sports site list
> nwu-sports at tssi.com
> http://romaine.tssi.com/mailman/listinfo/nwu-sports
>
> _______________________________________________
> nwu-sports site list
> nwu-sports at tssi.com
> http://romaine.tssi.com/mailman/listinfo/nwu-sports
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nwu-sports site list
> nwu-sports at tssi.com
> http://romaine.tssi.com/mailman/listinfo/nwu-sports
>

-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
1237 Emerson St Apt 2
Evanston, IL  60201-3577
(847) 736-2449
jonathanwhodges at gmail.com