If we win the coin toss this week...

Discussion in 'On The Field' started by Clean, Oct 28, 2016.

  1. Clean

    Clean 5,000+ Posts

    ... take the damn ball, Charlie. I read somewhere that we've kicked off in all 7 games this season. It's time for a change. I'm tired of being down 7-14 points in the first quarter.

    Theoretically it shouldn't make a difference, but I think if we were up 7-0 instead of down 7-0 or 14-0, maybe our situation wouldn't seem so desperate all the time. Back before the "defer" option was available, coaches usually elected to receive, unless a hurricane wind was blowing or something.
     
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  2. nashhorn

    nashhorn 5,000+ Posts

    I know some one said this was a trivial thing when compared to all our issues but still I completely agree. Why go down 7 - 0 from the get go, which is most likely to happen.
     
  3. Walking Boss

    Walking Boss 2,500+ Posts

    Back when we were TEXAS:

    "It don't make a S*#!"

    Now, it still don't make a S*#! Just for all the wrong reasons.
     
  4. Hpslugga

    Hpslugga 2,500+ Posts

    It stems from an old frame of mind. Any coach that started in the "defer option" era would tell you that the main reason they defer is because, to paraphrase, "there's no possession that has the potential to make a huge impact in the game than the first one of the second half." So they'll risk being down 7-0 in the first if it means they can return the favor in the second half.

    I'm of the mindset that says it depends on what type of team you have (excluding weather issues). If you have a defensive team, defer; if you have an offensive team, take the damn ball. If you have a truly dominant team, a la 2005, then yeah it really don't make a ****.
     
  5. LonghornCatholic

    LonghornCatholic Deo Gratias

    I agree, we should take the ball so we can be up 7-0 before its 7-55.
     
  6. Detective Shilala

    Detective Shilala 2,500+ Posts

    I just hope we don't elect to kick off BOTH halves.
    That happened once. True story.
     
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  7. moondog_LFZ

    moondog_LFZ 5,000+ Posts

    Mack always deferred in hopes of scoring last in the first half and then scoring first in the second half.
    Thereby having the potential of a 14 point swing in the game.
    I still kind of like that thinking.
     
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  8. The Horn Identity

    The Horn Identity 500+ Posts

    I thought the conventional wisdom on deferring to the second half was that there was a greater chance of an early mistake on offense, so it was better to start on defense and let the offense ease into the game.
    It would be interesting to see if there is any merit to that thinking. For instance, are teams more likely to turn the ball over (or go 3-out) on their first possession?
     
  9. Clean

    Clean 5,000+ Posts

    Supposedly when he was with the AFL's Houston Oilers, Warren McVea lost the coin flip. The other team took the wind, which apparently confused McVea because he elected to kick off -- into the wind.

    I think we might have kicked off both halves last year against UCLA.
     
  10. El Sapo

    El Sapo Bevo's BFF

    I'm thinking receiving the ball and scoring on our opening drive might be our best shot at having the lead just once in this game :idk:
     
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  11. car54

    car54 1,000+ Posts

    I usually deferred, got the non-side kick, and got the darn ball anyway to start both halves...LOL
     
  12. BevoJoe

    BevoJoe 10,000+ Posts

    Yep, 2014 UCLA game at Jerry World.

    I agree on the coin toss. Take the damn ball! We score and are up 7, that should give the guys a boost and have something to defend. Probably won't happen though.
     
  13. SabreHorn

    SabreHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Clean,

    In the AFL Championship Game, Lamar Hunt's Dallas Texans won the overtime toss as the visiting team. That mental giant Abner Haynes chose to kickoff into the wind in a sudden death situation. Dallas won anyway.

    Boss,

    At least give Bill credit for the quote. I thought Vince Buckley (still the greatest referee in NCAA history, and the man for whom the "Buckley Rule" occurred) was going to choke. Larry Steagent (sp) almost swallowed his tongue - his words not mine.

    You defer to have the choice in the second half. Supposedly the first 3-5 minutes of the second half are the most important in the game. With this coaching staff, is any point in the game more important than any other?
     
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  14. BevoJoe

    BevoJoe 10,000+ Posts

    Hank Stram would get mad about that until his dying day. Len Dawson tells that story great. Abner wasn't supposed to say anything, but before Len could speak, he shouted out "we kick to the clock." Refs had him repeat it and then said you're kicking off. Houston took the ball and the wind, Stram blew a gasket!
     
  15. Statalyzer

    Statalyzer 10,000+ Posts

    If the assumption is an automatic TD either way, having it happen on the first possession of the 2nd half is not any better.

    I kind of think choosing to receive to start the first half rather than deferring is slightly better because it means you get to choose to have the wind at your back in the 4th quarter for any late-game FG attempts.
     

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