This is the big time coach

What did we end up with instead of 3 points?

ZERO POINTS !

What do I win Godz40?

 

What?

 

I was trying to figure out what the hell "this is the big time coach" meant before I realised you left out an important comma. This is the big time, coach.

Anyways, I thought we should have kicked the field goal at the beginning of the game. With that said, we had yet to make a FG, so it's not like this was some guaranteed three point situation.

 

No, it was not a guaranteed 3 points but it was a semi close FG for a young team, on the road, seeking something positive to build on. Odds / Risk were much higher on that 4th down attempt.

 

I may be the only one, but I did not want the FG attempt for multiple reasons:

1) Our special teams have not been a highlight reel.

2) A young team on the road against a very talented, seasoned opponent, gets overpowered and blocked kick, is very demoralizing and could take them out of the game.

3) We have a 6'6" WR on one side, and a 6'5" WR on the other side, matched up against 6' DBs.

HELLO FADE!

 

Off the top of my head, this is where we were coming into the USC game:

1 for 5 on 4th down
0 for 3 on field goals

After the game:
3 for 8 on 4th down
1 for 4 on field goals

The sample size is small, but the odds leading up to this situation, supported going for it. Also, it's early in the game and you have to believe Herman didn't think field goals were going to win this game. When you resort to trying to hang close, you usually end up losing the game.

 

Agree with your good points Sabre, and we ALL wanted 7, but don't agree in this particular situation with a young team, gritty frosh QB in his 2nd game start, first game on the road, loud crowd, early nerves for sure, need to get some points on the the board.

 

Problem is there were too many other opportunities later to seize a win that would have made this decision on 4th down largely forgotten....

 

In hindsight, @SabreHorn may be right. Our kicker is not dependable. Raise your hand if Herman called for a FG and it missed, who would be pissed?

 

Ha, I already knew you would be. But that's the nature of fans much of the time and I'm guilty of it. Second guessing.

 

I think the sample size is too small to determine if he's dependable or not. First game in a UT uniform in front of 100k people he was probably shaking like a wet dog.

 

I think this had a lot to do with it. I don't think anyone expected our Defense to play the way they did. I would have thought "We need TDs to keep up" also....until the D showed their moxie.

While I still think I would have leaned "get points on the board", I can certainly see an argument for "scoring TD's instead of FG's"

 

They HAVE to step it up on pass defense...the B12 is not exactly noted for being run-oriented. The D was OUT-effing-STANDING against USC and the run. But against the pass, where tackling in space was required, they got torched too often, including two very critical series at the ends of the half, not to mention the first USC OT possession.

 

While I like that in theory, we were not exactly in a position on the field where our kicker made those three points a sure thing...and a missed FG actually gives USC even BETTER field position than they got from the stop.