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If you’re a CFB coach, is there anything more satisfying

than looking at the scoreboard in the third quarter and seeing your team is 14 points behind a Lincoln Riley-coached team?

9 comments

9 Comments

Butkus51

Oct 21

C.LR decision for the FG was a 50/50 call. 6 minutes, 4th & 1, score 28-22 USC. The odds for making the FG was 71% vs making 1st down 61%. USC had 61% conversion rate in 4th down attempts in 6 games. Kicker Lanzt at that point was 71% making his FG's. It was a slight & better odds going for the FG & 3 pts. The FG puts USC up 31-22 and seals the game. But, it's 2 games now that Lanzt has not produced the winning FG (Penn St & Maryland) choked and all mental.

On the other hand, USC failing the 4th down attempt, puts Maryland in xlent field position to score 7 pts and win the game, like the 3 other losses.

If I were the coach, I would have gone for the FG. It's dam frustrating, these 4 losses have been ultra close. Fact, dam the D can't protect the lead, stop the opponent's O and close out games. I strongly feel it's lack of conditioning, the D must get in better FB conditioning next year!

Edited

SC Gator

Oct 21

Replying to

What is SC's success rate this year on 4th and 1? If it's 61% on all 4th down calls, I'd bet it's better on 4th and 1 than the chance of the inconsistent kicker hitting in the clutch.

Analytics aside, not going for it in that situation is a real loser move. The ball is on the Maryland 24. Playing for the field goal says to the world, "We don't have confidence in our offense to make one yard with the game on the line."

As I have said before, it's not just the defense that can't close out games. It's the offense, too. Look at its fourth quarter production while playing with the lead the last three weeks.

Edited