It seems to me the game was OSU's if they just run the clock down and kick a field goal. Instead, the score with plenty of time in clock for Texas to go down and win. I think the coach told them to try to cause a fumble and if that doesn't work let him into the end zone. OSU guy doesn't go into the endzone, go's down at somewhere between 1 and 5 yardline. Take 2 or 3 no risk runs ad kick a field goal with almost no time left. OSU wins by 1.
They had 2 TO's. If he goes to the 1, they call TO...around 2 minutes. 2nd down same thing, TO. Then 3rd down they run and either get the TD ay under 2 mins with Texas no TO's, or don't get it and kill another 45 seconds and kick a FG to go up with with around 1:10 and no TO's. What's better? Up 4 with Texas ball, 2 TO's and 2:05 left? Or, up 1 with Texas ball, 0 TO's and 1:10 left. Somewhat tough call. Alternatively, they may have scored the TD anyway but with less time and after burning 2 TO's. Tough.
The thinking was that Texas had 2 timeouts and anything can happen with the snap on a FG or blocked. You take the TD when you can get it.
What really made me think that Tressel is the worst coach of all time is that he did not call timeout at all when his defense was getting cut to shreds on the final drive. They were so tired, they had stopped lining up in like the 3rd quarter. Why keep 2 timeouts in your pocket? Why not call a timeout on 4th and 3? Why not call a timeout before the last play and make sure your defense is in the right places? He left 2 timeouts in his pocket when his defense desperately needed a break. Absolutely pathetic coaching.
What really made me think that Tressel is the worst coach of all time is that he did not call timeout at all when his defense was getting cut to shreds on the final drive. They were so tired, they had stopped lining up in like the 3rd quarter. Why keep 2 timeouts in your pocket? Why not call a timeout on 4th and 3? Why not call a timeout before the last play and make sure your defense is in the right places? He left 2 timeouts in his pocket when his defense desperately needed a break. Absolutely pathetic coaching.
honestly I dont know why more teams dont do this. YOU CANT WIN UNLESS YOU HAVE THE BALL. Case and point with Minnesota Philly this weekend. Philly just wore the clock down and held the ball eventually kicking a FG. LET THEM SCORE. FG,TD(dont mattter, as you are still down two scores) Get the ball back and let your offense go to work and hope for the onsides kick. You have a much better chance of winning with the ball than wasting 2-3 minutes as the other team runs 2 yrd draws and takes off 40 seconds a play.
Yes but you have to remember that is not the "by the book" coaching call. In most situations where it would be advisable to "let the other team score" your team is going to lose. It's a last ditch effort if you're letting them score just to save a few seconds. It may work one time in twenty.
So if your team is most likely going to lose anyway, if you're a NCAA/NFL coach, you want to play it by the book. You don't want to be seen taking what appears to be outlandish risks. Why? Two words: coaching carousel. If you play it by the book, win or lose, you will have another job waiting for you at another school or another franchise. If you go out on a limb and lose, you go to coaching purgatory. Simple as that.
So if your team is most likely going to lose anyway, if you're a NCAA/NFL coach, you want to play it by the book. You don't want to be seen taking what appears to be outlandish risks. Why? Two words: coaching carousel. If you play it by the book, win or lose, you will have another job waiting for you at another school or another franchise. If you go out on a limb and lose, you go to coaching purgatory. Simple as that.
That is an excellent point. I believe that Texas DID allow them to score. And I agrre with the poster that said not all coaches can get away with that. Mack Brown doesn't have to worry about job security. OSU was in a similar situation the first time they played in the championship game against Florida where the only way they were going to win was let Florida score a TD late in the game, but they didn't do that. A gutsy call, but teams should really do it more often.
First of all you missed 1st down. Redo your scenario, include 1st down and Texas would only be left with :40 to :45 seconds. Once Ohio st. got in field goal range clock was their ally and Texas's enemy. Buckeye's would have been a 99.5% lock to win if player took a knee at the 1 Yard line. Don't understand why this isn't done. Remember the scenario, at this point in the game clock is Texas's enemy. Ohio St should have used this to their advantage. Texas probably did let them score.
Oh yeah, you're right. They could have run 2 plays without timeouts. Right. So you, they could have milked clock down to around :40. Texas would have had 40 seconds with no TO's needing a FG.....vs. 2:05 with 2 TO's needing a TD. I'm still not 100% sure. Generally speaking, a FG is A LOT easier than needing a TD. Then again, also if they had done that then on 3rd down they could have chosen to try to punch it in resulting in around 1:20 left with no TO's needing a TD...much better than 2:05 with 2 TO's.
If the OSU guy was real clever when he broke through the defense he could have ran toward the corner near the goal line and just stood there and waited....wonder how long it would have taken Texas to go put him down.
Still, this is all much easier to analyze after the fact and not during the heat of battle when you're just trying to score.
I don't remember the game but I do remember a player that was clever enough to do exactly what you just described. I think it is something that almost has to be mentioned in the huddle. I do know that I was thinking that all Ohio State needed was a field goal and if they got one more first down, they could pretty much milk the clock down to nothing. smart play by Texas if they left him score on purpose. IMHO
